fender american professional ii vs ultra
American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. 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 (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. Id suggest going that route if you can find one. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid body. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster fretboard is built of maple / rosewood. [Complete wood guide]. The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. 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. Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: 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. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y57233cl I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. Check out my guide to the different Fender neck profiles to learn more. 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. Fenders American Ultra Noiseless pickups are split into two types. Guitarists who are searching for a high-end offset guitar . The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. 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). Guitars and basses from the original American Professional lineup came fitted with Fenders V-Modpickups. Lightweight tuners are also installed on these basses, which prevent neck-dive and thus make the instruments more balanced in standing positions. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. 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. Some bridges also have extra functionalities. Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. In this article I'll be comparing the SE and S2 lines and the reasons why the S2 models are significantly more expensive Hey, welcome Pro Sound HQ. So its time for an upgrade. However, selected Fender American Professional II guitars and basses (with natural finishes) boast Roasted Pine bodies instead. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. 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. Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. They are just different flavors of a Strat. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. GearAficionado 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. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. Is the "II" supposed to be an upgrade? Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. The Ultra series only includes a right-handed SS Telecaster. The neck was super smooth. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. Agreed but I don't blame people for not liking the price. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . Good mid-range prices with great quality. Pattern Regular 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! 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. Shop all Fender American Pro II Stratocasters | https://tinyurl.com/y68vk8bk Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. Today's best Fender Telecaster deals Fender American Professional II 1,619 See all prices Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster 2,091.54 See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Best Telecasters: Product guide (Image credit: Squier) 1. 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. 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. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. . I think it will end up being the Professional II then. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. 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. It is going to come down to which specs you like better. I was thinking about getting a Professional. Thanks for visiting! Shop all Fender American Pro II Telecasters | https://tinyurl.com/y4o2htq2 Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster models. Fender has also introduced some tasteful new colour options that are exclusive to these guitars and basses. JavaScript is disabled. This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. 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. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. Simply put theres tonnes of variety! A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. The only parts of Fenders American Ultra instruments that remain traditional are their body materials. The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. 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. 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! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II, American Pro I ( and American Ultra Jazzmaster. Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. But the pickups are an easy fix and the S1 series / parallel switching is pretty cool the Am pro II is a fantastic guitar also. Different guitar body tonewoods and their effect on tone, Do guitar tops affect tone? 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. The same core Fender models that form the American Professional II lineup are also what prop up the American Ultra series. Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 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. American Elite. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability. The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. Episode Guide Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 Fall All' campaign above. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y4w9svgg I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. 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. Fender flares can be grafted on to .Outfit your Fox Body Stang with a Saleen style or 93 Cobra body kit. American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. 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 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bridge integrated tailpiece. You must log in or register to reply here. Brand new Push/Push electronics enable special pickup combinations on Fender American Professional II electric guitars. The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. Fender American Pro Strat in Sunburst, with maple neck. 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. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. #3. Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. One is not better than the other. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. 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.. Alongside the new pickups, upgraded hardware appointments breathe new life into Fenders American Professional II guitars. 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. If you can go to a shop and play a few that would be a good idea, bc neck/fret preferences are pretty subjective. 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. 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. 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. Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. 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. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. Shop the Fender American Ultra Series: https://tinyurl.com/2d2d5fmw 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. Ive tried the Pro II and really like the neck profile. 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. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. Released in late 2019 as the replacement for the short-lived American Elite range, the American Ultra series encompasses what Fender describes as its most advanced production guitars to date. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. The Fender American Ultra series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. 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. 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. I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto 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. Here we compare the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. S2 Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. 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. What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? The pickups - while always a matter of taste - tend to sound more, shall we say, Fender like - they sound like what you would expect a Fender to sound like more than the other models. Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. The shape of a guitars headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone. These kits feature new rear bumpers, spoilers, side skirts, valances, grilles, grille emblems, and fender extensions to transform the look of your Mustang. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, They Stole My Digital Recorder and SD cards. Pattern I have a 2014 fender american deluxe strat which I love and adore and it cost around $1200 used. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. 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. Check Out Their Rigs Here! These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Having yet to play one the marketing reads like they are just doing even more rolling on the fingerboard edges - much like what they started doing on the American Ultras last year. 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. 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! For more information on the other topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles: 2022 Andertons Music Company 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. 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 HSS ultras are extremely versatile, while the Am Pros are going to have the more traditional Strat sound. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. Thanks! 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 quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. Im hoping that whatever I get will last me for years, so I just want to make the best decision. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. In this extensive blog, weve broken down the key features of Fenders new American Professional II guitars. There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. The new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. Have you played ss frets? The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. 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. 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. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 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! Very well-made, great players. You could then perhaps argue that the Fender American Professional II guitars, which have been refined with Ultra-like tweaks, offer more bang-for-your-buck and are clearly better than their predecessors from the original American Pro range. I have an Ultra Tele. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. 15 years of Work Gone, Don't store picks in zip bags for too long. Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. 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. Not concerned with tuners. A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. In this guide, we will discuss the different types of pickups and how they affect your sound. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. . Ultra series guitars have noiseless pickups and locking tuners unlike the Pro II series guitars. Thanks for visiting. Headrush vs Helix vs Kemper vs GT1000 vs AX8: Which is best? They have very different necks, both in terms of radius, profile and frets. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo bridge. Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. Click to reveal My favourite guitar in 25 years. Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. 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. Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. 162.246.248.71 The material of a guitars fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck. 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. Click on one of these links to find out more Pattern Vintage Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M It was too slippery for lack of a better term. 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. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. 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. Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg 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. 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. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster