Fender American Deluxe Jazz V 5-String Electric Bass (Maple with Case)

A 5-string favorite, the Fender American Deluxe Jazz V features N3 pickups with an active/passive mini toggle, a re-engineered preamp, and a maple fretboard.

Overall User Ratings (based on 15 ratings)
  • Overall:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(15) (see rating details)
Submitted March 4, 2014 by Michael Henningsen in Cedar Crest, NM

"Best non-Custom Shop Jazz Bass around"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The American Deluxe Jazz V Electric Bass (maple) is the finest Fender Jazz Bass on the market short of a Custom Shop bass. Gorgeous looks, excellent playability and a broad palette of tones makes it a truly exceptional instrument.
Sound
Tonal pallet is broad, with low, mid and high controls in Active mode, and a sweeping tone control for Passive mode. Nearly any tome is possible, from growling low mids to scooped mids to punchy slap tones and mellow R&B sounds.
Features
All components are top-notch. N3 Noiseless pickups are just that, and the ability to switch between Active and Passive modes is a real plus for players who demand a broad spectrum of sounds. The bridge is beefy and the modern "C" shaped neck is a pleasure to play. Stacked tone knobs are also a big plus.
Ease of Use
The bass played wonderfully right out of the box. It's slightly heavy (it's a 5-string, after all). Setup was spectacular.
Quality
Couldn't be better-constructed. Should last a lifetime if well-cared for. Finish is perfect - back pick guard on black finish is ultra-classy, and the pearloid inlays just add to the ambiance.
Value
Worth every penny.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to deal with customer support, but registration online is cake.
The Wow Factor
WOW! Looks great and plays and sounds even better.

Musical Background:

Playing bass 30 years, guitar 5 years, play semi-professionally

Musical Style:

Rock, Classic Rock, Metal, '80s
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Submitted February 24, 2015 by Mario L in Birmingham, AL

"I wasn't a Fender Jazz Bass guy but I've been converted! "

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Because I had been playing boutique basses for so long, Fender Jazz basses felt like old technology in comparison. I owned a 5 string Mexican Jazz and the Japanese made Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller Signature 4 strings. Well on the Mexican Jazz, I couldn't get the feel just right even after adding a BadAss II bridge. Sold it! I liked the 4 strings but I rarely used them for live performances. I couldn't get the sound quite dialed in to my liking. Sold them! I really fell in love with the vintage look of the Blocked and Bound necks on the jazz bass so I decided to give Fender one more shot in the form of a natural ash/maple neck, 5 string American Deluxe Jazz bass and man am I glad I did. I LOVE THIS BASS! Vintage look with good fit, finish and feel. Good modern electronics but still has that fender growl. No pedals needed! I own a Ken Smith 6 and a '91 Tobias Basic 6 and two other basses in addition to the American Deluxe Jazz bass V but I find myself using this bass more often. I've fallen head over heels for it. It had a good standard set up out of the box but I tweaked it a bit. I lowered the action and flatten the neck a quarter turn and it basically plays itself. If you are debating on getting this bass, stop debating and GET IT! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

Musical Background:

Playing bass for 20 years, I've played semi pro, now mainly weekends and studio work

Musical Style:

R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Motown, Top 40, Bar Band Standards...
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Submitted May 5, 2012 by Paschal C in Markham, IL

"Pretty. Percise. Perfect"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I ordered this bass on 5-2-12 and recieved it on 5-4-12, the bass is absolutely beautiful, although it is darker than the one featured in the add. The craftsmanship is exceptional and the tone perfection. I am as pleased with this bass as with any I own and the payment plan seals the deal.

Musical Background:

I have been playing for about 40 years, I play bass ( professionally at one time ) I am teaching myself keyboard, and would like

Musical Style:

Jazz, Rock, Blues, Pop
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Submitted August 4, 2010 by a customer from bright.net

Fender USA DLX Jazz V MN Customer Review

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I have owned the Fender American Jazz Bass for 1 1/2 years,and every time I play it the sound is better than the time before. The different sounds you can get from this Bass is one of a kind. I don't think I will ever get bored with the sound this Jazz produces.
Sound
I have owned several Bass guitars, 4 and 5 strings. But the 5 string American Jazz Bass is the best I have ever played.There is no other bass guitar that comes close to the sound that the Fender Jazz can produce.

Musical Background:

active musician

Musical Style:

Country
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Submitted December 19, 2011 by a customer from att.net

"It was worth the wait to get the instrument I desired above all others."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This should be my final bass purchase but if it should become unplayable for any reason I would probably purchase the same instrument.
Sound
After playing for years on a P-Bass, this is a dream come true. The active pickups exceeded my expectations - the range and variation is phenomenal.
Features
The B string gives reach that otherwise is non-existant - I love the thunder!
Ease of Use
Easy, easy, easy - the wide neck is very easy to navigate and the very low frequency string buzz (vibration) does not come through the amp or PA.
Quality
Very good - I expect great quality because it's from Fender.
Value
Yes - about the same as offered by other retailers but zzounds staff made it easy to do business with.
The Wow Factor
The vintage clean look says class and as it's solid black so it fits in with every setting whether jamming casually or playing in church.

Musical Background:

15 years; guitars; primarily play with Praise and Worship teams and an outreach band.

Musical Style:

Contemporary Christian
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Submitted January 6, 2015 by Frank W in Philadelphia, PA

"Best new Fender I have held in my hands for many years"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I have been playing bass since the early 80s and owned many bass guitars over the years, including several Fenders. My last 5 String, which I sold a few years back, was a Warwick Streamer Stage I for more than twice the price of the Fender American Deluxe. In my book, this Fender beats my Warwick by far. Excellent built quality, tight B string and lots of character (maple fret board, alder body). Shipment was super quick; I ordered on a Friday, the bass arrived the following Monday. There is lots of talk on the web about noisy electronics in these basses due to lack of shielding. That's not an issue at all with mine! Overall I am super happy with the entire purchasing process. (The rating for manufacturer support is random, have never used them)

Musical Background:

Playing semi-professionally since the early 1980s

Musical Style:

R&B, Funk, Rock Pop
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Submitted January 8, 2016 by Stevie C in Borrego Springs, CA

"When you need a professional instrument, this is the one"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Words can't describe how perfect this bass is I got the natural finish ash body model and it is gorgeous I already had an American Standard Jazz 4 String and needed a five string because my Carvin wasn't cutting it anymore, so I bought this one I can tell you that the deluxe blows the standard away, so if you are looking at a new Fender Jazz, kick in the few extra bucks and step up to the Deluxe. The preamp is just right and the binding and inlay blocks really set it off aesthetically. This bass covers every genre of music and does it perfectly. It arrived perfectly setup, that's a first for me. I found it cheaper online after I bought it and zZounds matched their price just like they said they would. All in all I couldn't be any happier with my purchase

Musical Background:

Gigging musician for more years than I would care to divulge

Musical Style:

Every genre you can think of... not kidding. Play Rock, R&B, Jazz, Country and even sit in from time to time across the border
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Submitted December 17, 2010 by a customer from charter.net

"Great Bass, love the retro look."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I think it will become my main gigging bass.
Sound
Well balanced tone. It cuts threw the seven piece band I play in. Great with any style music.
Features
The EQ is really nice, although the head room is not as good as my spector or yamaha.
Ease of Use
The action is great. But it is a little top heavy, as most 5 strings are. And it's under 10 pounds.
Quality
Great looking bass. The neck is pretty thin also.
Value
I just can't believe how expensive good instruments are these days.
The Wow Factor
I love the look of the new jazz basses. I bought the black with maple neck. It has that cool 70's style.

Musical Background:

Active Musician

Musical Style:

all
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Submitted November 26, 2015 by Wayne P in Charlotte , NC

"Best Jazz Bass I ever played!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I love everything about this bass.The sound is so amazing! The feel is incredible! Fender really out did themselves on this bass.I have a 50th Anniversary Jazz as well and I like this one better already after just having it for 24 hrs.I had thought about buying a Sadowsky before purchasing this one,but I'm so glad I made the choice by getting this one.I'm in love!

Musical Background:

I've been playing bass for 38 yrs.I play professionally in a couple different bands as well as church.

Musical Style:

Funk,R&B,Hip-Hop,Jazz,Gospel,Country and Electronic.
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Submitted October 20, 2011 by a customer from aol.com

"A perfect merge of old and new...and noiseless"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have to rate it a 10. I have an older Jazz and I going to buy another new model with the rosewood neck. I like the new electronics just that much.
Sound
Smooth fender sound with countless options with the active/passive switch that allows you to have the traditional Fender Jazz sound. I already had one with a rosewood neck. This one has the maple neck which gives the 70's sound similar to the Marcus Miller bass.
Features
The best new feture is the active/passive switch and the tone control.
Ease of Use
Very easy however all Jazzes are easy.
Quality
Very well made and worth the money. Hopefully, I helped someone in California keep his job by spending a litle extra for Made in the USA.
Value
Very reasonably priced for a USA made instrument
Manufacturer Support
Never had to use them but...

Musical Background:

Active Musician

Musical Style:

Reggae
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Submitted August 24, 2015 by Sam B in Montrose Heights, VA

"Out of the box"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This instrument was ready to play, minus a few small adjustments to string height, right out of the box. Great ton, playability, and look. It's an American Deluxe for certain. I recommend it to any player that wants to be able to create that boutique like "sizzle" and warm things up with the old school passive sound, at the touch of a dial.

Musical Background:

Been playing bass professionally for 15 years

Musical Style:

R&b, hip hop, jazz, gospel, blues
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Submitted June 21, 2012 by Bryan Wehrwein in Prospect Heights, IL

"That everything bass guitar I been searching for..."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'm at home recording musician with enough guitars to open a store, but I had nothing on the low end. Not being a bassist regular, I just wanted something versatile enough to cover a wide range of styles. My search ended with Fender American Deluxe. It sounds great all and all and the shelving EQ with the passive/active N3 pickup system gets me all the sounds I need, from slap funk, alternative, hard rock, and full on metal. It's great to have an instrument as versatile as this one and to only need one bass to do it all, this is the bass to do it, and don't lemme forget the way it looks is killer! Just wish the body was a two piece natural rather than three piece. That's my only gripe, but it really doesn't affect the overall tone at all, just the aesthetics.

Musical Background:

13 years, at home hobbyist and have played live professionally before. Mainly guitar, but also drums, bass, piano, and vocals

Musical Style:

A little bit of everything. Metal, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Alternative, Spanish
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Submitted April 17, 2014 by Jason Jacquin in Virginia Beach, VA

"Surprisingly awesome bass!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I purchased this bass to have a backup active/passive 5 string to my PRS Grainger V bass for live use. I was only intending for it to be something I would use in the case of a string breakage or other technical issue with the PRS should something go wrong live, or maybe at practice here and there. I had owned a few other Fender Jazz basses, a Japanese Geddy Lee, a Mexican FSR Antigua, and 2 Squier Vintage Modifieds, both 4 and 5 string models. While I liked them, I didn't really click with any of them for whatever reason. I knew this one would "get me by", but I had no idea just how much I would love it right out of the case. Fit and finish are spectacular, and as far as tone, it delivers 98% of what the PRS does, at half the price. I will most likely end up buying a second Fender before I buy a second PRS... I love the PRS still, but the Fender was a wonderful surprise. I couldn't be happier with either one, and I will have a hard time deciding which one to use more live!

Musical Background:

Professional performing and recording artist

Musical Style:

Rock, Hard Rock, Grunge, Metal
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