However, selected Fender American Professional II guitars and basses (with natural finishes) boast Roasted Pine bodies instead. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. Pattern Thin Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. TDPRI, short for Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue, is the leading online community and marketplace for Telecaster guitars. Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Also, the Ultra have an active/passive toggle switch for added tonal flexibility. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. The only parts of Fenders American Ultra instruments that remain traditional are their body materials. For more information on the other topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles: 2022 Andertons Music Company Simply put theres tonnes of variety! 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. 17:53 How Does It Sound? 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. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. If you can go to a shop and play a few that would be a good idea, bc neck/fret preferences are pretty subjective. I wanted the specs that it came with. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. If you like old-school Fenders these guitars really arent for you! Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc 162.246.248.71 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. I looked into the ultra, and I just cant justify the cost vs what you get. 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. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The HSS ultras are extremely versatile, while the Am Pros are going to have the more traditional Strat sound. It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. The light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. 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 American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. You are using an out of date browser. Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. I recently bought a 2017 AmPro HH RW Strat and was quite blown away by the playability and feel of the neck. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 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. 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. 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 Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. I wonder what is new with the V-Mod "II" pickups, maybe voiced for a bit more snap? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. Thanks for visiting. 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. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. 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. Pick one up, and youll notice! Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. 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. Then, there are wood wings glued to its side to complete the body shape. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 May 19, 2020 #3 707GK The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. 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. Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. Thanks. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. Also, there are different fret materials to consider. 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. The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. 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. Very well-made, great players. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb For those who have hands-on experience with both: Is the only difference the "Super-Natural" finish on the back of the AmProII neck? I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. With Alder used for the solid-finish guitars and Ash employed for the natural/transparent colour models; these tonewoods hearken back to the classic Fender formula from the 50s with bolt-on Maple necks keeping their signature construction intact. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. I was thinking about getting a Professional. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. 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. 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. I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. Holy ****, manI just looked and youre right. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. 22:14 Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster JavaScript is disabled. Id suggest going that route if you can find one. Wide Thin Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y6kv9bdr The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. It was too slippery for lack of a better term. The basses havent been left behind either when it comes to their hardware. It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. [Complete wood guide]. Click on one of these links to find out more Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. Other differences include the neck binding and locking tuners on the Ultra Jazzmaster which are not seen on the American Pro II version. There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: 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. These are not factory-fitted on the American Pro II guitars, but can be purchased as an aftermarket upgrade. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster 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. 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. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know! Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. 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. With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. Fender flares can be grafted on to .Outfit your Fox Body Stang with a Saleen style or 93 Cobra body kit. The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. link to PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes, link to PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty), guide to the different Fender neck profiles, Fender American Professional II Stratocaster, complete guide to the different Stratocaster models, Fender American Professional II Telecaster, Fender American Professional II vs Original 50s and 60s Series, Fender American Professional II vs American Performer Series, American Professional II vs American Ultra Series Overview, Pro II (narrow tall frets):0.090 x 0.055, Ultra (medium jumbo frets): 0.106 x 0.036. 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 Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. Alongside the new pickups, upgraded hardware appointments breathe new life into Fenders American Professional II guitars. Maintaining everything that made the original Fender American Pro Series great, the eye-catching guitars of the American Professional II range boast upgrades that bring them more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians. 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 You must log in or register to reply here. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. My favourite guitar in 25 years. 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. Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. 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! However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! It may not display this or other websites correctly. Standards were modern C, as are performers. You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! That being said, I love mine. On the Ultra series versions, this switch is located on the volume control and on the Pro II versions it is located on the second tone control. Good mid-range prices with great quality. 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. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. Able to deliver iconic Fender tone but with a wider frequency range and a slightly more modern character; V-Mods found favour with players for their versatility over traditional vintage-voiced pickups. 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. Pattern Fender Custom Shop SHOP BY MODEL Stratocaster Telecaster Jaguar Jazzmaster Lead Duo-Sonic Mustang Meteora Other Shop All Electric Guitars SHOP BY SERIES American Professional ll American Ultra American Ultra Luxe American Performer Player Plus Player JV Modified Vintera Noventa Made in Japan Limited Edition Artist Signature HIGHLIGHTS American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. I have an Ultra Tele. If you were to abuse or neglect a Pro II like most people treat cheap guitars (store it in a damp basement, throw it in a closet out of a case under a pile of dirty laundry) it probably wouldn't hold up well either. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets. Ensuring sublime tuning stability in conjunction with their low-friction bone nuts, these ergonomic machine heads also allow for lightning-fast string changes. Is the "II" supposed to be an upgrade? Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. [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? Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. 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! In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd GearAficionado There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. 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. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Rating: 9/10 The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. 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 . 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. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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's a bit expensive, but it sounds, looks and feels incredible. This can be a difficult question with many different answers. Guitar weight is an important factor when it comes to finding the right guitar for you. Shop all Fender American Pro II Stratocasters | https://tinyurl.com/y68vk8bk 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. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. 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. 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. 1:25 What's New? I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. 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. 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. 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! Fender American Professional II HSS Strat and Telecaster Deluxe guitars come equipped with newly-voiced V-Mod II Double Tap humbuckers too, which perfectly complement Fenders V-Mod II single-coils. The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. You are using an out of date browser. So, it all comes down to feel and your own personal preferences. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo bridge. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Pretty neat! 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. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. 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! Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. There is a truss rod, of course, with 22 frets with dot inlays inset. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II Pattern Regular Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument. Episode Guide Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. Privacy Policy. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fender's American Professional II series. Thanks! In his spare time, Elliot browses eBay for second-hand Music Man guitars, Marshalls and merch from bands you've never heard of. I pulled the trigger. Click to reveal Guitars and basses from the original American Professional lineup came fitted with Fenders V-Modpickups. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. The American Pro II Strat features V-Mod II single coils, a 2-point tremolo, and a push-push tone pot that can add the neck pickup at the press of a button. The majority of guitars and basses from the American Professional II series adhere to the timeless Fender tonewood combination. 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.