Fender Geddy Lee Jazz

Bass

Made by Fender

Posted By	ActiveBass
Directory	Equipment: Basses

Rate/Review This Resource

Overall Rating: 4.5 (of 5)

Rating	Votes	%
	7	54
	5	38
	1	8
	0	0
	0	0
From 13 votes total

Member Reviews

On 8/21/2006, Jason Armagost (27) posted:

Overall Rating:

My overall opinion of this bass is that it is one that will never leave my collection

Model Year: 2006
Price: $650.00 (new)
Where Obtained: spotts music center

Features:

All the features are the standerd that are listed in the catalogs

Playability:

String height was very adjustable for me.slimmed down jazz neck is very fast also. compared to my p bass i think it plays much better

Durability:

Play this bass weekly at shows and have had no problems so far. strap locks i added are working well no adjustment needed so far

On 12/4/2005, Kyle Someguy (16) posted:

Overall Rating:

Over all i think that this bass will never leave my arsenal, and it will always be a love in my bass life

Model Year: 1996
Price: $599.99 Canadian
Where Obtained: Long and Mcquade

Features:

Japan, Slim jazz neck, classic body, EMG pickups, Leo Quan badass 2 bridge, black finish with brownish red pickguard. Vintage tuners.

Playability:

I like my action low and smooth, The neck is great for this, smooth and slim, there is some fretbuzz on the 12-15th frets.but im getting it re adjusted.

Sound Quality:

The sound quality is awesome, I play metal, so this is not my main bass for writing music with my band, but im also in my schools jazz band, so this can be my waepon of choice in some situations. In the future i hope to buy a real american fender jazz bass

Durability:

The bass is very good, and looks profesional on stage. The hardware is holding up great, and it needs to be adjusted every 6-8 months are so.

On 8/15/2005, Charles Cassar (123) posted:

Overall Rating:

This is a lovely bass and one that is available at a great price (400$ in the US or thereabout). It is ideally suited for playing with a rock band with lots of space, and acquits itself nicely in other areas. It's only real fault is it's lack of low end boom, otherwise this is an excellent bass from top to bottom.

On 6/19/2005, Tom Griffin (231) posted:

Overall Rating:

I love this bass,

Model Year: 2004
Price: $675.00 (new)
Where Obtained: sam ash

Features:

I love the thin neck and the tone is just killer! It also has endless sustain with the badass bridge. I have it setung with DR lowriders.

Playability:

I have the action a tad high,I play a little aggressive at times,the neck is nice and thin.it is second to none

Sound Quality:

I am playing thru a Ibanez soundwave35 at home but jam thru a GK 800RB,it has a strong warm punch

Durability:

So far so good,climate has not caused any problems

On 5/24/2005, Andrew Nutter (60) posted:

Overall Rating:

I wanted a fender j-bass, and love Geddy so this was a no brainer for me...The worst part about this bass was that I had to wait like two months for the shipment to come over on a boat from Japan...i would buy this bass again but not for the full price of $629-$699... I would recommend this bass to anyone...

Model Year: 2001
Price: $479.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Washington Music

Features:

Made in Japan... Alder body, maple neck...Cut to Geddy's specs... Four string, standard Jazz replica that Geddy uses... Two volume, one tone control... Two j-bass pickups...active electronics... Black finish, bad a-- II bridge...

Playability:

Great action with the slimmed down neck...The bad a-- II bridge does a great job at keeping the action low to the neck...I have used other fender jazz's and this one is top notch... I have replaced the strings with some heavier rotosound roundwound RS 66LH strings...still has that similar growl that you find on the moving pictures album... One flaw I noticed when the bass was shipped to me, was that there was a small scratch in the finish on the neck near the 5th fret...other than that, great appearance...

Sound Quality:

I have played this bass through an swr workingman's 12 with some great results... great low end and the mids are crisp and bright... i am not a great slap player but this thing can hold it's own on some funk lines my group plays...the practice amp i use is a crate bx25 and i can push that clip limiter and rattle all of the windows in my basement...this bass works great on stage and in the bedroom...

Durability:

This is a great bass for live gigs but I have found that the truss rod is hard to get to... It is located under the neck cover and is a bastard to get at...the strap locks seem to come loose but can easily be tightened before your next gig with no problem...I keep this thing in my basement during the winter and summer...My basement is damp and cold, neither have affected the playability or sound...

On 3/6/2005, Andrew Mcintosh (11) posted:

Overall Rating:

I like the sound of geddy lees bass I wanted to try toget that sound

Model Year: 2004
Price: $699.00 (new)
Where Obtained: musicians friend

Features:

Made in japan maple neck, 20frets, 4strings,2volume 1tone, 2pickups,active electronics,jazz style body,BA stlyle brindge, nonlocking tunners

Playability:

Just obtained new dont know for sure yet Ihad been playing apeevey t40 alot wider neck for a 4 string

Sound Quality:

Crate 200 watt 15 inch cab no effects just EQ,I play classic rock some metal,alternative, some country, sofar it fits the styles I play, Ilike the claer low end sound not mushey ,good for stage, good sound straight up in recording mixer EQ

Durability:

So far it holds up good for stage only retuned once in 35 song session live new strings

On 9/4/2003, David Fowlkes (150) posted:

Overall Rating:

This bass is a "must have" for me, just like my Rickenbacker 4003, Ibanez SR506, Ibanez SR405, and other Jazz basses I own. Its unique bass SOUND is a "must have" for any Bass players arsenal,... If I could have only one 4 string bass , this baby would be IT !

Model Year: 2001
Price: $500.00
Where Obtained: EBAY

Features:

Japan Model: Fender Jazz Alder Body, Alder neck, Maple fretboard, 20 fret, black block inlays, Leo Quann Badass2 bass bridge. 2 vintage style jazz Pickups. Control knobs: 2 Vol, 1 Tone.

Playability:

WOW ! Love this bass, great slim neck (Japan Model). There are some GeddyLee Jazz Basses out there with the "Super Slim neck", I would stay away from them due to all the trouble with the truss rod adjustments bottoming out on them, I've read the nightmare reviews about them !!! This bass plays wonderfully, great feel, great slim jazz neck, NO WONDER they haven't changed the style in 40 years. A very successful design, very comfortable to play !

Sound Quality:

AH ! the best part about this bass, UNLIKE any other Fender Jazz basses, this Bass has a very unique awesome throaty, growly sound, that is coveted by many bass players ! If you are a collector of great sounding basses, this one should be in your collection ! On stage, this bass rules ! (haven't used it in studio yet !) I believe this bass is best suited for ROCK, which is just my opinion. I use nickel plated round wound strings. I wouldn't change a thing on this bass !

Durability:

Durability, great gigging bass, as usual with all my other basses I check the necks adjustment,intonation, and height adjustment for the strings about every 4 months. Very low maintenance bass, Very reliable bass electronics. I did install Dunlop strap locks ( a must for any serious gigger !)

On 7/3/2002, Bryan Perez (69) posted:

Overall Rating:

I choose this bass because I was getting tired of a horrible Prince bass I got. I was just desperated and this seem like the way to go for a bass. Too bad I was introduced to Fbregues basses (fabregues.com) too late, because I met a superior bass sound with this company from Puerto Rico. But I love this bass very much, I even got her a name it`s Luna Aurora and she`s just beautiful.

Price: $850.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Villa Music

Features:

This is a made in Japan addition of the Geddy 75 jazz bass. It features a Alder body with a Maple neck. The fingerboard is Maple with black binding and black block inlays with a scale length of 34", 20 medium jumbo frets. Classic Fender 2 volume and 1 tone control system. Passive electronics with two Vintage Jazz Bass Single Coil Pickups. Leo Quann Badass bridge.

Playability:

This bass plays in a very unique way. I use low action on my basses and I can get from this one. This bass factory problem with the neck and it is that the rod turns very easily making the neck back-bowed. It appears to be a very cheap truss rod. This might not be the case with every Geddy signature. But it plays really great even with the back-bowed.

Sound Quality:

I mainly play in churches and school events so I don`t have a big stack. I just go with my practice amp, which is a peavey microbass or plugg with a direct box directly to the PA system. We play from Rock to Latin music and it fits in any style I have tried. It has a very rounded sound. You can get good highs & lows with this bass.

Durability:

It is reliable for steady live playing. I try to get it thru a setup every three months. I changed the strap locks with a strap retainer system. I also changed the volume knobs `cause they fell off very easily.

On 7/2/2002, Mark Heath (2437) posted:

Overall Rating:

This is one of the better Japanese manufactured basses I've played. Consistant, easy to play and for the price, it is what it is. If this bass was priced $100 less it be the bass to buy in its range. I rate this a 3.5.

Model Year: 2001
Price: $649.00 (new)
Where Obtained: MARS Music

Features:

Although a Japanese model of the Fender Jazz, this bass features all the standard Vintage Jazz equpiment. The well crafted maple neck and fingerboard with big black square inlays made the Geddy Lee Fender so easy to spot. Passive style Jazz pick ups, are used witht the standard Jazz volume and tone controls.

Playability:

This bass played quite well and was impressed at the feel of this particular bass. The laquer finish on the back of the neck seemed a little thick in some spots, that did slow easy of my thumb sliding up and down the neck. The action was low and playable, with no fret buzz what so ever.

Sound Quality:

A little on the flat side and coarse control settings. The standard pick ups sound standard, and an upgrade to Bartolini J-style pu's would do the trick.

Durability:

Durability appears to be ok. This bass seems to be more robust in craftsmanship than the average Japanese models.

On 6/8/2002, Brent Simons (571) posted:

Overall Rating:

I LOVE this bass! I always wanted a Jazz Bass that looked like Geddy's,since i saw the video for Show Don't Tell,and some of Rush's older videos.I was so happy when I realized it played and sounded as good as it looks!( i think my Wife would have hated to see it hung on the wall for decoration!)This model was introduced by Fender in 1998 i believe.The older models had Schaller Straplocks already installed.I think that is the only difference.I know im slightly biased but this is great bass for the money.Will it make you play like Geddy? NO,but it will make you SOUND sort of like Geddy.Thanks Ged.I'll see you and the "Boys" in Saratoga this July for the Vapor Trails Tour.

Model Year: 2001
Price: $629.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Sam Ash

Features:

Limited Edition 4 String.20 Frets.Black alder body.Maple neck and fretboard.Black fingerboard square "inlays".'62 Vintage pickups.Bad A-- II bridge.2 Volume and 1 Tone Bakelite knobs.Vintage tuners.Essentially it is a very close copy of Geddy's 1972 Jazz Bass.

Playability:

Factory setup was perfect and well appreciated.The action is ultra low with no fretbuzz.You can really MOVE on this bass! The neck is nice and slim,but with a slightly different profile then other Jazz Basses i've played.This bass is also heavy but not overwhelming.

Sound Quality:

I'll give all you players a warning...if you don't like Geddy's tone,DON'T BUY THIS BASS!!! For a Jazz BAss there isn't much versatility in varying the pickup's volumes.I have them wide open,add just a hint of distortion and you are THERE(almost instant Geddy).The Badass bridge adds clarity and sustain.I've read other articles about having to add a bit of bass boost for this particular bass.It's true,you will need to add some but thats what those little knobs are on our amps for right? The maple fretboard actually adds warmth with i's brightness,not brittle at all.

Durability:

It seems to be holding up just fine.Which is suprising.I thought that thin neck would give me problems here in Vermont where the humidity varies so much.Especially this time of year.Im also very glad because to make a truss rod adjustment you HAVE to remove the neck.What a pain.But like i said it is a great copy of Geddy's 1972 Jazz.Right down to the truss rod adjuster screw placement.

On 10/23/2001, Dave Ogden (189) posted:

Overall Rating:

A truly great bass for the money.

Model Year: 1996
Price: $699.00 (new)
Where Obtained: Granny's Music Mall

Features:

Japanese made. Maple neck and fingerboard. 4 Strings, 20 frets. 2 Volume knobs, 1 for each pick-up, and a tone knob. 2 passive U.S. Vintage Jazz pick-ups. Black Body, white pick guard. Leo Quan BadAss II Bridge (string on top). Vintage Fender tuners.

Playability:

This Bass does require a good setup. The action is very clean and quick due to the laqured maple neck. Plays better than most other Fender Jazz basses. The Truss rod is in a very inconvienent spot under the pick guard.

Sound Quality:

Very low noise and clean. I use it through a Peavey head, which is also very clean. This bass is great for funk, and rock. Not so good for Jazz. Ironic, huh? I am considering installing a string through body bridge to fatten the sound up.

Durability:

Very reliable, rarely needs a setup. Every six months is good, if it is gigged with 3-4 times a week. Strap locks come loose often, need to be tightened with each string change.