Active Jazzes from the big F - American Deluxe, Elite, Ultra - what's the best?

[basshead56]

On a real Jazz kick this year.

Bought 4 and sold one. Am absolutely smitten with both the early 00's American Deluxe QMT and the Victor Bailey I got.

Just wondering, when it comes to active Fender Jazz basses, what are your thoughts when it comes to the different versions of the Deluxe series? Havent tried any of the 09-2016 units, apparently the end of that run (prior to the Elite series) were amazingly good...?

Has anyone tried them all? favorites? opinions on which version is the best?

 

keen to hear your thoughts.

[BlueMoon]

While I haven’t tried all of the various versions I do have a Jazz Elite 4 string. It has the “wheel” type truss rod adjuster and through-body bridge. These were two features that went when the Ultra came out; don’t know why. My personal take on the preamps is that they are not as smooth as a Sadowsky, but still useable.

 

My favourite Fender Jazz Deluxe is a mid 1990’s version with Suhr-designed pups and preamp. Really sweet sounding.

[basshead56]

1 hour ago, BlueMoon said:

While I haven’t tried all of the various versions I do have a Jazz Elite 4 string. It has the “wheel” type truss rod adjuster and through-body bridge. These were two features that went when the Ultra came out; don’t know why. My personal take on the preamps is that they are not as smooth as a Sadowsky, but still useable.

 

My favourite Fender Jazz Deluxe is a mid 1990’s version with Suhr-designed pups and preamp. Really sweet sounding.

 

I have an American Deluxe Precision from that period (97) amd it sounds immense. 

 

The wheel adjustment does seem like a cool feature in the Ultra series. 

Edited December 14 by basshead56

[Bernmeister]

The wheel adjustment, was stopped after the Elite series.

The wheel adjustment isn’t on the Ultra series. 

[gjones]

I owned a 2015 Fender Deluxe Jazz. It was lovely bass with a great neck and build quality.The pre amp wasn't as versatile as a John East J Retro but it wasn't bad. I'd buy one again if it was black with a maple neck.

Edited December 16 by gjones

[thodrik]

I thought that the American Elite models were really excellent basses. Had they been out in 2009 I would probably have got one of them rather than a Sadowsky Metro. 

Not tried the Ultra ones, but frankly I prefer the design and look of the prior Elite models, though I haven't tried one myself. 

I always wanted to try the Victor Bailey model though. It just always looked really cool. 

The Japanese Marcus Miller models were about as good as any active Jazz Fender produced in my opinion.

[jonnybass]

I have a fender custom shop custom classic jazz bass.  Love the playability of it but the pre amp and pick ups were the same as in the Jazz bass (ultra/elite/whatever) from 2012 and i found them a bit lacking.  Fender N3 pickups i believe.  Now the bass has an East preamp and Nordstrands and it sounds like a proper super jazz.

 

Jonny

[OliverBlackman]

On 14/12/2024 at 04:53, basshead56 said:

On a real Jazz kick this year.

Bought 4 and sold one. Am absolutely smitten with both the early 00's American Deluxe QMT and the Victor Bailey I got.

Just wondering, when it comes to active Fender Jazz basses, what are your thoughts when it comes to the different versions of the Deluxe series? Havent tried any of the 09-2016 units, apparently the end of that run (prior to the Elite series) were amazingly good...?

Has anyone tried them all? favorites? opinions on which version is the best?

 

keen to hear your thoughts.

Like most Fenders, it’s hit and miss.

[ead]

Possibly consider a lower order passive Jazz bass and stick a John East preamp in it?

[Reggaebass]

I’ve got the jazz elite and it’s probably one of the best jazzes I’ve had (and I’ve had lots) apart from my AVRI 62, which is different altogether , they sound great in active and passive mode , I actually have to dial back the bass in active which is unusual for me 😁, and the compound neck is lovely, one of the reasons I went for the elite over the ultra was the truss rod wheel which is so easy, I don’t know why more basses don’t have them

[la bam]

Not active, but the flea jazz I had was the best I'd ever played. 

[ajkula66]

On 13/12/2024 at 23:53, basshead56 said:

Has anyone tried them all? favorites? opinions on which version is the best?

 

keen to hear your thoughts.

 

Given that you already own the Victor Bailey model - which is the most interesting JB of this nature IMO - it's somewhat of a difficult task to choose the best one...

 

Personally, I have a soft spot for - mostly unloved - early '90s Jazz Bass Plus with Kubicki preamps, as well as for the late '90s units with John Suhr guts. To me, both of these series were an attempt to get away from the "traditional" form and not end up quite in the Sadowsky land. Not that there's anything wrong with Sadowsky, but that's beside the point.

 

I've recently done a recording session with a 5-string version of 2012 Jazz Bass Deluxe and was actually pleasantly surprised how well it sat in the mix - sort of etno-jazz/fusion environment, just as a reference point - and how little additional flavouring/colouring was required. It also felt like a well-built instrument. If I were gifted one today I'd probably swap the electronics out, but that's a matter of personal preference, the stock electronics are perfectly serviceable IMO.

 

Elite and Ultra series are not something I've spent a meaningful amount of time with so I'll refrain from commenting on them.

 

Hope this helps.

[BassAgent]

I've tried them all and I'd definitely go for the Ultra. In my opinion the best active Jazz Fender has ever made. Really everything about them is excellent.