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Why does my geddy lee jazz bass lack so much midrange? (with soundsamples)

Drienvyftigcent

Drienvyftigcent

Aug 18, 2013
98
32
Netherlands
#1
A while back I bought a secondhand made in japan geddy lee jazz bass, and it plays well but after a while I realized that it sounds quite different from the previous one I used to have years ago. That one sounded great, it had the midrange that a typical geddy lee or 70s jazz does. While this one resonates better than the old one I had, this one sounds glassy and quite scooped, it lacks the midrange presence and warmth that pretty much every other geddy lee sig has that I've heard. I'm confused by this since everything is original on it, pickups and electronics, and I'm aware that small fluctuations in sound are normal even between identically built basses but this is more than that to my ear.

I experimented with eq to bring some of the mids back and it helps a bit but not enough. I could replace the pickups but I'm not sure that would bring back the mids, and I don't feel good about doing that on a geddy lee signature because it usually has some of the best sounding stock pickups I've heard. I'm considering selling the bass after all but first I wanted to post about it here to get some feedback. I recorded a few riffs though a di. Any thoughts? And what do you think about the sound?

 
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#7
Drienvyftigcent said:
A while back I bought a secondhand made in japan geddy lee jazz bass, and it plays well but after a while I realized that it sounds quite different from the previous one I used to have years ago. That one sounded great, it had the midrange that a typical geddy lee or 70s jazz does. While this one resonates better than the old one I had, this one sounds glassy and quite scooped, it lacks the midrange presence and warmth that pretty much every other geddy lee sig has that I've heard. I'm confused by this since everything is original on it, pickups and electronics, and I'm aware that small fluctuations in sound are normal even between identically built basses but this is more than that to my ear.

I experimented with eq to bring some of the mids back and it helps a bit but not enough. I could replace the pickups but I'm not sure that would bring back the mids, and I don't feel good about doing that on a geddy lee signature because it usually has some of the best sounding stock pickups I've heard. I'm considering selling the bass after all but first I wanted to post about it here to get some feedback. I recorded a few riffs though a di. Any thoughts? And what do you think about the sound?

Click to expand...


I think it sounds pretty good. Most jazz basses I play have a lot more “woof” to them. Yours sounds nice and clear.

Remember, you will always get some scoop with both pickups open. That’s just how they work, but yours sounds nice.

Do you have anything you can rub in front of the DI? I’ve been going ampless for a couple years and direct sounds decent, but the magic really happened when I stuck a helix stomp in front so I can use an amp model and a little dirt.
 
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#8
Drienvyftigcent said:
I realized that it sounds quite different from the previous one I used to have
Click to expand...
You are experiencing the fact that no 2 "identical" basses will sound the same.
Time will have an effect on how we perceive things (memory, hearing, and change in preferences) but the above fact remains.

aero58 said:
What strings are you using? Are they the same brand that you had on the previous Geddy? Have you experimented with different strings?
Click to expand...
This is where I'd start.
Pickups are the next step if different strings don't do the job...
 
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#9
I’m going to sound like a broken record with my recommendation…try a para eq pedal. A para eq pedal can reduce dominant unwanted frequencies while boosting desired frequencies that are lacking. You’ll be surprised by how much you can alter the tone of an instrument.

But…if you want to go with just the stock instrument, you really have only two options.
1) Adjusting pickup balance, height , etc.
2) Experiment with different strings.
 
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#14
InhumanResource said:
I think it sounds pretty good. Most jazz basses I play have a lot more “woof” to them. Yours sounds nice and clear.

Remember, you will always get some scoop with both pickups open. That’s just how they work, but yours sounds nice.

Do you have anything you can rub in front of the DI? I’ve been going ampless for a couple years and direct sounds decent, but the magic really happened when I stuck a helix stomp in front so I can use an amp model and a little dirt.
Click to expand...
Thanks I appreciate that, wish I felt the same way about the sound. I do usually process it with my helix floor it's just that I don't like the sound of the bass itsself, and my previous gl sig sounded a lot better (unfortunately it had other issues which pressed me to sell it).
 
#15
Drienvyftigcent said:
Thanks I appreciate that, wish I felt the same way about the sound. I do usually process it with my helix floor it's just that I don't like the sound of the bass itsself, and my previous gl sig sounded a lot better (unfortunately it had other issues which pressed me to sell it).
Click to expand...

I get it. Jazzes are super finicky IMO and I’ve passed on lots that weren’t “right” before settling on what I have currently. Plus everyone’s taste is different, if you don’t like it then you don’t like it. I can definitely appreciate that they don’t all have “it” for whatever reason.
 
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