(2010/11) American Deluxe Fender Ps and Js - experience?

[Musicman20]

It seems not many of these have been around basschat yet.

What are the views on the P and J, and also the J5?

The Jazz 5 looks fabulous, but I've yet to try one out.

String spacing seems ok for me as Im used to 17.5, so 18.0 will be fine.

Edited November 17, 2011 by Musicman20

[Grand Wazoo]

My honest opinion is that I didn't prefer them to the American Standard series. Didn't see the need for an active preamp on a classic design, to this date I still don't see the point. Like fitting a spoiler on a Bentley... or go fast stripes on a Jaguar.. if you see what I mean.

[Fantobass001]

Hi I am selling mine (see the bass market)

Mine is a Jazz V (deluxe and american). Yes, it is awesome esthetically speaking and great to play (although I haven't played it a lot). Best out of factory setting ever experienced regarding neck, saddle and nut. Low action with no issue, no buzzing at all with the neck anywhere, I am impressed. The other basses I had or tried had often some issues, especially fender. It's just perfect,

Soundwise it's great too obviously, especially the passive side, the active side doesn't bring much to my ears despite the tonal possibility, it does impair a bit of the warmth and the personaliy of the sound (The active switch doesn't do that on my G&Ls).

I guess the only thing that some people may find strange is the knob that is supposed to balanced the two pic-ups, It shouldn't be a knobs for it doesn't allow different suttle mix like as if you had two volumes, It is either the neck pick-up , the two pick or the bridge pick up. If you wanted the bridge pick up mainly but with a touch of the neck one, the knob doesn't allow that. So in other wise a 3 position switch would do exactly the same and won't be as deceiving as a knob.

That's all I have to say, great bass. I'll miss her when she goes.

[Musicman20]

Cheers all. I should have mentioned, but you've guessed, that its the 2010/11 models im referring to. Ive owned and gladly sold a Precision Deluxe with the Humbucker which was, unfortunately, not that great at all.

Will probably stick to the standards and use the Tonehammer pedal as the 'pre' if needed.

[Fantobass001]

Mine is a 2010 Jazz Bass.

[JTUK]

That is a great looking bass... I'd have a decent tort plate on that first thing.
The thing about pre amps is that people might look for and expect extreme tone shaping whereas you really want to use it sparingly, IMO.

If I was in the market for another 5..I'd look closely at that...for sure, but I have J5's more than covered. s

[Musicman20]

The blocks on the sunburst (which is what I would go for) looks great. Apparently the pre is much better in these new models....exactly as you say JTUK is for sparing use....tiny tweaks.

[Musicman20]

Usually I dont go for maple with black blocks, but this works:

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Fender_Jazz_DLX5_Nat.html

[JTUK]

yep... a big no-no is black blocks..!!

[4 Strings]

I love the blocks.

Mines a '95 with the original Suhr pups (and mere dots). Sounds great to me, but I'm still struggling to get that classic Jazz sound - Seth Guthrie has the sound I'm after from his Custom Shop Deluxe. It has a very powerful sound if you dial it in right - not necessarily the reason to play a Jazz - short of my Stingray but plenty of body and weight. Massive range of tones from dub to telephone.

(If you want 'bridge pick up mainly but with a touch of the neck one' then just wind the knob 80% or so towards the bridge pickup. You get 20% neck pickup.)

My son, who is fast becoming a better player than me, played a Mexican deluxe at a well known shop and was absolutely blown away. So much so he didn't rest until he had enough to buy a s/h and hasn't put it down since. He doesn't have the source country snobbishness of his father, and, frankly, has a wonderful bargain. Might be worth a try, especially if you want a standard jazz body and can't go to the expense of the Custom Shop as it, apparently, has the same preamp.

(Just a note - the asymmetric body of any jazz is a pain on most stands, with the jack sticking out the bottom it becomes even more tricky. Hanging stands are best)

Edited November 18, 2011 by 4 Strings

[bubinga5]

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1321553244' post='1440619']
My honest opinion is that I didn't prefer them to the American Standard series. Didn't see the need for an active preamp on a classic design, to this date I still don't see the point. Like fitting a spoiler on a Bentley... or go fast stripes on a Jaguar.. if you see what I mean.
[/quote]Poss because they like the classic design look, but prefer a preamp sound.. .... The American standards are nice though..

[Raggy]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1321563379' post='1440796']
Poss because they like the classic design look, but prefer a preamp sound.. .... The American standards are nice though..
[/quote]
Plus you switch between passive and active. Best of both worlds.

[Panamonte]

I've got the Deluxe P. With D'Addario chromes on it's an absolute joy to play. I know there are some concerns about Fender's QC but I bought this unseen online and it's beautifully made - no issues at all. The preamp's fine and I agree that it's best used for subtle cuts and boosts - I generally use it with the bridge pickup - but for most of the stuff I play I end up using the bass as a passive P. I think there's still one for sale here for £800 - great price for a great bass.

[Musicman20]

The P is probably more interesting to me as its a full on P/J +active/passive setup but seems to retain the normal P characteristics.

Edited November 18, 2011 by Musicman20

[Panamonte]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1321619174' post='1441234']
The P is probably more interesting to me as its a full on P/J +active/passive setup but seems to retain the normal P characteristics.
[/quote]

Spot on - it's as versatile as you want it to be, but still does the P thing very well.

[thodrik]

I have not played one, but they look really pretty. If they had been released when I bought my Sadowsky Metro I would have really considered them.

[Musicman20]

This is my thoughts exactly. Its CLOSE to the idea of a Metro or a Lakland with a pre-amp, but cheaper, and I must admit they look fantastic.

I've heard great things about these...from over on Talkbass. There was issues with early pre-amps being noisy though.

Hmm.

[4 Strings]

Mine is early, not noisy at all. Not an issue, 'tis silent.

[Musicman20]

Good to know!

[Fantobass001]

Completely noiseless.

[BluRay]

Probably a daft question - but, with the 2010 deluxe range, is the pup "pan" control basically just a selector switch on [u]both[/u] Jazz and Precision? Or is it a proper pan control on the P bass?

[Panamonte]

No, it's effectively a 3 way switch on the P as well.

Not a daft question at all

[BluRay]

Thanks. Seems a bit misleading calling it a pan then. Wonder why its not just a switch. I still REALLY want one tho.

[Musicman20]

I thought it was a pan? Eg have what blend you like?

[Panamonte]

No - not the case. Don't let it put you off though - it's still a great bass. And I guess if it really bothers you then you could stick a pan pot in there.