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Which Bass to get?

V

VinOnBass

Oct 2, 2008
65
0
#1
Hi Everyone,

I need some advice here.

Marcus Miller VI, American Standard 08 or Geddy Lee.

Take in consideration of the price...

I live in Singapore (somewhere in South-East Asia) and thus the price is slightly different and higher.

Marcus Miller is 1282 USD (New)
Geddy Lee is 814 USD (Used but in Mint condition)
American Standard is 1288 USD (New)

Which one would you get in your opinion? I would like to hear them.. Thanks!
 
#2
Marcus Miller VI ? :confused:

I think you meant to type IV. :)

Okay, sorry about that. ;)


I'd personally get the Marcus Miller.

I don't know why, I actually don't prefer jazz basses. But if I do have to get one, Marcus Miller.

What style of music do you play?
 
#3
thanks for your quick reply.

I usually play alot of christian rock music, Blues and soft Jazz.

A better idea will be...

Christian music: delirious, hillsongs etc..
Rock: Red hot chilli pepper, maroon 5 etc..
Jazz: marcus miller music, james jefferson etc..
 
#4
Don't know the Marcus well (but it's an active bass; the other two are passive), but the major difference between between the Geddy and the American Standard is the neck profile. Geddy has a REALLY SLIM neck - not the width, but the thickness. People either love it ("it's so fast!" and "my small hands can easily reach around!") or hate it. There's other differences - mostly in the cost of the components; but the biggest differentiator to me (aside from the Geddy's neck profile) is the way you make neck adjustments - the Am Standard is relatively easy to get to - the adjustment nut is down at the base of the neck - easy to get to. The Geddy's is more difficult; being up in the headstock.
 
#6
I have both the Geddy Lee and the Marcus Miller IV.

The Geddy Lee has a slim neck, but it is wider than the neck on the Marcus Miller Jazz. Also, Geddy Lee has larger frets than the Marcus Miller, especially past the 12th fret. So that makes it easier to play.

Now as far as sound. I actually find the Geddy Lee to be more versatile than the Marcus Miller. On the Geddy Lee, you can get pretty good finger style tone by lowering the volume of the neck pickup and the tone. You want slap, turn both pickups up all the way and turn down the tone slightly. You'll get a marcus miller type slap tone.

So I'd say, given that the Geddy Lee is cheaper for you, get that. The Geddy is passive, whereas the Marcus Miller has a preamp, but it sucks. A lot of times I play the Marcus Miller in passive mode--in which case you have no tone controls.

That's my rambling for today.
 
#7
Both the Marcus and Geddy are 70s version jazz basses ash/maple with a more aggresive 70s pick up spacing. If that's your thing I think it's a simple choice between the active Marcus and passive Geddy. I prefer the Geddy but I am a passive guy.

The new 08s have a more traditional 60s type spacing and are avialable as alder/rosewood or ash/maple and are all passive.

I think you need to find that general stylistic difference and your preferences and the choice will be pretty easy.
 
#8
Thanks alot for all your comments!

Keep them coming as I do not want to spend money that are not worthwhile. =)

Anyone would like to comment on the MIA jazz bass with S-1 Switch? Is that a good bass to keep?
 
#9
VinOnBass said:
Thanks alot for all your comments!

Keep them coming as I do not want to spend money that are not worthwhile. =)

Anyone would like to comment on the MIA jazz bass with S-1 Switch? Is that a good bass to keep?
Click to expand...
I'd say that's up to you.:) If you're happy with your current Jazz, I'd stick with that one. Are you looking to get a second bass, or replace your current one?
 
#10
hmmm I'm looking for a 2nd bass.

If not, I don't mind selling it off. I can fetch around USD 1015 and that could fund me for another bass. I'm just thinking if it's worth it.

I'm currently quite happy with the bass but I'm just wondering if it's worth while to invest another 250+ USD for a New American Standard Jazz instead of what I'm holding on now (American Std S-1 Switch Jazz 06)
 
#12
VinOnBass said:
hmmm I'm looking for a 2nd bass.

If not, I don't mind selling it off. I can fetch around USD 1015 and that could fund me for another bass. I'm just thinking if it's worth it.

I'm currently quite happy with the bass but I'm just wondering if it's worth while to invest another 250+ USD for a New American Standard Jazz instead of what I'm holding on now (S-1 Switch Jazz 06)
Click to expand...

If you want a second bass definately the Marcus Miller.

Then you'd have something different, and according to what you told you want this bass is the kind of animal for you.
 
#13
Bassorama57 said:
Don't know the Marcus well (but it's an active bass; the other two are passive), but the major difference between between the Geddy and the American Standard is the neck profile. Geddy has a REALLY SLIM neck - not the width, but the thickness. People either love it ("it's so fast!" and "my small hands can easily reach around!") or hate it. There's other differences - mostly in the cost of the components; but the biggest differentiator to me (aside from the Geddy's neck profile) is the way you make neck adjustments - the Am Standard is relatively easy to get to - the adjustment nut is down at the base of the neck - easy to get to. The Geddy's is more difficult; being up in the headstock.
Click to expand...

:eyebrow: I had 2 Geddy's and I don't remember the adjustment being at the headstock end. It was at the base of the neck like the Music Man (not the same type of adjustment, but same place). With the Geddy you have to take the neck off to adjust it or you can route out part of the body and use a bent screwdriver to get the job done. ;) I think you might have gotten them backwards here. I will admit thought that the neck is one of the top 2 I've played in my life. I do like it a lot!:D
 
#15
VinOnBass said:
Alright! Seems like it's pro-geddy lee.

feel free to post your opinion here, it's very much appreciated. =)

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Hey Vin take a step back.

Name three things you don't like about your MIA Jazz with the s1 switch. And tell me how and why any of those other basses will be a better bass for you and address those issues.

It is starting to sound like your just looking for an excuse to buy something. I'm all for that assuming you play and fall in love with the new bass.
 
#17
VinOnBass said:
oh. haha forgot to mention about it.

It's really about the fretboard. If you notice those 3 basses that I've posted, they are all maple fretboard. haha, my mia is a rosewood one. =)
Click to expand...

You didn't mention that! The new 08s come in both rosewood and maple. It now makes a little more sense.

Personally I don't really love the MM active preamp, the Geddy has a nice aggressive tone, more so then the new 08s with maple boards IMO. I think the 08s will in general be a little more tame then the Geddy but they do vary from my experience.
 
#19
haha actually, I love all of it. Black and natural are my thing. haha

Guess I'll go with Geddy which will save me some money =)

Thanks alot!

Feel free to continue posting in this thread, more opinion won't hurt. :)
 

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