So other than the truss adj wheel, is there any difference? I have the Deluxe and love it. Reading the specs of the "new and improved" Elite, I see 18V preamp - got it. I there any difference? Five Bolt neck contoured for comfort - check. Pickups Say Noiseless on the Elite, N3 on the Deluxe - Any big improvement?
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There's a pretty decent thread about it, complete with hands-on comparisons.
Fender American Elite Jazz
As far as engineering specs are concerned…apparently, it has the newest generation (i.e.: fourth-gen) noiseless pickups, an improved preamp, a compound fretboard radius and a neck shape that transitions along with said fretboard.
Fender American Elite Jazz
As far as engineering specs are concerned…apparently, it has the newest generation (i.e.: fourth-gen) noiseless pickups, an improved preamp, a compound fretboard radius and a neck shape that transitions along with said fretboard.
Just got an incredible deal on a new Elite Jazz V. I sold my 2013 American Deluxe Jazz V last night. Posting some quick pics to compare the 2. Love the new stackable cases. The rounded American Deluxe SKB cases always was a PITB when stacking. The Am DLX JV weighs 10lbs 4oz the Elite 9.5lbs. I'm restringing both later tonight with Dunlop Super Brights Marcus Miller strings & putting fresh new batteries in both. I'll make a few recordings tomorrow to compare the newly designed preamp & N3 & N4 pups. Stay tuned bassheads!!!
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Other than the Aesthetic changes, I heard no difference in tone or volume. Same bass with a different name...
Still has a stupid battery door. If they were going to steal Musicman's truss rod wheel, they should have stole the battery box, too.
I bought my Deluxe right as the Elites came out. Couldn't justify all the extra money for a few small changes.
It has a different neck. i would hardly call that the same. There was a one at a GC last week, i checked out the neck, and it felt wonderful. I always wanted to see what the big deal was about those necks, and now i know. If i had the scratch i woulda jumped on that black maple combo they had.
I also got to try one out last week. My local GC hadn't yet made room for it on the wall, so it was just sitting there on a floor stand. The fit and finish seemed to be quite decent, despite the control plate needing to be screwed down tighter (a minor gripe, at most).
My main interest was the neck. I've never had a chance to try out a compound-radius neck before. Personally, I think my hands would require a period of adjustment, but even with that, there's no guarantee I would eventually warm up to it. I guess I prefer my necks to be very curvy, even along the upper registers. And since it didn't pass my "FEEL" criteria, I didn't get around to plugging it in.
In short, I'm sure it will make someone quite happy someday, but it's ergonomics aren't quite my cup o' tea.
I was lucky enough to have it in the budget at the time, and I did jump on that black and maple. And you're right about that neck. They did a beautiful job there.
