Fender American Deluxe 5-String

The American Deluxe Series basses had been extremely popular since her introduction in the mid '90s. The "cream of the cream" on this almost famous series of priceful instruments was the American Deluxe Jazz VI and V FMT with a gorgeous flamed maple top and most of the features found on the '70s Jazz Basses!

Although the Noiseless Jazz pickups are indeed silent, their unique "stacked-coil" design recreates not only the sound and feel of the '60s J-Basses and they do further than a stock J pickup! It's possible to create warmer and richer tones with the 18-volt active 3-band EQ: this gorgeous J-Bass can also sounds like a good old '70s J! From Geddy Lee to Paul Jones and Marcus Miller, they you can perform the most of Rush, Catatonia and Marcus Miller classic bass lines! The pearloid "block" markers and the bound fingerboard edges give to this American-made Jazz Bass the look and feel of the CBS-era Jazzes made from 1965 to 1980.

Excellent quality and construction, guaranteed to please all Marcus Miller, Rush and Catatonia fans worldwide. However, after the huge success and popularity that gained the US Deluxe Jazz FMT 4 and 5-strings since their first appearance in the NAMM Winter show in 2001, I'm sure that Fender will soon apply the US Deluxe Jazz FMT features on the US Deluxe Precision Bass, with the exception of two big differences between the two basses, the pickup config consisted by a single P-bass pickup and a "humbucking" double Jazz pickup (like the Roscoe Beck bass!) near the bridge and the pickguard was removed to accomodate close as possible the four control knob layout, actually featured on the US Deluxe Jazz FMT 4 and 5-strings as well on the Victor Bailey signature 4-string Jazz Bass.

I don't have purchased this exotic Jazz yet, because it's very priceful to buy one and subsequently, it was an American Deluxe instrument and you must fulfill your pocket first with some enough money before you decide to acquire an extremely priceful American-made Fender bass.

Cannot dealt with Fender yet. No opion, of course!

The American Deluxe FMT basses (the Jazz and the new Precision) had the most of the features found actually on other US-made electric basses (Elricks, Pedullas, Bebensees, Tobiases, Smiths and Laklands) and all the good classic features of the CBS-era Jazzes (the bound fingerboard edges and the pearloid block inlays). Compared to the FMT Jazz, the new American Deluxe Precision FMT, had the classic P neck pickup and the double J bridge humbucker, without the need of a pickguard, because the control knob config had now the same similarities of the US Deluxe FMT and Victor Bailey Jazzes. The new American Deluxe P-Bass FMT can also be offered in 4 and 5-string versions. Providing tons of tonal variations to any serious bassist, it becomes an excellent axe that cut any gig, from funk groove to percussive reggae thump.

Price: $1,250 (direct from Fender)
I have always believed that bass players should own three things: A Fender Jazz Bass, A Fender P Bass, and an Ampeg SVT all tube head (unless you can find an acoustic A360). I have all three of these things. The point is, you don't need to buy some cheesy-looking bass with some kind of exotic wood to get a good tone. This bass was made in 1999. It's black with an aged white pick guard. I also have a 4-string Fender Jazz Bass. Anyways, this 5-string sounds great (despite the fact that it is extremely light). It has a three band active eq, which you will need to work with to get the sound that you want. The tuning pegs work well (this bass stays in tune). However, I wish they were oversized. I bought this bass because I am sick of always drop tuning on my 4-string. Overall, this bass is really comfortable to play.

I use this with a 1999 all tube Ampeg SVT head, and 4x10 and a 1x15 cabinets. The 1x15 helps handle the B string. If you play near the bridge pick-up, you will get a brighter, more mid-range tone. I prefer to play at the neck pick-up because I like a warmer tone.

Surprisingly, the set-up from the manufacturer was decent. There are virtually no flaws on this bass.

This bass can handle it's own live. I usually play 3-4 shows a month, and I have never had a problem. Great finish and strap locks. No back-up bass neccesary.

I have not spoken to Fender.

Being a traditional player, my first notion was that a 5-string would be totally cheesy looking. It actually looks pretty cool. I love the feel of the neck as well. Just remember if you are going to buy a bass, only buy a Fender Jazz Bass. If you are going to buy a head, buy an Ampeg SVT classic. These products not only sound great, but will sound better as they age, and are timeless. The value of these will only go up over time. Make your current gear a nice piece of vintage gear someday.