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So I tried Fender Elite jazz basses today...

#481
I know that my Fender basses will take a lower action than any of the Sadowsky basses I've owned or currently own. The fretwork is perfect, the paint is perfect, the neck pockets are plenty tight enough, the preamp is quiet and cleanly wired, and the pickups are quiet and sound great. I won't quite on the level with my Fodera's but I enjoy playing them just as much. These are high end, high quality basses that are a bargain compared to other boutique type Fender style basses. I'm a Fender fan, always have been, and have really like most every era of their american line of instruments. I might be in the minority, though, as I didn't care for the Suhr era at all. I didn't like the pickups or the preamp.
 
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#482
wyleeboxer said:
I do wonder why the Elites get somewhat of bad rap quality wise, maybe in the production? Tone is subjective. Mine feels as well put together as any other high end bass..
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Not sure how someone could hold one of these in their hands and have anything but positive comments regarding the craftsmanship. I’m sure most the negative feedback comes from folks who played one at GC with some dead strings, and immediately ignored everything else about the bass.
 
#483
I agree. I've never played one at a GC that made me want to buy. The set up is always terrible and the strings are always dead.
JtSD619 said:
Not sure how someone could hold one of these in their hands and have anything but positive comments regarding the craftsmanship. I’m sure most the negative feedback comes from folks who played one at GC with some dead strings, and immediately ignored everything else about the bass.
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#484
I've mostly heard only good things about the Fender Elites, the OP and a few others aside. I was able to get a minty used P (maple, rounds) and equally minty used J (rosewood, flats) a few months apart at GC, and I think they're awesome.
 
#488
WorktheWood said:
A lot of people say this. Better playing and sounding is personal preference. But better built, I look at my 3 and don't see how they can be improved in terms of build quality.
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When I say better playing/sounding... im comparing apples to apples. I dont mean that I might personally prefer a soundgear to a jazz bass. Im saying that every lakland skyline and american G&L jazz bass that i've played has sounded and played equal to or better than the elite level fenders that I've played. You add in used Suhr, Nash, and Lulls to the mix and its an even bigger gap. The fenders just dont feel different enough from a MIM to justify their price.
Once again... all my opinion.. but certainly not a unique one amongst bass players.
 
#489
I'm not saying someone may prefer the tone and playability of something else, again that comes down to personal preference. I'm speaking in terms of build quality. I've never liked any G&L or Lull I've ever played, in terms of tone or feel, but they were built fine.

MordBass said:
When I say better playing/sounding... im comparing apples to apples. I dont mean that I might personally prefer a soundgear to a jazz bass. Im saying that every lakland skyline and american G&L jazz bass that i've played has sounded and played equal to or better than the elite level fenders that I've played. You add in used Suhr, Nash, and Lulls to the mix and its an even bigger gap. The fenders just dont feel different enough from a MIM to justify their price.
Once again... all my opinion.. but certainly not a unique one amongst bass players.
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#490
WorktheWood said:
I'm not saying someone may prefer the tone and playability of something else, again that comes down to personal preference. I'm speaking in terms of build quality. I've never liked any G&L or Lull I've ever played, in terms of tone or feel, but they were built fine.
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yea, the consistency is what Im talking about. All of the $1500+ fenders that I've played had a terrible setup, uneven fret job, etc. Then again, playing style plays a huge role in the preference of playing.
 
#492
WorktheWood said:
Set up is the responsibility of the store. I've never played an Elite with uneven fretwork.
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I agree that fixing a bad setup is on the store... but after working for half a year at one, it was clear which companies sent basses that played great out of the box, and which needed full setups on an otherwise brand new bass. Like I said though, it likely comes down to the difference in style. Certain styles shine light on the setup more than others. Same with the neck. Although I will say that as the years have gone by that I can generally get along with any style of neck.
 
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#495
MordBass said:
When I say better playing/sounding... im comparing apples to apples. I dont mean that I might personally prefer a soundgear to a jazz bass. Im saying that every lakland skyline and american G&L jazz bass that i've played has sounded and played equal to or better than the elite level fenders that I've played. You add in used Suhr, Nash, and Lulls to the mix and its an even bigger gap. The fenders just dont feel different enough from a MIM to justify their price.
Once again... all my opinion.. but certainly not a unique one amongst bass players.
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Well I’ve had or have a few USA G&Ls, Lakland, Schecter, MIJ Yamaha BB’s, many other MIA Jazz/P basses and I would say the Elite is on par with them all if not better, particularly with the neck on the Elite. But MIM Fenders and Skyline are not the build quality and playability, although my Road Worn jazz’s are very comfy and sound pretty good, still nowhere close to these Elites IMHO
 
#496
wyleeboxer said:
Well I’ve had or have a few USA G&Ls, Lakland, Schecter, MIJ Yamaha BB’s, many other MIA Jazz/P basses and I would say the Elite is on par with them all if not better, particularly with the neck on the Elite. But MIM Fenders and Skyline are not the build quality and playability, although my Road Worn jazz’s are very comfy and sound pretty good, still nowhere close to these Elites IMHO
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See thats where I differ. From what I've played of them, the inconsistency is so prevalent with the american fenders that you're just as likely to find a keeper in the MIM range. For instance... every Roadworn P bass ive played has been as good or better than every american standard/dlx/elite P bass that ive played.
 
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#497
wyleeboxer said:
I do wonder why the Elites get somewhat of bad rap quality wise, maybe in the production? Tone is subjective. Mine feels as well put together as any other high end bass..
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Probably because most of the folks that provide the bad review don't own one. They probably pop in a store, pick one up off the wall with old strings and a bad setup and decide that they don't like it.
Let's get real, how many basses have you played at GC, Sam Ash or even your local mom and pop music store that played really good (or had a decent set of strings installed)? My answer would be not many.
 
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#498
JOME77 said:
Probably because most of the folks that provide the bad review don't own one. They probably pop in a store, pick one up off the wall with old strings and a bad setup and decide that they don't like it.
Let's get real, how many basses have you played at GC, Sam Ash or even your local mom and pop music store that played really good (or had a decent set of strings installed)? My answer would be not many.
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You might be confusion the order of events here. Of course the bad reviewers dont own one because most people dont purchase something that they dont like or perceive to be worth the asking price.
and yes, the average setup at a store is less than ideal but everybody here owns a bass or basses so we have clearly been driven to purchase in the confines of this reality.
 
#499
I agree there is always inconsistencies with Fenders of any year or model, MIA or MIM.. I’ve played a few Elites and didn’t find any inconsistencies however I’m sure there out there and perhaps it was an issues with the earlier runs? However a properly built MIM Road Worn vs a Properly built Elite are in a different league in regards to better build quality and final inspection. But I still love my RW!
 
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