Fender Elite owners. Still happy? NBD

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

It’s been 1 year since this question was asked. My answer is still yes. I’m still enjoying my Elite Jazz V.

 

[pbass62]

Im still playing my Elite P, I liked it so much I picked up an Elite J5

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Although I swapped out the preamp with a Sadowsky.

Did you leave the stock pickups? How does it sound with the Sadowsky preamp?

- Steve

 

[phillipkregg]

Did you leave the stock pickups? How does it sound with the Sadowsky preamp?

- Steve

Yeah, I have no issues with the pickups.

I think the Sadowsky really helped enhance the passive tone of the bass. Here's what it sounds like now:

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Yeah, I have no issues with the pickups.

I think the Sadowsky really helped enhance the passive tone of the bass. Here's what it sounds like now:

Thanks for the info. Nice sound and nice playing!

- Steve

 

[shoot-r]

View attachment 3588505 just curious if the Elite series owners are still happy. I’ve checked out a few threads and was struck by how many loved the neck. With the new Ultra series here I talked to my friend at GC. He tells me the Elites are indeed finished. I have wanted an Ocean Turquoise 4 string since they came out. Something about that color with the ebony board, pearl blocks and binding, and string through body that does it for me. Always felt the prices were somewhat high and I’m more of a passive than active guy (but there’s a switch!) that kept me from buying one. I’ve been going back and forth between this and another bass. I found one of these at a pretty good price. Perhaps they could climb in value only being out a short while. Why wouldn’t Fender offer more than maple/rosewood on the new series? Really though I was just jonesing for a 4 string that felt really good in the hands, and should have it in a few days. So, you Elite owners still enjoying this bass?

Still VERY happy with my Elite!

 

[LBS-bass]

I think last year I said you'd have to pry it from my cold, dead hands, and it's still my #1 and I'm still never planning to part with it, so I guess that's still true.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Mine was a great example of a good bass. In the end, I realized that I prefer 70's pickup placement and true single coils voiced like a 70's Fender Jazz bass. My Elite had a more modern tone. I sold it once I picked up my Carvin SB5000. I still think the Elite Jazz V is one the best Fender 5 strings ever produced.

 

[12Toes]

Still have my Elite P. Love how the neck feels. Fit and finish is great, at least on mine. Wilcutt is my local shop so the setup it received may have something to do with that. Those were really nice basses. Still not sure why the name change to Ultra, which strikes me as obtuse and a little too "whiz bang". The specs on the Ultra just seemed like a natural iteration on the Elite. Tweak a pickup here, change a bridge there sort of thing. Assuming the quality control remains at the same level for this notch in Fender's product line.

Guessing as time passes, the wheel is the big distinction between the the two and whatever follows the Ultra.

Also guessing the wheel will never show up on sub $2000 Fender again.

 

[DanGroove]

Still have my Elite P. Love how the neck feels. Fit and finish is great, at least on mine. Wilcutt is my local shop so the setup it received may have something to do with that. Those were really nice basses. Still not sure why the name change to Ultra, which strikes me as obtuse and a little too "whiz bang". The specs on the Ultra just seemed like a natural iteration on the Elite. Tweak a pickup here, change a bridge there sort of thing. Assuming the quality control remains at the same level for this notch in Fender's product line.

Guessing as time passes, the wheel is the big distinction between the the two and whatever follows the Ultra.

Also guessing the wheel will never show up on sub $2000 Fender again.

Same reason they changed the name from Deluxe to Elite a few years earlier. A few years from now Ultra will become Mega or something.

 

[Ooba Tooba]

Been a year and a half since I started the thread, and I still love mine. It is my number one. Extremely versatile, and a joy to play. I’ve since gotten a 4 string Ric that I am really liking too. Currently I use it on 15-20% of our bands material. It’s just an entirely different groove from a Fender V to a 4 string Ric. I can’t see another bass replacing either of these gems.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

View attachment 4246346 View attachment 4246347 View attachment 4246348 View attachment 4246349 View attachment 4246350 Been a year and a half since I started the thread, and I still love mine. It is my number one. Extremely versatile, and a joy to play. I’ve since gotten a 4 string Ric that I am really liking too. Currently I use it on 15-20% of our bands material. It’s just an entirely different groove from a Fender V to a 4 string Ric. I can’t see another bass replacing either of these gems.

Maybe a topic for another thread but that Ric is sweet!!

 

[Ooba Tooba]

Maybe a topic for another thread but that Ric is sweet!!

Thanks! It rings like a bell. The first time I plugged it in it sounded like a piano to me. It really is a very fine high quality instrument.

 

[madjazzbass]

Same reason they changed the name from Deluxe to Elite a few years earlier. A few years from now Ultra will become Mega or something.

The "Mega" will be Fenders next 6 string Bass

 

[davidak]

NBD, older (new to me) Elite in da house.

I chose Elite over Ultra for following reasons:

- truss rod wheel
- bridge (do not like Badass style ones)
- battery cover (still don't get why so many guitar makers uses those ugly plastic clip ones)

Anyway I am really very happily surprised by this bass.

Few observations or surprises:

- neck is fat! Being used to Sadowsky J or Fullerton J necks, but even CS P (oval C..), this one really fills my hand
- ebony board is beautiful
- bass plays in passive mode even when batteries are out (big plus)
- pickups are nicely balanced
- setup could be set very very low, great work here from Fender
- tone control works in passive mode only (shame, I like VTC)
- bass is bit heavier than my other ones, but I dont feel it very much, ergonomy is so good here (9,2lb or 4,2kg)
- craftmanship is top notch, no gaps, etc.
- matching of body woods could be nicer (in this price category)
- body finish seems to be very soft (mojo to come very soon)
- battery cover (could be opened with coin, has metal inserts for bolts etc.)
- nice lightweight tuners with perfect D-tuner from Hipshot available

Anyway, I am really happy. Haven't had "modern" Fender for years, but this one is really good surprise and brings my faith in nowadays Fender back