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Squier VM Jazz vs. Geddy Lee Signature

M

Myrriad

Inactive
Oct 11, 2012
202
3
#1
I wanted:

-Jazz
-Neck
-Block inlays
-4 string

It looks like it's between these two, but I've got a few questions.

Are the inlays on both actually inlays, or stickers?

How does the sound and playability compare?

How's the quality of the Squier? I've heard good things, but I'd like to see. I know quite a lot of people replace the pickups.

And on that note, will most Jazz pickups (EMG, D'Marzio, etc.) fit the stock routing on the Squier?
 
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#2
It's not really a good comparison. I own the Squier and it is a great $300 bass. The pickups sound great very punchy, nice fit and finish. The block inlays are painted I think. The Geddy is a $1,000 dollar bass new. I have played one not owned one, but they seem like a good solid mid priced bass. The pick ups should drop in.
 
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#3
I own a Squier VM V, but I can't compare it to the Geddy since I haven't played one.
The VM V has a very nice neck. They are actual inlays, not stickers or painted on. Low action. The sound was okay, but I'm a little picky I guess, so I changed out all the electronics, pups, pots, wiring and capacitor (which can have as much effect on sound as anything else). Pics on 2nd page of this thread - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/nbd-squier-vintage-modfied-v-941208/
I also shielded all cavities and the back of the pg. You can get a little hum when the volume knobs are in different positions, but it's quiet when they're in sync.
Whether you upgrade the electronics or not, it's a very good bass for the money.

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#4
Squier VM Jazz tend to be a very faithful '70s Jazz bass (not VM '77, right?) so it's heavy and hot

#1 VM I had went back 'cause its neck (it happens on VMs) tended to warp even with my full step downtunin'

#2 VM stayed with me a lot more, yet it ended up widely modified: I replaced the neck with American Deluxe Precision 21 fret maple neck but, in coherence to the '70s, I applied true Fender stamped open gear Vintage tuners (with Hipshot BT2 bass extender;)) USA ultralow/mid Bartolini pick ups, splinter jackinput and original "F" neckheeljoint

I turned it into a more punchier (less growler) "metal machine",
but originally, that's what you wanna hear, it's basically a hot bass, with very brilliant attack and crispy, "slappable", trebles

Fender MIJ Geddy Lee is a more traditional alder bodied and '62 soundin' pickup bass.
Fit and finish is outstandin' and the neck is probably where Ibanez Soundgears took inspiration from. But it must be very true to the instrument Geddy uses. Geddy is famous for havin' a huge strength in his hands and infact his bass has to be beaten to heck to let it roar
It's very quiet instead and I felt disappointed for that... I play thru a complex system made of pedalboards, pre, equalization,
yet I had to beat it to let it sound (not even) quite like I need

I modded the Squier (even if it's not necessary) I wouldn't do the same on the Fender (and I would have been compelled to)
I traded it very quick.

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#5
Wallace320 said:
Squier VM Jazz tend to be a very faithful '70s Jazz bass (not VM '77, right?) so it's heavy and hot

#1 VM I had went back 'cause its neck (it happens on VMs) tended to warp even with my full step downtunin'

#2 VM stayed with me a lot more, yet it ended up widely modified: I replaced the neck with American Deluxe Precision 21 fret maple neck but, in coherence to the '70s, I applied true Fender stamped open gear Vintage tuners (with Hipshot BT2 bass extender;)) USA ultralow/mid Bartolini pick ups, splinter jackinput and original "F" neckheeljoint

I turned it into a more punchier (less growler) "metal machine",
but originally, that's what you wanna hear, it's basically a hot bass, with very brilliant attack and crispy, "slappable", trebles

Fender MIJ Geddy Lee is a more traditional alder bodied and '62 soundin' pickup bass.
Fit and finish is outstandin' and the neck is probably where Ibanez Soundgears took inspiration from. But it must be very true to the instrument Geddy uses. Geddy is famous for havin' a huge strength in his hands and infact his bass has to be beaten to heck to let it roar
It's very quiet instead and I felt disappointed for that... I play thru a complex system made of pedalboards, pre, equalization,
yet I had to beat it to let it sound (not even) quite like I need

I modded the Squier (even if it's not necessary) I wouldn't do the same on the Fender (and I would have been compelled to)
I traded it very quick.

Cheers,
Wallace
Click to expand...

The MIJ Geddy has indeed superb finish and build/ fit. The neck is very stable for being that slim. The body is on the heavy side, the pups sound great but as say, a bit lower on output compares to some other basses, but not really a problem.
I do not know anything about the VM Jazz, but I do own both a MIJ Geddy and a CV60 P bass. Wile the Squier is a very good bass with good finish and build quality it is as impressive as the Geddy.
Inlays on most Geddy are painted. The maple fretboard and the Badass bridge do give a bright top end.
 
#6
MIJ Geddy Lee hands down I say it's one of fenders best jazz bass's.as some one how has owned both and still owns the MIJ GL
KenRachelsept2012019.jpg

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I tried to make a white trash version of Geddy's with a VM 77 it was a sad comparison.
both have real block inlays the vms were ugly not very Perle
the neck I was always tweaking the VM neck very hard to get action low and still be playable
the Geddy neck it's a little thinner but rock solid awesome frets I get super low action with little buzz.
VM has agathis body heavy,very dead sounding.
Geddy alder body light-med weight. bright and resonant.
 
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#7
Yeah this is kind of not a fair comparison to be honest lol

I would say there are some things that the Geddy has (ridiculously thin neck) that you won't find on the Squier. The pickups are obviously far superior in the Geddy and you have some other different features as well. With a pickup change and decent setup, the Squier can play VERY nice for a $300 bass if you pick a good one. I say "pick a good one" because the quality can vary from bass to bass on those IME, so play one and if it plays well grab THAT one. I managed to snag a good one and I couldn't be happier with it. Dimarzio Model J's in it....freakin amazing bass, especially with an all-tube amp.
 
#8
As you've heard, the inlays on the VM jazz are real. The quality of Squier is on par with Fender - both have some good instruments, and both have some bad ones. Some people change pickups and hardware on Squiers, some people change pickups and hardware on Fenders, and many people just leave it all as is on both basses.

If you play them both with your eyes closed and not knowing which one you are holding, you may not ever notice a difference. I've always found the VM Jazz to be on par with or superior to anything else I've tried (with one exception, that being the incredible CV Jazz...but that's another discussion...) For me, I prefer keeping the extra money in my pocket or using it for other things like pedals and amps (or other basses! :) ). For you, it might be important to have a "Fender", I don't know...but if I look at the 4 requirements outlined in your original post, the VM Jazz nails what you are looking for, for a fraction of the price of the Fender (or anything else, like a Lakland). Its what I would go for...oh wait, I actually did go for it - I own a VM Jazz, which remains entirely stock, and love it!
 
#9
blocks_and_binding_zps738620a6.jpg

I have 2 Geddy's and a VM Jazz. Top #1 and #2 favorite necks I own out of 8 basses.
The Squier is the best playing. I love the black Geddy neck 2nd best. 3rd is the sunburst Geddy.

For some reason that Squier has the fastest ,smoothest, and nicest neck of all. It is just my opinion and it all is up to the individual but man, it rocks.

The black Geddy has a VERY thin neck (bought in 2012) and the sunburst is very nice but thicker toward the body side. Since I like 'em thin, the black Geddy wins that one. The sunburst was made years before the black one?!?!

And of course both Geddys have exceptional build and finish.

Also to note, the Geddys do not sound alike. The sunburst has better low end thump to it. It is also heavier.

The Squier, IMHO, needs a pickup replacement. A little weak there for sure but an easy fix. I have not tried replacing so I do not know anything about the sizes. I do believe that both pickups are the exact same size, which is not always the case with Jazz pickups so be aware of that.
 
#12
Wallace320 said:
Squier VM Jazz tend to be a very faithful '70s Jazz bass (not VM '77, right?) so it's heavy and hot

#1 VM I had went back 'cause its neck (it happens on VMs) tended to warp even with my full step downtunin'

#2 VM stayed with me a lot more, yet it ended up widely modified: I replaced the neck with American Deluxe Precision 21 fret maple neck but, in coherence to the '70s, I applied true Fender stamped open gear Vintage tuners (with Hipshot BT2 bass extender;)) USA ultralow/mid Bartolini pick ups, splinter jackinput and original "F" neckheeljoint

I turned it into a more punchier (less growler) "metal machine",
but originally, that's what you wanna hear, it's basically a hot bass, with very brilliant attack and crispy, "slappable", trebles

Fender MIJ Geddy Lee is a more traditional alder bodied and '62 soundin' pickup bass.
Fit and finish is outstandin' and the neck is probably where Ibanez Soundgears took inspiration from. But it must be very true to the instrument Geddy uses. Geddy is famous for havin' a huge strength in his hands and infact his bass has to be beaten to heck to let it roar
It's very quiet instead and I felt disappointed for that... I play thru a complex system made of pedalboards, pre, equalization,
yet I had to beat it to let it sound (not even) quite like I need

I modded the Squier (even if it's not necessary) I wouldn't do the same on the Fender (and I would have been compelled to)
I traded it very quick.

Cheers,
Wallace
Click to expand...

Given that the VM is a 20 fret neck, how did you switch to a 21 fret neck without throwing out your intonation due to the fret positions being out of place? You did add 1/2-3/4" to your overall scale length by adding that neck & leaving the bridge in the stock position.
 
#13
rootsnfifths said:
http://i1307.

The Squier, IMHO, needs a pickup replacement. A little weak there for sure but an easy fix. I have not tried replacing so I do not know anything about the sizes. I do believe that both pickups are the exact same size, which is not always the case with Jazz pickups so be aware of that.[/QUOTE]

The pickups are standard short/ long J lengths. I've tried a bunch of pickups and ended up leaving it stock.
Click to expand...
 
#15
Sadly, the $700+ Fenders use get you into a 90% reliable bass, now I'd say its about 60% and you're just as likely to score a well-made Squire... try Squires until you find a good one, then snag it. It's easy enough to upgrade parts as needed... I completely converted a VM Jaguar ( even put on Fender decals) It's a great bass... under $300 for the bass, about $600 in parts. Presto! A bass I would put up against any Fender.
 
#16
I love my VM Jazz. Passive, easy to work on and like it was said below, if you get a well made one (I GOT AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL MADE ONE) it's just as good as any Fender out there. It's just made in Japan.

Lower the action, crank the highs and you got the geddy sound for $279.

Can ya beat it?
 
#19
awilkie84 said:
Given that the VM is a 20 fret neck, how did you switch to a 21 fret neck without throwing out your intonation due to the fret positions being out of place? You did add 1/2-3/4" to your overall scale length by adding that neck & leaving the bridge in the stock position.
Click to expand...

Infact it's conceived to get placed in each and every traditional neck socket...
While 21st fret fills neck width it's just the extra "portion" to lay suspended over the pickguard

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#20
audioglenn said:
I can only speak about the Squier VM J...they are great basses! I have heard many good things about the neck on the Geddy, but I have never played one.
Click to expand...

They neck on the Geddy is a masterpiece. Could have been placed on a much more expensive bass. Actually it was Geddy which insisted that the Geddy sig bass would not be a custom shop,thing, thus that it should be a affordable bass. I remember thinking about buying a MIA jazz or the Geddy. I'm very happy I went for the Geddy, and even more today as my Geddy is a MIJ one as this line is discontinued.
 

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