The whole instrument has been thought out and designed in painstaking detail, all the way down to the embossed Fender headstock logo and extra comfortable trem arm.. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. A fan of '90s rock, vintage Formula 1 and offensive comedy he often feels like he was born in the wrong decade. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (Butterscotch Blonde) and American Ultra Telecaster (white). I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. The Big Review: Fender American Professional II Stratocaster - guitar The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. Phone: +1 786-755-8158, American Ultra Luxe Strat vs American Ultra Strat, American Professional II Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, American Original 60s Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, American Original 50s Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, Fender American Professional II Stratocaster and Fender American Ultra Stratocaster side by side, Fender American Professional II Stratocaster play demo, Fender American Ultra Stratocaster play demo, A brief description of the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster, A brief description of the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster, Types of electric guitar bodies and their effect on tone. You'll find Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Jazz Basses and Precision Basses, along with a few tweaked instruments that include HSS Strats, Tele Deluxes, 5-string basses and even a few fretless models. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. I recently bought a 2017 AmPro HH RW Strat and was quite blown away by the playability and feel of the neck. I'd say not really. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. JavaScript is disabled. The PRS range consists of 4 different lines: The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability. American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. The AmPro I has a sort of worn in feel to the edges (definitely not a sharp angle), the Pro II takes it a bit further. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. That's a good way to put it - the American Pro II (and American Ultra) necks are for lack of a better term "even more rolled" than what Fender was doing previously. Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster vs Fender American Professional II In this guide, we will discuss the different types of pickups and how they affect your sound. Youll find Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Jazz Basses and Precision Basses, along with a few tweaked instruments that include HSS Strats, Tele Deluxes, 5-string basses and even a few fretless models. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster and Telecaster Deluxe IMO the hard finish sounds.well.harder. Click to reveal American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. Fender Custom Shop vs American Professional: Sound Quality? Best Telecasters 2023 | Guitar World Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! If youre looking for a guitar with a vintage voice and modern feel, the American Professional II Stratocaster is worth your consideration., Introducing the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster: Fenders high-performance iteration of the modern Stratocaster. The Pro II Tele features two V-Mod II single-coil Tele pickups and a newly designed bridge that marries the classic brass saddle tone with modern comfort and individual string intonation. In the following article, I share my thoughts on different fingerboard materials and their impact on the final sound of the instrument: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Guitar weight is an important factor when it comes to finding the right guitar for you. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. Chapman Charvel Cort D'Angelico Dean Epiphone ESP E-II ESP ESP LTD EVH Fender Custom Fender Fender Squier Gibson Custom Gibson Gretsch Harley Benton Ibanez . The Ultra model has a 6-saddle bridge whereas the Pro II has a 3-saddle bridge design. I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Anulacin EGR Mondeo TDCI 130 CV de 2003 Foro Coches from www Press J to jump to the feed. The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II The Ultra Tele has a slimmer modern D shape neck and flatter compound fretboard radius compared to the Pro II Tele which has a deep C neck and narrower fretboard radius. The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. Pattern Regular Fender American Professional II or Elite/Ultra Precision? Released in late 2019 as the replacement for the short-lived American Elite range, the American Ultra series encompasses what Fender describes as its most advanced production guitars to date. Youll also find rolled fretboard edges on guitars in both series. If you want to know everything about the effect of guitar body shapes, and their influence on the instrument, check out this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid alder body. Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. Fender American Ultra Telecasters: This is a tiny tweak, but these simply offer an extra layer of finesse by blending beautifully into the shapes of their sculpted neck heels. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. Sporting flexible electronics and forward-thinking hardware appointments, as well as a few ergonomic construction tweaks, these innovative instruments are aimed at the most of modern of musicians yearning for ultimate precision and uncompromising tone. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. Pickups are ok in the Ultra and pretty awful in the Am Pro II, but that's an easy fix in either case and I wouldn't let it sway your decision. Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? Deals. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bridge integrated tailpiece. Click on one of these links to find out more Making them apt for use with overdrive and high-gain amp settings, these noise-free pickups eliminate a common issue that has afflicted old-school Fender single-coils for years. These are bigger than the Narrow Tall frets fitted on the American Professional II guitars, with their modern size providing a more controllable feel and enhancing tone/sustain. The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. And with Fenders new American Professional II series breaking cover, were sure that players from all over the world are intrigued to discover how the US guitar giant has refined its flagship instrument line. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. They are just different flavors of a Strat. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. to switch position 1 which means that you can somewhat mimic a Telecasters pickup configuration. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Telecaster models. Lets take an in-depth look at each model individually in the following order: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a slightly thicker deep C neck with a narrower 9.5 fingerboard radius compared to the Ultra Stratocaster with its modern C neck and 10-14 compound radius fingerboard. You have some benefits to an American made Fender - the two off the top of my head are the bone nut and the neck profile. #3. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? And my plan is to drive to the nearest shop that carries them (2.5 hours away), test a couple out, then buy a used one online if I liked how it played. If you manage to get an open box or display model for cheaper than a new guitar, you'll see barely any downside when you try to sell it. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. American Professional vs. American Professional II. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Dark Night $1,699.99 in stock 24 new from $1,699.99 2 used from $1,453.49 as of February 25, 2023 8:21 am Browse Fender American Professional II Stratocaster - Miami Blue with Maple Fingerboard $1,699.99 Browse Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster 2007 USA Sunburst Electric Guitar w/ Case $1,165.50 Browse The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. I wonder what is new with the V-Mod "II" pickups, maybe voiced for a bit more snap? Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/yyouf2rz The versatility of the new American Professional II Fender Jazz Bass (or J Bass) comes to life thanks to twin V-Mod II single-coil Jazz Bass pickups and its HiMass vintage bridge for increased sustain. While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . The HSS ultras are extremely versatile, while the Am Pros are going to have the more traditional Strat sound. In this article I'll be comparing the SE and S2 lines and the reasons why the S2 models are significantly more expensive Hey, welcome Pro Sound HQ. American Professional II | Fender It is a central part for the transmission of vibrations through the instrument, and also defines many important factors for playability such as string spacing and action. I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets. A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. 17:53 How Does It Sound? So again, it's a matter of what you're going for. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 With balanced Alder bodies bolted to bright-sounding Maple necks, this classic construction design yields the snappy and articulate tones that Fender instruments are so renowned for. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd I really like the Ultras compound radius, C to D neck carve and recessed heel I dislike the truss Rod dial on front and the pickups. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. Both guitars have a sculpted neck heel, however it is more dramatic on the Ultra Tele. What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Very well-made, great players. Fender American Strats: Pro VS Elite VS Special - Reidys Bear in mind that most guitars will need a pro setup to get them in optimal playing condition and to align with the player's preferences. My favourite guitar in 25 years. The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? To know everything there is about this part of the guitar, please go here: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a bridge integrated tailpiece. Could these be the best guitars Fender has ever made? Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. 162.246.248.71 Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. Thanks! Now, I just don't know. Good question, there are only a couple differences that I can see - the top-loader option for the bridge and the sculpted heel, and a roasted pine option that seems interesting. Fender American Performer vs Professional: The Differences TeTe MICOponkichi http . Hello there, my name is Ramiro and Ive been playing guitar for almost 20 years. Mar 14, 2021. S2 As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. But which is the best? The pickups on the American Professional II Telecaster sound crunchier and fuller compared to the brighter sounding noiseless pickups on the Ultra Telecaster which do not suffer from humming and feedback. I read all the reviews and hype and bought a Suhr sight unseen and found that I couldn't stand the way it played with the ss (the guitar was fantastic in every way other than that btw). Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y57233cl In the following article I present you a list of the most common tonewoods used in guitar necks, and the influence they could have on the tone of the instrument: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a Deep C neck. If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. This activates a series mode to fatten up the tone. Guitar players know that there are many variables in determining the sound of a guitar. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. The American Ultra has a flatter fingerboard and also has a compound radius meaning that its more rounded at the nut to help with chords and flatter towards the upper frets to aid with bending. Fender American pro vs ultra | TalkBass.com [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? Fender American Professional II vs. Ultra Guitars https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k In this blog, we've pitted Fender's brand new American Professional II series guitars against their top-of-the-line counterparts from the American Ultra range! However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. The American Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. So its time for an upgrade. This functionality expands their tonal palettes, as it extends beyond the customary switching capabilities available on typical Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster models. Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. Theyre both great, very different, and neither is really better. These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitars wood. Pretty neat! 111 NE 1st St, Miami, FL, Miami-Dade, US, 33132 The majority of guitars and basses from the American Professional II series adhere to the timeless Fender tonewood combination. It may not display this or other websites correctly. With both the American Ultra Precision Bass and Jazz Bass models boasting HiMass bridges, these specially-designed components guarantee piano-like sustain and huge, bellowing lows. Only some minor updates have been executed. Guitars in both series feature a sculpted neck heel to aid upper fret access however, on the Ultra it is more dramatic to give the player even easier access to the upper register. It offers several upgrades over traditional designs, including Fenders latest Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat pickups, a 1014 compound radius fingerboard on an effortless Modern D neck, and S-1 switching to roll in fat neck tones on pickup positions 1 and 2. Shop all Fender American Pro II Telecasters | https://tinyurl.com/y4o2htq2 The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Noiseless, Coil-tapping (HSS), S-1 neck pickup blend electronics, 1 x master volume (with s-1 switch), 2 x tone controls, and a 5-way blade switch. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster Fender American Professional II Telecaster Review Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. Pattern USA is certainly not twice as good as the others. Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Johnson. You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! That being said, the Ultras are some of the most playable guitars I've ever played (although the Am Pro IIs play great as well). Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster in 3-Tone Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yxz8kalr Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has Fender Standard Die-cast tuners, Fender V-Mod II Single-coil pickups, and Coil-tapping (HSS), Neck pickup blend (SSS) electronics. The push-pull thing seems interesting, although I was never a fan of the S1 switch on other models and thought it a bit gimmicky. What is fretboard radius and why is it important? 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. But looking forward to playing a II. There are many kinds and materials of nuts out there, and if you want to know how they can impact your instrument of choice, you should go to this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has Fender Standard Die-cast tuners. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. And Fenders new Panorama tremolo gives their American Professional II Jazzmasters a smoother vibrato arm action, of which can easily be popped in and out on-the-fly. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. I bought a demo model that was practically brand new and got a great deal on it. I didn't like mine until I raised them to spec, they came installed about 3/16" from the strings, far too low. GearAficionado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. For the most part, Fenders American Professional II guitars maintain almost everything that made the original American Pro models so great. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. If the condition of Fender's USA-made production-line guitars provides a useful temperature test for the fortunes of the brand as a whole, then the new American Professional II series provides compelling evidence that the people at the company who really know guitars are making their voices heard loud and clear. I actually preferred the neck carve and fret size on the Ultra but preferred the tones on the American Pro so that's the one I kept. Fender American Professional II guitars use V-Mod II pickups whereas American Ultra guitars have Ultra Vintage Noiseless pickups. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! I'm very happy with the guitar, love the neck profile and the playability of the guitar (you have to learn to set up any guitar by yourself to get the best results). Privacy Policy. The body on the Pro II is made from a slab of wood, whereas on the Ultra youll find contouring on the back to make it more comfortable. But the pickups are an easy fix and the S1 series / parallel switching is pretty cool the Am pro II is a fantastic guitar also. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9