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Which Fender for me?

Which bass would you choose?

  • Geddy Lee Jazz

    Votes: 61 55.5%

  • Jaguar

    Votes: 20 18.2%

  • MIM P-bass Special

    Votes: 15 13.6%

  • carrots

    Votes: 14 12.7%
  • Total voters
    110
  • Poll closed .
Double Agent

Double Agent

Supporting Member
Mar 10, 2006
3,846
1,231
Lakeland, FL
#1
I am saving for another bass and I am not sure which way to go, so I need some votes to help me. I have played all of these and like them all for different reasons, so don't say something lame like "whatever feels best to you", as they all feel pretty similar. I am not asking anyone to decide for me, simply which YOU would pick and why.

So here are my thoughts, and maybe it will help you all figure out where I'm coming from:

The Geddy: There are lots of things to love about this bass. I prefer maple fretboards, so thats a plus. I love the look of the blocks and binding. I used to own one, and I found it was great for the rocking stuff, but it really couldn't deliver when it was time to do something warm and sweet. Not diverse enough I guess. It would be great to own one again, but since I have no other bass right now, I am not sure its diverse enough for my needs.

The Jaguar: I have only played a couple of these at GC. I liked what I heard, but the looks are kind of an acquired taste. I am used to that, but I have read reviews saying that these lack in midrange and that they are prone to noise and these both REALLY concern me. Like the blocks again, no maple fretboard is kind of a bummer. Seems like it would be more diverse than the Geddy, but not sure about the noise and lack of mids. I could dial them in with my amp though, so maybe its just asthetics that have me worried (no maple f/board, quirky looks).

The P-bass Special: I used to own one of these as well, and could not tell you today why I sold. I actually had one of the old California Series ones, but its pretty much the same bass, Pbass body, Jazz neck, P/J pickup config. New ones have an active pre and are available with maple fretboards(YAY:hyper: ). But I am bit leery of the MIM quality, though the Deluxe Series seems to have fewer QC complaints than the Standard, so it might be over nothing. Really diverse tone, great combo of punch and bite. HATE the gold pickguard though, but I can change that w/o too much trouble.

There it is, any help is appreciated, even if you don't have experience with all 3. Feel free to share horror/success stories on any of them. Thanks TB!
 
#2
Can't go wrong with a Geddy. I love Jaguars. . . if they had them lefty I would buy one in a second. Fiddled with one the other day at GC. . . they are quite handsome.

I personally don't like the P/J or MIMs.

If I was in the market for a mid-priced Fender, I would go for a used, recent American Jazz. Spend $100 bucks in a setup/fret level, and you are done. . .
 
#3
Not to throw something else in the mix, but I would go check out the Highway 1 Jazz (Upgrade), I got one recently to mess around with, and am stunned with the sound from it. The feel reminds me of some truly vintage Jazz basses that I've played. Definitely worth checking out in the same price range.

Robert
 
#6
So far, I have 27 votes but only 4 replies, one of which is useless to me(sorry bthiemann).

Anyone care to expound on their votes? Perhaps you feel that a warm tone is possible with the Gedster? Or that the quality of MIM basses isn't that bad to be avoiding them? Please continue.
 
#8
I really wish I could delete the carrots option. I shouldn't have put it in there.

Guys, I appreciate the alternative suggestions, and I am aware there are other options out there. I am having a hard enough time making up my mind though. I have it narrowed down to these 3 choices. I understand some of you would not choose any of these, but I am looking for feedback related to these 3 choices.
 
#10
JLW said:
What kind of music are you playing in and give us samples/examples of a sound you would like to achieve. Sound clips/youtube links are especially useful.
Click to expand...

Guess I should have listed this initially, though I was more interested in what other people think of these basses. I play in a band that does rock covers of all kinds from The Eagles to Alice in Chains. We also do originals, most of which are pretty much standard contemporary rock. I love, love, love Geddys tone, but its not what I really aspire to sound like. I guess I would like something similar to his tone, but with a little more depth/low-end.

In the end, I think any of these 3 could do the job, I am just feeling out for other's experiences with any of them, whether good or bad. I've been leaning towards the P-special, but the Geddy is quite alluring.
 
#13
I'm a maple fretboard guy too, and my Jazz is my number one overall, so I voted Geddy. For a little more warmth, try different strings, maybe even pressurewounds or bright flats like D'Addario Chromes. I've played a few new Geddys lately, and have been mightily impressed.

I agree MIM quality has improved enormously of late, but I've never been impressed with recent P-bass Specials. I'm sure some are great, but I haven't found a great one. And the active-only electronics are a deal-breaker for sure. If you're leaning toward a P/J, the Reggie Hamilton Standard is much, much better -- but no maple board.
 
#17
Double Agent said:
I play in a band that does rock covers of all kinds from The Eagles to Alice in Chains. We also do originals, most of which are pretty much standard contemporary rock. I love, love, love Geddys tone, but its not what I really aspire to sound like. I guess I would like something similar to his tone, but with a little more depth/low-end.
Click to expand...


Find a used HWY 1 P bass.

It fits my rock band perfectly. Now my Geddy Lee and my Precision Lyte (P&J with 3 band) both collect dust.

If you want something kind of like a Jazz tone, but "with a little more depth/low-end" - That's a P bass! (IMHO)
 

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