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Fender American Elite Jazz Bass

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Fender American Elite Jazz Bass

^# 38

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$1,599.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (7)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Fender American Elite Jazz

2 wishlisted

9 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (40)

$1,599.00 7 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $1,599

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is where classic design meets modern innovation, making it a must-have for both professional bassists and passionate enthusiasts. With its traditional alder body, this bass guitar resonates with a deep, warm tone that has been cherished by musicians for decades. The real magic, however, lies in the heart of this instrument: the 4th generation noiseless Jazz Bass pickups. These pickups are crafted to deliver an exceptionally clear, hum-free sound, whether you're laying down subtle grooves or slapping out punchy solos.

Designed for versatility, the American Elite Jazz Bass comes with an 18v active EQ, offering a wide range of tonal possibilities that suit any musical style. The neck, available in maple, rosewood, or ebony, ensures smooth playability and comfort during long sessions, while the modern C-shape profile provides an ergonomic grip for effortless playing. Whether you opt for the 4-string or 5-string model, you’ll find that this bass adapts seamlessly to your playing style, enhancing your musical expression.

Key Features:

Alder body for warm, resonant tones
4th generation noiseless Jazz Bass pickups
18v active EQ for versatile sound shaping
Available in 4-string and 5-string models
Choice of maple, rosewood, or ebony fretboard
Modern C-shape neck profile for enhanced playability

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	American Elite Jazz Bass
Finish	3-Color Sunburst, Black, Champagne, Natural, Ocean Turquoise, Olympic White, Satin Ice Blue Metallic, Satin Jade Pearl Metallic, Tobacco Sunburst
Year	2016 - 2019
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Material	Alder
Body Shape	J-Style
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Tan, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Model Family	Fender Jazz Bass
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	4-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Series	Fender American Elite

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass?: The Fender American Elite Jazz Bass features a modern "C" to "D" neck profile, offering a comfortable grip that transitions smoothly for fast playing and easy access to higher frets.
How does the active preamp enhance the sound of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass?: The active preamp on the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass provides a powerful 18V boost with an active 3-band EQ, allowing for precise tone shaping and enhanced dynamic range, suitable for various music genres.
Are the pickups on the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass noiseless?: Yes, the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is equipped with 4th Generation Noiseless Single Coil pickups, which deliver a clear and quiet sound, free from the hum typically associated with single coil pickups.
What type of wood is used for the body of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass?: The body of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is made from alder, known for its balanced tone with a slight emphasis on the midrange, making it versatile for different music styles.
Is the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is designed for both studio and live performances, with its robust construction, versatile tone controls, and reliable tuning stability.

Videos

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Swee Lee

Fender American Elite Jazz Bass

Swee Lee

Chris Chaney Demos The Fender American Elite Jazz & Precision Basses | American Elite | Fender

Fender

Introducing the Fender American Elite Bass | Built for the Pursuit | Fender

Fender

The Ultimate Fender JB? -- Fender American Elite Jazz Bass demo/review

NICKO

Fender American Elite Jazz Bass VS Fender Mexican Jazz Bass

SRE Music

[MusicForce] Fender American Elite Jazz Bass Demo - 우원재 시차 Bass Cover

Music Force Official

Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V - Tobacco Sunburst, Maple Fingerboard

massivebeatzz

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional tonal versatility with active/passive electronics
Unique compound neck profile for enhanced playability
High-quality fit and finish, comparable to deluxe models
Ebony fretboard models are rare and highly valued
Retains value due to limited production run
Contoured neck heel allows for comfortable access to upper frets
Strong fundamentals and harmonics, especially on the open "E"
Ready to play right out of the case with no modifications needed
Fast and accurate neck that enhances musical expression
High mass bridge and string-through-body options improve sustain

CONS

Active pickups can be noisy at higher treble settings
Heavy weight; could benefit from being lighter
Mini toggle switch considered flimsy by some users
Battery compartment requires unscrewing, inconvenient for quick changes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Elite Jazz Bass.

User experience

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Some owners have experienced issues with quality control on new Fender basses, including improperly cut nuts and dirty pots, which can affect playability and sound.
Source
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One owner highlights the Ultra's versatility in a live cover band setting, praising its neck comfort and active/passive mode flexibility.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Adjusting the Ultra's truss rod is straightforward, though the method differs aesthetically from the Elite's wheel design.
Source
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Ultra's saddle height adjustments bottom out at ~2.5mm on the E string, limiting low action preferences.
Source
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Multiple owners report that the nut being cut too low can cause action issues, leading to buzzing, particularly on the open A string.
Source
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It's noted that the neck shouldn't be "straight as an arrow"; a slight relief is crucial to prevent fret buzz due to the elliptical string vibration pattern.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Ultra provides a stronger bass presence, beneficial for slap/pop styles but may overwhelm in more balanced mixes.
Source
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An owner noted a buzzing A string when using a pick, which wasn't as noticeable when plucking, indicating different play styles may experience variable issues.
Source

Build quality

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Ultra's neck binding appears less refined, described as splotchy compared to the Elite's smooth finish.
Source

Features and functionality

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Ultra emits noticeable buzzing in active mode near electronic devices, suggesting less effective electronic shielding.
Source
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The Ultra's new battery compartment design significantly eases battery changes compared to the Elite.
Source
0 0

The Ultra series is noted to have a slightly different neck radius (10-14") compared to the Elite's (9.5-14"), which may affect playability for some players.
Source

Value and pricing

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It's recommended to explore used markets like Reverb for better deals on American Fender basses, where any factory defects may have already been addressed.
Source

Comparisons

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Fender Elite series offers through-body stringing, a feature not available in the Ultra series, which some players find important for string tension and sustain.
Source
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Users suggest considering G&L basses, particularly the SB-2 and LB-100, as alternatives to the Fender, with some preference for their unique tonal qualities.
Source
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The Ultra's initial natural finish was reportedly switched to solid colors, which some players prefer less due to the loss of visible wood grain detail.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Some Elite owners swapped out the stock noiseless pickups for Lollars and installed a Sadowsky preamp, suggesting a significant tonal improvement.
Source

Critic Reviews

Fender American Elite Jazz Bass review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

A modern Jazz Bass powerhouse, the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass impresses with its versatility and innovative features. It boasts a sleek compound neck and asymmetrical heel for smooth playability, while the 18-volt preamp and fourth-generation Noiseless pickups deliver rich, authoritative tones. With its tasteful EQ and noiseless pickups, it caters to a wide range of styles, from slap to rock. Its only drawback is the somewhat fiddly active-passive switch. Overall, it stands as a stellar update to a classic design, perfect for the discerning bassist seeking both tradition and cutting-edge enhancements.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

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iofflight

2259

over 8 years ago

Best feeling bass I've held so far

I was trying out basses and just picking them up one by one not really paying attention what they were until I got to this one. The new neck profile of C to D is a wonderful thing. The noiseless pickups 4 are an improvement over the 3s but not quite there with the technology to sound like real deal but I do not miss the hum. But those can be swapped out. I love the active and passive options as well.

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic House Lo-fi

Artist usage

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Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist

Rush

Verified via Photo

In this photo, you can see Geddy Lee with American Elite Jazz Bass.

Mikey Way

Bassist

My Chemical Romance

Verified via YouTube

In this live video you can see Mikey playing the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass

Patrick Stump

Drummer, Keyboardist

Fall Out Boy

Verified via YouTube

At 0:36 you can see Patrick Stump play a jazz bass.

Matt Kean

Bassist

Bring Me The Horizon

Verified via Photo

In this photo Matt can be seen using his Fender American elite jazz bass.

Paul D'Amour

Bassist, Composer

Tool

Verified via Photo

Paul is killing it nightly with his new Fender American Elite Jazz Bass on the Ministry U.K./E.U tour!

Kikagaku Moyo

Guitarist, Bassist

Verified via YouTube

The bassist can be seen playing a Fender American Elite Jazz Bass. Pretty clear at 36:31.

It seems like this bass is used for most live shows, and it would be safe to assume it's also used on their studio albums.

Blu DeTiger

Bassist

Kitten

Verified via Photo

In tour promo materials [https://www.instagram.com/p/CUVVMFirRyj/] and this tutorial video for her song Vintage [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR4aq09j5Dg], Blu is seen with a Fender American Elite Jazz Bass in Ocean Turquoise. She also mentions that she plays a Fender Jazz Bass in this interview: [https://guitargirlmag.com/interviews/blu-detiger-when-music-vibrates-with-you/] and gives details in this interview [https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/blu-detiger-in-conversation] mentioning that it's her favorite and has active pickups.

Simon Jones

Bassist, Composer

Gorillaz

Verified via Photo

Jones playing his Fender American Jazz Elite while with The Verve.

Jamareo Artis

Bassist

The Hooligans

Verified via YouTube

In the official live performance video of Bruno Mars' "Versace on the Floor" at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards on YouTube, Jamareo Artis is seen playing the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass. This is further confirmed by Fender in their article.

Joe Weiss

Bassist

Four Year Strong

Verified via Photo

The bass second from the left is a Fender American Elite Jazz Bass.

Oshie Bichar

Singer, Bassist

Beartooth

Verified via YouTube

In the official music video for "Disease" by Beartooth, Oshie Bichar is seen playing a Fender American Elite Jazz Bass. He owns multiple versions, including one with a sunburst finish, a black model, and a custom Shoretrooper edition.

Tarron Crayton

Guitarist, Bassist

Verified via Fender

According to an article by Mike Duffy on Fender's website titled "Fender in Focus: U2, Bruno Mars and Bush," Tarron Crayton is confirmed to have used a Fender American Elite Jazz Bass.