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. [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? I held one at Guitar Center. 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). 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. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? They're definitely a winner with Danish Pete and The Captain! 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. 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. 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. Im hoping that whatever I get will last me for years, so I just want to make the best decision. 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. 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. While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. 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. 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. GearAficionado 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. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. I have literally never had issues with Fenders in that price range. The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . Standards were modern C, as are performers. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. 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? Holy ****, manI just looked and youre right. Both guitars have a sculpted neck heel, however it is more dramatic on the Ultra Tele. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. 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. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. For those who have hands-on experience with both: Is the only difference the "Super-Natural" finish on the back of the AmProII neck? 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. Fender American Ultra Telecasters: Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? Ensuring sublime tuning stability in conjunction with their low-friction bone nuts, these ergonomic machine heads also allow for lightning-fast string changes. #3. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. And my plan is to drive to the nearest shop that carries them (2.5 hours away), test a couple out, then buy a used one online if I liked how it played. This included Cobra Blue, Mocha Burst, Ultraburst, Plasma Red Burst and the stunning Texas Tea, all of which remain exclusive to Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses. Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster. Good mid-range prices with great quality. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. This is a tiny tweak, but these simply offer an extra layer of finesse by blending beautifully into the shapes of their sculpted neck heels. You must log in or register to reply here. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt 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. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . 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. The neck was super smooth. [Complete guide], Does guitar weight affect tone? The neck is really nice, but its a little different from other Fenders. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. Pattern Thin The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. One is not better than the other. Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. In his spare time, Elliot browses eBay for second-hand Music Man guitars, Marshalls and merch from bands you've never heard of. The light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? American Elite. 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. 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. Privacy Policy. However, selected Fender American Professional II guitars and basses (with natural finishes) boast Roasted Pine bodies instead. The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! [Complete wood guide]. JavaScript is disabled. 22:14 Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster The lightweight, contoured body delivers a nicely balanced tonal foundation with a highly-resonant quality. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II, American Pro I ( and American Ultra Jazzmaster. 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. Guitar tuners dont have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd The Ultra Tele has a slimmer modern D shape neck and flatter compound fretboard radius compared to the Pro II Tele which has a deep C neck and narrower fretboard radius. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Fender American Pro Strat in Sunburst, with maple neck. Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you. 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. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. 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. Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Johnson. The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. 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. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. There are many factors that contribute to the sound of a guitar, and whether it has a top is an important one. These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. 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 American Ultra has a flatter fingerboard and also has a compound radius meaning that its more rounded at the nut to help with chords and flatter towards the upper frets to aid with bending. (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. 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. 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. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. Pattern We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. 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 Ive tried the Pro II and really like the neck profile. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. In many cases, the manufacturers dont inform the same features about the instruments that you want to compare and you have to start digging all over the web to find them. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg An upgraded 2-point tremolo bridge and cold-rolled steel block combine to give you plenty of sustain and brightness. You can also hear an example of the Pro I as well (sunburst). I didn't like mine until I raised them to spec, they came installed about 3/16" from the strings, far too low. Here we compare the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. The American Professional II Stratocaster is loaded with a trio of V-Mod II single-coil pickups that pump out a vintage tone with modern refinements. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fender's American Professional II series. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. The American Ultra series encompasses Fender's most advanced, forward-thinking instruments to date. I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. Balancing a perfect blend of traditional design & modern practicality, Fender has truly listened to its players' & collaborated with various artists in order to improve the American Pro II Series to what it is today. These are not factory-fitted on the American Pro II guitars, but can be purchased as an aftermarket upgrade. 17:53 How Does It Sound? The best off the line guitar they make. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Left-Hand 61,200 68,000 Fender American Professional II Telecaster 61,200 - 64,800 Fender American Professional II Stratocaster HSS 63,000 - 66,600 Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 61,200 - 64,800 Does anybody know if the necks on the American Pro I are different than the necks on the Pro II? In this extensive blog, weve broken down the key features of Fenders new American Professional II guitars. Check out my guide to the different Fender neck profiles to learn more. The only parts of Fenders American Ultra instruments that remain traditional are their body materials. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid body. 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. Also, there are different fret materials to consider. TDPRI, short for Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue, is the leading online community and marketplace for Telecaster guitars. The electronics of an electric guitar are what give the instrument its name. 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. Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. 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. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. Headrush vs Helix vs Kemper vs GT1000 vs AX8: Which is best? For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. However, if you want to know all there is about guitar tops, go here: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a gloss polyurethane finish. [Complete guide]. I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. Fender American Professional II guitars use V-Mod II pickups whereas American Ultra guitars have Ultra Vintage Noiseless pickups. Guitars and basses from the original American Professional lineup came fitted with Fenders V-Modpickups. [Complete guide], Does fingerboard material affect tone? The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 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. Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. Some bridges also have extra functionalities. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten. It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. 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. In the following article, I dive deep into the most common questions players ask about tuners, and their functionality: Guitar pickups are one of the main components of any electric guitar. I have an American Pro I and had an Ultra. 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. I wanted the specs that it came with. May 19, 2020 #3 707GK Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. Does fret number matter? Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. Different guitar body tonewoods and their effect on tone, Do guitar tops affect tone? I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. 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. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. But looking forward to playing a II. 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. Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. Click on one of these links to find out more Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. 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.. 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! 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. The Ultra Series (opens in new tab) earlier this year seems to have . The new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II 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. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y4w9svgg #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? [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. For more information on the other topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles: 2022 Andertons Music Company The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. USA is certainly not twice as good as the others. So its time for an upgrade. Rolled fingerboard edges and tapered neck heels are also standard features across the American Ultra range. [Complete guide], Types of guitar pickups and their effect on tone [Guide], Do guitar electronics affect tone? Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size. Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. Fender American Ultra Stratocasters: But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. 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. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. Fender American Ultra Series - Their Most Advanced Guitars Ever? 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. Their Ultra Noiseless Vintage models deliver authentic single-coil sounds, while the Ultra Noiseless Hot versions dish out more output catering for modern performance needs. The American Pro series seems just in that goldilocks zone of high quality for a good price, so Im hoping that itll work out. The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. 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. A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. 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). Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! 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 Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. Ultra series guitars have noiseless pickups and locking tuners unlike the Pro II series guitars. Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. 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 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 . On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. These instruments are heavily-modified to suit the needs of 21st Century players; covering lots of sonic territory and providing unmatched performance. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. 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 American Ultra Jazzmaster sounds clearer and cleaner due to its noiseless pickups compared to the American Professional II Jazzmaster which sounds warmer and crunchier. 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. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. 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 American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. 162.246.248.71 Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. 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! Compared to some higher-end Fenders, including two Custom Shops, it stands up among the very best I've spent time with. I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. If you want to know the specifics of each of these joints, check out this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster fretboard is made of maple / rosewood. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. 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. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. You are using an out of date browser. 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.