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Average Price: $1,599

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$1001+

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Description

Discover the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass - Olympic White, a masterpiece designed for the discerning bassist who demands both style and substance. This electric bass guitar seamlessly marries classic aesthetics with modern innovation, ensuring you get the best of both worlds. Its sleek Olympic White finish is a nod to the timeless elegance of vintage designs, while its cutting-edge technology sets the stage for contemporary soundscapes.

The alder body provides a resonant foundation, delivering a robust and balanced tone that suits a variety of musical genres. Accompanied by a smooth maple neck, this bass offers unparalleled playability, allowing for effortless transitions across its fretboard. The standout feature is its 4th generation noiseless Jazz Bass pickups, which deliver a pristine, powerful sound without the hum. These pickups, combined with an 18v active EQ, give you the flexibility to sculpt your tone with precision, whether you're laying down a groove in the studio or commanding the stage.

As part of the Fender American Elite series, this Jazz Bass is not just an instrument; it's a statement of quality and innovation, crafted for musicians who refuse to compromise.

Key Features:

  • Alder body with an Olympic White finish
  • Maple neck for smooth playability
  • 4th generation noiseless Jazz Bass pickups
  • 18v active EQ for versatile tone shaping
  • Available with maple, rosewood, or ebony fretboard options

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" compound neck profile, providing smooth playability and comfort across the entire fretboard, ideal for both intricate bass lines and fast playing styles.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass?

The Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is equipped with Noiseless pickups, delivering a classic Jazz Bass tone with a rich, punchy low end and clear, articulate highs, perfect for a wide range of musical genres.

Is the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass is designed with professional features like a compound neck profile, active preamp, and noiseless pickups, making it an excellent choice for advanced players seeking versatility and high performance.

How does the active preamp on the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass enhance its sound?

The active preamp on the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass allows for enhanced tonal shaping with its 18-volt preamp, offering a wide range of dynamic tones from deep lows to crisp highs, suitable for various playing styles.

What is the body material 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 and excellent sustain, contributing to the instrument's overall rich and dynamic sound.

Music Force Official

Music Force Official

[Bass Review] Fender USA American Elite Jazz Bass Rosewood FB & Maple FB Model

Video thumbnail for [Bass Review] Fender USA American Elite Jazz Bass Rosewood FB & Maple FB Model by Music Force Official

[Bass Review] Fender USA American Elite Jazz Bass Rosewood FB & Maple FB Model

Music Force Official

Music Force Official

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional playability with fast, compound radius neck and contoured neck heel

  • Versatile tone control with active/passive switch and 18-volt preamp

  • High-quality fit and finish, with ash body and black pearl inlays

  • Sturdy, high mass bridge and strings through body option for stability

  • Unique features like 'musicman' style thumb wheel truss rod

  • Discontinued model likely to appreciate in value, especially with ebony fretboard

  • Silent passive pickups and powerful active pickups with tone variation

  • Built to last with no need for modifications

  • Strong fundamentals and harmonics, particularly on open "E"

  • Ideal for studio and performance with outstanding craftsmanship

CONS

  • Active pickups may be noisy when treble is turned up

  • Heavy weight could be a downside for some players

  • Mini toggle switch may not be durable for all users

  • Battery compartment requires screws, 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.

Features and functionality

  • The active toggle switch on the American Jazz Ultra allows passive operation without a battery, acting as a kill switch if no battery is present.

    Source
  • The American Jazz Ultra features stacked active controls with main knobs closest to the strings, offering tactile feedback at 50% tone balance.

    Source
  • The Elite model incorporates a spoke-wheel truss rod, enhancing ease of neck adjustments.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the active preamp with passive electronics involves changing pots and can cost around $50 in parts; users recommend retaining the original preamp for reversion.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the truss rod on the '66 model requires neck removal, which can chip the nitro finish in the neck pocket.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Mystic Pine Green's electronics make it sound more modern compared to the vintage passive tone of the '66 model.

    Source
  • The Elite series, introduced in 2016, features Gen4 noiseless pickups and a sculpted neck heel, distinguishing it from the post-2010 Deluxe models.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners of the 5-string version from 2016 report high satisfaction, particularly when paired with a Sadowsky preamp.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender American Elite Jazz Bass review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Fender American Elite Jazz Bass in Olympic White is a powerhouse with versatile, classic, and modern tones. It's a visually striking instrument with a smooth compound neck and a robust 18-volt preamp that delivers a wide range of tones. The fourth-generation Noiseless pickups offer clear, distinct sounds with minimal noise. The bass is user-friendly, with easy truss rod adjustments and a logical control layout, though the small active-passive switch might not be to everyone's liking. Overall, it's a well-designed, modern upgrade to the classic Jazz Bass, perfect for professional players.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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Good lookin' bass

I love the Jazz Bass series and the white finish with the black pickguard is a great style that works very well.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Pete Turner uses Fender American Elite Jazz Bass

Pete Turner

Bassist

Elbow

...
Verified via YouTube

Spotted him using it at the same elbow concert as the URL. Couldn't find any solid evidence of it in any videos, but I saw it for myself.

See how Mikey Craig uses Fender American Elite Jazz Bass

Mikey Craig

Bassist, Composer

Culture Club

...
Verified via YouTube

with his fender jazz bass with a turtle shield pickguard

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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