Fender Unveils American Elite Series Basses
Fender’s new bass offerings at the NAMM Show this year revolved around their new American Elite series of instruments. The lineup includes each of the company’s main models with the American Elite Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, Jazz Bass, and Dimension Bass. Common features for the series are Fender’s fourth generation Noiseless pickups, compound neck shapes, new cases, and new finishes.
The necks are a compound “C” to “D” shape with a 9.5-inch to 14-inch compound radius fingerboard, which facilitates a smoother transition between high and low registers. Their dual action truss rods are now fitted with an easy access adjustment wheel at the end of the neck.
Editor’s note: Pictures available for Dimension Basses are not available at this time.
The American Elite Precision Bass is built with an ash body for natural finishes and alder for color finishes. It comes in 3-Color Sunburst, Tobacco Sunburst, Olympic White, Natural and Black. It’s fitted with a P/J configuration of the new fourth generation Noiseless pickups as well as an active/passive 18-volt preamp. Jazz Bass fans will have options for four or five strings in 3-Color Sunburst, Tobacco Sunburst, Olympic White, Natural and Black. Similar to the Precision, it comes in alder or ash bodies with an 18-volt active/passive preamp.
The Dimension Bass is built with an Ash body in Cayenne, Violin Burst, Natural and Black. Available in four or five-string versions, it’s loaded with a pair of humbuckers that are selected with a five-position blade, all matched with an 18-volt active preamp. Its neck, has an asymmetrical profile that leaves the bass side slightly thicker than the treble side, is reinforced with Posiflex graphite support rods that run the length of the neck. Other features include a HiMass bridge, Fender “F” lightweight vintage paddle tuners, and a 3-ply parchment pickguard.
The Fender American Elite Series Basses will be released in late Spring 2016 with street prices ranging from $1,799 to $2,049.
Fender American Elite Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 4 |
| Body Material: | Ash, Alder |
| Body Finish: | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material: | Maple |
| Neck Shape: | Compound Back Shape, Modern “C” to “D” |
| Scale Length: | 34″ (864 mm) |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 9.5″-14″ Compound Radius (241 mm-355.6 mm) |
| Number of Frets: | 21 |
| Fret Size: | Medium Jumbo |
| String Nut: | Bone |
| Truss Rod Nut: | Heel-Mounted Spoke Wheel Adjustment |
| Neck Plate: | 5-Bolt Asymmetrical |
| Neck Finish: | Gloss Urethane Front, Satin Urethane Back |
| Fingerboard: | Maple, Rosewood |
| Position Inlays: | Black or White Pearloid Dots |
| Bridge Pickup: | New 4th Generation Noiseless Jazz |
| Middle Pickup: | Elite Precision Bass |
| Controls: | Master Volume, Pan Pot (Pickup Selector), Treble Boost/Cut, Midrange Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Active/Passive Mini Toggle |
| Pickup Switching: | 2-Way Mini Toggle Switch for Active/Passive Mode. In Passive Mode, Only The Volume, Pan and Passive Tone Controls Function. In Active Mode, All Controls Function. |
| Pickup Configuration: | PJ |
| Special Electronics: | 18V Preamp with Active 3-Band EQ |
| Bridge: | 4-Saddle HiMass Vintage (String-Through-Body or Topload) |
| Tuning Machines: | Fender “F” Light-Weight Vintage-Paddle Keys with Tapered Shafts |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand |
| Pickguard: | 3-Ply Mint Green |
| Control Knobs: | Knurled Flat-Top |
Fender American Elite Jazz Bass Specs:
| Strings: | 4 or 5 |
| Body Material: | Ash, Alder |
| Body Finish: | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material: | Maple |
| Neck Shape: | Compound Back Shape, Modern “C” to “D” |
| Neck Binding: | 1-Ply White |
| Scale Length: | 34″ (864 mm) |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 9.5″-14″ Compound Radius (241 mm-355.6 mm) |
| Number of Frets: | 21 |
| Fret Size: | Medium Jumbo |
| String Nut: | Bone |
| Truss Rod Nut: | Heel-Mounted Spoke Wheel Adjustment |
| Neck Plate: | 5-Bolt Asymmetrical |
| Neck Finish: | Satin Urethane with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face |
| Fingerboard: | Maple, Rosewood |
| Position Inlays: | Black or White Pearloid Blocks |
| Pickups: | New 4th Generation Noiseless |
| Controls: | Master Volume, Pan Pot (Pickup Selector), Treble Boost/Cut, Midrange Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Active/Passive Mini Toggle |
| Pickup Switching: | 2-Way Mini Toggle Switch for Active/Passive Mode. In Passive Mode, Only The Volume, Pan and Passive Tone Controls Function. In Active Mode, All Controls Function. |
| Pickup Configuration: | SS |
| Special Electronics: | 18V Preamp with Active 3-Band EQ |
| Bridge: | 4-Saddle HiMass Vintage (String-Through-Body or Topload) |
| Tuning Machines: | Fender “F” Light-Weight Vintage-Paddle Keys with Tapered Shafts |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand |
| Pickguard: | 3-Ply Black/White/Black |
| Control Knobs: | Vintage Style Black Plastic Jazz Bass |
Fender American Elite Dimension Bass HH Specs:
| Strings: | 4 or 5 |
| Body Material: | Ash |
| Body Finish: | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material: | Maple |
| Neck Shape: | Asymmetrical “C” |
| Scale Length: | 34c (864 mm) |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 9.5″-14″ Compound Radius (241 mm-355.6 mm) |
| Number of Frets: | 21 |
| Fret Size: | Medium Jumbo |
| String Nut: | Bone |
| Truss Rod Nut: | Heel-Mounted Spoke Wheel Adjustment |
| Neck Plate: | 5-Bolt Asymmetrical |
| Neck Finish: | Hand-Rubbed Oil Finish with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood |
| Position Inlays: | Aged White Dot |
| Pickups: | Dimension Humbucking |
| Controls: | Master Volume, Three-Band Active EQ with Treble Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut and Mid Boost/Cut |
| Pickup Switching: | 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Full Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Two Inside Single Coils, Position 3. Both Full Humbucking Pickups, Position 4. Outside Single Coils, Position 5. Full Neck Pickup |
| Pickup Configuration: | HH |
| Special Electronics: | 18V Preamp with Active 3-Band EQ |
| Bridge: | Fender HiMass with Chrome-Plated Brass Saddles |
| Tuning Machines: | Fender “F” Light-Weight Vintage-Paddle Keys with Tapered Shafts |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand |
| Pickguard: | 3-Ply Black |
| Control Knobs: | Knurled Flat-Top |
For more information:
Fender
I like the black jazz bass.
Curious to try one of the Elite P-bass …
These look to be nothing Fender Deluxe basses with a new name.