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Elite vs ultra bass
- Thread starter Jared Tuck
- Start date
From what I’m gathering/hearing/reading, there’s not a lot of differences with the Ultras and there’s some problems with the string alignment with the early version of the 5-strings (wrong bridge?) that’s being addressed by Fender. And on a personal note, I’m miffed that they discontinued the use of the truss wheel for neck, but I seem to be in the minority on that point.
They claim that the preamp is improved, but one hasn’t arrived at the local store to compare against what I remember about the Elites.
If I needed one, I wouldn’t hesitate to look for a used Elite Jazz 5. I’m gonna put my favorite pups and preamp in it, anyway.
They claim that the preamp is improved, but one hasn’t arrived at the local store to compare against what I remember about the Elites.
If I needed one, I wouldn’t hesitate to look for a used Elite Jazz 5. I’m gonna put my favorite pups and preamp in it, anyway.
To me the Ultra’s seem like a backwards step. They’ve lost the string through option, the classy bridge and the truss rod wheel.
And the ebony fretboard. I now have a 4 and 5 in Ocean Turquoise. I only need the 5 but I swear that 4 is the finest instrument I’ve ever played. I can’t bear to part with it.
I think the ultra series took a step back as well, I like the string through style on the elites I have a 3-tone sunburst and a champagne color one and they are beautiful, and I also like the truss rod at the bottom the ultra looks like my Mexican version fender bass with the truss rod from the top.
The truss rod adjustment is the same for both the Elite and the Ultra, at the neck heel, or "bottom" as you put it.
You're not alone, why on earth they would abandon this adjustment method is beyond me, unless there's some licensing issue with it that they don't care to deal with.
I thought about that licensing thing, too. But I think Sadowskys do the truss wheel adjustment thing as well. (?)
Honestly, the wheel could have been a little better designed. The holes could be deeper for a better bite with the tool to turn it. But it worked well and should have been kept with the Ultra.
That’s correct, but that wasn’t what was being discussed. It was the wheel vs hex screw or flathead, as I’ve seen in some basses.
I have an Elite Jazz Bass V, and out of curiosity I've checked out a couple of Ultra Jazz V's that I ran across in stores and one that was on display at NAMM. It was hard to tell how the Ultras played in comparison because they all were set up so poorly (the fact that they couldn't even be bothered to show a decently set up instrument at NAMM says a lot about the current ethos at Fender). I couldn't play through an amp that allowed me to hear if there was any improvement in the electronics, so I can't offer an opinion there. I didn't like the bridge on the Ultra as much, or the truss rod adjustment (that's a baffling change) and I hated the tinting on the natural finish bodies and in general don't think the Ultra color choices are as good. It feels like the Ultras aren't significantly different or better, just change for the sake of change so Fender can justify raising the price point. Overall, it seems like a typical move from a company that is corporate driven, and I'll stick with my Elite.
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I like the Elites with the exception of the truss rod wheel as implemented. The Ultras feel cheap in comparison.
I know what is being discussed. I was correcting the person I quoted who suggested the truss rod adjustment for the Ultra's was at the headstock end instead of where it actually is at the heel. I think people make way too big of a deal out of the wheel. Fender's implementation of it was not very good in the first place. But even if it was well done, it's not something you'll typically have to use more than a few times a year. I've owned several Elite's, still have two, and prefer the old style of adjustment where a T handled allen wrench is used. It just works better, smoother, with better leverage.
You don't like a truss wheel? Why?
It's the easiest design by far for adjusting, and is one of my favorite things about ernie ball basses. Does it have a downside for you? Im very curious... unless I misunderstood your post.
Tech was invented by Teisco Del Rey, based on my 55 year old hollow body guitar that has a similar but less space efficient design.
It is true that the truss rod wheel on the Elite has fairly shallow holes, making it a bit harder to work with than it should be, but I still think it's easier to adjust than the traditional recessed truss rod nut.
PaulCISSA
Unsweetened, highly-caffeinated
My Elite V is one of the best playing Fenders I’ve owned. This one stays for the long game and I’m not impressed with the changes made for the Ultra series.
I like EBMM truss wheel a lot. You can stick a nail or a screwdriver all the way through and turn it. The Ultras have wheels that look like Tinkertoy wheels where you need a 1/8” punch to fit completely in the shallow recess and then the metal feels soft when you try to turn the wheel.
