Fender Ultra Precision bass

[bobyoung53]

I haven't read through the whole thread but have a 2013 Am Vintage Hot rod P/J with a compound neck, it's 7.25" to 12" and it's one of the nicest necks I've ever played, t's a little tick for me though and I bought a J neck for it but it is a beautiful playing neck. I assume that would be even nicer its 10" to 14" I have a T-Bird with a 12" radius and really like it.

 

[TrevorG]

Loving all this love for the Ultra. Made my discovery four years ago with the P. Got the J two years later. Never looked back. Knew nothing about fenders then. Just knew I have great fender sounds on an instrument that suited my hands. I know a lot more now and still won't play anything else.

 

[TrevorG]

I gave an expat Elrick Evo away for a mocha burst Ultra-P last Sunday.
I had an Am. Elite before; it was heavy and the neck was … chunky, whilst the pickups sounded too soft ..
I gave it away for an AO ‘60s P.
This Ultra is lighter, has got the best neck I’ve put my hands on if compared to any Fender bass I’ve played so far, the passive tone is a great added value, I LIKE THE PREAMP although I mainly play in passive mode and that’s why the P pickup doesn’t leave me satisfied .. it’s a little bland if compared to the Fender PV ‘63 (the “cannon”) or to other aftermarket pickups (Klein, Arcane, Lindy Fralin, SD SPB-1) I’m using or I have used.
However I want to try to adjust my playing to this pickup as to open the control cavity of an active Fender bass has always been a nightmare for me ..

What strings are you using? I've started using LaBella flats and don't stop using the P pick up alone now.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

What strings are you using? I've started using LaBella flats and don't stop using the P pick up alone now.

I had a set of TI flats lying around but they’re too floppy as I’m used to LaBella now.
So I’ve ordered another set of LaBella DTF 760FL which I still have to receive.
My other two Ps are fitted with LaBella, so I’ll happily test the pickup behaviour when the new strings set will arrive !

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

LaBellas landed …

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

@TrevorG
The overall bass tone significantly benefited from the new LaBella strings.
Now I can feel the true character of the P pickup; it’s different from the usual vintage-like tone I get from my other P-basses .. it has an inherent load of low-mid tones that are “grindily” waiting for you to dig in .. like it.
The neck relief was then finally correctly adjusted; I find it easier now to adjust the relief of necks fitted with stiff strings rather than doing the same with softer ones.
All-in-all this Ultra line has positively impacted on me .. I consider this P-bass to be a truly professional instrument good for anything one may want to do working in the music field (recording, touring ..).

 

[TrevorG]

@TrevorG
The overall bass tone significantly benefited from the new LaBella strings.
Now I can feel the true character of the P pickup; it’s different from the usual vintage-like tone I get from my other P-basses .. it has an inherent load of low-mid tones that are “grindily” waiting for you to dig in .. like it.
The neck relief was then finally correctly adjusted; I find it easier now to adjust the relief of necks fitted with stiff strings rather than doing the same with softer ones.
All-in-all this Ultra line has positively impacted on me .. I consider this P-bass to be a truly professional instrument good for anything one may want to do working in the music field (recording, touring ..).

Glad you're happy. My Nordstrand mute arrived today. Only thing missing from my tone now is the crackle from the record vinyl!!!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Glad you're happy. My Nordstrand mute arrived today. Only thing missing from my tone now is the crackle from the record vinyl!!!View attachment 4905897

Natural + rosewood

 

[bassguitarist85]

I recently bought a used 2020 Plasma Burst Ultra. Never gigged, came with all the paperwork, COA, tools, strap buttons, even the plastic covers were saved!

I too noticed the P pickup was slightly weaker and the J pickup is more powerful. I keep my blend knob towards the P side to off set this. I thought it was a bad wire in the P pickup so I took the pickup apart, found no issues, and measured the proper 31k ohms from the coils. After resetting the heights and balancing the output using the VU meter of my mixer to verify, im extremely pleased with the bass now. Its a bit of a rare color I'm told. The bass truly sings now with my favorite string set D'Addario Prosteels .045 to .105

For compare my 2022 Ultra Jazz, those pickups even in passive mode are HOT! I haven't used the active mode much yet as the output gets even hotter!

I have a Fender Ultra V Artic Pearl on order from SW too. Due in March. Can't wait!

 

[TrevorG]

The Jazz pick up my Precision was also very hot out of the box. I don't have any technical Know-how so I just lowered the pick-up height which solved the problem for me too. The rarity of your model is down to the fact that ash has been discontinued at Fender since a beetle infestation made ash hard to work with.

 

[bassguitarist85]

The Jazz pick up my Precision was also very hot out of the box. I don't have any technical Know-how so I just lowered the pick-up height which solved the problem for me too. The rarity of your model is down to the fact that ash has been discontinued at Fender since a beetle infestation made ash hard to work with.

Ahh so the body is Ash and not Alder? That would explain the slight tonal difference. I couldnt find too much info on it online.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Today I managed to get closer to the setup I like; it usually takes a couple of weeks to me to get there with a new bass and new strings during winter.
I have to say that the P-pickup Fender has decided to fit on the Ultras is very fat sounding without being muddy at all; It would be interesting to know which series of standard Fender P-pickups it belongs to.
Don’t know why, but I don’t believe it has been made expressly for this new line of basses.
Another pleasantly surprising feature of the bass is the preamp; it’s clear but powerful; the bass tone is preserved but nicely enhanced by it.
This time Fender has probably hit the mark with this preamp.
I surely shall touch the neck another couple of times in the coming two/three days but I’m almost there
Merry Christmas !

 

[TrevorG]

Don’t know why, but I don’t believe it has been made expressly for this new line of basses.
!

I'm no expert but I have tried a lot of Fenders. Can't say the PUs reminds me of anything else. Especially since they are genuinely noiseless. Totally agree about the preamp. It's close to the Elites without the 12 decibel boost on the treble and with a darker voice. To me it sounds as natural as the passive tone.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I recently bought a used 2020 Plasma Burst Ultra. Never gigged, came with all the paperwork, COA, tools, strap buttons, even the plastic covers were saved!

I too noticed the P pickup was slightly weaker and the J pickup is more powerful. I keep my blend knob towards the P side to off set this. I thought it was a bad wire in the P pickup so I took the pickup apart, found no issues, and measured the proper 31k ohms from the coils. After resetting the heights and balancing the output using the VU meter of my mixer to verify, im extremely pleased with the bass now. Its a bit of a rare color I'm told. The bass truly sings now with my favorite string set D'Addario Prosteels .045 to .105

For compare my 2022 Ultra Jazz, those pickups even in passive mode are HOT! I haven't used the active mode much yet as the output gets even hotter!

I have a Fender Ultra V Artic Pearl on order from SW too. Due in March. Can't wait!

View attachment 4910278 View attachment 4910279 View attachment 4910280

Yes, I have Plasma Red also; Also noticed P Pickup a little lower than J; this after reading many complaints on TB about J's being weak on P/J

Also have read that 'Distinctively' Vintage P pickups are mostly lower output as compared to others[not sure of accuracy of statement but info came from those who seem to have vetted this]

Sound was fine but did have to fiddle with Blend setting and Volume[ACTIVE/PASSIVE on the fly.

I now have pickups adjusted with P 1/64 closer to strings and have lowered Active EQ controls on Preamp approx 10 O'clock; I now can adjust Blend and switch Active Passive with no Volume adjustment also clearly hear results of Active vs Passive and all positions on blend tone's instantly; yes I may be a tad OCD

 

[sgiacomo]

Just ordered an 2020 arctic white that is supposed to weigh in at 8 lbs 6 oz. Really stoked, supposed to be here Sunday!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Just ordered an 2020 arctic white that is supposed to weigh in at 8 lbs 6 oz. Really stoked, supposed to be here Sunday!
View attachment 4926855

You’ll let us know what is your opinion regarding the P-pickup please ..

 

[bassguitarist85]

Just ordered an 2020 arctic white that is supposed to weigh in at 8 lbs 6 oz. Really stoked, supposed to be here Sunday!
View attachment 4926855

Awesome news! Yes let us know what you think! My Ultra V in Artic Pearl I'm getting the first week of February. I would have gotton it sooner, but some adulting with the house had to be taken care of first doh! Looking forward to your post!

 

[James Vaughn]

Congrats!

 

[sgiacomo]

You’ll let us know what is your opinion regarding the P-pickup please ..

Initial impressions of the bass are extremely positive. Precision pickup is definitely not as hot as the Jazz. My primary go to bass is a 2008 Am Std Precision but I’m betting this one will likely dethrone it. Still need to put it through more paces after my wife finishes her work from meetings!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Initial impressions of the bass are extremely positive. Precision pickup is definitely not as hot as the Jazz. My primary go to bass is a 2008 Am Std Precision but I’m betting this one will likely dethrone it. Still need to put it through more paces after my wife finishes her work from meetings!View attachment 4930645

If you are not a member already get a # at the
The Official Fender Precision Bass Club (Part 8)
And have a nice NBD !