Fender American Ultra ii Precision Bass Query

[Gully35]

Hi guys.

I have seen an opportunity to purchase an American Ultra ii P bass, but can't play it beforehand (it's in England, I'm in Ireland).

Question is, I have an American standard jazz and a 50's American original P bass, is this ultra ii an upgrade?
And does it offer more versatility sound wise with PJ pickup configuration?

I was waiting on a used custom shop P or J but seen this and wondered if it would be a good choice. For recording and live gigs.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[MovingPitchers]

Tbh I'd just keep the AO60s and the MIA Jazz.

 

[BGroovy]

I haven't been super impressed with the ultra 2s. QC has been lacking. I def wouldn't do it if you can't play it.

 

[MtManiac]

I have checked them out in stores, and I think they're amazing. I normally play passive American Fender P's. The Texas Tea finish is very cool, I imagine it would look great under stage lights, and the ebony fretboard is very nice. The necks are very comfortable. And yes, you have a *ton* of tone options to choose from. There is a passive/active switch, so you can get the regular passive P sound or PJ sound or Jazz bridge pickup sound (like Jaco), or use the active preamp for boost/cut across three EQ bands. For what most people on TB call versatility, there's not much else on the market that compares.

Everybody always goes on about QC issues with Fender… well they're by *far* the highest volume selling producer of bass guitars across every price point, so yeah there's also going to be some volume of QC issues being reported, but anybody who thinks you're also not going to get QC issues with EBMM or Sandberg or anyone else is just deluded.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I strongly recommend that you don't buy a Fender untested (and that includes brand new ones) because they can be very inconsistent. If we had been talking about a $400 instrument it might have been worth the risk, but at the prices MIA Fenders typically sell for, it's simply not worth the risk IMO. Fender's QC is absolutely shocking when considering the prizes they charge for their instruments.

As for your specific questions:

Question is, I have an American standard jazz and a 50's American original P bass, is this ultra ii an upgrade?

The objective build quality should be a small step up from those two, but you really can't say for certain with Fenders, they're so inconsistent. Ultras are generally well made (and beautiful looking) instruments, but you really can't say for sure until you test it.

If you mean TONALLY... This will purely be a matter of taste. It will certainly be different than either of those two. Obviously not as different as something like a Rick vs a Stingray, but just about as different as it's gonna get when comparing Fender branded Ps and Js.

And does it offer more versatility sound wise with PJ pickup configuration?

Well, that depends on whether the tones provided by the extra J-pickup are tones you're actually gonna use. If you end up only using the P-pickup then no, it won't be more versatile than a P-bass. But if you end up using the neck pickup soloed, or both pickups blended then yes, it will obviously be more versatile than a P-bass (or more or less the same versatility as a J-bass, just slightly different).

My point is: More pickups only give you more versatility if you actually use them.

Personally I hardly ever use the thinner, nasal sounding tone of bridge pickups, or the mid-scooped/combed filtered tone you get from blending pickups, so for me personally the answer would be NO. Lots of bass playes use and love those kinds of tones though, and for them the answer would be a very big YES.

The ability to change between active/passive tone controls can add some versatility though. Or at least it could have if Fender had designed it better. Unfortunately the output volume in active mode is so much louder than in passive mode, that switching between them on the fly isn't really an option. Which sadly makes passive mode more of a "worn out battery failsafe". Other bass manufactured have figured out how to make basses with nicely balanced output volumes in active/passive mode, but not Fender.

You could use it in passive mode ONLY of course, but personally I found the Ultra P-basses a bit dull and uninspiring in passive mode, lacking the midrange presence of a classic, "vintage" P-bass tone. The good news is that I actually liked the tone a lot more in active mode, and that unlike the Ultra I, Fender has made it possible to use the passive tone control in active mode on the Ultra II (no passive tone control is a dealbreaker for me).

The bad news, and this is REALLY bad news, is that the switch for active/passive on the Ultra II series is the dreaded S-1 switch. With these switches it's not a matter of IF they will fail, but WHEN they will fail. I honestly can't understand why Fender still use this JUNK, unless they WANT their instruments to break down. This type of S-1 switch has a long, proven record of failing. Do a search online for "S-1 switch failing" and you'll see what I mean. How Fender can keep installing this junk in their instruments, and even in their top-of-the-range models, is beyond me...

Also, if you've never actually played an Ultra P-bass, you really should try one before making up your mind. The neck profile is very different from the classic Fender C-profile. You may love it... or not. Personally I didn't like the neck very much. The "Modern D" profile was too "flat" on the back for my taste. Within Fender's current range of P-bass models I much prefer the neck profile of the Squier CVs or the AmPro. This is purely a matter of personal taste of course.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I have checked them out in stores, and I think they're amazing. I normally play passive American Fender P's. The Texas Tea finish is very cool, I imagine it would look great under stage lights, and the ebony fretboard is very nice. The necks are very comfortable. And yes, you have a *ton* of tone options to choose from. There is a passive/active switch, so you can get the regular passive P sound or PJ sound or Jazz bridge pickup sound (like Jaco), or use the active preamp for boost/cut across three EQ bands. For what most people on TB call versatility, there's not much else on the market that compares.

Everybody always goes on about QC issues with Fender… well they're by *far* the highest volume selling producer of bass guitars across every price point, so yeah there's also going to be some volume of QC issues being reported, but anybody who thinks you're also not going to get QC issues with EBMM or Sandberg or anyone else is just deluded.

I agree with (most of) the first part of your post but I STRONGLY disagree with the second part.

I'm not sure about EBMM, simply because they're not as popular in my part of the world as they seemingly are in the US. The sample size I get to actually test and inspect (at the workshop) is typically limited to less than 10 each year. They generally seem to be good instruments though, and objectively a step up from Fenders (if you happen to like the MM tone that is...).

Sandbergs... I get to test a lot of Sandbergs. The overall build quality and QC of Sandberg basses is FAR superior to Fender. Personally I still prefer the tone of Fenders or more traditional Fender clones. Sandbergs are a bit too bright and "modern" sounding for my taste. But Sandberg's build quality and QC is something Fender isn't even remotely close to. At least not outside their ridiculously overpriced Custom Shop.

I could mention several other manufacturers too, like for example Yamaha. The overall quality of Yamaha instruments makes Fender's QC seem like a joke. At least when comparing instruments in the same price range.

Fender has a FULLY DESERVED reputation for shoddy quality control, and stand out as the worst of the big brands in this respect.

 

[LLendrum]

I has both the P and J ultra at various stages.

Necks were amazing.

I didn't love the weight (both 4.25kg) or the electronics.

Personally I wouldn't buy one sight unseen. You need to love the sound and be OK with the weight.

Wait for the 2nd hand CS in my view or purchase a lower model.

 

[MtManiac]

I agree with (most of) the first part of your post but I STRONGLY disagree with the second part.

I'm not sure about EBMM, simply because they're not as popular in my part of the world as they seemingly are in the US. The sample size I get to actually test and inspect (at the workshop) is typically limited to less than 10 each year. They generally seem to be good instruments though, and objectively a step up from Fenders (if you happen to like the MM tone that is...).

Sandbergs... I get to test a lot of Sandbergs. The overall build quality and QC of Sandberg basses is FAR superior to Fender. Personally I still prefer the tone of Fenders or more traditional Fender clones. Sandbergs are a bit too bright and "modern" sounding for my taste. But Sandberg's build quality and QC is something Fender isn't even remotely close to. At least not outside their ridiculously overpriced Custom Shop.

I could mention several other manufacturers too, like for example Yamaha. The overall quality of Yamaha instruments makes Fender's QC seem like a joke. At least when comparing instruments in the same price range.

Fender has a FULLY DESERVED reputation for shoddy quality control, and stand out as the worst of the big brands in this respect.

You're welcome to STRONGLY disagree with anything you like, but what is the sample size of American-made Fenders you deal with versus any other manufacturer?

I've never owned a Sandberg, although they look beautiful and very well-made. They're impossible to get anywhere within a 1500 km radius of my house without buying online, unplayed. I think that speaks to their volume, which is tiny compared to the global market Fender easily addresses.

Also a small fraction of the Fender output, EBMM. I have owned an EBMM and it was hands down the nicest bass guitar I've ever owned. It also had neck issues and electronics issues that I put up with (for a while) because it was otherwise so nice. And I've read some online complaints about them, and G&L, and every other mass producer, I would guess each according to their share of market, but nobody gets the flaming that Fender gets, while nobody has even close to the annual production quantity of bass guitars that Fender has.

I've owned *many* Fenders - aside from 90s and early 00s Mexican-made Fenders and Squiers from the same era, they've all been flawless. I don't have particularly low tolerances for quality problems - especially with necks - so I'm just confused every time I read this kind of hate on Fender's QC, because it is so alien to my own experience across 40+ years. I don't own FMIC shares, I don't sell Fenders professionally, etc - it's just that it is so contrary to my experience.

 

[MtManiac]

OP - the active/passive switch on these is fine. This was one of the things I was curious about and drove me to take one off the wall and try it out. If the active EQ is set flat, there is nearly zero difference in output between the two. And someone finding the passive tone empty of mids, well, that's as always a question of taste in pickups, and Fender P and J pickups are commonly swapped out for any of a huge number of choices in after market pickups. They will all work fine with the Ultra II if you don't like the stock pickups. However, it's also strongly possible that you will like the stock pickups just fine. You'll want to change the strings, likely, to a string you're more familiar with, and that will have a more significant impact on the timbre of a bass than a pickup change. Don't sweat the doomsayers.

 

[blr2]

In this day and age, I wouldn't buy not just Fender, but any brand instrument unseen, new or preowned.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Hi guys.

I have seen an opportunity to purchase an American Ultra ii P bass, but can't play it beforehand (it's in England, I'm in Ireland).

Question is, I have an American standard jazz and a 50's American original P bass, is this ultra ii an upgrade?
And does it offer more versatility sound wise with PJ pickup configuration?

I was waiting on a used custom shop P or J but seen this and wondered if it would be a good choice. For recording and live gigs.

Thanks,

Wayne

I had Ultra Precision I [2019] build quality was excellent and compound radius 'D' neck had Great playability for me having smallish hands the thinner[flat] profile allowed my left hand thump to be closer to fretboard so easier to to stretch fingers when playing very comfortable.

In passive mode P only was more 'Vintage' P tone and yes both in Passive and Active could get versatile Modern tones using both pickups

Active pre was excellent added presence and coherency and allowed subtle adjustments on the fly live as did using blend control

Saying that if you are trying to get more versatility live using just one Bass the Ultra may work for you

But with what you already have and don't mind adding a third Bass; I would wait out a CS not as if your lacking now

Not sure what it is like in EU but in US hard to find what you want locally not many shops anymore or few left stock very little

So to buy locally [trying out Bass] will limit choices greatly

I'm just confused every time I read this kind of hate on Fender's QC, because it is so alien to my own experience across 40+ years.

Ditto; yes many here hold Fender in disdain and that particular poster is Number 1 but is knowledgeable and offers mostly value to Forum but never ever misses a chance to post about Fender like has here

 

[Schpeaker]

I bought one recently. The D-profile neck, the satin finish and the compound radius fretboard are utterly lovely and a big upgrade from every other P-bass I've played.

The hardware (bridge, tuners, knobs) is mostly great. You can tell it's a premium instrument. My only gripe is the push-button that switches between active and passive, it feels flimsy and unsubstantial.

Electronics are objectively great. You can get a wild variety of sounds. Passive mode sounds nearly identical to Active when the EQ is centered, which is just the way I want it to be. That way the Active EQ acts as a way to tone sculpt the baseline tone, and not a completely different animal. The midrange frequency selector is awesome and just adds to the tone-sculpting ability.

I am a little underwhelmed by the P pickup. Yes, it sounds like a P-bass but there's something missing. It's too clean, too hi-fi. It's got thump for sure, but missing a bit of that warm, analog, woody, messy thickness with a sprinkling of hair that I look for in a P-bass. A fretted A on the E string should sound like a freaking power chord on a P-bass, but on this one it just sounds way more refined. With all those active EQ controls (and maybe some LaBellas) I'm sure that magic tone is in there somewhere.

Surprisingly, the J pickup is excellent. I hate most bridge-J pickups, they sound thin, lifeless and completely unusable in any musical context I play in. This is especially true in a PJ bass, where the P rules mighty. On this bass though, the J holds its own, and then some. It's a bridge pickup for sure, but has thickness and authority. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but to me this actually makes it a usable tonal option.

Overall, I find it to be a very versatile tool that just feels wonderful in my hands.

 

[DrBnz]

No, keep what you have. The Ultra's are nice - BUT. The necks are great. If you're an active type person then they'll suit you just fine. If you're a passive type, you'll hate it. Not to mention that most of them are on the heavy side and likely expensive. I wouldn't buy it - unless I've held / played it.

 

[Barton Lee]

I own a 2019 Ultra P and a 2025 Ultra II Jazz. Both are excellent basses but the improvements Fender made with the Ultra II line are significant. Unlike the Ultra I, there is no discernible loss of volume when switching from active with the tone controls set flat to passive. Other improvements include making the passive tone control function in active mode as well, and the addition of a switchable mid-range frequency which I find quite useful. The S-1 switch on mine feels solid enough and hasn't caused an issue. Both weigh around 9.5 lbs and neither neck dives; I find them to be very comfortable all-around.

I consider the necks on both of my Ultras to be the nicest, most comfortable I've played on any bass. Of course, everyone has their own taste and I'm not particularly fussy. I'd moved away from playing active basses after years of gigging Musicman Stingrays and I'd still prefer a passive-only Fender P if I could only choose one bass. But I don't and I find having the ability to fine tune the sounds of my two Fender Ultras on the fly onstage a welcome return to active.

Having owned a dozen or so different Fender basses over the last 47 years of playing, I've experienced none of the Fender QC issues repeatedly flogged on this board. I've no doubt these issues have a basis in reality, but not having had any of them myself, I leave it to others to repeat their oft-told tales of "why Fender sucks".

 

[Gully35]

I had Ultra Precision I [2019] build quality was excellent and compound radius 'D' neck had Great playability for me having smallish hands the thinner[flat] profile allowed my left hand thump to be closer to fretboard so easier to to stretch fingers when playing very comfortable.

In passive mode P only was more 'Vintage' P tone and yes both in Passive and Active could get versatile Modern tones using both pickups

Active pre was excellent added presence and coherency and allowed subtle adjustments on the fly live as did using blend control

Saying that if you are trying to get more versatility live using just one Bass the Ultra may work for you

But with what you already have and don't mind adding a third Bass; I would wait out a CS not as if your lacking now

Not sure what it is like in EU but in US hard to find what you want locally not many shops anymore or few left stock very little

So to buy locally [trying out Bass] will limit choices greatly

Ditto; yes many here hold Fender in disdain and that particular poster is Number 1 but is knowledgeable and offers mostly value to Forum but never ever misses a chance to post about Fender like has here

Yeah I have noticed the negative comments on Fender. Unless I fly over to England, I can't try these instruments out. The music shop in Belfast just stock cheap fenders.
To be fair, I have bought the AO and Am standard online and I have had no issue with either.
I also bought a Spector Euro 4X from Bass Direct which is an absolute monster. I ended up selling my 1995 Stingray as it crushed it sound wise.
Maybe just wait for a decent CS model to appear, or I'll pimp up my Am standard jazz. Although it has 60's CS pickups in it as stock already.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I own a 2019 Ultra P and a 2025 Ultra II Jazz. Both are excellent basses but the improvements Fender made with the Ultra II line are significant. Unlike the Ultra I, there is no discernible loss of volume when switching from active with the tone controls set flat to passive. Other improvements include making the passive tone control function in active mode as well, and the addition of a switchable mid-range frequency which I find quite useful. The S-1 switch on mine feels solid enough and hasn't caused an issue. Both weigh around 9.5 lbs and neither neck dives; I find them to be very comfortable all-around.

I consider the necks on both of my Ultras to be the nicest, most comfortable I've played on any bass. Of course, everyone has their own taste and I'm not particularly fussy. I'd moved away from playing active basses after years of gigging Musicman Stingrays and I'd still prefer a passive-only Fender P if I could only choose one bass. But I don't and I find having the ability to fine tune the sounds of my two Fender Ultras on the fly onstage a welcome return to active.

Having owned a dozen or so different Fender basses over the last 47 years of playing, I've experienced none of the Fender QC issues repeatedly flogged on this board. I've no doubt these issues have a basis in reality, but not having had any of them myself, I leave it to others to repeat their oft-told tales of "why Fender sucks".

I agree with you, except I'm very leery about S-1 switches. Back when they were standard equipment in the American Series, I encountered a number of broken ones on new basses in music stores. Since then, much has been written about their flimsiness.

 

[MojoPin]

I think chasing "versatility" is a fools errand now that I'm older. It was something I was interested in when my wallet was lighter but now I appreciate instruments as they are. If I want a P sound, I grab a precision.... If I want a Jazz bass sound... I'll grab one of those (unless it's got round wounds on it). etc.... The point is, you usually get the best particular sound you are looking for out of "versatile" instruments, you are better off going for "tha thing" you are looking for, you'll have less problems and be less disappointed in the end. It's better to focus on the music than the instruments anyway.

I'd also check one out in the store before buying them with all those modern appointments, complexity breeds problems and like many have said, Fender's QC is kinda garbage.

 

[MojoPin]

Except that the ones made since about 2008 are better and much more consistently good than they've ever been since 1951. So yeah, I agree, democracy, guacamole, and fresh air are also overrated.

QC and production are two differing departments clearly, I mean take a look at my bass when it was at Sweetwater and tell me if you see any problems there. Take some time and look, it's kinda blown up here but I didn't see it upon looking at the pics but I was pretty excited about it and didn't think a bass in the 2.2k$ range would have any QC problems but it's right there, minor... but still.

Yeah, it must have been a Friday or something and the guy/gal putting in the screws didn't check at all 4 to make sure they were all in and "QC" didn't catch it either. Minor sure but being a bit OCD, I literally ended up buying the same screws from fender and putting it in myself. The drill hole was a bit wonky too and it didn't go in easily. Looking at all the other screws in the array, you can see some aren't put in straight at all. Sure, gives it that ACTUAL "vintage" 60s vibe since they are building them better now, though their materials are probably not as high quality. Could be right, could be wrong... I just know from experience their QC, even on $2k+ instruments, is kinda bad. Best P bass I've ever played or picked up actually, I love it so I agree too, mostly their construction is better nowadays.

 

[wboyd68]

You're welcome to STRONGLY disagree with anything you like, but what is the sample size of American-made Fenders you deal with versus any other manufacturer?

I've never owned a Sandberg, although they look beautiful and very well-made. They're impossible to get anywhere within a 1500 km radius of my house without buying online, unplayed. I think that speaks to their volume, which is tiny compared to the global market Fender easily addresses.

Also a small fraction of the Fender output, EBMM. I have owned an EBMM and it was hands down the nicest bass guitar I've ever owned. It also had neck issues and electronics issues that I put up with (for a while) because it was otherwise so nice. And I've read some online complaints about them, and G&L, and every other mass producer, I would guess each according to their share of market, but nobody gets the flaming that Fender gets, while nobody has even close to the annual production quantity of bass guitars that Fender has.

I've owned *many* Fenders - aside from 90s and early 00s Mexican-made Fenders and Squiers from the same era, they've all been flawless. I don't have particularly low tolerances for quality problems - especially with necks - so I'm just confused every time I read this kind of hate on Fender's QC, because it is so alien to my own experience across 40+ years. I don't own FMIC shares, I don't sell Fenders professionally, etc - it's just that it is so contrary to my experience.

I purchased an American Pro P-Bass online in 2018 and it was (is) flawless. I had a similar experience with purchasing and American Pro Jazz online-also flawless. I actually purchased an American Ultra II Precision in a store and it is also flawless, with an incredible neck and a versatile preamp. I keep waiting for it to happen, the dreaded Fender QC thing so that I can chime in and complain every time someone brings up Fender, but to date my Fenders just make me happy.

 

[MtManiac]

QC and production are two differing departments clearly, I mean take a look at my bass when it was at Sweetwater and tell me if you see any problems there. Take some time and look, it's kinda blown up here but I didn't see it upon looking at the pics but I was pretty excited about it and didn't think a bass in the 2.2k$ range would have any QC problems but it's right there, minor... but still. View attachment 7332887

Yeah, it must have been a Friday or something and the guy/gal putting in the screws didn't check at all 4 to make sure they were all in and "QC" didn't catch it either. Minor sure but being a bit OCD, I literally ended up buying the same screws from fender and putting it in myself. The drill hole was a bit wonky too and it didn't go in easily. Looking at all the other screws in the array, you can see some aren't put in straight at all. Sure, gives it that ACTUAL "vintage" 60s vibe since they are building them better now, though their materials are probably not as high quality. Could be right, could be wrong... I just know from experience their QC, even on $2k+ instruments, is kinda bad. Best P bass I've ever played or picked up actually, I love it so I agree too, mostly their construction is better nowadays.

I don't think anyone is saying this didn't happen and doesn't happen. Some people though are talking as if it happens all the time, like a near certainty, to a degree exclusive to Fender.

The people being shipped or sold the good ones are a lot less noisy in the subject, and the people getting basses that shouldn't have passed QC from other manufacturers are a lot less numerous - because those basses are a lot less numerous.

Luckily, the fretboard isn't warped under the lowest string so that the frets buzz and can't be fixed by a set up then a fret leveling that the shop tech recommended and I paid for (my single experience with an EBMM), and I bet the pickup height can be adjusted no problem (unlike an Epiphone I bought) and there are no chips out of the headstock face (like a Charvel I owned), and the bridge screws all seem to be there (unlike a SBMM I owned), and I bet the truss rod turns as expected (unlike a Peavy that I owned). I guess we all miss stuff, as both you and Sweetwater did with that tuner screw, and the consumer is the last line of QC, regardless of manufacturer.