fender american professional ii vs ultra

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. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. The same core Fender models that form the American Professional II lineup are also what prop up the American Ultra series. 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 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's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. An additional plus-point, so to speak, of Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses are their 10 14 compound radius fingerboards. These instruments are heavily-modified to suit the needs of 21st Century players; covering lots of sonic territory and providing unmatched performance. The Ultra model has a 6-saddle bridge whereas the Pro II has a 3-saddle bridge design. I'd say not really. In terms of tone, the American Professional II guitars sound more crunchy and warmer compared to the American Ultra guitars which sound cleaner and brighter. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Jazzmaster models. Here is Fender's modernism at its best, with the iconic body . I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. I have literally never had issues with Fenders in that price range. 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. Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. It is going to come down to which specs you like better. You are using an out of date browser. I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. Have you played ss frets? Ultra series guitars have noiseless pickups and locking tuners unlike the Pro II series guitars. 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. Fenders American Ultra Noiseless pickups are split into two types. 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. 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. Thanks. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. Could these be the best guitars Fender has ever made? Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. 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. Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? Then, there are wood wings glued to its side to complete the body shape. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Im hoping that whatever I get will last me for years, so I just want to make the best decision. The American Professional II Jazzmaster has an alder body whereas the American Ultra Jazzmaster gives you the option of either an alder or ash body which also has a more dramatic sculpted neck heel and body contours. You must log in or register to reply here. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fender's American Professional II series. 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 solid body. 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. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. 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. 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. I have a 2014 fender american deluxe strat which I love and adore and it cost around $1200 used. Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this: https://goo.gl/aAzyQM, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MKrWk31qfIk/default.jpg. [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. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. USA is certainly not twice as good as the others. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. 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. 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. MA. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. The contoured heel is a nice touch but thats more body than neck. 1:25 What's New? It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4frspd5 The Ultra Series (opens in new tab) earlier this year seems to have . Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Johnson. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! 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. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. 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! But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster models. to switch position 1 which means that you can somewhat mimic a Telecasters pickup configuration. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M The truth is that Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster offers an exceptional quality. However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. Sporting flexible electronics and forward-thinking hardware appointments, as well as a few ergonomic construction tweaks, these innovative instruments are aimed at the most of modern of musicians yearning for ultimate precision and uncompromising tone. This is definitely one of the best Jazzmasters manufactured by Fender! Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! You are using an out of date browser. 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. Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. How are the pickups? The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. Only some minor updates have been executed. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. 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. 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. The Captains Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/captain-andertons-rig The shape of a guitars headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. 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. The Fender American Ultra series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y4w9svgg 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. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. This activates a series mode to fatten up the tone. The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. I have an American Pro and love the modern C neck. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. Click on one of these links to find out more 298. 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. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability Standards were modern C, as are performers. Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. 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 Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II, American Pro I ( and American Ultra Jazzmaster. I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. Click to reveal 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. Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. There is a truss rod, of course, with 22 frets with dot inlays inset. The best off the line guitar they make. It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. As time has gone on, a lot of frustrating issues have popped up with that guitar, mostly due to how cheap it is. I also recently needed to replace my wah pedal, and I tested the new one out with a Pro-II Strat. Headrush vs Helix vs Kemper vs GT1000 vs AX8: Which is best? An upgraded 2-point tremolo bridge and cold-rolled steel block combine to give you plenty of sustain and brightness. Episode Guide In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. American Professional II guitars have a deep C neck profile and 9.5 fretboard radius, whereas American Ultra models have a modern D neck profile with a 10-14 compound radius fretboard. 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? Check Out Their Rigs Here! Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. 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. Guitar tuners dont have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds. I recently bought a 2017 AmPro HH RW Strat and was quite blown away by the playability and feel of the neck. Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? I actually preferred the neck carve and fret size on the Ultra but preferred the tones on the American Pro so that's the one I kept. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Rating: 9/10 You can also hear an example of the Pro I as well (sunburst). This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. Making them apt for use with overdrive and high-gain amp settings, these noise-free pickups eliminate a common issue that has afflicted old-school Fender single-coils for years. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. Id say no. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster fretboard is built of maple / rosewood. Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes. 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. [Nitro vs Poly], Different neck tonewoods and their effect on tone, Guitar neck shapes guide [Playability and tone], Does a guitars headstock shape affect its tone? The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. 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. Been a while since I had my AmPro though. 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. The majority of guitars and basses from the American Professional II series adhere to the timeless Fender tonewood combination. So does the original AmPro not have the rolled edges? I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. Fender flares can be grafted on to .Outfit your Fox Body Stang with a Saleen style or 93 Cobra body kit. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. The electronics of an electric guitar are what give the instrument its name. Maintaining everything that made the original Fender American Pro Series great, the eye-catching guitars of the American Professional II range boast upgrades that bring them more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians. 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 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. 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. The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. So its time for an upgrade. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. Shop the Fender American Ultra Series: https://tinyurl.com/2d2d5fmw 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. 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. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. 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. Thanks! Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y5ropcpv Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 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. Here we compare the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt Go on reverb and look at the price of secondhand Baja teles vs Americans pro series. 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. 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! 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. While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . Can't say any of the new features convince me other than the pine bodied variants coming in as low as 5lbs! I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. Both guitars have a 2-point tremolo bridge with a pop-in tremolo arm and also include extra switching. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. 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 shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. 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. Very well-made, great players. ThorpyFX Dane Overdrive/boost - https://tinyurl.com/y6eoposs The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. 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. 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. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? Each package comes ready to be painted to get the perfect match for your Fox Body . The light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/yyouf2rz 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. Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. Fender Launch American Professional II Series. Click here to view all of our Labs articles! The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. They are just different flavors of a Strat. Overall, wed probably say that the American Professional II instruments are solid Fender thoroughbreds with a 21st Century twist, while the American Ultra models are designed primarily for players seeking top performance and versatility. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has Fender Standard Die-cast tuners, Fender V-Mod II Single-coil pickups, and Coil-tapping (HSS), Neck pickup blend (SSS) electronics.

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