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Fender American Elite Jazz Bass® V

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Fender American Elite Jazz Bass® V

$1,699.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (6)

1 Critic Review

Find out who is using Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V

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Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (16)

$1,699.00 8 available Used

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Average Price: $1,699

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Fender American Elite Jazz Bass® V 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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Elevate your bass playing experience with the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass® V, a masterful blend of traditional tone and contemporary features. This bass guitar doesn't just set the standard; it exceeds it, offering unparalleled versatility to both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians. With its sleek alder body and smooth maple neck, it provides a comfortable, yet commanding grip that encourages you to play for hours. The 4th generation noiseless Jazz Bass pickups ensure that every note you play is crystal clear, without any unwanted hum or buzz, letting your music shine in its purest form. Whether you're grooving in a jazz ensemble or laying down the rhythm in a rock band, this bass adapts to your every need with its 18v active EQ, offering a wide range of tones that can be tailored to any musical genre. Choose your companion in creativity from options featuring a maple, rosewood, or ebony fretboard and elevate your bass playing to elite levels.

Key Features:

Alder body for a lightweight, resonant tone
Smooth maple neck, available with maple, rosewood, or ebony fretboard options
4th generation noiseless Jazz Bass pickups for pristine sound quality
18v active EQ for versatile tone shaping
5-string configuration for extended range and depth

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	American Elite Jazz Bass V
Finish	3-Color Sunburst, Black, Champagne, Natural, Ocean Turquoise, Olympic White, Satin Ice Blue Metallic, Satin Jade Pearl Metallic, Surf Pearl, Tobacco Burst
Year	2016 - 2019
Made In	United States
Categories	5- and 6-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Material	Alder, Ash
Body Shape	J-Style
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Tan, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	9.5"
Frets	Medium Jumbo
Model Family	Fender Jazz Bass
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	5-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 V?: The neck of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V features a modern "C" to "D" compound profile, providing smooth playability and comfort across the fretboard.
What type of pickups does the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V have?: This bass is equipped with 4th Generation Noiseless single-coil pickups, designed to deliver clear and powerful tones without unwanted hum.
Is the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V suitable for live performances?: Yes, with its active 18V preamp and 3-band EQ, the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V is well-suited for live performances, offering versatile tone shaping and high output.
Does the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V come with a case?: Yes, the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V includes a hardshell case for protection and easy transport.
What materials are used for the body of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V?: The body of the Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V is made from either alder or ash, known for their balanced tone and resonance.

Reviews

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PROS

Fender Noiseless pickups offer exceptional clarity and defined sound
Versatile electronics provide extensive tonal flexibility
Comfortable compound neck radius enhances playability across the fretboard
Unique ash body offers a distinct and preferred tone
Attractive natural finish with classic design elements
Five-bolt neck and redesigned heel for improved stability and access
Active/passive switch expands tonal possibilities
High-quality fit and finish, even on older models
Multiple fingerboard options available, though limited by color combinations
Exceptional tone variations suitable for various music genres

CONS

Bass can be heavy, often over 10 lbs
Occasional hum from the 4th generation "noiseless" pickups near amps
Limited customization of color and wood combinations without costly upgrades
Requires remembering to unplug to conserve battery in active mode
Initial setup may require adjustments for optimal playability

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® V.

Features and functionality

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The American Elite series offers through-body stringing, unlike the Ultra series, which some players find adds to sustain and tuning stability.
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The Ultra series features a new, user-friendly battery compartment, making battery changes quicker compared to the Elite's design.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners recommend replacing the stock pickups and preamp on the Elite with Lollar pickups and a Sadowsky preamp for improved tone and versatility.
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Comparisons

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The American Elite series is preferred by some for its truss rod wheel, a feature removed in the Ultra series, potentially for cost-saving reasons.
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User experience

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The Ultra Jazz Bass is praised for its comfortable neck and is noted for its versatility in live cover band settings.
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The Ultra is noted for producing a strong bass presence, which some users find overpowering compared to the Elite's more balanced sound.
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Owners who play slap/pop styles may prefer the Ultra's stronger low-end, while metal players might appreciate the Elite's growl and treble emphasis.
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Build quality

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Some owners dislike the Ultra series’ solid color finishes, describing the sparkle effect on certain models as "cheesy."
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The Ultra's neck binding appears less refined, with some owners describing it as splotchy compared to the Elite's more polished black binding.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some owners report difficulty achieving low action on the Ultra, noting the lowest achievable E string height is around 2.5mm at the 17th fret.
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Electronics shielding on the Ultra may be less effective, causing a noticeable 'buzz' noise in active mode near electronics like computers.
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Critic Reviews

The Fender Elite Jazz Bass V – “An Elite Performer” | Bass Gear Magazine

bassgearmag.com

The Fender American Elite Jazz Bass V is hailed as a triumph in the evolution of the J-bass, boasting top-notch craftsmanship, versatile tonal options, and modern features like 4th generation Noiseless™ pickups and a HiMass™ Vintage bridge. While the lack of a passive tone control in active mode and minor battery compartment design issues are noted, these are overshadowed by its exceptional playability and iconic sound. A worthy successor to the Deluxe line, this bass is an ideal choice for players seeking premium quality without venturing into Custom Shop prices.

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Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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Sam Rivers

Bassist

Limp Bizkit

Verified via Zimbio

Rivers has been sporting numerous Fender Jazz V basses since 2019.

Nicole Row

Singer, Bassist

Panic! at the Disco

Verified via Premierguitar

In this Premier Guitar Rig Rundown you can find it among her other basses.

Zach Sutton

Singer, Bassist

Hippo Campus

Verified via YouTube

In a live performance of "Buttercup" at Bonnaroo 2017, Zach Sutton of Hippo Campus plays a Fender American Elite Jazz Bass® V. When asked about his choice of a five-string bass, Sutton simply responded, "Why not?"

Saya Gray

Singer, Bassist

Verified via Twitter

This Tweet from Aguilar shows Saya Gray about to go on stage for a festival with Aguilar gear and her 5-string Fender American Elite Jazz Bass. This bass is featured in several other videos and in various performances.

Ashley Dzerigian

Bassist

Great Northern

Verified via Photo

"Day 1....Running my gorgeous new #FenderElite Jazz 5-string through the @aguilaramp #DB751 head and #DB412 cabinet. The 12" speakers allow my low end to breathe DEEP, but still has just the right clarity to cut through everything else." - Dzerigian about her Fender Jazz Bass V.