woodywyatt Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 I am thinking of selling my Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz for either a new Fender American Elite or Fender Marcus Miller Jazz I play in a funk/disco band so I need the old vintage 70's tone (Maple fretboard) Anyone have any experience on each bass to let me know if it's a bad idea or not? Thanks for your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 Fender have discontinued the Marcus Jazz. It seems to have a bit of a mixed reputation, I loved the one I tried but I've heard a few people who seem not so keen. Apparently the 4 string was made in Japan whilst the 5 string was USA built, the 5 seems to have more fans. I'm hoping to try one of the new Elites myself. It's predecessor, the Deluxe, seems to have had a few problems, particularly that the N3 noiseless pickups weren't that noiseless. It'll be interesting to see if the next generation N4s have solved that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 I'm keen to try an Elite 5. Sounds like the N4 pickups are a genuine upgrade over the N3. They look great, hopefully the low B will be a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 Dare I say 'Sire V7'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammybee Posted May 14, 2016 Share Posted May 14, 2016 I used to have a Japanese Marcus Miller - it was ok, but I chopped it for a US 75 RI Jazz - now that's smoking! For me it's perfect in everyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 [quote name='woodywyatt' timestamp='1463234524' post='3049803'] I am thinking of selling my Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz for either a new Fender American Elite or Fender Marcus Miller Jazz I play in a funk/disco band so I need the old vintage 70's tone (Maple fretboard) Anyone have any experience on each bass to let me know if it's a bad idea or not? Thanks for your input [/quote] The 5 string Elite I have(ash and maple) is very good, the back pickup is 60s position but the pre is very powerful and you can get a very good Jaco tone from it, the N4 pickups are good, perhaps a tad polite, but still very good! The Marcus Miller 5 I tried was sublime, a very good preamp and awesome pickups, sadly they've discontinued that bass, and they are virtually impossible to find new. Second hand they pop up but they go instantly. [quote name='Cato' timestamp='1463249466' post='3049984'] Fender have discontinued the Marcus Jazz. It seems to have a bit of a mixed reputation, I loved the one I tried but I've heard a few people who seem not so keen. Apparently the 4 string was made in Japan whilst the 5 string was USA built, the 5 seems to have more fans. I'm hoping to try one of the new Elites myself. It's predecessor, the Deluxe, seems to have had a few problems, particularly that the N3 noiseless pickups weren't that noiseless. It'll be interesting to see if the next generation N4s have solved that problem. [/quote] The N4's have fixed all the N3 problems, but they still aren't perfect yet. I like them combined with the Pre and some EQing you can get some lovely tones from them but straight off the bat they can be a tad polite [quote name='M@23' timestamp='1463257289' post='3050037'] I'm keen to try an Elite 5. Sounds like the N4 pickups are a genuine upgrade over the N3. They look great, hopefully the low B will be a good one. [/quote] The N4's are much better, and mine has a fantastic B string, very good feeling under the fingers and sustains well and isn't a boomy mess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 [quote name='Cato' timestamp='1463249466' post='3049984'] Fender have discontinued the Marcus Jazz. It seems to have a bit of a mixed reputation, I loved the one I tried but I've heard a few people who seem not so keen. Apparently the 4 string was made in Japan whilst the 5 string was USA built, the 5 seems to have more fans. I'm hoping to try one of the new Elites myself. It's predecessor, the Deluxe, seems to have had a few problems, particularly that the N3 noiseless pickups weren't that noiseless. It'll be interesting to see if the next generation N4s have solved that problem. [/quote] Having recently acquired a US Geddy and having previously owned a Marcus Miller and a US Deluxe Fender, I think you'd be disappointed once you move your Geddy on. Superb basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Im using my Sire v7 over my Fender Jazz with east retro pre especially for funky stuff you will also save a fortune ! The ash body maple neck version is an absolute winner for me.. its well worth considering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodywyatt Posted May 16, 2016 Author Share Posted May 16, 2016 Yep, I also have a Squier VM 70's and I think I'm gonna hard pushed to find a better vintage funky tone! Amazing really considering that bass was only 250 quid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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