• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender American Ultra Series - ???

D

DanGroove

Apr 27, 2017
850
1,147
Texas
#1
So the "Big News" was in fact the announcement of the American Ultra. Doesn't look like they made many changes from the Elite other than getting rid of the truss wheel (I like the truss wheel). It claims a redesigned preamp so maybe that is improved. And the new Ultra Noiseless pickups. Could be hit or miss.

The thing I really can't get though is the color choices at launch. For the jazz you get Natural or Sunburst. Not a lot of options there. The precision is worse though. 5 color choices, and 3 of them are bursts. You get Natural, Sunburst, Ultra burst? (dark sunburst), Cherry Burst or something like that, and Olympic White. So they released it in 5 finishes, and all but one are a wood grain finish. No interesting colors at all. Poorly chosen IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ghastly, Paula Warren, Luigir and 7 others
#2
Ultra, most advanced, yada yada. Whatever. I'm glad they're sticking with classic looks with mostly single coil and bringing the electronics up to date somewhat. There's definitely a market for retro with all the boomers retiring with money to spend on cool hobbies.

IMO Fender's forte is vintage look, feel and sound. I don't get the marketing like it's cutting edge and not just incremental updates on classic designs. It's cool! But if I want modern tone, I'm going with active humbuckers, k, thnx, bye.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TrevorG, Kipp Harrington, dayzbass and 4 others
#5
DanGroove said:
So the "Big News" was in fact the announcement of the American Ultra. Doesn't look like they made many changes from the Elite other than getting rid of the truss wheel (I like the truss wheel). It claims a redesigned preamp so maybe that is improved. And the new Ultra Noiseless pickups. Could be hit or miss.

The thing I really can't get though is the color choices at launch. For the jazz you get Natural or Sunburst. Not a lot of options there. The precision is worse though. 5 color choices, and 3 of them are bursts. You get Natural, Sunburst, Ultra burst? (dark sunburst), Cherry Burst or something like that, and Olympic White. So they released it in 5 finishes, and all but one are a wood grain finish. No interesting colors at all. Poorly chosen IMO.
Click to expand...
Wow, with all those wild colors it looks like they're definitely aimed at the kids who supposedly think Fenders are too stodgy!
What I can't understand is the "You'll never play a Fender the same way again" baloney. Sure, I realize they're trying to reel buyers in, but shouldn't they actually try using a good lure?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pbassmanca, Miles_ONeal, SirMjac28 and 2 others
#9
pcake said:
seems like changing the elite to the ultra is a gibson/henry move. he was always changing series names with only minor - and often undesirable - changes.
Click to expand...
Agree. I can't tell any significant difference except for getting rid of the truss wheel that I liked. In the video they keep showing of the contour where the neck meets the body like it's some brand new innovation and not the thing they were touting for the last 4 years on the Elites.
 
  • Like
Reactions: imabuddha and pcake
#18
Well, can't say I'm disappointed since I didn't expect much.

But it honestly looks that this series is a DOWNGRADE from the American Elite.

The compound neck radius AND the contoured neck heel were already present on the Elite so not sure why they brag so much about it on the video...The only "new" thing is the hi-mass bridge which honestly isn't even an upgrade since the bridge on the Elites was quite solid.

And what the **** are up with these new colours? Seriously I know tastes are personal but those look dull as hell. The old American Elite colours were MUCH better.

I'm not even a Fender hater and I don't blame them for not innovating since their userbase is pretty much as close-minded as it goes but they could've at least tried. Their Elite series is supposed to be modern and innovative. Instead it's re-branded with the same old stuff and made worse with disappointing colours.

See you in 3 years for the American Royal series (or something like that).

EDIT: Oh yeah forgot to say. They removed the truss rod adjustment at the end of the neck (Musicman style). The best thing about the Elite was that. And they removed it. Yep...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: 57pbass, Luigir, dayzbass and 13 others
#19
I’d actually like to know what kind of data Fender looks at. Specifically, what % of sales of new Fenders are first time buyers, and how often do those who bought Fender new become repeat new Fender buyers.

A complete blind statement/ question on my part, based solely from responses on TB....do you feel that Fender has moved marketing towards enticing first time buyers, and sort of abandoned repeat buyers? Therefore...trying to maximize any profits in each new run before discontinuing?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back