8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? 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. 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. 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 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. 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. You are using an out of date browser. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. The material of a guitars fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver Additionally, the Ultra has locking tuners. There is a truss rod, of course, with 22 frets with dot inlays inset. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Telecaster models. 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. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. 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. 162.246.248.71 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. The only parts of Fenders American Ultra instruments that remain traditional are their body materials. 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. The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. 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 most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo bridge. Danish Pete's Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/danish-petes-rig It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bridge integrated tailpiece. 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. The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. 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. 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. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. Very well-made, great players. It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. 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. 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. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. 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. Not concerned with tuners. Guitars in the Fender American Ultra series have a slimmer modern D neck with a flatter fingerboard radius compared to guitars in the American Professional II series which have a deep C neck. Or $300/month for 6 months. I was thinking about getting a Professional. Guitar players know that there are many variables in determining the sound of a guitar. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. 1:25 What's New? [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. Good mid-range prices with great quality. [Complete wood guide]. You are using an out of date browser. It would be tough to choose between the Ultra and the Pro 2 for me, they're both excellent. 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. 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. Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. The best off the line guitar they make. 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! 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. In his spare time, Elliot browses eBay for second-hand Music Man guitars, Marshalls and merch from bands you've never heard of. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (blue) and American Ultra (red/ orange) Stratocasters. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them. For those who have hands-on experience with both: Is the only difference the "Super-Natural" finish on the back of the AmProII neck? I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. 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. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. On both guitars youll get additional switching which is activated by the push/ pull tone control. 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. Pick one up, and youll notice! 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. Click to reveal Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. In many cases, the manufacturers dont inform the same features about the instruments that you want to compare and you have to start digging all over the web to find them. No, not really. This can be a difficult question with many different answers. 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). Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. The build quality on them will be the same. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. 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 Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. 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. The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. I'd say not really. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. 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! I have a Pro 2 and an Ultra, and had a Pro 1 as well. The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. I wanted the specs that it came with. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Their Telecaster cousins come installed with completely redesigned Top Loader/String-Through bridges, which allow you to thread their strings either through their bodies or from their bridge plates. On the Ultra series versions, this switch is located on the volume control and on the Pro II versions it is located on the second tone control. The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. . Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 22:14 Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size. Fender American Ultra Series - Their Most Advanced Guitars Ever? In the following article, I share my thoughts on different fingerboard materials and their impact on the final sound of the instrument: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Ensuring sublime tuning stability in conjunction with their low-friction bone nuts, these ergonomic machine heads also allow for lightning-fast string changes. It is a central part for the transmission of vibrations through the instrument, and also defines many important factors for playability such as string spacing and action. [Complete guide], Do guitar tuners affect tone? 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. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! I think it will end up being the Professional II then. ThorpyFX Dane Overdrive/boost - https://tinyurl.com/y6eoposs The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. [Complete guide]. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. 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 Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. JavaScript is disabled. American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. Check Out Their Rigs Here! 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 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. With a new collection of colours, re-voiced pickups & upgraded features. 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. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. 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. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. 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 The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. 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? As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Click here to view all of our Labs articles! 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. Sealed locking tuners and a 2-point Deluxe Synchronised Trem with pop-in arm equip todays players for classic Strat colorization with demanding modern intonation. Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. The Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. USA is certainly not twice as good as the others. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (Butterscotch Blonde) and American Ultra Telecaster (white). Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. [Complete guide], Does fingerboard material affect tone? S2 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. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q Main difference on the Ultra is the C to D neck carve and the noiseless pickups. 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. 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 The American brands trendsetting instruments have helped to shape contemporary music as we know it, with todays artists using theirguitarsand basses to pioneer the exciting sounds of tomorrow. There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, They Stole My Digital Recorder and SD cards. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Dark Night $1,699.99 in stock 24 new from $1,699.99 2 used from $1,453.49 as of February 25, 2023 8:21 am Browse Fender American Professional II Stratocaster - Miami Blue with Maple Fingerboard $1,699.99 Browse Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster 2007 USA Sunburst Electric Guitar w/ Case $1,165.50 Browse On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. 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. Comfortable for modern players and vintage aficionados alike, these acclaimed neck profiles have now been enhanced with a new Super Natural finish that provides a silky-smooth and friction-free feel. One feature all our reviewers were quick to note is the tapered low-profile neck heel, which gives you access to fret positions youd never dare into on your vintage Strat. The American Pro series seems just in that goldilocks zone of high quality for a good price, so Im hoping that itll work out. Pattern Vintage Pattern Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. The Fender American Ultra series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. My favourite guitar in 25 years. There are many factors that contribute to the sound of a guitar, and whether it has a top is an important one. Is the "II" supposed to be an upgrade? Most of the CS Relics have VERY THIN nitro finishes while the AM Pro has a much thicker (compared to CS) poly finish. You are using an out of date browser. The color options are different in each series. I have too many Strats. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y5ropcpv The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. Personally, I just LOVE the Dark Night color and can't say no to it. Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. If you want to know everything about the effect of guitar body shapes, and their influence on the instrument, check out this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid alder body. A guitars neck joint is what attaches the guitars neck to the body of the instrument. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. Been a while since I had my AmPro though. 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. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information on the other topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles: 2022 Andertons Music Company 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Wide Fat Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y57233cl If you like old-school Fenders these guitars really arent for you! 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 push-pull thing seems interesting, although I was never a fan of the S1 switch on other models and thought it a bit gimmicky. Core Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You'll find amp controls guides, tips to improve your tone, and answers to loads of specific issues. Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. TrevorG likes this. Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. 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. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? Here is Fender's modernism at its best, with the iconic body . Deals. But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? I wonder what is new with the V-Mod "II" pickups, maybe voiced for a bit more snap? This solidbody electric guitars first major upgrade lies in the pickup selection. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 Thanks. In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets. Deep is probably a misleading description, it really a slightly fuller C - and it is quite good! Holy ****, manI just looked and youre right. 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! [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? All these necks are based on the C-shape and have the following PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty). 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. Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. Wide Thin On the Ultra Tele youll find noiseless pickups unlike on the Pro II model. I read all the reviews and hype and bought a Suhr sight unseen and found that I couldn't stand the way it played with the ss (the guitar was fantastic in every way other than that btw). JavaScript is disabled. All American Ultra guitars have enhanced body contours on the back of the guitar which are designed to make them more comfortable. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. [Complete guide], Types of guitar pickups and their effect on tone [Guide], Do guitar electronics affect tone? This requires removing the bridge from the instrument but should allow the arm to pop in and out easily. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. 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. In terms of the neck designs, the Pro II Jazzmaster has a slightly thicker deep C neck and narrower fingerboard radius compared to the Ultra Jazzmaster which has a slightly narrower modern D neck and wider fingerboard radius. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. 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. 298. Its lightweight body is built from traditional Strat tonewoods (alder or ash, dependent on color) and outfitted with a flawless gloss poly finish and coordinating pickguard. Make sure you like them before doing this. Fender Launch American Professional II Series. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability The lightweight, contoured body delivers a nicely balanced tonal foundation with a highly-resonant quality.
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