The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. 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.. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. 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. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? In his spare time, Elliot browses eBay for second-hand Music Man guitars, Marshalls and merch from bands you've never heard of. Thanks. At no extra cost to you, any purchases you make through any of these links will earn me a commission. This can be a difficult question with many different answers. So does the original AmPro not have the rolled edges? Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver 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. 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. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster in 3-Tone Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yxz8kalr Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. Differences, PRS SE vs S2 vs CE vs Core lines [Main differences], Les Paul: Solid vs Chambered vs Weight Relieved, 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Cold-rolled Steel Block, 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo, Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single-coil (SSS) / Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat Single-coil (HSS), Fender V-Mod II Single-coil / Fender V-Mod II Double Tap Humbucker, Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single-coil / Ultra Double Tap Humbucker, Coil-tapping (HSS), Neck pickup blend (SSS), Noiseless, Coil-tapping (HSS), S-1 neck pickup blend, 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), 1 x Master Volume (with S-1 switch), 2 x Tone. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. JavaScript is disabled. One is not better than the other. 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. The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. The neck was super smooth. #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. Guitar weight is an important factor when it comes to finding the right guitar for you. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. 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. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 It offers several upgrades over traditional designs, including Fenders latest Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat pickups, a 1014 compound radius fingerboard on an effortless Modern D neck, and S-1 switching to roll in fat neck tones on pickup positions 1 and 2. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. I have too many Strats. Press J to jump to the feed. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. Can't say any of the new features convince me other than the pine bodied variants coming in as low as 5lbs! The Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. 17:53 How Does It Sound? I bought a demo model that was practically brand new and got a great deal on it. However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! 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. An additional plus-point, so to speak, of Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses are their 10 14 compound radius fingerboards. Rounded at the lower end of their necks to make chords easier to play, their fingerboards flatten out in the higher register to make intricate lead lines more manageable to finger. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Telecaster models. All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. Thanks. Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten. 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. Thanks for visiting. 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. Shop the Fender American Ultra Series: https://tinyurl.com/2d2d5fmw The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a maple neck. Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. Some bridges also have extra functionalities. 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. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you. The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. 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! Click to reveal 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? Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Jazzmaster models. You are using an out of date browser. I wonder what is new with the V-Mod "II" pickups, maybe voiced for a bit more snap? Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. [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. Your IP: What is fretboard radius and why is it important? That being said, the Ultras are some of the most playable guitars I've ever played (although the Am Pro IIs play great as well). Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. 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. I didn't like mine until I raised them to spec, they came installed about 3/16" from the strings, far too low. 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. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y5ropcpv But which is the best? Not concerned with tuners. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc 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. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. The new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? TeTe MICOponkichi http . But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? You must log in or register to reply here. The push/ pull pot on the Ultra overrides the pickup selector and activates both pickups in series, whilst on the Pro II it coil taps the bridge pickup. 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. Had I gone for a Mexican Player, I might have had a good guitar but would always have had a nagging thought in the back of my mind going "what if?". The PRS range consists of 4 different lines: Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? 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. 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. 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. 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. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. 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. 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 material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. This functionality expands their tonal palettes, as it extends beyond the customary switching capabilities available on typical Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster models. Sporting minor yet noteworthy upgrades, these instruments perfectly merge classic Fender design with modern practicality. 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. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. #3. Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. 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. Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. 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. Phone: +1 786-755-8158, American Ultra Luxe Strat vs American Ultra Strat, American Professional II Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, American Original 60s Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, American Original 50s Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, Fender American Professional II Stratocaster and Fender American Ultra Stratocaster side by side, Fender American Professional II Stratocaster play demo, Fender American Ultra Stratocaster play demo, A brief description of the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster, A brief description of the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster, Types of electric guitar bodies and their effect on tone. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. 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. The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. On the SSS models it allows you to activate either the bridge and neck pickup together (without the middle) or all three pickups at the same time. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! However, although less product variation might seem like a downside for the streamlined American Ultra range it could be said that it forms a more robust lineup. The Ultra model has a 6-saddle bridge whereas the Pro II has a 3-saddle bridge design. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. Based on classic designs and subtly-modernised with forward-thinking features, these contemporary guitars and basses can strike a chord with players of all disciplines and styles. Both guitars have a 2-point tremolo bridge with a pop-in tremolo arm and also include extra switching. How are the pickups? Is an American Ultra worth the extra money compared to the American Pro II? 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. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. I think it will end up being the Professional II then. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. Ive been playing for about two years now. 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. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q