American Elite. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Fender Stratocaster headstock. I don't think so. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. 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. The new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. Luckily for you, Ive compiled some general information about each different type of guitar neck shape so you can make an informed decision when choosing your next guitar: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a Fender Stratocaster headstock. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. 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 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. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. I pulled the trigger. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Rating: 9/10 With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now! 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. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain They are just different flavors of a Strat. It was too slippery for lack of a better term. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. Today's best Fender Telecaster deals Fender American Professional II 1,619 See all prices Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster 2,091.54 See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Best Telecasters: Product guide (Image credit: Squier) 1. [Complete guide], Does fingerboard material affect tone? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! They offer world-class tones with no compromise on playability. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets. The Fender American Ultra series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. Fender American Ultra Series - Their Most Advanced Guitars Ever? Other differences include the neck binding and locking tuners on the Ultra Jazzmaster which are not seen on the American Pro II version. Fender American Professional II vs American Ultra Stratocaster The American Professional II Stratocaster has warmer sounding pickups with a higher output and more mid-range emphasis compared to the noiseless pickups on the Ultra Strat which sound brighter and cleaner. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. They have very different necks, both in terms of radius, profile and frets. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 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. Rolled fingerboard edges and tapered neck heels are also standard features across the American Ultra range. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. This functionality expands their tonal palettes, as it extends beyond the customary switching capabilities available on typical Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster models. I also recently needed to replace my wah pedal, and I tested the new one out with a Pro-II Strat. 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 . 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. 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. Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. Even the resale value thing is a myth. 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. Fender American Pro Strat in Sunburst, with maple neck. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk 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. Click here to view all of our Labs articles! You must log in or register to reply here. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . I compared it and a Japanese made one that was 30% less and equally enjoyed the feel, only marginally preferred the sound of the Pro. Here is a brief description of these 2 guitars: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster is made in USA, has a solid alder body, a bolt-on Deep C maple neck, maple / rosewood fingerboard, and SSS / HSS pickups. Go on reverb and look at the price of secondhand Baja teles vs Americans pro series. Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? . [Complete guide], Does guitar weight affect tone? Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. 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. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. 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. No, not really. Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. Your IP: Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! Finally, I will give you some comments about each of these instruments. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II My favourite guitar in 25 years. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (Butterscotch Blonde) and American Ultra Telecaster (white). I'd say not really. 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. 1:25 What's New? Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. I recently bought a 2017 AmPro HH RW Strat and was quite blown away by the playability and feel of the neck. 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 shape of a guitars headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone. The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. Alongside the new pickups, upgraded hardware appointments breathe new life into Fenders American Professional II guitars. Good mid-range prices with great quality. 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). The basses havent been left behind either when it comes to their hardware. Both versions uses the rhythm/ lead switch slightly differently to most other Jazzmasters by using it to activate the pickups either in series or parallel mode. I have a Pro 2 and an Ultra, and had a Pro 1 as well. Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. 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. [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. 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. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. 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). 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. Overall, wed probably say that the American Professional II instruments are solid Fender thoroughbreds with a 21st Century twist, while the American Ultra models are designed primarily for players seeking top performance and versatility. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Ensuring sublime tuning stability in conjunction with their low-friction bone nuts, these ergonomic machine heads also allow for lightning-fast string changes. The Fender American Ultra basses go a major step forward though, with their super-tweakable electronics likely to find favour with fastidious players. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. The most important thing to note is that it is not just the type of pickup that determines a guitars sound, but also how and where you place the pickup on the guitar. Wide Fat There are fewer colors available in the Ultra series and these are all quite modern looking, whilst the American Pro II series has loads more colors to choose from, both modern and traditional. It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. 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! Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? These pickups are therefore a little more flexible than the V-Mod II single-coils found in Fenders American Pro II guitars, and are better-suited for heavier genres with their noiseless technology. Taking Fenders Noiseless design to new heights, the Ultra Noiseless pickups found in the American Ultra models promise classic yet versatile tones without any hum! However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. These instruments are heavily-modified to suit the needs of 21st Century players; covering lots of sonic territory and providing unmatched performance. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? So, it all comes down to feel and your own personal preferences. 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. 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. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. Other ergonomic updates include rolled fingerboard edges across the whole Fender American Professional II line, as well as sculpted neck heels that allow for unrestricted upper-fret access. 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. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 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. As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. 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.. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. It has a Deep C neck and tall narrow frets, which definitely has a different feel than the Modern C with medium jumbos youll find on other fenders. The American brands trendsetting instruments have helped to shape contemporary music as we know it, with todays artists using theirguitarsand basses to pioneer the exciting sounds of tomorrow. It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. Pattern Thin 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. However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. Standards were modern C, as are performers. 22:14 Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. Core TeTe MICOponkichi http . The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. The electronics of an electric guitar are what give the instrument its name. It is going to come down to which specs you like better. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Lightweight tuners are also installed on these basses, which prevent neck-dive and thus make the instruments more balanced in standing positions. American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. If you want to know the main things about this topic, I recommend you follow this link: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster weighs 7 8 lbs, and the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster weighs 8 lbs. The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. 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. Ordered a used pro i online from guitar center. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. American Professional II guitars have a deep C neck profile and 9.5 fretboard radius, whereas American Ultra models have a modern D neck profile with a 10-14 compound radius fretboard. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. I held one at Guitar Center. 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. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete I have an American Pro I and had an Ultra. This solidbody electric guitars first major upgrade lies in the pickup selection. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has Coil-tapping (HSS), Neck pickup blend (SSS) electronics, 1 x master volume, 2 x tone, push/push add neck blend (SSS) / 1 x master volume, 2 x tone push/push coil-split (HSS), and a 5-way blade switch. But similarly to those models, Fenders American Ultra instruments have smooth satin-finished necks that allow for fast playability. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 The truth is that Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster offers an exceptional quality. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. 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. These kits feature new rear bumpers, spoilers, side skirts, valances, grilles, grille emblems, and fender extensions to transform the look of your Mustang. 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. Some bridges also have extra functionalities. Deep is probably a misleading description, it really a slightly fuller C - and it is quite good! If you like old-school Fenders these guitars really arent for you! Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. #3. The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. All American Ultra guitars have enhanced body contours on the back of the guitar which are designed to make them more comfortable. The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. 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. Simply put theres tonnes of variety! Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. That being said, I love mine. Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? A guitars neck joint is what attaches the guitars neck to the body of the instrument. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. In many cases, the manufacturers dont inform the same features about the instruments that you want to compare and you have to start digging all over the web to find them. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. 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 Thanks. 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. All these necks are based on the C-shape and have the following PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty). 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! Guitar tuners dont have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds. JavaScript is disabled. Privacy Policy. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M It may not display this or other websites correctly. (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. 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. Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. 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. 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. I have a 2014 fender american deluxe strat which I love and adore and it cost around $1200 used. Ive tried the Pro II and really like the neck profile. If you want to know more about how its measured and the effect it has on the playability of a guitar, you should look at the following article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has 22 narrow tall nickel silver frets. Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster. 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. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. How are the pickups? Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz IMO the hard finish sounds.well.harder. The radius of the fingerboard is a measure of how curved the neck of the guitar actually is when looking at it from bridge to nut. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fender's American Professional II series. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability As a huge fan of the Fender Jazzmaster, Cooper needed to get his hands on all of these to do a proper comparison-- with upgrades from the predecessor American Professional line including a beveled heel carve, V-Mod II pickups, the return of the "rhythm circuit" controls, and new finishing options, these guitars are up to the excellent standard Pattern Vintage [Complete guide], Do pickups make a difference in sound? Compared to some higher-end Fenders, including two Custom Shops, it stands up among the very best I've spent time with. I have literally never had issues with Fenders in that price range. Click to reveal Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. For the most part, Fenders American Professional II guitars maintain almost everything that made the original American Pro models so great. Each package comes ready to be painted to get the perfect match for your Fox Body . 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. 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 love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. I will then talk about their main specs one by one, and link you to some other interesting articles I have written about these specific features. Pattern 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. This is definitely one of the best Jazzmasters manufactured by Fender! The American Ultra series encompasses Fender's most advanced, forward-thinking instruments to date. Make sure you like them before doing this. Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. 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. The pickups - while always a matter of taste - tend to sound more, shall we say, Fender like - they sound like what you would expect a Fender to sound like more than the other models. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. Check Out Their Rigs Here! On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. Pattern Regular 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. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. But which is the best? It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bridge integrated tailpiece.