[Complete guide], Do pickups make a difference in sound? 15 years of Work Gone, Don't store picks in zip bags for too long. 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. I actually preferred the neck carve and fret size on the Ultra but preferred the tones on the American Pro so that's the one I kept. 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. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this: https://goo.gl/aAzyQM 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. Privacy Policy. On both guitars youll get additional switching which is activated by the push/ pull tone control. 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. S2 You must log in or register to reply here. 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. 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.. Make sure you like them before doing this. I have too many Strats. They are just different flavors of a Strat. 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. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y5ropcpv 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. 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. You are using an out of date browser. 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. 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. Mar 14, 2021. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. 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! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 17:53 How Does It Sound? A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. JavaScript is disabled. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? I started of on a really bad steel string, then bought my first electric a year ago for about $200. 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. A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. Some bridges also have extra functionalities. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. 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 new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. Wide Fat Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II, American Pro I ( and American Ultra Jazzmaster. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain Here is Fender's modernism at its best, with the iconic body . Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitars wood. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M 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. Fender's Pro II guitar features 22 narrow-tall frets, a Deep-C neck, alongside a sculpted neck heel. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 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. 22:14 Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster 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. They have very different necks, both in terms of radius, profile and frets. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. 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 Jazzmaster models. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. [Complete guide], Types of guitar pickups and their effect on tone [Guide], Do guitar electronics affect tone? That's a good way to put it - the American Pro II (and American Ultra) necks are for lack of a better term "even more rolled" than what Fender was doing previously. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto 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. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. 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. Ordered a used pro i online from guitar center. 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. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Different guitar body tonewoods and their effect on tone, Do guitar tops affect tone? Headrush vs Helix vs Kemper vs GT1000 vs AX8: Which is best? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster has Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners, Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single-coil (SSS) / Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat Single-coil (HSS) pickups, and Noiseless, Coil-tapping (HSS), S-1 neck pickup blend electronics. 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. If you want to know the main things about this topic, I recommend you follow this link: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster weighs 7 8 lbs, and the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster weighs 8 lbs. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. For the most part, Fenders American Professional II guitars maintain almost everything that made the original American Pro models so great. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. An additional plus-point, so to speak, of Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses are their 10 14 compound radius fingerboards. 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. 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. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. Tailpieces are often forgotten when thinking about guitar parts, however, they have been there for centuries, and there are many different designs with alternate features. Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. 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. I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. I do like the rolled fingerboard edges on the II, and less important, I prefer the slight vintage tint. Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Telecaster models. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. Luckily for you, Ive compiled some general information about each different type of guitar neck shape so you can make an informed decision when choosing your next guitar: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a Fender Stratocaster headstock. American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. Ive narrowed it down to the Ultra and the Professional II. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability 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).