[Complete guide], Fender American Professional II Stratocaster, American Professional II Strat vs Vintera 50s Strat, Musician Jobs: 7 Reasons Why AI Is Not a Threat. 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 Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. In the following article, I dive deep into the most common questions players ask about tuners, and their functionality: Guitar pickups are one of the main components of any electric guitar. Who do you pick as one of the best guitarist of all time, Alnico5 single coil pickups in a 2019 player strat. 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. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M The neck is really nice, but its a little different from other Fenders. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a maple neck. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg Introducing the Fender American Professional II Series, with new colours, refined hardware & re-voiced pickups, their iconic American Pro range just got a whole lot better! Based on classic designs and subtly-modernised with forward-thinking features, these contemporary guitars and basses can strike a chord with players of all disciplines and styles. Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know! 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. What is fretboard radius and why is it important? 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. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? The neck was super smooth. The contoured heel is a nice touch but thats more body than neck. Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Jazzmaster models. An additional plus-point, so to speak, of Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses are their 10 14 compound radius fingerboards. Even if you only use P split coil Pickup in passive mode exclusively the Playability along with build quality, fit and finish, comfort from new contours and P tone from Ultra Noiseless pickup is worth the xtra $ Click to expand. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? No, not really. The following article will explain what guitar tops are and why they matter, as well as provide guidance for those who want to learn more about these options. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. I don't think so. Ive been doing a lot of research on strats in the $1000-1500 range, and the American Pro II seems like the best choice for me. Guitars and basses from the original American Professional lineup came fitted with Fenders V-Modpickups. 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. The Ultra Series (opens in new tab) earlier this year seems to have . The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. All American Ultra guitars have enhanced body contours on the back of the guitar which are designed to make them more comfortable. It is the traditional Bolt-on fitting with a scale length of 25.5 inches and has the usual Fender satin finish giving it a smooth feel. Does anybody know if the necks on the American Pro I are different than the necks on the Pro II? Theres also greater diversity within the American Professional II series, not only in terms of colour options, but also with Telecaster Deluxe models and more 5-string/fretless bass variants available. On the SSS models it allows you to activate either the bridge and neck pickup together (without the middle) or all three pickups at the same time. Guitar weight is an important factor when it comes to finding the right guitar for you. Different guitar body tonewoods and their effect on tone, Do guitar tops affect tone? Fenders American Ultra Noiseless pickups are split into two types. 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. Both guitars have a sculpted neck heel, however it is more dramatic on the Ultra Tele. I have literally never had issues with Fenders in that price range. This includes a vibrant Miami Blue, as well as stealthy Dark Night and Mercury colours that are akin to Fenders Strat Plus finishes from the 80s and 90s. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. If you want to know how these specifics materials impact the tone of these guitars, you should take a look here: Guitarists are often curious about how guitar tops affect tone. I see the II had a different profilehavent played it yet, but I prefer thinner necks and deep c sort of scares me at face value. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. Wide Thin Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Johnson. The American Professional II Jazzmaster has an alder body whereas the American Ultra Jazzmaster gives you the option of either an alder or ash body which also has a more dramatic sculpted neck heel and body contours. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. That being said, I love mine. So again, it's a matter of what you're going for. 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). What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. The V-Mod pickups in the Fender American Professional Strat help give it a classic sound, that's more than capable of handling modern music if you need it to. It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. Thanks! This activates a series mode to fatten up the tone. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Controls, switches, capacitors and resistances, all make for the circuitry of a guitar, and all have effects on the final tone and sounds it can offer to the player. TrevorG likes this. All these necks are based on the C-shape and have the following PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty). Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? Id suggest going that route if you can find one. Rolled fingerboard edges and tapered neck heels are also standard features across the American Ultra range. I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. Im hoping that whatever I get will last me for years, so I just want to make the best decision. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. Brand new Push/Push electronics enable special pickup combinations on Fender American Professional II electric guitars. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. However, there are less total colour options available compared to the American Professional II series which has an eclectic mix of both traditional and modern finishes. The standard Telecasters Push/Push function enables parallel/series operation for unique sounds, while the Jazzmasters taps its bridge humbucker for a vintage-like output level. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. They're definitely a winner with Danish Pete and The Captain! It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. Shop all Fender American Pro II Stratocasters | https://tinyurl.com/y68vk8bk Watch this video for Lee & Petes thoughts on the new Fender Ultra guitars, plus an actual tone shoot out between the old Elite models & the new Ultra versions! But the pickups are an easy fix and the S1 series / parallel switching is pretty cool, I think the ultra just has a D shape neck, the elites had a C to D. Id suggest going to your local shop and checking them out, lefty or otherwise youll still get to see and feel them. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. You must log in or register to reply here. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. Not concerned with tuners. Alongside the new pickups, upgraded hardware appointments breathe new life into Fenders American Professional II guitars. Ordered a used pro i online from guitar center. 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 most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. Hello there, my name is Ramiro and Ive been playing guitar for almost 20 years. The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. The Captains Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/captain-andertons-rig What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y5ropcpv Sealed locking tuners and a 2-point Deluxe Synchronised Trem with pop-in arm equip todays players for classic Strat colorization with demanding modern intonation. The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. If you can go to a shop and play a few that would be a good idea, bc neck/fret preferences are pretty subjective. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Left-Hand 61,200 68,000 Fender American Professional II Telecaster 61,200 - 64,800 Fender American Professional II Stratocaster HSS 63,000 - 66,600 Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 61,200 - 64,800 These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitars wood. This isnt a case of Fender playing it safe, but rather the brand wishing to keep the core elements of its guitars the same as they are what make a Fender a Fender! Guitar tuners dont have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Guitarists who are searching for a high-end offset guitar . Here is a table outlining which models and pickup configurations are available in each series and whether they are available in left-handed or just right-handed versions. Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster in 3-Tone Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yxz8kalr Some bridges also have extra functionalities. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster fretboard is built of maple / rosewood. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! It could therefore be argued that Fender decided to tweak its American Professional line based on these updates that were introduced for the American Ultra series. [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. In this extensive blog, weve broken down the key features of Fenders new American Professional II guitars. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 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 Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten. The material of a guitars fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck. This thin profile offers optimal support for contemporary players, but is unlikely to appeal to traditionalists who prefer thicker, vintage-like neck carves or even the somewhat neutral Deep C profile that the American Professional II electric guitars have. 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. How do tailpieces affect a guitars tone? CE Guitars in the Fender American Ultra series have a slimmer modern D neck with a flatter fingerboard radius compared to guitars in the American Professional II series which have a deep C neck. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I was thinking about getting a Professional. American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. Designed for modern musicians that seek ultimate performance, precision and tone; these contemporary models go above and beyond those in previous top-of-the-range Fender series' without straying too far from their original, iconic formulas. Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. 162.246.248.71 Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk I looked into the ultra, and I just cant justify the cost vs what you get. MA. A guitars neck joint is what attaches the guitars neck to the body of the instrument. The American Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. It states rolled fingerboard edges as a new feature, but I thought the Pro-Standards have had that for quite some time. Comfortable for modern players and vintage aficionados alike, these acclaimed neck profiles have now been enhanced with a new Super Natural finish that provides a silky-smooth and friction-free feel. The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. In terms of the neck designs, the Pro II Jazzmaster has a slightly thicker deep C neck and narrower fingerboard radius compared to the Ultra Jazzmaster which has a slightly narrower modern D neck and wider fingerboard radius. At no extra cost to you, any purchases you make through any of these links will earn me a commission. The shape of a guitars headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone. Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 From guitars, pedals, amps, and synths to studio gear and production tips, I hope you find what I post here useful, and Ill try my best to keep it entertaining also. Other differences include the neck binding and locking tuners on the Ultra Jazzmaster which are not seen on the American Pro II version. 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. 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. If you find that it's a struggle to remove and insert the tremolo arm, Fender suggests removing and bending the retainer clip outward slightly and re-inserting it. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (Butterscotch Blonde) and American Ultra Telecaster (white). (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. 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. Fender flares can be grafted on to .Outfit your Fox Body Stang with a Saleen style or 93 Cobra body kit. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . If you want to know more about how these kinds of bodies affect these guitars, you can check out this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a Stratocaster body. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. The PRS range consists of 4 different lines: The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. As time has gone on, a lot of frustrating issues have popped up with that guitar, mostly due to how cheap it is. Agreed but I don't blame people for not liking the price. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. Thanks. Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. For those who want a deeper dive into all the specs that make these 2 guitars different, in this article I will put them side by side so you can see their main differences. The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. One is not better than the other. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability Then, there are wood wings glued to its side to complete the body shape. I also recently needed to replace my wah pedal, and I tested the new one out with a Pro-II Strat. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. 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. Allowing you to access more pickup combinations for greater tonal versatility, these electronics therefore work very similarly to the Push/Push systems found in Fenders new American Professional II guitars. The standard Telecasters Push/Push function enables parallel/series operation for unique sounds, while the Jazzmasters taps its bridge humbucker for a vintage-like output level. In this article I go deep into that topic and answer the most pressing questions: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a bolt-on neck. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. Sporting active/passive switches, these allow you to quickly change between vintage and modern voicings with a simple flick, while flexible 3-band EQ systems enable you to precisely sculpt their tones to perfection. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. Click on one of these links to find out more However, although less product variation might seem like a downside for the streamlined American Ultra range it could be said that it forms a more robust lineup. 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. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. If youre looking for a modern, top-of-the-line Fender Strat, Tele or Jazzmaster then your best bet is to consider the American Professional II and Ultra series. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. On both guitars youll get additional switching which is activated by the push/ pull tone control. JavaScript is disabled.