Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. 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. Privacy Policy. American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. Click here to view all of our Labs articles! Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 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 type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. I held one at Guitar Center. 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. Mar 14, 2021. 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. 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. SE Shop the Fender American Ultra Series: https://tinyurl.com/2d2d5fmw 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! Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto 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 Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt Who do you pick as one of the best guitarist of all time, Alnico5 single coil pickups in a 2019 player strat. It states rolled fingerboard edges as a new feature, but I thought the Pro-Standards have had that for quite some time. 1:25 What's New? 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. Personally, I just LOVE the Dark Night color and can't say no to it. Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitars body and stay put with glue. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y57233cl Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . Click on one of these links to find out more The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! The electronics of an electric guitar are what give the instrument its name. 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. However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? 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. 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! This can be a difficult question with many different answers. Even the resale value thing is a myth. The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. Sporting flexible electronics and forward-thinking hardware appointments, as well as a few ergonomic construction tweaks, these innovative instruments are aimed at the most of modern of musicians yearning for ultimate precision and uncompromising tone. Guitar players know that there are many variables in determining the sound of a guitar. The Captains Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/captain-andertons-rig It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. Necks: American Professional vs. American Pro II | Fender Stratocaster 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! Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes. 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. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Modern D neck. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II Holy ****, manI just looked and youre right. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. Id say no. 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. 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. The majority of guitars and basses from the American Professional II series adhere to the timeless Fender tonewood combination. Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. 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. 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. 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. 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). Id suggest going that route if you can find one. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. 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. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete 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.. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster fretboard is built of maple / rosewood. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. I have an American Pro I and had an Ultra. 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. But the pickups are an easy fix and the S1 series / parallel switching is pretty cool, I think the ultra just has a D shape neck, the elites had a C to D. Id suggest going to your local shop and checking them out, lefty or otherwise youll still get to see and feel them. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. 15 years of Work Gone, Don't store picks in zip bags for too long. 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. Fender American Professional II guitars use V-Mod II pickups whereas American Ultra guitars have Ultra Vintage Noiseless pickups. 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 his spare time, Elliot browses eBay for second-hand Music Man guitars, Marshalls and merch from bands you've never heard of. Overall, wed probably say that the American Professional II instruments are solid Fender thoroughbreds with a 21st Century twist, while the American Ultra models are designed primarily for players seeking top performance and versatility. Ive been playing for about two years now. These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? At no extra cost to you, any purchases you make through any of these links will earn me a commission. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Make sure you like them before doing this. Standards were modern C, as are performers. A fan of '90s rock, vintage Formula 1 and offensive comedy he often feels like he was born in the wrong decade. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc . Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. Click on one of these links to find out more CE Theyre both great, very different, and neither is really better. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4frspd5 [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. 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. Rolled fingerboard edges and tapered neck heels are also standard features across the American Ultra range. I wanted the specs that it came with. Shop all Fender American Pro II Stratocasters | https://tinyurl.com/y68vk8bk The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. 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 electric guitar models also feature newly-designed string trees that are engineered to prevent unwanted tuning slips. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster 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. Fall All' campaign above. Simply put theres tonnes of variety! Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. On both guitars youll get additional switching which is activated by the push/ pull tone control. Want To Sound Like The Captain & Pete? The American Professional II Jazzmaster has an alder body whereas the American Ultra Jazzmaster gives you the option of either an alder or ash body which also has a more dramatic sculpted neck heel and body contours. 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. These instruments are heavily-modified to suit the needs of 21st Century players; covering lots of sonic territory and providing unmatched performance. You can also hear an example of the Pro I as well (sunburst). I play thumb over the top so I appreciate a soft edge but theyre not miles apart. After a lot of back and forth, I moved from a Squire to an American Professional, skipping the Mexican Player models. Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. The Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Pattern Regular Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. 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. This gives them a sleeker and more elegant feel when compared with their American Pro II cousins. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. Differences Between Fender American Stratocaster Models [2021] - PMT Online 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. Fender American Pro Strat in Sunburst, with maple neck. 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. 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. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. You must log in or register to reply here. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fenders American Professional II series. 111 NE 1st St, Miami, FL, Miami-Dade, US, 33132 Pattern Vintage The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. Ordered a used pro i online from guitar center. 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. 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. Understanding the Fender Pop-in Trem Arm | Sweetwater - SweetCare The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bone nut. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.