Deluxe VS Elite any improvement?

[stevekendal]

I have the Fender American Deluxe Precision and want a Jazz as well. Apart from the inflated price, what is different about the Elite?

[JamesBass]

Quite a lot is different, the necks are compound radius and compound shape. They have a truss wheel adjustment for the necks now. And they received a very good new pickup and a new preamp.

The neck is lovely, very nice feel in the hands and the QC is faultless.

Price has gone up over the past 12 months, new fender uk pricing and currency flutacions have led to that.

[Cato]

The noiseless pickups on the deluxe jazz apparently weren't very noiseless.

The elite has the next generation of the noisless pickups which are supposed to be a big improvement.

[stevekendal]

Well I can live without the compound neck and the pickups on my Deluxe are fine, as is the 18 volt pre amp.Think I need more persuading before I shell out twice the price of a mint Deluxe!

[stingrayPete1977]

I didn't like the Deluxe preamp so I bought a Jazz V US standard and an Aguilar preamp!

[dannybuoy]

I'm not a fan of those noiseless pickups, they sounded a bit dark and lifeless next to the more traditional ones in the American Professional. I'd recommend getting to a shop to try some out!

[gjones]

I have a Precision Elite and a Jazz Deluxe but, personally, I'm not a fan of the Fender pre amps. I'm seriously thinking about fitting a John East in my Jazz Deluxe, to make it more usable. It is very well made though and looks gorgeous (black with maple neck with black blocks and binding). I picked mine up for £850 S/H, which is a very good price.

[Chopthebass]

I own a Jazz Elite 5. QC is generally great, but I had to pry out the battery cover and sand it slightly, because it was a super tight fit. Not a big issue but I didn't expect it!  The action was a little high, and the saddles were as low as they could go. So the shop shimmed the neck slightly and set it up really nicely.

I agree with one of the above comments that the pickups can be a bit dark. Preamp has good frequencies but is quite subtle. The balance control is more like a switch! Turn it 1mm either way from mid position and that pickup is on. Not a true blend IMO.

So I plan to mess around with it. Maybe new pickups and Pre.

[afterimage]

Fender Deluxe Jazz bass owner Here, agree on the pick-ups  going to swap them out for N4s

The Elite has way gone over price wise   for  me 

[Chopthebass]

Id be keen to see what you think of the N4S pups in that!

[afterimage]

The deluxe was a USA import with my Brother shipped it over when he was in Florida

I did initially like the pick-ups. Did a few string changes  to see which I preferred 

Currently using   la Bella flats 

[Muppet]

I've got a Deluxe Dimension V and an Elite Dimension V. Only difference I can tell is the logo (black vs silver), the hard case and the price. The American Dimensions have always had the compound neck and truss rod wheels.