The Ultras minus the Dual posi Flex graphite rods,the truss rod wheel,C to D neck profile, and string through body definitely not an upgrade on the elite
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Dealer: Fender Ultra to replace Elite
- Thread starter Pet Sounds
- Start date
Stiffening rods would seem to be an asset for keeping the neck straight but who knows if it really makes a difference or is merely a gimmick. Warmoth seems to think it make a difference, as do many other makers. I rather doubt that my 2018 Fender MIJ FSR Midnight 60s Telecaster has them but I'm pretty sure my 2009 MIA Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass does have them. Neither of them has any neck issues (yet) and both play great, so from my sample size of exactly two I'd say I have no freakin' idea.
It does have. The post is on he top of the guitars and at the heel for the bass.
I'm not talking about a truss rod, I'm talking about stiffening rods in addition to a truss rod
I A/B both the ultra and the elite Jazz bass for quite a while and from my time with the basses the differences I noticed are:
Ultra:
Newer, noiseless pickups/ quieter and possibly brighter than the Elite
A Baddass style bridge
A different burst color palette
For some reason, they went back from the newer, excellent truss rod wheel to an older (pull the freak'n pickguard or neck off to adjust the neck) Allen key style (WHY???)
No through-body string option
And while it may have just been the particular bass I was trying, the body would seem less figured than the elite
The neck felt very similar, possibly a bit different, but so close I couldn't decide for sure.
Weight-wise, they were very close, so I cannot say if different quality woods are being used, or if it was just the particular basses I was playing?
It was also retailing for about $100 less than the Elite
If I had to choose between the two, I would probably go with the Elite because of the truss rod adjustment ease and the body through option for stringing
Both were very nice basses, so you can't go wrong either way
Ultra:
Newer, noiseless pickups/ quieter and possibly brighter than the Elite
A Baddass style bridge
A different burst color palette
For some reason, they went back from the newer, excellent truss rod wheel to an older (pull the freak'n pickguard or neck off to adjust the neck) Allen key style (WHY???)
No through-body string option
And while it may have just been the particular bass I was trying, the body would seem less figured than the elite
The neck felt very similar, possibly a bit different, but so close I couldn't decide for sure.
Weight-wise, they were very close, so I cannot say if different quality woods are being used, or if it was just the particular basses I was playing?
It was also retailing for about $100 less than the Elite
If I had to choose between the two, I would probably go with the Elite because of the truss rod adjustment ease and the body through option for stringing
Both were very nice basses, so you can't go wrong either way
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I agree .. the subject is debatable .. I was before a great supporter of the graphite neck inserts but, in reality, I don't see now a lot of difference in the behaviour of necks of basses having them in or not .. what seems to be much more important is the right combination of neck and strings stiffness, in other words, the choice of a strings set which is well accepted by the instrument's neck ...
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I have a MIA P bass with the graphite rods in the neck and I swear it makes a difference. Zero dead spots on the neck and even fretted notes up the neck ring out forever. I'm a believer.
Money. It must be more expensive to produce the wheel adjustment. I am becoming a Fender hater for all these dupes and marketing tricks. A ton of new lines to confuse, pretend you are getting more, raise prices, etc. Now with Ultra, they took away more from the consumer, but told them it is now better and charge more for it. I'm fed up with them. I don't think Ill ever buy a new Fender again. I don't see what was wrong with Squier, MIM, MIA and a high end option. Now we have:
Squier
Original
Artist
Pro
Classic
Deluxe
Player
Performer
Vintera
Ultra
All to confuse and raise prices.
Just my personal considerations ... comparing the Ultras and the Elites side by side the only notable difference between the two models (aside from the elimination of the truss-rod head wheel, which, for me, is not as sturdy as the hexagonal nut which replaced it and that I prefer) is in the colours ... Fender could do much more ... they fail to understand that between production-line and custom-shop instruments there's a large in-between, which, moreover, not necessarily may always prove to be more expensive than the serially manufactured items ... Fender is undergoing a period of serious lack in fantasy ... what a pity!
In the end, the definition of the sound of a bass guitar always oscillates between that of a Jazz and that of P bass ...
Yeah the lack of good colors by my own definition is definitely lacking on these models. I ended up with the turquoise elite jazz the color I really love is the Vintera natural that looks like a light transparent orange and the Daphne blue. I got rid of the N4s in the Elite. They are bright pickup imo. I put in Lollars and man that bass just has complete gravitas.
Yeah I love em. I just bought some Lollars for a p bass build that is an attempt to be a copy of the Fender custom sherwood green, but I bought a slim taper warmoth rosewood neck and have MJT body is on the way. I really have high hopes for sound with this build.
My 4 string Jazz is over 9 lbs I just can't recall if it's 9.3 or 9.8 anyway it is the heaviest bass I own and I can really feel it when I stand and play, I love it but I almost always play it sitting down. The 5 strings are heavy. This is one of many reasons I just love my new String Special to pieces, it sounds great and it's light.
Exactly the reason I covet a EBMM StingRay Special 5H—or perhaps a lightweight Fender Dimension V.
MAFbass1992
Bass Player / Low-End Reviews
I work in a music store and I had the chance to do a shootout between an elite and a new Ultra P-Bass. First of all, i've never been a fan of Fender's active preamp. For me, what I loved the most about the Ultra was the D shaped neck. Best option would be to buy the neck alone! Super confortable and it reminded me of my Mike Lull. Very thin neck, except it's easier to play because it's not a 35 inch scale!
The preamp in the Ultra is darker sounding than the Elite, which I liked better. I also liked the fact that the bridge pickup has enough output to get into the Jazz Bass territory. Lot's of personality and it would definitely cut through during a bass solo. The P pickup sounded lifeless so the only way i'd buy an Ultra is if I decide to change the pickups, but that will be too expensive!
The preamp in the Ultra is darker sounding than the Elite, which I liked better. I also liked the fact that the bridge pickup has enough output to get into the Jazz Bass territory. Lot's of personality and it would definitely cut through during a bass solo. The P pickup sounded lifeless so the only way i'd buy an Ultra is if I decide to change the pickups, but that will be too expensive!
Got to play a Ultra P today (I own an Elite Jazz) not apples to apples but I got the idea..
The new bridge is a down grade, without string through and the saddles have that chrome pitted cheap look but a bridge is a bridge really, battery compartment was actually better as far as accessibility.. the neck had the vintage tint satin finish and overall felt the same as my Elite in terms of quality and feel. I think the truss rod wheel on mine works great (just use the right size Allen wrench) so I don’t understand why they got rid of it except from an appearance stand point. But overall it’s the same bass as Elites with some minor differences, not enough to justify a new model name imho!
The new bridge is a down grade, without string through and the saddles have that chrome pitted cheap look but a bridge is a bridge really, battery compartment was actually better as far as accessibility.. the neck had the vintage tint satin finish and overall felt the same as my Elite in terms of quality and feel. I think the truss rod wheel on mine works great (just use the right size Allen wrench) so I don’t understand why they got rid of it except from an appearance stand point. But overall it’s the same bass as Elites with some minor differences, not enough to justify a new model name imho!
Has anybody actually had a problem with the Elite truss rod wheel? (I haven't but I also haven't had to adjust it much.)
