American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. 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. Each package comes ready to be painted to get the perfect match for your Fox Body . Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. No, not really. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. 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. As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. 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). If you want to know the main things about this topic, I recommend you follow this link: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster weighs 7 8 lbs, and the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster weighs 8 lbs. Even the resale value thing is a myth. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . You must log in or register to reply here. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones Hello there, my name is Ramiro and Ive been playing guitar for almost 20 years. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb However, weve also compared these fresh-to-the-market models with Fenders highest-spec production guitars from the American Ultra series to help you to distinguish which instruments are best-suited for your playing needs! Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? Fender American Pro Strat in Sunburst, with maple neck. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. to switch position 1 which means that you can somewhat mimic a Telecasters pickup configuration. Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz The neck was super smooth. My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. Fender American Professional II guitars use V-Mod II pickups whereas American Ultra guitars have Ultra Vintage Noiseless pickups. The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. Make sure you like them before doing this. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver This can be a difficult question with many different answers. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. Press J to jump to the feed. 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? Different guitar body tonewoods and their effect on tone, Do guitar tops affect tone? 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. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (Butterscotch Blonde) and American Ultra Telecaster (white). Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Pattern Thin However, selected Fender American Professional II guitars and basses (with natural finishes) boast Roasted Pine bodies instead. IMO the hard finish sounds.well.harder. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. JavaScript is disabled. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. If youre looking for a modern, top-of-the-line Fender Strat, Tele or Jazzmaster then your best bet is to consider the American Professional II and Ultra series. Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. Thanks. Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. I'd say not really. Shop all Fender American Pro II Telecasters | https://tinyurl.com/y4o2htq2 I held one at Guitar Center. Pattern Vintage I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! Although these updates arent anything to write home about, they exemplify how Fender tastefully improves upon its formulas over time without doing anything too drastic. The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The Fender American Ultra basses go a major step forward though, with their super-tweakable electronics likely to find favour with fastidious players. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Pattern Thanks! I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. 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. 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. 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. 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. I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. 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. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. Your IP: Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Designed for modern musicians that seek ultimate performance, precision and tone; these contemporary models go above and beyond those in previous top-of-the-range Fender series' without straying too far from their original, iconic formulas. However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. My favourite guitar in 25 years. 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. PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes. This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k Id say no. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Wide Thin 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! 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. This functionality expands their tonal palettes, as it extends beyond the customary switching capabilities available on typical Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster models. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. You'll find amp controls guides, tips to improve your tone, and answers to loads of specific issues. The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. All these necks are based on the C-shape and have the following PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty). 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. Both guitars have a 2-point tremolo bridge with a pop-in tremolo arm and also include extra switching. 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. 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. Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? So does the original AmPro not have the rolled edges? 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. 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. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y6kv9bdr The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo bridge. MA. 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. American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. The PRS range consists of 4 different lines: The whole instrument has been thought out and designed in painstaking detail, all the way down to the embossed Fender headstock logo and extra comfortable trem arm.. Ive been playing for about two years now. 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. The build quality on them will be the same. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. 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. Lightweight tuners are also installed on these basses, which prevent neck-dive and thus make the instruments more balanced in standing positions. 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 Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb 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. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/y6xoozzr 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.. There are many factors that contribute to the sound of a guitar, and whether it has a top is an important one. Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. I have too many Strats. 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! Thanks for visiting. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. Fender's Pro II guitar features 22 narrow-tall frets, a Deep-C neck, alongside a sculpted neck heel. 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 also recently needed to replace my wah pedal, and I tested the new one out with a Pro-II Strat. The contoured heel is a nice touch but thats more body than neck. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II, American Pro I ( and American Ultra Jazzmaster. 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. 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. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. It may not display this or other websites correctly. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. These are not factory-fitted on the American Pro II guitars, but can be purchased as an aftermarket upgrade. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. Theyre both great, very different, and neither is really better. Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. Fender American Ultra Stratocasters: Simply put theres tonnes of variety! At no extra cost to you, any purchases you make through any of these links will earn me a commission. Thanks. 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.