Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass

most likely a 2004. bought new beginning of '05. stock features: 2 u.s. vintage single coil pickups, badass 2 bridge, black body, white/black/white 3-ply pickguard, maple neck w/black block inlays and black binding.

play it hard and it'll growl, play it soft and it'll sing sweetly. for the price, it's awesome. i was looking for a little more, and shopped out some parts. replaced the pups w/two bartolini j-style pickups, swapped out the almost perfect but not quite there tuners w/hip shot tuners (bass extender on the E).

i already owned one that straight-from-factory was set up well, but this one went straight to "my guy". swapped pups, tuners....and then did some drastic changes. yanked the frets, refinished the neck with a satiny finish, routed a 3-way pickup selector switch on the lower horn, put in dunlop strap locks, and swapped out the quite boring white pick guard with a vintage looking brownish/red tortoise shell pg. much improvement from the boring black/white color scheme.

this bass is a beast of burden on stage with me, dropped, kicked, stepped on (eat your heart out Jaco). not too many scratches or dings so far, neck still right on. i've definitely played this thing sans backup without any worries!

never had to deal with fender.

i've been playing for almost 8 years. i have two geddys (one fretless conversion), one MM Sterling (active doesn't do it for me). i play through a fleet of effects pedals some vintage, some new, boutique and junk both, run that through an ampeg svp pre-amp crown power amp and then an ampeg 8x10. if either geddys went missing, first i'd put their pictures on milk cartons, then i'd go out and buy a couple more.

Japanese made Geddy Jazz with same stock specs as everyone else.
It's really a pretty bass. I can't find any build flaws at all (and I've looked it over a few times). BadassBridgeII is awesome! Great sustain and playing qualities. The glossy neck is unbelievably fast and comfortable. Makes my tobias feel like a 2x4!

It's a fantastic sound! Nice and loud and I agree it has a natural 'growl' to it when playing hard. It's also easy to get some nice fat smooth bass rollinf from it. I might be wrong, but a earlier review commented on hearing this bass sound on "Moving Pictures" when I believe Geddy played his 'Rick' on that album. Like I said, I may be wrong. Anyway, it sounds great and will work for jueful with the 'tone' knob.

Setup pretty well. It went straight from guitar center to my local music "surgeon" to get setup so I didn't really get a chance to play on the stock setup. I didn't really like the stock strings though. I replaced them with some half-wounds.

So far, nothing has happened to it. Everything works and the neck is staying true. I have a few other basses (Pbass and two tobias') and this is what I play EVERTIME. Those others are my backups now! =)

Fantastic bass. Probably the best playing bass I've ever layed my hands on. I'd buy it again, even if it wasn't stolen! =)

10 - Review date October 2006, Geddy Lee crafted in Japan Jazz bass bought summer 2006 new. Top notch construction, badass 2 bridge, beautiful, skinny maple neck with black block inlays, nice black body and perfect "fit/finish.

I am a R and B, Funk, classic rock guy and it suits me fine. I bought this bass as (believe it or not), it is the closest instrument I could find to my '83, Japan made Squire/Fender Jazz bass (which is heavenly). The difference between the two in playability is non existant and I would put both up against a Mex or American Jazz any ole day. The difference in sound is as follows: The Geddy has hot, hot pickups! The bass is not active but the output is comparable. Besides being aggressively loud in a good way, the Geddy almost creates its own gain/ever so slight fuzz. Do not be nervous though, it is a wonderful tone and the best way I can explain this is to tell you to listen to a few tracks of of Rush's Moving Pictures album and you will hear this basses signiature tone.

Perfect set up from a large Canadian retailer, I do not know if they set it up or the factory did. No noticable flaws!

Here is the bad part......The good news is, warranty covered everything!
After 5 months the neck pickup died and the tone pots soldering failed. These are American vintage pickups with cloth wire wrap and the whole bit but they failed anyway. I should report that I got a loaner covered by Fender and the repair was obviously free but it was a strange disappointment after a fast love affair with this instrument. I cannot however complain about service as ther was no questions asked.

As above - no worries!Fender and my local music store have been great and I expect that the instrument will be repaired properly and promptly!

7 due to the pickup and wiring failure - I am 41 years young, playing 26 years, Have had everything, Rick's, P-bass's, Ibanez, vintage Hofner etc. Very satisfied with my G.L Jazz and my ancient Squier! I would definately buy another as the '06 American Jazz I got as a repair loaner simply did not compare to the palyability and sound of the Jap Geddy model!

Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass ~ made in Japan.
- 4 strings
- 20 frets
- Maple neck w/black block inlays
- Black lacquer finish w/white pickguard and metal plate for controls
- 2 Jazz pickups, V/V/T passive electronics
- Big ass solid tuners
- Fender gig bag

I chose 10 for features because it isn't the amount of features, it is the lack of extra garbage. This bass has exactly what it needs, no more, no less.

This bass is, hands down, the best sounding bass out there. Plus it is so versatile. From slap, funk and jazz, to country, rock and driving metal this bass will cover it all. This bass proves why a well designed and manufactured bass doesn't need active electronics!! The growl and vivid precision of each note is absolutely remarkable. It is no wonder why Geddy chose this bass. I had two Ibanez SR 400 basses (one fretted, one fretless) and after playing this guy honest to God, I couldn't touch the Ibanez again. They immediately went up on eBay.

The bass was setup standard from the factory and is not really a fair question. When you are shipping a wooden instrument to potentially anywhere in the world where climates will be from dry to humid you can not setup decent action in the factory. That is why the instrument manufacturing industry has an unwritten standard for adjustments out the the door. Although standard, the action is set a bit high for my liking but this I expected. Since I am a guitar tech anyways it wasn't more than 15 minutes to dial this guy in. Minor neck adjustment and lowered the saddles a smidge, then set the intonation and it sounds like a star.

The hardware is best explained as; "solid as an oak". The wood is nice and durable and with the larger headstock, larger tuners, solid body and bad ass bridge this bass certainly had to inspire Geddy himself into writing 'The Trees'!!

I replaced two basses with this one bass and I have all the confidence in the world that I do not need to lug around a backup. If something happens to this guy while playing either the stage is on fire or we were nuked!! An instrument just doesn't come much more solid than this.

I have no experience with Fender customer support because I've never needed it. For those that give a lower rating because they've emailed and never got a response...come on guys, with spam filters and the barrage of emails assailed at there customer support it is impractical that you would expect any kind of loving service via email. Try calling them. They are good people and will help you. Email is impersonal anyways so rating Fender Customer Support on electronic email is like rating affection based on a robot!!

Although I am more experienced as a Lead guitarist (27 years) I've been playing bass for 10+ years. I started out playing just so I could record myself, in my studio, and it progressed until bands were hitting me up. It didn't take me long to graduate from Ibanez SR400/500 basses to a 'REAL' bass. What a frickin' difference it makes. If it were lost or stolen I would definitely find the thief and send him back to Fender in the box!! There isn't anything I'd do different with this bass. It was perfect and by the reviews of others, I totally understand what they feel.

If your bass playing and bass sound is blah...I'd suggest giving this a test drive and you'll see. Make sure your finances are in place before you do because you will have to have it immediately.

2004 Geddy Lee has a very smooth neck and nice inlays.

Awesome sound for practically any music. From jazz to rock to worship music.

The looks were great. I love the inlays on the neck. But I'm planning to upgrade the pickguard to a pearl white one and add a J-Retro preamp and add hipshots.

A very sturdy instrument, well designed and solid.

Very helpful.

This is one of the best basses I've ever played on. The bass is just perfect.

This review is for a 2004 Fender "Geddy Lee" Jazz Bass. This is the second one I've owned (2002). The features are the same but the build and feel is better on this one. See below...

Great growl, awesome for both funk and fingerstyle. Not quite as bassy or organic as my 2003 US standard jazz. The Geddy has a snappier sound , more harmonic ring, problably due to the maple neck and different bridge. Very even sounding up and down and across the neck. Great pickups, very little noise..there's a brass plate on the bottom of the control cavity..my US and Mexican jazz basses don't have that...might be a factor?

This is the second Geddy I've owned. The first one (2002) had a thinner neck and cheaper/loser tuners. The 2004 has a slighlty larger neck and the tuners are solid. The finish on this is better than my 2003 Black US Jazz. Maybe they have changed a few specs over the years I don't know, but I recommend trying a few different ones before buying. The 2002 Geddy I had did not like Rototsound strings the action had to be constantly adjusted. A little thicker neck might help. Also the finish on the 2004 neck and body is better than the 2002. The action/playability on this bass is awesome I wouldn't change anything. The Japanese Geddy is slightly under the build quality and playability of my Modulus Genesis Jazz ($2,000 +) and is better than my 03 Fender US($1,100) and Mexican 60's Burgundy Mist Ltd Jazz bass ($800). The Japanese are buiding a great product.

Fender jazz basses are players. The Geddy is definately one well built bass. Only time will tell how the neck holds up but as far as everything else that is why Leo Fender designed his instruments so parts could be changed.

I have emailed fender about the different types of jazz bass pickups...but no reply...too busy taking our money.

Great bass a little different flavour than some of the other Fenders I own..great for funk and rock. For the price IMHO Fender doesn't have a better value in a bass. Just be aware that a thinner neck and certain types of higher tension roundwound strings (ROTOSOUND)can cause problems.

2004/2005 Fender Japan, features as listed. Bought new in late 2005 as a replacement for a "well gigged" 20-yr-old Aria Pro II. Fantastic finish and very easy to play. I've bought an ABS case to replace the included gig bag, a black scratchplate for vanity reasons, Dunlop Straploks to prevent accidents and put a new set of fender 7350M's (the OEM strings) on it. I might change the machine heads to a set of Hipshot Ultralites purely to shave some more weight off the already anorexic neck, but the originals stay in tune even after a right pounding.

Sounds and plays like all basses should and a soundman says the DI sound is louder than some active basses. Plays country, funk, punk and metal beautifully and growls, pops and slaps in all the right places. I use this bass, a Boss TU-2 and a Peavey Combo 300.

Action a little high and a little too much neck relief when it arrived, but a 1/4 (maximum) turn of the truss rod and an Allen key to the Bad-Ass II sorted that out nicely. G string intonation was slightly out, but otherwise a perfect set-up. There is a tiny (2mm)laquer bubble on the fingerboard binding, otherwise the bass is flawless. The neck needs to come off to adjust the truss rod, but hopefully I won't need to do this again. This is the only thing prohibiting a 10!

Gigged a few times, rehearsed plenty and played everyday (yes, everyday). Nice light bass, stayed in tune throughout. Finish still flawless despite the odd "meeting" with the guitarists SG during some on stage japes. Strap buttons replaced with Dunlop Straploks 'cos I really don't want to break it. Only needed to adjust the neck & bridge once. I have no backup bass and I can't see me needing one.

I emailed Fender UK about a replacement scratchplate about 3 weeks ago and have had no reply. eBay sorted me out though!

Been playing over 20 years and only Wal basses are equal to tone and playability of this bass. I would replace this bass tomorrow with 2 more in case they ever stop making them.

Standard Fender Jazz bass made in Japan. The Jazz bass is versatile but when compared to the latest stuff with actives electronics etc. any Jazz bass could only mamange an 8.

As a straight forward solid Jazz bass, this is hard to beat at any price.

Over the years I have owned an eighties Squire, a 60s re-issue, a 62 stack nob re-issue & still own an original 72, a Mexican fretless, an Overwater J5 & a cheep no name jazz copy with EMGs. The only jazz that tops the Geddy Lee is the hand built Overwater with active electronics. Not bad for a mid priced instrument.

The bass has a very agresive, punch about it and cuts thro the mix well with strong mids. It can be pulled back on the tone control to give a warmer sound when needed.

I find that some of my previous (passive) jazz basses required a bit of boost in the bass department to keep up in a live situation, not with this one. It does still have a bit of pickup buzz but that is single coils for you. It is good for any type of music.

I use either a Hartke 3500 or an Eden WT500 amplifier via EBS & Euphonic Auidio cabinets. The Eden proves to be an excellent match to this bass. The Hartke is already a very punchy amp so it all depends how much punch you need.

The bass arrived from a mail order shop and was set up perfectly. A number of other reviews mentioned the tuners, I have had no problem with this bass so it may only be certail instruments.

Finish is completely flawless, everything lines up properly and the badass bridge is a welcome adition.

Only time will tell but I reckon this is built better than my original 72 Jazz and that is still going strong after 34 years. I think this one will be the same........

Never needed to use them.

Been playing 36 years and owned all kinds of basses and equipment during this time. I will always have room for a decent Jazz bass and this is certainly a decent bass. Straight out of the box, this bass delivers.

Bought my Getty Lee Bass used from a dealer got a great deal. The original owner made a few minor changes. The pickgaurge was repalced with a Moto Gray one, and the control knobs where replaced with Crome "skull" knobs. But the main change was the pickups were replaced with EMG active electronics. These mods where done professionaly so the bass looks excellent, body and neck were "like New". I'm usely not so yep on modified basses but this one was a rare find very professionaly done.

It is louder than any other Bass I have every owned, and I've had at least ten basses over the past 25 years. Must be the EMG's. It's very articulate and clean sounding, nice highs or just roll off the tone knob and hear it growl.

Jappaness workmanship can not be beat. The thing that impressed me the most was the great feel to the neck. The black body finish is purfect. NOW the tunners, well they seem to slip and don't always stay in tune. Which is a first because I have owned 7 other Fenders and they always stay solid in tune. I don't know what the problem is but this is the only shortcomming of the bass. Once you tune it up it stays though the gig but as soon as you put it in the gig bag it slips out of tune. Oh and the gig bag looks well paded but the zippers are cheap. Maybe I'm to picky because this is still a great bass but I have never had a Fender before that had any tunner problems. It's a minor flaw to an otherwise AWSOME bass.

Will I replace the tunners? No I think this will get better with age.
Typical Fender durablity is expected. Can't beat it with a stick.

Take good care and it shouldn't need anything.

Been playing 25 years, semi-pro. Own 6 other basses including Carvin 6 string, Yamaha 5 string, and 4 other Fenders. Not sure if I will take this one to my grave with me like my old P-Bass but it's good enough to give to my children when I retire. In consideration of the price I paid, I think this is a GREAT value, that's why it gets a 10 here.

I got my Geddy Lee in 04 and it has enough frets to keep my happy and way more tone options than i could shake a stick at.
I love it i have allways been a jazz bass fan but this model is so much more diverse than any other and the neck is like butter it is all most effortless with its tiny little frets and anorxic neck.

as I said the tone of this beast is so nice i cant decide wether i want to go with high tone or a thundering groove sound it all depends on my mood i change my mind more than my ... well what ever sound i want it has it.
on stage this bass mops the floor with any other i have played live for clarity AND all round good sound from thick low end to ratteling highs

the bad ass bridge was a god send but i had it set up at the shop
and i had some warwick reds put on it and it was awsome
but factory set up i cant really say

never broken yet

same as above so no complaints to fender yet

AWSOME!!! any one who is thinking of getting one do or you will regret it its a bargin and it should be worth so much more.