It is going to come down to which specs you like better. 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! Pattern Regular Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster models. I held one at Guitar Center. 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 Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 Fender American Professional II Telecaster Review As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Fender Stratocaster headstock. 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. Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. So its time for an upgrade. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd 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. There is a truss rod, of course, with 22 frets with dot inlays inset. 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 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. But which is the best? The Fender American Performer Stratocaster guitars replace the American Special and include a selection of all-new appointments such as Yosemite single-coil pickups, a push-pull pot to activate the neck/bridge pickup, Greasebucket tone circuitry and new Classicgear tuning machines for smoother tuning action. The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. 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. The light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. American Professional vs. American Professional II. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster For those who have hands-on experience with both: Is the only difference the "Super-Natural" finish on the back of the AmProII neck? Fender American Ultra Telecasters: I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know! Very well-made, great players. 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. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. Agreed but I don't blame people for not liking the price. 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. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument. Also, there are different fret materials to consider. It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. American Professional II Strat vs American Ultra Strat - GearAficionado The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? 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. 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. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp Id suggest going that route if you can find one. Have you played ss frets? Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this: https://goo.gl/aAzyQM Sporting minor yet noteworthy upgrades, these instruments perfectly merge classic Fender design with modern practicality. JavaScript is disabled. I looked into the ultra, and I just cant justify the cost vs what you get. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. 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. 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? But similarly to those models, Fenders American Ultra instruments have smooth satin-finished necks that allow for fast playability. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bridge integrated tailpiece. Comfortable for modern players and vintage aficionados alike, these acclaimed neck profiles have now been enhanced with a new Super Natural finish that provides a silky-smooth and friction-free feel. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. 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. Wide Fat On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg 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. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitars wood. Anulacin EGR Mondeo TDCI 130 CV de 2003 Foro Coches from www The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. I think it will end up being the Professional II then. 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 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. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Your IP: The V-Mod pickups in the Fender American Professional Strat help give it a classic sound, that's more than capable of handling modern music if you need it to. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. The Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. Make sure you like them before doing this. Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. Fender American Professional II Telecaster | Reverb American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. Standards were modern C, as are performers. 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. So, it all comes down to feel and your own personal preferences. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz I have an American Pro and love the modern C neck. Best Telecasters 2023 | Guitar World Fender Launch American Professional II Series. 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