These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. [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. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd 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. Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. 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! Compared to some higher-end Fenders, including two Custom Shops, it stands up among the very best I've spent time with. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? 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! 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. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. The same core Fender models that form the American Professional II lineup are also what prop up the American Ultra series. You must log in or register to reply here. I have a Pro 2 and an Ultra, and had a Pro 1 as well. It was too slippery for lack of a better term. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. 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. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. Ive tried the Pro II and really like the neck profile. 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. JavaScript is disabled. Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. 111 NE 1st St, Miami, FL, Miami-Dade, US, 33132 17:53 How Does It Sound? 298. A guitars neck joint is what attaches the guitars neck to the body of the instrument. Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. However, selected Fender American Professional II guitars and basses (with natural finishes) boast Roasted Pine bodies instead. 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. Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. The color options are different in each series. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. 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. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid body. Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra models and narrow tall frets on the American Pro II models with the following dimensions: There are some model-specific differences between guitars in the American Ultra and Professional II series. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? 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. 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. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II Fall All' campaign above. This requires removing the bridge from the instrument but should allow the arm to pop in and out easily. If you want to know more about this, I invite you to read the post below: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Cold-rolled Steel Block bridge. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. Im hoping that whatever I get will last me for years, so I just want to make the best decision. These are bigger than the Narrow Tall frets fitted on the American Professional II guitars, with their modern size providing a more controllable feel and enhancing tone/sustain. 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. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fender's American Professional II series. Also, there are different fret materials to consider. 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. Here, I explore some of these considerations and what I think are the main points to take into account: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster is a tool for the working musician that embodies the original Fender spirit with a slightly modern touch. Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? You are using an out of date browser. 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. 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. 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? 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. I don't think so. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. What is fretboard radius and why is it important? Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. [Complete guide], Does fingerboard material affect tone? Id say no. They are just different flavors of a Strat. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is made in USA has a solid alder body, a bolt-on Modern D maple neck, maple / rosewood fingerboard, and SSS / HSS pickups. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Telecaster models. Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size. Your IP: Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. Thanks for visiting! Only some minor updates have been executed. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz If you can go to a shop and play a few that would be a good idea, bc neck/fret preferences are pretty subjective. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. Thanks. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto Also, take into consideration that the fretboard is the point of contact for your playing fingers with the guitar, so feel is also a very important factor. The only parts of Fenders American Ultra instruments that remain traditional are their body materials. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. There are many kinds and materials of nuts out there, and if you want to know how they can impact your instrument of choice, you should go to this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has Fender Standard Die-cast tuners. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Dark Night | https://tinyurl.com/y4c85od6 Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. Their Telecaster cousins come installed with completely redesigned Top Loader/String-Through bridges, which allow you to thread their strings either through their bodies or from their bridge plates. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Both guitars have a sculpted neck heel, however it is more dramatic on the Ultra Tele. TeTe MICOponkichi http . I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. 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. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. 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. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his 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 a Fender Stratocaster headstock. The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. 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. I wonder what is new with the V-Mod "II" pickups, maybe voiced for a bit more snap? Mar 14, 2021. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. But similarly to those models, Fenders American Ultra instruments have smooth satin-finished necks that allow for fast playability. 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. Good mid-range prices with great quality. Each package comes ready to be painted to get the perfect match for your Fox Body . Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 Deals. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. Thanks for visiting. I was thinking about getting a Professional. I'm very happy with the guitar, love the neck profile and the playability of the guitar (you have to learn to set up any guitar by yourself to get the best results). Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. 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. Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster in 3-Tone Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yxz8kalr 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. American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. 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 Fender American Ultra series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, They Stole My Digital Recorder and SD cards. On the Ultra Tele youll find noiseless pickups unlike on the Pro II model. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. 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. Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? The Pro has a 20-fret, C-shape neck with a 9.5" radius fingerboard. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster models. Fender American Ultra Telecasters: Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. 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. I have an Ultra Tele. 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). For the most part, Fenders American Professional II guitars maintain almost everything that made the original American Pro models so great. Does a guitars nut affect its tone? The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 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. Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? Also, the Ultra have an active/passive toggle switch for added tonal flexibility. With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m But looking forward to playing a II. 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 I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. I held one at Guitar Center. The best off the line guitar they make. They have very different necks, both in terms of radius, profile and frets. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Rounded at the lower end of their necks to make chords easier to play, their fingerboards flatten out in the higher register to make intricate lead lines more manageable to finger. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. Does anybody know if the necks on the American Pro I are different than the necks on the Pro II? Can't say any of the new features convince me other than the pine bodied variants coming in as low as 5lbs! I play thumb over the top so I appreciate a soft edge but theyre not miles apart. GearAficionado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. You must log in or register to reply here. 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). [Complete guide], Types of guitar pickups and their effect on tone [Guide], Do guitar electronics affect tone? One feature all our reviewers were quick to note is the tapered low-profile neck heel, which gives you access to fret positions youd never dare into on your vintage Strat. . The basses havent been left behind either when it comes to their hardware. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4frspd5 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Pattern 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. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. The American Pro series seems just in that goldilocks zone of high quality for a good price, so Im hoping that itll work out. ThorpyFX Dane Overdrive/boost - https://tinyurl.com/y6eoposs Performance & security by Cloudflare. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. Prosoundhq.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk. Core They offer world-class tones with no compromise on playability. 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.. This solidbody electric guitars first major upgrade lies in the pickup selection. This gives them a sleeker and more elegant feel when compared with their American Pro II cousins. Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. Check Out Their Rigs Here! But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. Brand new Push/Push electronics enable special pickup combinations on Fender American Professional II electric guitars. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint.