Dealer: Fender Ultra to replace Elite

[Christcr]

I suspect the choice (to drop the truss wheel) was purely economic...

 

[WorktheWood]

I haven't any problem with it, I just don't like it and prefer the current version and what was on the various US Dlx versions. I'm not sure why an earlier poster believes you have to either take the neck or the pckguard off to adjust the truss rod but you do not. Fender provides a long handle wrench that works well. Fender's version of the wheel just isn't executed as well as Sadowsky's or EB's.

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.)

 

[Silvio Dante]

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Ultra Jazz to the 1997/8 Deluxe USA (John Suhr)?
The 1997 Deluxe is my favourite Fender.

 

[JOME77]

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.)

I've had an Elite P-Bass for a little over a year and had to tweak the truss rod several times (due to experimenting with various flatwound and RW strings). No issues what so ever. I love the truss rod wheel. It looks good and functions great IMO. I also like it on the MM basses.
I suspect that it was removed as a cost reduction (as was the string thru bridge). I'm not a huge supporter of "string thru = better sustain" but I use the feature on Elite and Pro basses and prefer it over the new Fender high mass bridge.

 

[CozmoCosty]

After “Ultra”, do you think Fender will come back full-circle and rename them “American Deluxe”?

Speaking of the American Deluxe,, I have a 2015 model and it just might be me ,, but I love it. Play it through the 500 Rumble combo with a 1x15cab and all the tone in the world.

 

[CozmoCosty]

I don't get why they didn't "stop" with the Deluxes (pre-Elites). I thought the action on the former was waaaaay better than the Elites, and the necks were more consistently flat. I especially thought that the ash ones really crushed. Now, Fender makes a move away from the Elite. Granted, losing the truss wheel does suck, but perhaps the traditional heel-entry rod works better for their necks. Besides, even though not as easy as a wheel, how hard is it to stick an Allen wrench, or easier, T-bar, into the adjustment cavity? It's a breeze...just don't lose the wrench!

I have the 2015 American Deluxe and she still gives me everything I need.

 

[hands5]

Discontinue the wheel adjuster eh? Sounds like the bean counters are alive and well at Fender.

valued engineering

 

[selowitch]

Meanwhile at Ernie Ball Music Man, where they have used the adjustment wheel for years, they can only point and laugh.

 

[hands5]

Apparently, it was not implemented very well on the Fender.

shocker !

 

[hands5]

To get what I wanted ,I bought used and had it refinished . Still came in well under the now discounted price of the new ones.

god bless you.. I don't have the energy to do all that anymore..

 

[hands5]

Meanwhile at Ernie Ball Music Man, where they have used the adjustment wheel for years, they can only point and laugh.

Then if Ernie Ball is laughing then Leo is in stitches up in heaven, ironically they're both Leo Fender creations although Music Man became Ernie Ball..

 

[hands5]

I recently learned from a reliable source that Fender is owned by a major healthcare products company:

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I recently learned from a reliable source that Fender is owned by a major healthcare products company:

View attachment 3543817

stock is doing well as of now. Ticker symbol EPC

 

[hands5]

I’m content with my Elite but I’m curious as to how much more expensive these so called Ultra models will be over the Elites.

What's ironic is I payed more for my Elite than the current Ultra I just got a few days ago...I bought both of them used.

 

[hands5]

Whatever the Ultra series turns out to be, there will be a better P or J for less money out there. Fenders are a complete ripoff nowadays, unbelieveable that some people pay upwards of $2000 for them, they aren't worth nearly that much. The last one I played with a price tag like that didn't feel much better than a Squier. They seem to be pretty hit or miss, I got lucky with my MIM Cabronita P, was around $600 and I've only play a couple Fenders that were as good. Jaco sig Jazz, and a couple custom shops.

If you can get over having a different name on the headstock, Sire makes much better basses than Fender for far less money.

ok I have a Sire V7 and it's a very nice bass, however it isn't nearly constructed as well as Fender Deluxe, Professional, Elite or Ultra Jazz Bass.. sorry.

 

[hands5]

No string through option? No truss rod wheel. I’ll stick with my Elite.

I don't miss the string through option... that option was also on my Marcus Miller 5 ( a bass I sure as hell don't miss whatsoever ) as well the Elite I had but I never used it.

 

[hands5]

Man look at the weights on those. I'll stick with my Roscoe Classic



View attachment 3586210

I have the regular Ash version of this bass and it's a tad under 10 lbs ...9.97 to be exact. I guess I got lucky. Although those basses are little on the heavy I bet those 3 are serious tone monsters.

 

[hands5]

the clips of the J sound like a Sadowsky. I have no need for another bass but these seem to be really, really nice

it doesn't sound like a Sadowsky at all to me.

 

[hands5]

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

all the reasons why I do like it.. it would've been nice if they would've kept the truss rod wheel but it wasn't a biggie to me if they didn't which obviously they didn't. I don't miss the dual posi flex rods at all but with that being said another reason the Ultra was idea for me because it felt a lot like my 74 Jazz Bass and obviously there aren't any rods in those basses.

 

[TrevorG]

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!

Couldn't agree more about the Jazz pickup though I find the P pickup great! Elite was a great instrument but didn't feel as smooth or sound as warm to me.

 

[SgtHulka]

When does the Fender Super Ultra Double Secret Probation 9000 model come out?

I can't wait to be charged another $400 for nicer knobs on the new and improved model, that makes it the best and easiest playing Fender bass ever. Thank you Fender so much for caring about your players.