New Fender MonoNeon Jazz Bass V Unboxing and Full Review | This thing is NUTS!!!

Fender MonoNeon Jazz Bass V Review

Main Features

• Five-string Jazz Bass made in Mexico, featuring a vivid fluorescent-orange finish, matching gloss pickguard, and gold hardware.
• Roasted-maple neck with a thin C profile, satin-finished back, contoured heel, and smooth fret edges. The reviewer says the bone nut and neck contour contribute to a comfortable feel and easier access to higher frets.
• Fender high-mass bridge, standard Fender tuners, four-bolt neck attachment, and an 18-volt preamp with a quick-release battery compartment.
• Three-band EQ, pickup blend, and active/passive switch. The reviewer believes the pickups are the same type used in Fender’s earlier Meteora bass.
• Includes a Fender gig bag, Allen keys, a sticker, and paperwork. The reviewer finds the bag lightweight and useful for carrying, with several pockets, but says it offers limited protection.
• The reviewer estimates the bass weighs about 10 pounds.

Sound and Playing Experience

The standout sound is mid-forward, with a pronounced bite and growl that the reviewer expects to cut through a mix. He tries each pickup individually and both together, as well as EQ boosts and mid cuts. He notices no hum when favoring either pickup, which he attributes to their hum-cancelling design.

In passive mode, there is no passive tone control, but the bass can still be played if the battery runs out.

The bass arrived well set up for the reviewer, though players who prefer lower action may need to adjust it. The neck initially felt narrower than he was used to, but he adapted. He also describes the bass as not especially neck-heavy compared with other five-strings.

Pros

• Distinctive, eye-catching finish and gold hardware
• Strong, growly midrange that should stand out in a band mix
• Comfortable thin neck, smooth fret edges, and contoured heel
• No hum when either pickup is soloed
• Active/passive operation and accessible battery compartment

Cons and Caveats

• Relatively heavy, at an estimated 10 pounds
• Convenient but not very protective included bag
• Truss-rod adjustment is at the headstock, rather than in the location the reviewer prefers
• No passive tone control
• Players who prefer lower action may need to adjust the setup

Comparisons and Verdict

The reviewer compares the pickup layout and overall character to the Meteora bass, and the neck contour to the American Professional II. He notes that the Ventures II and Player Plus models he mentions do not have the same contour. He also likens the thin neck to those on Ibanez SR-series basses.

Overall, he is enthusiastic. He considers it a well-made, expressive “statement” bass with a distinctive look and forceful, mix-friendly sound. No numerical rating is given.

Speaker Perspective

The only speaker is reviewer Alan Brown (“Bully the Kid”), who provides the hands-on assessment. Mono Neon is discussed as the artist associated with the bass, not as a speaker in the review.