The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Wide Fat 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. [Complete guide with examples], Does a guitars finish affect its tone? The Pro has a 20-fret, C-shape neck with a 9.5" radius fingerboard. Personally, I just LOVE the Dark Night color and can't say no to it. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. It states rolled fingerboard edges as a new feature, but I thought the Pro-Standards have had that for quite some time. I play thumb over the top so I appreciate a soft edge but theyre not miles apart. But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Youll also find rolled fretboard edges on guitars in both series. Fender American Ultra Series - Their Most Advanced Guitars Ever? If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 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. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! The Ultra model has a 6-saddle bridge whereas the Pro II has a 3-saddle bridge design. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q 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 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. If it aint broke, dont fix it right? The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. Thanks. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. May 19, 2020 #3 707GK 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. 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. Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Rating: 9/10 Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Fender American Ultra Telecasters: A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. The Jazz and Precision Bass models also keep their respective Slim C and 63 neck carves. 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. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. Ensuring sublime tuning stability in conjunction with their low-friction bone nuts, these ergonomic machine heads also allow for lightning-fast string changes. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. The Stratocaster wears the American Ultra's contemporary stylings well. I was thinking about getting a Professional. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. That being said, I love mine. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? The Ultra Series (opens in new tab) earlier this year seems to have . I think it will end up being the Professional II then. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m I looked into the ultra, and I just cant justify the cost vs what you get. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a maple neck. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. Some of the new finishes are nice, I like mercury (with rosewood) and sienna burst. Id say no. On the Ultra Tele youll find noiseless pickups unlike on the Pro II model. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . Fender flares can be grafted on to .Outfit your Fox Body Stang with a Saleen style or 93 Cobra body kit. [Complete guide], Do pickups make a difference in sound? [Complete wood guide]. I wanted the specs that it came with. It may not display this or other websites correctly. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. 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. I own an American Pro II deluxe Tele and its awesome. So its time for an upgrade. There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you. The basses havent been left behind either when it comes to their hardware. Privacy Policy. I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. This can be a difficult question with many different answers. As it turns out, these US-crafted models are fairly equal on paper. Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. They are just different flavors of a Strat. The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? 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. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. If you want to know the specifics of each of these joints, check out this article: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster fretboard is made of maple / rosewood. 13/10/20 2:00pm - 11 min read | 35 min watch. Controls, switches, capacitors and resistances, all make for the circuitry of a guitar, and all have effects on the final tone and sounds it can offer to the player. I have a 2014 fender american deluxe strat which I love and adore and it cost around $1200 used. 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 has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. Good mid-range prices with great quality. Deals. PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. 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. I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. Pretty neat! The truth is that Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster offers an exceptional quality. The American Ultra series encompasses Fender's most advanced, forward-thinking instruments to date. Ordered a used pro i online from guitar center. Thanks. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. I recently bought a 2017 AmPro HH RW Strat and was quite blown away by the playability and feel of the neck. Does a guitars nut affect its tone? I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. 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. 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. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II How are the pickups? The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. 11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! 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. 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. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 Could these be the best guitars Fender has ever made? On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. Thanks for visiting. 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. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. 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. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. Your IP: Alongside the new pickups, upgraded hardware appointments breathe new life into Fenders American Professional II guitars. Then, there are wood wings glued to its side to complete the body shape. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. 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. Pattern Vintage 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. Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! One is not better than the other. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. 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. At no extra cost to you, any purchases you make through any of these links will earn me a commission. Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones 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. 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! Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. 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. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. I'd say not really. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. There is a truss rod, of course, with 22 frets with dot inlays inset. Maintaining everything that made the original Fender American Pro Series great, the eye-catching guitars of the American Professional II range boast upgrades that bring them more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians. 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. 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! A guitars neck joint is what attaches the guitars neck to the body of the instrument. 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. However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! The American Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. 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. 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 blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. Click here to view all of our Labs articles! The Ultra Tele has a slimmer modern D shape neck and flatter compound fretboard radius compared to the Pro II Tele which has a deep C neck and narrower fretboard radius. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. Click to reveal 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! Thanks! The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument. Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? 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. Ive tried the Pro II and really like the neck profile. Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. 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.
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