[Complete guide], Does fingerboard material affect tone? 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. 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. 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. Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. 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. It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option. 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 American Pro II Strat features V-Mod II single coils, a 2-point tremolo, and a push-push tone pot that can add the neck pickup at the press of a button. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? 162.246.248.71 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. 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. 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. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II, American Pro I ( and American Ultra Jazzmaster. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . 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. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. For more information on the other topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles: 2022 Andertons Music Company 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. They offer world-class tones with no compromise on playability. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m Guitar players know that there are many variables in determining the sound of a guitar. The PRS range consists of 4 different lines: 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. Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. Both guitars have a 2-point tremolo bridge with a pop-in tremolo arm and also include extra switching. Personally, I just LOVE the Dark Night color and can't say no to it. 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. Able to deliver iconic Fender tone but with a wider frequency range and a slightly more modern character; V-Mods found favour with players for their versatility over traditional vintage-voiced pickups. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q Can't say any of the new features convince me other than the pine bodied variants coming in as low as 5lbs! Its fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune. Guitars and basses from the original American Professional lineup came fitted with Fenders V-Modpickups. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. 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. Id say no. JavaScript is disabled. The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. 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. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. If you want to know more about how its measured and the effect it has on the playability of a guitar, you should look at the following article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has 22 narrow tall nickel silver frets. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. [Complete guide], Do pickups make a difference in sound? Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4frspd5 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. The majority of guitars and basses from the American Professional II series adhere to the timeless Fender tonewood combination. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. I compared it and a Japanese made one that was 30% less and equally enjoyed the feel, only marginally preferred the sound of the Pro. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. 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. The material of a guitars fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck. In this extensive blog, weve broken down the key features of Fenders new American Professional II guitars. I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. However, there are less total colour options available compared to the American Professional II series which has an eclectic mix of both traditional and modern finishes. 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. In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. 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 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. 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. The light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! What is fretboard radius and why is it important? [Complete guide], Does guitar weight affect tone? Check Out Their Rigs Here! Episode Guide You must log in or register to reply here. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain For example, the American Professional II Strats Push/Push knob allows you to add its neck single-coilto switch position 1 which means that you can somewhat mimic a Telecasters pickup configuration. Been a while since I had my AmPro though. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. 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. The contoured heel is a nice touch but thats more body than neck. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Dark Night | https://tinyurl.com/y4c85od6 Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. You are using an out of date browser. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fender's American Professional II series. 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. But which is the best? The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. 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. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. I'd say not really. The lightweight, contoured body delivers a nicely balanced tonal foundation with a highly-resonant quality. 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. 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. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. JavaScript is disabled. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones Thanks. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. In his spare time, Elliot browses eBay for second-hand Music Man guitars, Marshalls and merch from bands you've never heard of. Both versions uses the rhythm/ lead switch slightly differently to most other Jazzmasters by using it to activate the pickups either in series or parallel mode. I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. The new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. Brand new Push/Push electronics enable special pickup combinations on Fender American Professional II electric guitars. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. Ive got an American Pro I with an all Rosewood neck. 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! No, not really. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. 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 American Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. Thanks for visiting! This can be a difficult question with many different answers. Here we compare the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. [Complete guide]. The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. 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. The Pro has a 20-fret, C-shape neck with a 9.5" radius fingerboard. 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! Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. 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. Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. A high end fender is totally worth the cost. They're definitely a winner with Danish Pete and The Captain! 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. 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. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 The same core Fender models that form the American Professional II lineup are also what prop up the American Ultra series. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid body. Go on reverb and look at the price of secondhand Baja teles vs Americans pro series. A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. 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. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 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. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. 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. Although these updates arent anything to write home about, they exemplify how Fender tastefully improves upon its formulas over time without doing anything too drastic. I pulled the trigger. However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. Wide Thin The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. Check out my guide to the different Fender neck profiles to learn more. This functionality expands their tonal palettes, as it extends beyond the customary switching capabilities available on typical Strat, Tele and Jazzmaster models. 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. Ive tried the Pro II and really like the neck profile. Other differences include the neck binding and locking tuners on the Ultra Jazzmaster which are not seen on the American Pro II version. Fall All' campaign above. I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. 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 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. I wonder what is new with the V-Mod "II" pickups, maybe voiced for a bit more snap? With both the American Ultra Precision Bass and Jazz Bass models boasting HiMass bridges, these specially-designed components guarantee piano-like sustain and huge, bellowing lows. Designed for modern musicians that seek ultimate performance, precision and tone; these contemporary models go above and beyond those in previous top-of-the-range Fender series' without straying too far from their original, iconic formulas. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. Only some minor updates have been executed. There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 I wanted the specs that it came with. 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! 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. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. 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. Does fret number matter? Agreed but I don't blame people for not liking the price. Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. These are not factory-fitted on the American Pro II guitars, but can be purchased as an aftermarket upgrade. The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. Id suggest going that route if you can find one. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. 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. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. How are the pickups? But similarly to those models, Fenders American Ultra instruments have smooth satin-finished necks that allow for fast playability. Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. 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. Your IP: This gives them a sleeker and more elegant feel when compared with their American Pro II cousins. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. 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.. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes. I have an Ultra Tele. 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. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now! A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. I have too many Strats. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. Pattern Regular The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. The Ultra model has a 6-saddle bridge whereas the Pro II has a 3-saddle bridge design. Fender American Professional II vs American Ultra Stratocaster The American Professional II Stratocaster has warmer sounding pickups with a higher output and more mid-range emphasis compared to the noiseless pickups on the Ultra Strat which sound brighter and cleaner. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. 17:53 How Does It Sound? The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. 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 Ultra Series (opens in new tab) earlier this year seems to have . 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, They Stole My Digital Recorder and SD cards. Shop all Fender American Pro II Telecasters | https://tinyurl.com/y4o2htq2 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. You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! S2 The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. This requires removing the bridge from the instrument but should allow the arm to pop in and out easily. 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. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Jazzmaster models. So its time for an upgrade. Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. SE Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. Thanks for visiting. Mar 14, 2021. 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! American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. I bought a demo model that was practically brand new and got a great deal on it. 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 Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. Or $300/month for 6 months. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Click to reveal I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. 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? The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 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. Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. #3. The electric guitar models also feature newly-designed string trees that are engineered to prevent unwanted tuning slips. TrevorG likes this. The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. 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.