Fender Elite Jazz V Review

[Dr. Cheese]

Odd song lyrics aside, this is a nice review of a great bass. For the life of me, I think Fender is making a mistake in getting rid of the trussrod adjustment wheel. I know some boutique folks will always hate Fender, but I think these are great basses.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I agree . Enjoy mine very much.

 

[WorktheWood]

I don't really care for the wheel and prefer their older style. I don't mind wheels, I just don't like Fender's version.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't really care for the wheel and prefer their older style. I don't mind wheels, I just don't like Fender's version.

Why not?

 

[WorktheWood]

It's a bit clunky and stiff but the main reason is that other brands let you slide the tool all the way through for better leverage and easier adjustment. With the Fender you can only get the tool in part way and it tends to chew up the wheel if you're not careful.

Why not?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It's a bit clunky and stiff but the main reason is that other brands let you slide the tool all the way through for better leverage and easier adjustment. With the Fender you can only get the tool in part way and it tends to chew up the wheel if you're not careful.

That could certainly be better.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Mine has never needed adjusting . Bought it, had it refinished, set up.
Been perfect ever since. My luthier/tech didn’t mention any issues with the wheel.
So far so good for me.

 

[WorktheWood]

I haven't had to adjust any of my 3 much at all either. Which actually makes the issue of having the wheel or not pointless. I'm not sure why some would say not having the wheel is a deal breaker.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I haven't had to adjust any of my 3 much at all either. Which actually makes the issue of having the wheel or not pointless. I'm not sure why some would say not having the wheel is a deal breaker.

I don’t own an Elite, but I have always felt that wheel trussrods are the easiest to use when actually need to use one.

 

[WorktheWood]

I've never had any difficulty with any truss rod on any bass I've ever owned or worked on.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I've never had any difficulty with any truss rod on any bass I've ever owned or worked on.

I never have trouble either. I just think the wheel is super easy to use.

 

[BassJuju]

The wheel in mine “failed” for lack of a better word. The only way to adjust the neck was to take it off. Fender/GC replaced the bass under warranty when it was about 2 years old for this reason. I am absolutely in love with my other Fenders. FWIW, I also thought the elites had the worst pre I’ve ever heard. Otherwise, the elites are gorgeous. Still drool and play one quite often. Still can’t buy another. Custom shop and Originals... well, the addiction is real.

 

[19sixty3]

I agree with Dr. Cheese completely. A great bass. And yes, Fender is making a mistake in getting rid of the trussrod adjustment wheel.

Look, if you do not have to adjust (often)? Excellent! But there are actually areas in this world where this is unfortunately regularly required.

If you live like me in a climate zone with extreme bandwidths - in winter minus 25-35 degree Celsius and in the summer plus 35 degree Celsius with an extremely high humidity? Trust me. Then you appreciate a wheel.

I agree. Other manufacturers have solved this better with the wheel. Regarding "need to be careful" with the Fender wheel? If you have ever taken a neck from a really tight neck pocket, then you have to be really (!) careful so that the paint does not peel off everywhere! In contrast, the Fender wheel is a real luxury problem.

Seriously, there is no better solution than the wheel as such. And better the Fender wheel with its small constructive disadvantages than none at all.

 

[chris_b]

I tried one of these in a shop when they first came out and I liked it. It felt good to play but the weight was a deal breaker for me, must have been over 10lbs. I've never owned a bass with a trussrod wheel and as I very rarely adjust the trussrod on my basses I'm on the fence with these things.

 

[Eidolon0274]

It's a bit clunky and stiff but the main reason is that other brands let you slide the tool all the way through for better leverage and easier adjustment. With the Fender you can only get the tool in part way and it tends to chew up the wheel if you're not careful.

I too do not like the wheel for this exact reason. After gigging an elite for 3 years the truss wheel and balance are my complaints for the elite V.

 

[WorktheWood]

You haven't had to remove a Fender neck in years to adjust the truss rod. Before the wheel you had easy access to it and a long allen wrench with a T handle to make adjustments. I don't find the wheel any easier to use than the previous methods as found on the different US Deluxe models.

Regarding "need to be careful" with the Fender wheel? If you have ever taken a neck from a really tight neck pocket, then you have to be really (!) careful so that the paint does not peel off everywhere! In contrast, the Fender wheel is a real luxury problem.

Seriously, there is no better solution than the wheel as such. And better the Fender wheel with its small constructive disadvantages than none at all.

 

[landrybass]

I always found it easier to adjust the truss when the hole is at the headstock. I like the Mexican line for that reason.

 

[19sixty3]

I don't find the wheel any easier to use than the previous methods as found on the different US Deluxe models.

Agreed. As long the rod adjustment is at the headstock? I can live without a wheel too. However, I feel much easier and comfortable with the wheel.

 

[WorktheWood]

I don't like the adjustment at the headstock. When I adjust the neck I like the bass to be in the playing position, so I prefer the rod to be at the heel.

 

[joebar]

Where I live, I rarely have to adjust the basses. I have a jazz V elite. It’s the bridge that bugs me the most. I top load my strings because I believe bending them sharply (especially the thick ones), contributes to killing the string.
I mainly use mine in passive mode and is a fine bass overall but not perfect