Issues with the Fender Ultra Jazz 5

[bucephylus]

If this is the case, it's very puzzling. Back in 2008, it seemed like there was a vested effort from the company to improve/stabilize the bass line and I feel they did from 2008 - 2016. I remember the announcement of the 2008 standard line including the development of the vintage hi-mass bridge and other subtle improvements. But the overall impression was that quality improved, even down through the Squire line. I'm not sure what triggered the recent changes to the standard and deluxe lines post 2016 but the bridge change is puzzling to me. I thought there was a lot of R&D that went into the redesign. I really liked this era and I can feel the difference when playing a bass from these years compared to recent models. Not sure why they felt the need to change things up.

The common statement from dealers and any other marketing folks is that Fender is always listening to their artists and consumers, and incorporating 'improvements' into their instruments. Not sure about any of that but I wonder if it has more to do with sales stagnating and the perception that 'hey we need to reinvigorate the lines to generate more sales' type of thought process. Yes I do realize while typing this that at the end of the day, they are a business and should be focused on improving profit but still.

My $0.019 impression was that somewhere around 2014 - 2015, they started paying a lot less attention to bass gear. That was purely an impression I got both when I tried contacting them and visiting some of their first tier dealers. About the same time, I also noticed much more emphasis on guitars. It's been 5 years of this trend, from my POV. This latest is just where things have been headed.

 

[Vic]

My $0.019 impression was that somewhere around 2014 - 2015, they started paying a lot less attention to bass gear. That was purely an impression I got both when I tried contacting them and visiting some of their first tier dealers. About the same time, I also noticed much more emphasis on guitars. It's been 5 years of this trend, from my POV. This latest is just where things have been headed.

I think where our perspectives differ is, I view them as always having had more emphasis on guitars, as I think is also typical of most large guitar/bass manufacturers. Bass is just a smaller segment of their market, always has been, always will be. So this doesn't really seem new or even unexpected to me.

The other thing I'm not seeing as you (at least appear to) do (unless I misread you, please pardon if so), is a continuing downward trend in the Bass segment or clear indication of disregard, especially blatant disregard. I personally don't view this bridge thing as a next step in a bad trend, but instead, a nasty hiccup in an otherwise fairly good trend.

FWIW anyway.

 

[bucephylus]

I think where our perspectives differ is, I view them as always having had more emphasis on guitars, as I think is also typical of most large guitar/bass manufacturers. Bass is just a smaller segment of their market, always has been, always will be. So this doesn't really seem new or even unexpected to me.

The other thing I'm not seeing as you (at least appear to) do (unless I misread you, please pardon if so), is a continuing downward trend in the Bass segment or clear indication of disregard, especially blatant disregard. I personally don't view this bridge thing as a next step in a bad trend, but instead, a nasty hiccup in an otherwise fairly good trend.

FWIW anyway.

Time will tell.

I agree with your assessment of their quality improvements, which seemed to me to start around 2000, with a noticeable bump around 2008. For the most part, changes since 2014 / 2015 have been....well, they appear to be changes that non-bass playing marketing folks would make. Also, it has seemed to me that price increases with production cost decreases set in.

And, as previously stated, I just got the impression in my interactions that individual players no longer matter. Part of that is I just happen to have a particularly dismissive CS dealer in the neighborhood. And then there was the bizarre case with Genz Benz; where, ok GB was a tiny blip not on the radar, but the folks in the Scottsdale amp division just literally didn't even bother to drive the two miles across Scottsdale at lunch break to check on things. Just gave the appearance of not giving a rip. Of course, maybe I'm all wrong. Just calling it like I seens it.

 

[AlexanderB]

Time will tell.

I agree with your assessment of their quality improvements, which seemed to me to start around 2000, with a noticeable bump around 2008. For the most part, changes since 2014 / 2015 have been....well, they appear to be changes that non-bass playing marketing folks would make. Also, it has seemed to me that price increases with production cost decreases set in.

And, as previously stated, I just got the impression in my interactions that individual players no longer matter. Part of that is I just happen to have a particularly dismissive CS dealer in the neighborhood. And then there was the bizarre case with Genz Benz; where, ok GB was a tiny blip not on the radar, but the folks in the Scottsdale amp division just literally didn't even bother to drive the two miles across Scottsdale at lunch break to check on things. Just gave the appearance of not giving a rip. Of course, maybe I'm all wrong. Just calling it like I seens it.

I have no dog in this fight, but your take on the "quality timeline" is very similar to mine. The positive surprises I have seen from Fender in recent years are few; the japanese Midnight Precision, the JMJ Mustang (and to some extent the P/J) and the Cabronita are what springs to mind.
The regular models seem to have some cost and labor reduction work done to them.
Interestingly, they had a good thing going with the Gretsch basses too, both compact solid bodies and the much liked Electromatic hollow bodies. It seem they just gave up on them???

 

[Mike Vee]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's something the manufacturer should have done before you bought the bass. Or, is the Fender loyalty that strong that you're just like "aight, no biggie, they don't give a poopie about their Quality Control, but it says Fender so I'm gonna buy it anyway?"

Exactly, how someone can suggest it would be acceptable to swap the bridge on a $2K bass and just live with it is absolutely astounding to me. Wow.

"Hey man, that Porsche has the wrong size wheels? So what? Just go buy the correct ones. What's the big deal? I don't get it."

 

[WorktheWood]

If Fender will swap the bridge to the appropriate width bridge under warranty, it's not a big deal. Yes, it's a bit of a hassle but a quick and easy fix. Understand that they may not have received many or any complaints about it. If you don't play above the 12th fret or so, you may not notice the issue.

As for Fender's quality over the years, I've owned many Fender basses since the 80's. I've never had a problem with any of them. I loved the 22 fret US Deluxe models from the early/mid 2000's, especially when they went to the 4+1 headstock. The basses I played and owned from that era had great finishes, great fretwork, fantastic feeling necks and sounded like a Fender. My current Elite's are as perfect as can be in terms of build quality.

 

[Vic]

Time will tell...

I hear you, and yeah, I very definitely agree your CS experience sucked arse, but I personally wouldn't necessarily say that reflects the overall corporate mentality. Corporate fail if they actually know about it, it continues, and they do nothing, but the devil is usually in the details in these ugly scenarios, so I can't really assign much to it myself... especially to Fender Corp overall. Just being fair.

 

[gustobassman]

Something to note as well .. not only did the Deluxe Dimensions have the same bridge - it seems the new Jackson Dave Ellefson and the Concert series all have the same bridge. Just with the Jackson name. None of the Jackson 5'er basses on Sweetwater seem to have the G riding the edge of the fretboard.

And the DE's have the spoke wheel. Jackson is FMIC, no?

 

[WorktheWood]

It may look to be the same bridge but it's probably not the same width. Posted earlier, it looks like Fender has two bridges that appear to be identical other than string spacing, one being 2 7/8" the other 3". Your not likely to tell them apart just by looking at them. If Fender used the 2 7/8" one the problem would very likely be solved.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Fender literally doesn't seem to care about their bass products any more. I suspect the business looks at bass sales and shrugs their shoulders. Development and Production of basses are both after thoughts vs guitars. Here we have an obvious production issue, and no one there even cared to glance at it.

I've tried contacting their CS folks in Scottsdale and was literally read the riot act; as in how dare I call them, and how did I get the phone number. They have just turned into a nasty and arrogant company, as far as bass players go. I highly doubt they are even paying attention to the Production problem and will continue ignorantly and arrogantly shipping a product which doesn't work. The fact that they can't get their 5 string basses right and don't care is very telling. Almost a foregone conclusion that no one at Fender ever "wastes" time to see what Talk Bass is saying about their products.

Which presents the bass community with a bit of dilemma. Here we have practically our main bass maker blindly paying zero attention to the bass instruments they are making. I suppose our only "voice" would be that bass players just stop buying them. Which is sadly an unlikely response.

I am beholden to my Fenders. Detest the company they have become.

Have you or anybody thought of sending the link of this thread to Fender to see what their response would be, if any?

 

[vid1900]

Should be darkly entertaining to see how long the Production mistake goes on before the company notices.

Like I posted; I went to two GC to find some of the wrong bridges, but all the bass had the correct bridges installed.

Either the problem was limited to a few weeks production, or the employees have already started swapping them out.

 

[bucephylus]

Like I posted; I went to two GC to find some of the wrong bridges, but all the bass had the correct bridges installed.

Either the problem was limited to a few weeks production, or the employees have already started swapping them out.

The latter would be the best scenario. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

 

[vid1900]

The latter would be the best scenario. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Can you even imagine trying to explain to GC employees how to measure 2-7/8" ????

The guys at Home Depot work the panel saw all day long, and the scale is built into the machine, but even they can't cut 2-7/8" LOL

 

[scraig]

I have a five string 2012 Fender jazz deluxe and it has an adjustable string spacing on the bridge saddle. I have no problems with string and pickup poles or anything else. I'm not sure why Fender would change something that worked well for years.

 

[Mike Vee]

I have a five string 2012 Fender jazz deluxe and it has an adjustable string spacing on the bridge saddle. I have no problems with string and pickup poles or anything else. I'm not sure why Fender would change something that worked well for years.

it's cheaper

 

[Yahboy]

I have a five string 2012 Fender jazz deluxe and it has an adjustable string spacing on the bridge saddle. I have no problems with string and pickup poles or anything else. I'm not sure why Fender would change something that worked well for years.

Cost cutting , cheaper .......and FMIC still believe most bassist love Baddass-like chunky bridge.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

The guys at Home Depot work the panel saw all day long, and the scale is built into the machine, but even they can't cut 2-7/8" LOL

View attachment 3654999

I don't think that's an issue with the saw operator. It's probably more due to people coming back and complaining about the "precision cuts" that were made to "customer spec"... using the wrong spec...
I mean, if you're measuring for wood to fit that precisely, why don't you have your own saw?

 

[alwbass]

I hope this isn't a repeat or a late reply.

Please read my email to Fender after purchasing this bass. By the way, I went with an Ernie Ball Music Man Sting Ray Special V HH.

Anthonyw1958


Jan 1, 12:14 MST


This by no means a bashing of Fender, just to let you know a consumers opinion of your products design and quality control.


I purchased the above mentioned bass guitar from Guitar Center recently. As stated in a previous message there is an inherent problem with the design, possibly the bridge is too wide for the neck or some other problem that causes the G string in particular to be too close to the edge of the neck and at least two strings do not line up properly with the pickups. After having the bass in my possession and playing it , doing my own research including, chatting with others who have played and observed the guitar, reading forums, observing you own pictures I've decided to go with another make.


I'm certain this message will not have any effect on your business model, but would hope it will at least bring to your attention what I and others believe are design flaws that should prompt changes to the instrument .


I and my son have several other Fender products that we use and they perform exceptionally well. I will continue to consider your products in the future.


Thank you,


Anthony Wilson​

Brett Arney (Fender)

Jan 6, 15:47 MST

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for reaching out. We were made aware of the bridge issue not long after the first models went out and corrected the issue immediately. Those who did get basses with the incorrect bridge could have them swapped out under warranty.

thanks again for taking the time to write.

Regards,
Brett Arney

Consumer Relations Manager|Fender Musical Instruments
Corporation

17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100|Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Ph: 480-845-5745

 

[Vic]

it's cheaper

I'm not so sure this bridge would be any cheaper to build than the older one on the deluxe/elite. seems to be similar quality, just different design.

 

[Geri O]

I hope this isn't a repeat or a late reply.

Please read my email to Fender after purchasing this bass. By the way, I went with an Ernie Ball Music Man Sting Ray Special V HH.

Anthonyw1958


Jan 1, 12:14 MST


This by no means a bashing of Fender, just to let you know a consumers opinion of your products design and quality control.


I purchased the above mentioned bass guitar from Guitar Center recently. As stated in a previous message there is an inherent problem with the design, possibly the bridge is too wide for the neck or some other problem that causes the G string in particular to be too close to the edge of the neck and at least two strings do not line up properly with the pickups. After having the bass in my possession and playing it , doing my own research including, chatting with others who have played and observed the guitar, reading forums, observing you own pictures I've decided to go with another make.


I'm certain this message will not have any effect on your business model, but would hope it will at least bring to your attention what I and others believe are design flaws that should prompt changes to the instrument .


I and my son have several other Fender products that we use and they perform exceptionally well. I will continue to consider your products in the future.


Thank you,


Anthony Wilson​

View attachment 3658853
Brett Arney (Fender)

Jan 6, 15:47 MST

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for reaching out. We were made aware of the bridge issue not long after the first models went out and corrected the issue immediately. Those who did get basses with the incorrect bridge could have them swapped out under warranty.

thanks again for taking the time to write.

Regards,
Brett Arney

Consumer Relations Manager|Fender Musical Instruments
Corporation

17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100|Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Ph: 480-845-5745





View attachment 3658854

Well, well...

Seems like this would get as much attention as all the posts pointing out the problems. I wonder if anyone else reached out to Fender about the issues. In big corporate world, 5 days for a response doesn't seem too out of line.

No real interest here, I don't own a fender anymore, although I won't rule it out.