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Post subject: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:02 am
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I just recently received a Fender American Elite Jazz 4 string Bass for my birthday. First off, I want to say that I absolutely love this bass. It has the nicest neck and tone possibilities of any bass that I have ever played. That being said, upon closer inspection I noticed some rather deep "cracks" in the wood underneath the gloss coating. One of the cracks even goes diagonally across the grain. My question is, is this normal on such a high priced instrument? I am still well within my warranty period, should I be sending it back for a replacement?

Trying to attach pictures but the forum is not letting me.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 3:10 am
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I'll return bass to the store.

Photos;

First you need to upload your pics to the internet.

Use a pic hosting site (imgur, imgbb, flickr or such - avoid photobucket) or some common web framework like e.g. facebook, googlephotos - whatever you're familiar with.

The important thing is that the web site provides you with a pic address - that's the one starting with 'http' and ending in '.jpg'.

Copy the pic address, and use the IMG-command (visible when you write a message) on the forum.

Preview your post so everything is OK.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:49 am
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So, the bass ended up having electronic issues as well. After playing for about 10 minutes the volume would drop by about 75% and the amp would start to crackle. I thought I blew my amp but plugged in several other basses without any issue. When I plugged the fender back in, same issue. After letting the Fender sit for about 30 minutes I plugged it back in and everything seemed ok, then 10 minutes later same issue. This was pretty consistent during the whole week I was on xmas vacation.

I returned the bass through musician's friend and just got my replacement last Friday. Right out of the box the bridge pick up didn't work at all!!! I am now in the process of contacting Musician's Friend for another replacement.

This was my first Fender. I have always wanted one because so many of my favorite players play Fender. I own Ibanez, Warwick and Carvin basses that have all cost 1/2 the price of the Fender or less and never had a single issue with any of them.

I loved the way the Fender American Elite Jazz played when it was working but the quality issues are extremely aggravating. I was expecting so much more from such an expensive instrument. I have written both MF and Fender about these issues but have not heard back yet since it was a Friday night. I am extremely disappointed in the quality issues at Fender but I am giving them one more chance to get me a working bass before I ask for a full refund.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:58 am
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You are very badlucky, I don't know what Musician friends do with their bass before shipping .

Musician Friend look to be Guitar Center store or I'm wrong ?


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 8:27 am
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Yes, Guitar Center and Musician's Friend are owned by the same company but operate separately.

I usually consider myself pretty lucky but I would agree with you. I am having no luck when it comes to this Elite Jazz Bass! I hope to hear from Fender and/or Musician's Friend shortly.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 12:07 pm
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sandman7826 wrote:
When I plugged the fender back in, same issue. After letting the Fender sit for about 30 minutes I plugged it back in and everything seemed ok, then 10 minutes later same issue.
That part of your troubles sure sounds like a weak battery.

On the cracks, can't comment without pics - besides, now it's too late.

And on the defects in the replacement bass, I'm sure you know a guy named Murphy made a law of that kinda happenings...

My sympathies. Keep posting about the developments on the forum - someone at MF/GC should really check (& set up without extra cost) the next instrument they send.
And some shaping up would be nice at FMIC too, of course.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 12:46 pm
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I don't think it was the battery because both issues occurred in both passive and active modes. I also tried swapping out the battery. I looked for every reason that could be the root cause outside of the bass itself.

Good news is that Musician's Friend has been extremely helpful in getting this resolved and are express shipping my new bass out today.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:43 am
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stratele52 wrote:
I'll return bass to the store.

Photos;

First you need to upload your pics to the internet.

Use a pic hosting site (imgur, imgbb, flickr or such - avoid photobucket) or some common web framework like e.g. facebook, googlephotos - whatever you're familiar with.

The important thing is that the web site provides you with a pic address - that's the one starting with 'http' and ending in '.jpg'.

Copy the pic address, and use the IMG-command (visible when you write a message) on the forum.

Preview your post so everything is OK.


Photobucket doesn't work without browser add-ons.

If you're using Chrome, Opera and Firefox chances are the nasty p500 errors wouldn't be a nightmare anymore thanks to developers who created fixes restoring 3rd party hotlinking.


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:03 am
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Why use add-ons when one can boycot photobucket totally, thus showing disapproval to the overwhelming greediness..?


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Post subject: Re: American Elite Jazz Bass Quality Question
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:11 am
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chromeface wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
I'll return bass to the store.

Photobucket doesn't work without browser add-ons.




Photobucket ask me some money, I switched to Flickr


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