Ultra jazz bass

[Muskie59]

Good day everyone. I am thinking of getting a jazz bass and i'm looking at the american ultra series. They are a lot of money but i've heard mostly good things about them. I can't try one first because no one has them in their stores so i thought i'd ask bass nation if anyone owns or has played one? Are they worth the money or are they over rated? I love the texas tea color but i figured i'd put this out there to see what you guys think. Thank you.

 

[TrevorG]

Guess I’d better chip in. Bought the P just after the range was released. I hadn’t done my homework and was actually looking for a Deluxe but the shop had none. Played the P for about 45 seconds and gave the seller my card. Some of the alterations are subtle but the whole thing adds up to an incredibly comfortable instrument. That and the tone won me over (they’re not unattractive either). Some people don’t like the loss of the truss wheel(first on the Elite) but I just use the tool they gave me and it’s quick and easy. The price seemed high at first but in the present climate aren’t they all? Got the Jazz two years later just before the price hikes and find myself devoid of GAS. The neck on the P can need adjusting if the temperature changes a lot. The J is pretty steady in that department. Batteries don’t last long but I use rechargeable 600milliamp ones and everything’s fine. I wouldn’t buy online. The general quality is fabulous but I’ve tried some that should not have left the factory. The tone is dark compared to some but the active circuit is quite flexible. You won’t be able to make it sound like anything but a fender but I like that about it.
I like to play everything from classical to African and spend a lot of time on technique. I’ve had hand cramps but that’s after four or five hours continual practice. Other bases would have left me with a claw! Great instrument for a fair price. Good luck!

 

[Muskie59]

View attachment 4634154
Guess I’d better chip in. Bought the P just after the range was released. I hadn’t done my homework and was actually looking for a Deluxe but the shop had none. Played the P for about 45 seconds and gave the seller my card. Some of the alterations are subtle but the whole thing adds up to an incredibly comfortable instrument. That and the tone won me over (they’re not unattractive either). Some people don’t like the loss of the truss wheel(first on the Elite) but I just use the tool they gave me and it’s quick and easy. The price seemed high at first but in the present climate aren’t they all? Got the Jazz two years later just before the price hikes and find myself devoid of GAS. The neck on the P can need adjusting if the temperature changes a lot. The J is pretty steady in that department. Batteries don’t last long but I use rechargeable 600milliamp ones and everything’s fine. I wouldn’t buy online. The general quality is fabulous but I’ve tried some that should not have left the factory. The tone is dark compared to some but the active circuit is quite flexible. You won’t be able to make sound it like anything but a fender but I like that about it.
I like to play everything from classical to African and spend a lot of time on technique. I’ve had hand cramps but that’s after four or five hours continual practice. Other bases would have left me with a claw! Great instrument for a fair price. Good luck!

Thanks for the info! I've been holding out trying to find a place that has them in stock to play it but no one has them, especially the texas tea color. You have to reserve one. Maybe i'll look at the american professional 2 jazz as well.

 

[TrevorG]

Thanks for the info! I've been holding out trying to find a place that has them in stock to play it but no one has them, especially the texas tea color. You have to reserve one. Maybe i'll look at the american professional 2 jazz as well.

If you're buying anything online, it will be the same risk for any Fender. Generally they come out great but I saw a couple of Jazzes that had VERY bad binding which may have been solved. Mine was certainly fine but I went to the shop.