With both the American Ultra Precision Bass and Jazz Bass models boasting HiMass bridges, these specially-designed components guarantee piano-like sustain and huge, bellowing lows. 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. They have very different necks, both in terms of radius, profile and frets. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. 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 QC at the US factory is excellent. 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. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fenders American Professional II series. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. 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. IMO the hard finish sounds.well.harder. It's a bit expensive, but it sounds, looks and feels incredible. 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 American Ultra series encompasses Fender's most advanced, forward-thinking instruments to date. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k You are using an out of date browser. It states rolled fingerboard edges as a new feature, but I thought the Pro-Standards have had that for quite some time. The following article will explain what guitar tops are and why they matter, as well as provide guidance for those who want to learn more about these options. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. Watch this video for Lee & Petes thoughts on the new Fender Ultra guitars, plus an actual tone shoot out between the old Elite models & the new Ultra versions! The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! 1:25 What's New? Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. Theyre both great, very different, and neither is really better. TDPRI, short for Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue, is the leading online community and marketplace for Telecaster guitars. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. 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. 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 series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. They're definitely a winner with Danish Pete and The Captain! Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? [Complete guide], Do guitar tuners affect tone? Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. The Ultra series only includes a right-handed SS Telecaster. Only some minor updates have been executed. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/yxo3fm6f Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q I looked into the ultra, and I just cant justify the cost vs what you get. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. This gives them a sleeker and more elegant feel when compared with their American Pro II cousins. Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. As time has gone on, a lot of frustrating issues have popped up with that guitar, mostly due to how cheap it is. Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. The build quality on them will be the same. 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. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. For more information on the other topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles: 2022 Andertons Music Company 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 have a 2014 fender american deluxe strat which I love and adore and it cost around $1200 used. A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. Press J to jump to the feed. With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. Guitar tuners dont have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. 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. 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. Wide Fat Click to reveal It is the traditional Bolt-on fitting with a scale length of 25.5 inches and has the usual Fender satin finish giving it a smooth feel. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. If it aint broke, dont fix it right? 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 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 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. And with Fenders new American Professional II series breaking cover, were sure that players from all over the world are intrigued to discover how the US guitar giant has refined its flagship instrument line. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid body. 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. 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. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? 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). 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. The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. 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 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. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. Danish Pete's Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/danish-petes-rig 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. On both guitars youll get additional switching which is activated by the push/ pull tone control. The American Pro series seems just in that goldilocks zone of high quality for a good price, so Im hoping that itll work out. Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. I don't think so. The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. Here is a table outlining which models and pickup configurations are available in each series and whether they are available in left-handed or just right-handed versions. Have you played ss frets? I bought a demo model that was practically brand new and got a great deal on it. Ensuring sublime tuning stability in conjunction with their low-friction bone nuts, these ergonomic machine heads also allow for lightning-fast string changes. CE In this blog, we've pitted Fender's brand new American Professional II series guitars against their top-of-the-line counterparts from the American Ultra range! The change means the new V-Mod II pickups allow you to get nearly the same volume when playing the low and high E strings. My favourite guitar in 25 years. Both guitars have a 2-point tremolo bridge with a pop-in tremolo arm and also include extra switching. 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 action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. What is fretboard radius and why is it important? [Complete guide], Types of guitar pickups and their effect on tone [Guide], Do guitar electronics affect tone? After a lot of back and forth, I moved from a Squire to an American Professional, skipping the Mexican Player models. The Ultra Series (opens in new tab) earlier this year seems to have . 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. 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. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 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. These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. JavaScript is disabled. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. 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 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. The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. 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. Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. I have too many Strats. American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. Lets take an in-depth look at each model individually in the following order: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a slightly thicker deep C neck with a narrower 9.5 fingerboard radius compared to the Ultra Stratocaster with its modern C neck and 10-14 compound radius fingerboard. [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. 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 Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Jazzmaster models. Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. 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. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. 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 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. USA is certainly not twice as good as the others. 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! It may not display this or other websites correctly. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. 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. It was too slippery for lack of a better term. Thanks for visiting! Fender American Ultra Series - Their Most Advanced Guitars Ever? 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. Check Out Their Rigs Here! 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. The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. A guitars neck joint is what attaches the guitars neck to the body of the instrument. Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. #3. The Pro has a 20-fret, C-shape neck with a 9.5" radius fingerboard. Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? Click on one of these links to find out more Compared to some higher-end Fenders, including two Custom Shops, it stands up among the very best I've spent time with. Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. This can be a difficult question with many different answers. 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. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. For example, the American Professional II Strats Push/Push knob allows you to add its neck single-coilto switch position 1 which means that you can somewhat mimic a Telecasters pickup configuration. But similarly to those models, Fenders American Ultra instruments have smooth satin-finished necks that allow for fast playability. I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. 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. 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. 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 words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 17:53 How Does It Sound? The American Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. 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. Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. So its time for an upgrade. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . Deals. Also, the Ultra have an active/passive toggle switch for added tonal flexibility. Id suggest going that route if you can find one. Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. How are the pickups? The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. 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.. The basses havent been left behind either when it comes to their hardware. Sealed locking tuners and a 2-point Deluxe Synchronised Trem with pop-in arm equip todays players for classic Strat colorization with demanding modern intonation. The lightweight, contoured body delivers a nicely balanced tonal foundation with a highly-resonant quality. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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. These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitars wood. 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. Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? 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. Or $300/month for 6 months. These kits feature new rear bumpers, spoilers, side skirts, valances, grilles, grille emblems, and fender extensions to transform the look of your Mustang. Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! You must log in or register to reply here. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Good mid-range prices with great quality. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. 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. I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. 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. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. 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. 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. 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. 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. All these necks are based on the C-shape and have the following PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty). JavaScript is disabled. Does a guitars nut affect its tone? Could these be the best guitars Fender has ever made? Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. 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. The Fender American Ultra basses go a major step forward though, with their super-tweakable electronics likely to find favour with fastidious players. Pickups are [] 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. These instruments are heavily-modified to suit the needs of 21st Century players; covering lots of sonic territory and providing unmatched performance. Wide Thin Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. Fall All' campaign above. 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. 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. 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. The electric guitar models also feature newly-designed string trees that are engineered to prevent unwanted tuning slips. Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. Guitars and basses from the original American Professional lineup came fitted with Fenders V-Modpickups. That being said, I love mine. The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster fretboard is built of maple / rosewood. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y57233cl 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. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten. 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. Thanks. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. 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. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . Is the "II" supposed to be an upgrade? A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz [Complete guide], Does fingerboard material affect tone? The AmPro always had a Deep C neck.