Thanks! It may not display this or other websites correctly. The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. So again, it's a matter of what you're going for. 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. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. TDPRI, short for Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue, is the leading online community and marketplace for Telecaster guitars. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. . Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/yxo3fm6f Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Episode Guide 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. They are just different flavors of a Strat. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. At no extra cost to you, any purchases you make through any of these links will earn me a commission. As time has gone on, a lot of frustrating issues have popped up with that guitar, mostly due to how cheap it is. The best off the line guitar they make. A high end fender is totally worth the cost. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete 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. American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. 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. JavaScript is disabled. Fender American Professional II Series Telecaster Deluxe (Image credit: Fender) Originally introduced in 1973, this twisted Tele packed two Seth Lover-designed "Wide Range" humbucking pickups and a Gibson-style setup of dual volume and tone controls and a three-way toggle. In this extensive blog, weve broken down the key features of Fenders new American Professional II guitars. Guitar tuners dont have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds. Even the resale value thing is a myth. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. Make sure you like them before doing this. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y4w9svgg The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster has Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners, Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single-coil (SSS) / Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat Single-coil (HSS) pickups, and Noiseless, Coil-tapping (HSS), S-1 neck pickup blend electronics. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Agreed but I don't blame people for not liking the price. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. The same core Fender models that form the American Professional II lineup are also what prop up the American Ultra series. 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. 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. Only some minor updates have been executed. Necks: American Professional vs. American Pro II nadzab Mar 10, 2021 nadzab Play Don't Worry Silver Member May 15, 2009 6,456 New England Mar 10, 2021 #1 For those who have hands-on experience with both: Is the only difference the "Super-Natural" finish on the back of the AmProII neck? The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Thanks for visiting! Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. On the Ultra Tele youll find noiseless pickups unlike on the Pro II model. However, if you want to know all there is about guitar tops, go here: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a gloss polyurethane finish. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? In this guide, we will discuss the different types of pickups and how they affect your sound. Fender American Ultra Stratocasters: Check Out Their Rigs Here! Elliot is a Senior Digital Guitar Marketer at Andertons. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. A fan of '90s rock, vintage Formula 1 and offensive comedy he often feels like he was born in the wrong decade. The Ultra series only includes a right-handed SS Telecaster. [Nitro vs Poly], Different neck tonewoods and their effect on tone, Guitar neck shapes guide [Playability and tone], Does a guitars headstock shape affect its tone? 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. 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. Click on one of these links to find out more Go on reverb and look at the price of secondhand Baja teles vs Americans pro series. It was too slippery for lack of a better term. American Elite. Fender Launch American Professional II Series. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. You could then perhaps argue that the Fender American Professional II guitars, which have been refined with Ultra-like tweaks, offer more bang-for-your-buck and are clearly better than their predecessors from the original American Pro range. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Fender Stratocaster headstock. 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 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. Personally, I just LOVE the Dark Night color and can't say no to it. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 I bought a demo model that was practically brand new and got a great deal on it. I don't think so. But looking forward to playing a II. 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. 17:53 How Does It Sound? Wound differently to their older counterparts, Fender describes its V-Mod IIs as some of the best sounding pickups it has ever made promising extra note definition and more mid-range punch. I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. I have an American Pro and love the modern C neck. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. 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. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q #3. A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. These kits feature new rear bumpers, spoilers, side skirts, valances, grilles, grille emblems, and fender extensions to transform the look of your Mustang. No, not really. Fender American Ultra Telecasters: This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. 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. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. The shape of a guitars headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone. I have an American Pro I and had an Ultra. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. In terms of tone, the American Professional II guitars sound more crunchy and warmer compared to the American Ultra guitars which sound cleaner and brighter. Ultra series guitars have noiseless pickups and locking tuners unlike the Pro II series guitars. [Complete guide], Types of guitar pickups and their effect on tone [Guide], Do guitar electronics affect tone? But which is the best? 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! Could these be the best guitars Fender has ever made? 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. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain 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. 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. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. Click here to view all of our Labs articles! [Complete guide]. 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. Im hoping that whatever I get will last me for years, so I just want to make the best decision. 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. Its lightweight body is built from traditional Strat tonewoods (alder or ash, dependent on color) and outfitted with a flawless gloss poly finish and coordinating pickguard. The color options are different in each series. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on 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. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. 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. Id say no. The American Professional II Stratocaster is loaded with a trio of V-Mod II single-coil pickups that pump out a vintage tone with modern refinements. Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. This activates a series mode to fatten up the tone. S2 Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Johnson. These are not factory-fitted on the American Pro II guitars, but can be purchased as an aftermarket upgrade. 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. You can also hear an example of the Pro I as well (sunburst). TrevorG likes this. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, They Stole My Digital Recorder and SD cards. 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 Ultra Jazzmaster sounds clearer and cleaner due to its noiseless pickups compared to the American Professional II Jazzmaster which sounds warmer and crunchier. Deep is probably a misleading description, it really a slightly fuller C - and it is quite good! I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. Your IP: I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 These new Strat (opens in new tab), Tele (opens in new tab), Jazzmaster (opens in new tab) electric guitars and Precision and Jazz Basses come with some notable new features, including brand new switching options.. Danish Pete's Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/danish-petes-rig Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. 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. For those who have hands-on experience with both: Is the only difference the "Super-Natural" finish on the back of the AmProII neck? Also, there are different fret materials to consider. 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. (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. 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. The neck is really nice, but its a little different from other Fenders. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. 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. Wide Thin Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Privacy Policy. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. CE 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. It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. 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. to switch position 1 which means that you can somewhat mimic a Telecasters pickup configuration. The much-adored 2-point synchronised tremolo remains on the Stratocasters, but these are now fitted withcold-rolled steel blocks that increase sustain, clarity and top-end sparkle. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fenders American Professional II series. Have you played ss frets? I'd say not really. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. Pretty neat! The neck was super smooth. 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. You are using an out of date browser. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size. The Pro has a 20-fret, C-shape neck with a 9.5" radius fingerboard. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. Fender flares can be grafted on to .Outfit your Fox Body Stang with a Saleen style or 93 Cobra body kit. These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. Core Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd Fender American Pro II VS Ultra - YouTube 0:00 / 15:49 Fender American Pro II VS Ultra astringsuk 11K subscribers Subscribe 753 71K views 2 years ago We see how well the Pro II stacks up. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. Differences, PRS SE vs S2 vs CE vs Core lines [Main differences], Les Paul: Solid vs Chambered vs Weight Relieved, 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Cold-rolled Steel Block, 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo, Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single-coil (SSS) / Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat Single-coil (HSS), Fender V-Mod II Single-coil / Fender V-Mod II Double Tap Humbucker, Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single-coil / Ultra Double Tap Humbucker, Coil-tapping (HSS), Neck pickup blend (SSS), Noiseless, Coil-tapping (HSS), S-1 neck pickup blend, 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), 1 x Master Volume (with S-1 switch), 2 x Tone. 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. 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). 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. Wide Fat Deals. Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 . 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 functionality expands their tonal palettes, as it extends beyond the customary switching capabilities available on typical Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster models. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. If I hadnt sold my Pro I a few years ago, I wouldnt necessarily feel the need to upgrade, but Im a bit happier with the Pro II as a total package now. Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. Or $300/month for 6 months. I have an Ultra Tele. These instruments are heavily-modified to suit the needs of 21st Century players; covering lots of sonic territory and providing unmatched performance. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! The truth is that Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster offers an exceptional quality. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. It may not display this or other websites correctly. JavaScript is disabled. Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument. 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. The Ultra Strat has some notable upgrades such as the locking tuners, enhanced body contours and a more sculpted neck heel which are not seen on American Pro II Strat. Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. Does a guitars nut affect its tone? Pick one up, and youll notice! 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. Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. 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. The contoured heel is a nice touch but thats more body than neck. 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. 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. In keeping with our comparisons of Fender's new beautiful American Professional II line, we're back to take a look at the American Pro II Strat up against its modern and advanced. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Not concerned with tuners. What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? Tailpieces are often forgotten when thinking about guitar parts, however, they have been there for centuries, and there are many different designs with alternate features. Whether your guitar has a standalone one or a bridge that works like one too, you might be interested in broadening your knowledge about tailpieces here: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a bone nut. The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II.