fwiw, I have changed them out once. I do not leave a cable plugged into the jack when not in use of course, and I am only averaging about 10 hours playing time per week.
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Fender American Ultra Jazz 5 - Pros/Cons
- Thread starter Treblefree
- Start date
fwiw, I have changed them out once. I do not leave a cable plugged into the jack when not in use of course, and I am only averaging about 10 hours playing time per week.
Just something to be aware of as with any electronic devices.
I have not had any issues with electronics or battery life. But I also spend 95% of my time wireless (if that matters). All that works fine. I just changed my battery after a year. It didn't need it, but I change them all on my B-day.
Mine also sets up nice and low, but ya gotta give the B string an extra 1/2 turn on bridge height or it'll buzz.
Mine also sets up nice and low, but ya gotta give the B string an extra 1/2 turn on bridge height or it'll buzz.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
Just for clarification, the battery issue I encountered on both Elites were not because the bass was left plugged in. They were burning through batteries one on gig.
I have both the Ultra and Elite fivers, I like the Elite a little better mainly because the neck profile is slightly more comfortable for my hands. I also like the convenience of the truss wheel, the string-thru feature, and that it didn't come with tort. However, I like the Ultra little better because the stock preamp seems like less of a mess and the screw-free battery compartment (jury is still out on long-term durability on this plastic piece, though). I have an Elite Jazz 4 that has a 4-tone Audere preamp into it, and it's fantastic. I'm planning to drop one into the Elite V to see if I get the same result.
I haven't had any battery problems with any of these basses. Also, I'm not sure it's possible to make 100% noise-proof single-coil pickups... it's just that Fender took some steps, perhaps not perfectly implemented, to significantly reduce noise potential. I get some noise every once in awhile, but nothing to get twisted up about. I think I remember reading about how some owners have added shielding to their cavities/pickguards and improved their ground connections and this reduced noise even more.
I haven't had any battery problems with any of these basses. Also, I'm not sure it's possible to make 100% noise-proof single-coil pickups... it's just that Fender took some steps, perhaps not perfectly implemented, to significantly reduce noise potential. I get some noise every once in awhile, but nothing to get twisted up about. I think I remember reading about how some owners have added shielding to their cavities/pickguards and improved their ground connections and this reduced noise even more.
Pro - It’s Fender’s top J and it’s 5 string.
Con - no Daphne blue.
Con - no Daphne blue.
I've owned one.. for the budget, there are other options (unless the headstock must be fender)
Very comfortable to play sitting or standing (minus the weight, they’re not light by any means).
The pickups/pre are SOLID. Batteries lasted forever. You’ve got the passive/active options so even if they do die you’ve got a built in back-up. They are also really flexible and sensitive to minor adjustments when tweaking knobs or adjusting playing techniques. You can dial it in for anything honestly.
Build quality is excellent as well I only have three minor complaints:
1) The finish is not durable. It’s easy to dent, scratch, and scuff.
2) The elites had a very accessible truss rod while these do not. No idea why they made the change.
3) The B string isn’t as tight as it could be (totally useable though).
I had one for about a year and loved it and then the stingray specials caught my eye… way lighter weight, just as versatile, tighter B string, more bass on tap, and the finishes are much more durable. I haven’t looked back, honestly forgot I even owned one until I saw this post haha.
They are excellent basses though and could easily be your one and only.
The pickups/pre are SOLID. Batteries lasted forever. You’ve got the passive/active options so even if they do die you’ve got a built in back-up. They are also really flexible and sensitive to minor adjustments when tweaking knobs or adjusting playing techniques. You can dial it in for anything honestly.
Build quality is excellent as well I only have three minor complaints:
1) The finish is not durable. It’s easy to dent, scratch, and scuff.
2) The elites had a very accessible truss rod while these do not. No idea why they made the change.
3) The B string isn’t as tight as it could be (totally useable though).
I had one for about a year and loved it and then the stingray specials caught my eye… way lighter weight, just as versatile, tighter B string, more bass on tap, and the finishes are much more durable. I haven’t looked back, honestly forgot I even owned one until I saw this post haha.
They are excellent basses though and could easily be your one and only.
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I'd only say that in the $2000 to $2500 range there are lots of choices, and this is one more installation of passive pickups with an active preamp, which I'm never crazy about.
I'm sure they did everything they could to make sure the 'noiseless' moniker is true, but as you can see, even Fender can't utterly silence single coil pickups, and whatever noise they make may be carried into that active preamp along with the rest of the signal. They might have used stacked or side x side humbucking Jazzes to quiet this, but the intended audience would have rebelled. This thing with real active, low impedance pickups like EMG would be dead silent.
This is probably as good a five as Fender makes these days, aside from the long discontinued Roscoe Beck Five (which is a completely different animal). But like I say, with that budget, there are lots of other choices out there.
I'm sure they did everything they could to make sure the 'noiseless' moniker is true, but as you can see, even Fender can't utterly silence single coil pickups, and whatever noise they make may be carried into that active preamp along with the rest of the signal. They might have used stacked or side x side humbucking Jazzes to quiet this, but the intended audience would have rebelled. This thing with real active, low impedance pickups like EMG would be dead silent.
This is probably as good a five as Fender makes these days, aside from the long discontinued Roscoe Beck Five (which is a completely different animal). But like I say, with that budget, there are lots of other choices out there.
If it has the same preamp as the Fender Elite Jazz, I’d say keep looking. Or maybe start shopping drop-in preamps like Sadowsky or John East.
Make sure the G string isnt almost over the edge of the fretboard. Some of those ultra 5s had bridge alignment issues or something odd as the pickup poles are aligned perfectly.
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I played a 5 when they first came out and I really dug the tone and rolled edges of the fingerboard.
I did not like the weight and I have never played one under 10 lbs so I don’t own one.
I did not like the weight and I have never played one under 10 lbs so I don’t own one.
I played one and thought it was the best 5 string Fender jazz that I had played. Considered buying one but the string spacing was a little wide for me. Sounded great and better B string than any other Fender I've played.
I'd personally consider G&L, or Japanese brands like Bacchus or Atelier Z if I was buying a jazz 5.
Don't think you can go wrong with Ultra though if you like the ergonomics.
I'd personally consider G&L, or Japanese brands like Bacchus or Atelier Z if I was buying a jazz 5.
Don't think you can go wrong with Ultra though if you like the ergonomics.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
I've been installing the Nordie 3 bands a lot on the Fender V, pair it with some J-Blades. OMG
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
Yeah wonder if the same crew was responsible for the Dimension with the whacky Bad Ass knock off causing alignment issues. Thats like sending a car off the factory line needing front end alignment.
I have two G&L jazz basses. They are so good I don't think I need another jazz bass. If I was in the market I would be looking at Fender, Bluesman Vintage or Nash for that price range
My Ultra V has the best 5 string neck Fender has ever made. I have rather small hands and have only been able to play basses with a 1 3/4 nut and 16.5-17mm string spacing. The Ultra 5's neck is wider but thinner and has the same over circumference as a MMSR5 but has 18mm string spacing which I like. The pups are quiet and the tone is pure Jazz.
The preamp is great, the neck is great. I like the pickups too. Mine doesn’t eat batteries- but I got some nice rechargeable ones. I play it a lot and go through maybe 3 batteries a year.
I have owned a Fender Elite 5 for several years. When the Ultra came out, I purchased one and kept it for a few days but decided to return it.
My impressions were, it was a beautiful bass - very nice finish. But the bridge design was cheap and, imho, a step down from the Elite. The preamp and the pickups didn't sound much different from the Elite (my Elite now has a Sadowsky preamp instead of the original). I feel like Fender has never really nailed it on their active preamps.
The main reason I returned the Ultra is because I felt like my Elite was a better bass. If I were you, and you feel like you have to have a Fender, I'd just look for a used Elite.
If you're looking for a Fender-styled instrument, my recommendation is to get a used German-made Sadowsky. Those are some of my favorite basses ever and worth every extra penny.
My impressions were, it was a beautiful bass - very nice finish. But the bridge design was cheap and, imho, a step down from the Elite. The preamp and the pickups didn't sound much different from the Elite (my Elite now has a Sadowsky preamp instead of the original). I feel like Fender has never really nailed it on their active preamps.
The main reason I returned the Ultra is because I felt like my Elite was a better bass. If I were you, and you feel like you have to have a Fender, I'd just look for a used Elite.
If you're looking for a Fender-styled instrument, my recommendation is to get a used German-made Sadowsky. Those are some of my favorite basses ever and worth every extra penny.
Is that the one that the G string is falling off the edge of the fret board or was that the Elite?
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