fender american professional ii vs ultra

Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you. The build quality on them will be the same. 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. Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. Fender has had the rolled fingerboard edges on this level guitar since the American Series came out in 2000. The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. 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. 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. Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. Core 13/10/20 2:00pm - 11 min read | 35 min watch. Very well-made, great players. And with Fenders new American Professional II series breaking cover, were sure that players from all over the world are intrigued to discover how the US guitar giant has refined its flagship instrument line. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/yxo3fm6f I recently bought a 2017 AmPro HH RW Strat and was quite blown away by the playability and feel of the neck. That being said, I love mine. Is an American Ultra worth the extra money compared to the American Pro II? I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window. 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. Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Telecaster models. The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. However, although less product variation might seem like a downside for the streamlined American Ultra range it could be said that it forms a more robust lineup. This design also helps to prevent notes from fretting out when performing string bends, making it a very practical design. If not, Ill definitely look into older american standards. Other ergonomic updates include rolled fingerboard edges across the whole Fender American Professional II line, as well as sculpted neck heels that allow for unrestricted upper-fret access. The contoured heel is a nice touch but thats more body than neck. Mar 14, 2021. 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. 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. 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 neck is really nice, but its a little different from other Fenders. TDPRI, short for Telecaster Discussion Page Reissue, is the leading online community and marketplace for Telecaster guitars. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. 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. 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.. There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you. 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. Here is a table showing the key differences between Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster models. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The truth is that Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster offers an exceptional quality. The material of a guitars fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck. However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. You are using an out of date browser. Deep is probably a misleading description, it really a slightly fuller C - and it is quite good! The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. I didn't like mine until I raised them to spec, they came installed about 3/16" from the strings, far too low. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. What is fretboard radius and why is it important? The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 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. Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. The electronics of an electric guitar are what give the instrument its name. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Ordered a used pro i online from guitar center. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. Pattern $1,799.99. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. Had I gone for a Mexican Player, I might have had a good guitar but would always have had a nagging thought in the back of my mind going "what if?". 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. Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. Hello there, my name is Ramiro and Ive been playing guitar for almost 20 years. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. The new flagship American Professional II series arrives alongside Fender's 'The One. 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. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? Also, the Ultra have an active/passive toggle switch for added tonal flexibility. If you like old-school Fenders these guitars really arent for you! The Captains Rig | https://www.andertons.co.uk/captain-andertons-rig The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. 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. American Ultra guitars and basses are unique in the Fender catalogue for their non-typical Modern D-shaped necks. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 Even the resale value thing is a myth. 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. Additionally, youll find narrow tall frets on the Pro II version and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. 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. 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 American Pro series seems just in that goldilocks zone of high quality for a good price, so Im hoping that itll work out. Click to reveal A high end fender is totally worth the cost. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. For the last 70 years, Fender has largely set the tone in the guitar industry. 8:46 Fender American Pro I Vs Pro II Pattern Thin 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. It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from. 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. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. The majority of guitars and basses from the American Professional II series adhere to the timeless Fender tonewood combination. This can be a difficult question with many different answers. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. An additional plus-point, so to speak, of Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses are their 10 14 compound radius fingerboards. Finally, I will give you some comments about each of these instruments. Click on one of these links to find out more 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. Pretty neat! Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster models. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. 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. Click on one of these links to find out more Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Ultra Strat has some notable upgrades such as the locking tuners, enhanced body contours and a more sculpted neck heel which are not seen on American Pro II Strat. [Complete guide], Do pickups make a difference in sound? 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. Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto So does the original AmPro not have the rolled edges? 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. GearAficionado Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4frspd5 The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. 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 light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! 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. For the most part, Fenders American Professional II guitars maintain almost everything that made the original American Pro models so great. 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. Solidbody Electric Guitar, with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, 2 Single-coil Pickups, and Tremolo - 3-color Sunburst. 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. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, They Stole My Digital Recorder and SD cards. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. 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. So, it all comes down to feel and your own personal preferences. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. The only time I can suggest one would be if you value being made in USA. 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. Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. . 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. 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. This is definitely one of the best Jazzmasters manufactured by Fender! 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. JavaScript is disabled. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. I held one at Guitar Center. Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices: Considering other Stratocasters? Brand new Push/Push electronics enable special pickup combinations on Fender American Professional II electric guitars. Press J to jump to the feed. It states rolled fingerboard edges as a new feature, but I thought the Pro-Standards have had that for quite some time. 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. 31:07 Jam Between The Captain & Danish Pete It may not display this or other websites correctly. Thanks! S2 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. 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. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten. All American Ultra guitars have enhanced body contours on the back of the guitar which are designed to make them more comfortable. 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. All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. 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. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M #Andertons #Fender #AmericanProII, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0nq4xgWJ3U/default.jpg. The color options are different in each series. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q The best off the line guitar they make. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. Who do you pick as one of the best guitarist of all time, Alnico5 single coil pickups in a 2019 player strat. You'll find amp controls guides, tips to improve your tone, and answers to loads of specific issues. Their Ultra Noiseless Vintage models deliver authentic single-coil sounds, while the Ultra Noiseless Hot versions dish out more output catering for modern performance needs. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra models and narrow tall frets on the American Pro II models with the following dimensions: There are some model-specific differences between guitars in the American Ultra and Professional II series. The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. Thanks for visiting. 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. If you can go to a shop and play a few that would be a good idea, bc neck/fret preferences are pretty subjective. A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a bolt-on neck. 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. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. Fender's Pro II guitar features 22 narrow-tall frets, a Deep-C neck, alongside a sculpted neck heel. I wanted the specs that it came with. 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 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. I have too many Strats. They're definitely a winner with Danish Pete and The Captain! It is going to come down to which specs you like better. SE Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. The Fender American Ultra series includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster (SSS and HSS), Telecaster and Jazzmaster. Buy a T Shirt: https://goo.gl/TrTe78 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. Holy ****, manI just looked and youre right. Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! What Telecaster necks feel most like a 2011 American Standard Stratocaster? 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 These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Go on reverb and look at the price of secondhand Baja teles vs Americans pro series. Ive got an American Pro I with an all Rosewood neck. I pulled the trigger. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb The lightweight, contoured body delivers a nicely balanced tonal foundation with a highly-resonant quality. Ive been doing a lot of research on strats in the $1000-1500 range, and the American Pro II seems like the best choice for me. It is the traditional Bolt-on fitting with a scale length of 25.5 inches and has the usual Fender satin finish giving it a smooth feel. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. My favourite guitar in 25 years. The II plays smooth and feels great, I remember thinking the same about the original. 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). Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. I have literally never had issues with Fenders in that price range. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. It is essentially Fenders new core USA range; encompassing 100 guitar and bass models that promise enhanced versatility and playability over their predecessors. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! If you have any other questions feel free to let me know! Id suggest going that route if you can find one. Fender's reimagined American Pro II series brings over features from the popular American Ultra line, including a truly ergonomic neck heel. [Complete wood guide]. 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. My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. 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. Elliot is a Senior Digital Guitar Marketer at Andertons. In this guide, we will discuss the different types of pickups and how they affect your sound. If it aint broke, dont fix it right? There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: The other big thing is resale value - American Fenders go for higher prices in the used market. The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. 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. Shop all Fender American Pro II Telecasters | https://tinyurl.com/y4o2htq2 Both guitars have a sculpted neck heel, however it is more dramatic on the Ultra Tele. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc peter malinauskas wife, chrono24 payment is being verified,

fender american professional ii vs ultra 2023