Fender Ultra Jazz Bass Neck Question

[BigBigGuy44]

I’m considering an Ultra Jazz 4, specifically with a rosewood board, but I’m unable to find one locally. Fender describes the fretboard as having “rolled binding”. For anyone with this bass, is the fretboard binding actually rolled so it feels like an unbound neck or is there a noticeable edge to the binding?

Thanks in advance - I appreciate it!

 

[Parzival]

I have the maple board version. I guess they are kind of. It doesn't have a traditional binding feel to it, more like a smooth unbound neck if that is what you are looking for. Still a different feel altogether though. All I know is it is my favorite bass neck ever. I used to have the rosewood board version and it was great, but there is something awesome about the maple version.

 

[Marine57]

The maple usually feel comfortable, natural. The white bonding on rosewood has seemed very angular in the past.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

The maple usually feel comfortable, natural. The white bonding on rosewood has seemed very angular in the past.

Yeah I’ve had it both ways but agree bound maple necks tend to feel closer to a non-bound neck than rosewood. I’d love for someone with experience on the rosewood Ultra to weigh in.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

The necks on these bass have a rolled or rounded neck binding. The Ultra necks have smooth round edges, rounded fret ends, semi-satin finish on the back, D profile and a compound fretboard that transitions from a 10" to 14" radius. In my opinion, the Ultra Jazz has one of the most comfortable necks in their production line-up.

I suspect the binding is made already rolled or rounded before being installed on the neck. This would make sense since building it that way would save on labor costs.

Note: I'm eyeing a used mint Tobacco Burst Ultra Jazz sitting on the wall at my favorite local guitar shop (Replay Guitar in Tampa, Florida) at a great price. I mention this because I'm hoping someone will buy it and save me from my GAS problem.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

The necks on these bass have a rolled or rounded neck binding. The Ultra necks have smooth round edges, rounded fret ends, semi-satin finish on the back, D profile and a compound fretboard that transitions from a 10" to 14" radius. In my opinion, the Ultra Jazz has one of the most comfortable necks in their production line-up.

I suspect the binding is made already rolled or rounded before being installed on the neck. This would make sense since building it that way would save on labor costs.

Note: I'm eyeing a used mint Tobacco Burst Ultra Jazz sitting on the wall at my favorite local guitar shop (Replay Guitar in Tampa, Florida) at a great price. I mention this because I'm hoping someone will buy it and save me from my GAS problem.

Thank you, this is extremely helpful. I unfortunately cannot save you from GAS. I cannot even save myself.

 

[J33]

I have a P-bass Ultra with a P/J configuration in the pickups. My board is Ebony which is usually harder to my touch. Fundamentally a P-bass in design and it's edges feel incredible to me. Like the thing has been played for 50 years. My 2 cents.