fender american professional ii vs ultra

The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. Modern guitar and bass players have never had more exciting creative tools at their disposal! 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. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? Press J to jump to the feed. I play thumb over the top so I appreciate a soft edge but theyre not miles apart. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. In short, a guitars top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. 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. If you were to abuse or neglect a Pro II like most people treat cheap guitars (store it in a damp basement, throw it in a closet out of a case under a pile of dirty laundry) it probably wouldn't hold up well either. 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. Also, the Ultra have an active/passive toggle switch for added tonal flexibility. 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. Personally, I just LOVE the Dark Night color and can't say no to it. With Alder used for the solid-finish guitars and Ash employed for the natural/transparent colour models; these tonewoods hearken back to the classic Fender formula from the 50s with bolt-on Maple necks keeping their signature construction intact. This included Cobra Blue, Mocha Burst, Ultraburst, Plasma Red Burst and the stunning Texas Tea, all of which remain exclusive to Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a modern take on the traditional strat with every luxury you could think of. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 9.5 radius. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. 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? 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?". The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. 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. I might even be an idiot and get it refretted with stainless with the price difference between the two. The main differences between the American Professional II Telecaster and American Ultra Telecaster are the pickups and neck shape. 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. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. Shop all Fender American Pro II Telecasters | https://tinyurl.com/y4o2htq2 They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar. Here is a brief description of these 2 guitars: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster is made in USA, has a solid alder body, a bolt-on Deep C maple neck, maple / rosewood fingerboard, and SSS / HSS pickups. I have literally never had issues with Fenders in that price range. 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. Pattern Thin The quality between USA, MIM, and Japan are all very similar. Strats, Teles, Jazzmasters, Precision Basses and Jazz Basses can be found, but there is less variation overall with only HSS Strats and 5-string Jazz Basses available outside of the standard models. 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. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten. 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. A high end fender is totally worth the cost. Fender's Pro II guitar features 22 narrow-tall frets, a Deep-C neck, alongside a sculpted neck heel. You are using an out of date browser. 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. 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. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. 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. Able to deliver iconic Fender tone but with a wider frequency range and a slightly more modern character; V-Mods found favour with players for their versatility over traditional vintage-voiced pickups. There are 6 main PRS neck profiles: Youll also find narrow tall frets on the Pro II and medium jumbo frets on the Ultra. I was thinking about getting a Professional. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. 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. Further performance upgrades include a contoured heel joint, Super-Natural satin neck finish, and upgraded electronics. You must log in or register to reply here. These are bigger than the Narrow Tall frets fitted on the American Professional II guitars, with their modern size providing a more controllable feel and enhancing tone/sustain. Click on one of these links to find out more If it aint broke, dont fix it right? I think the Vintera line is the best value and then you got a steep point of diminishing returns. Guitarists who are searching for a high-end offset guitar . GearAficionado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn revenues by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. An additional plus-point, so to speak, of Fenders American Ultra guitars and basses are their 10 14 compound radius fingerboards. The majority of your money is going towards labor costs. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. Here is a video comparing the tones of the American Professional II (Butterscotch Blonde) and American Ultra Telecaster (white). Fender has also introduced some tasteful new colour options that are exclusive to these guitars and basses. Have you played ss frets? 7:28 How Does The Strat Sound? This activates a series mode to fatten up the tone. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars. In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M Chapman Charvel Cort D'Angelico Dean Epiphone ESP E-II ESP ESP LTD EVH Fender Custom Fender Fender Squier Gibson Custom Gibson Gretsch Harley Benton Ibanez . Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is built with a 10 - 14 Compound radius. [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. Staggered Fender tuners and a vintage 3-saddle bridge are pretty much the only familiar features you'll find here. 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. 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. Click on one of these links to find out more How do tailpieces affect a guitars tone? Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y5ropcpv 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. 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 to reveal However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! Five iconic guitar and bass shapes make up Fenders American Professional II series. PRS Neck Profiles Explained: Comparing Shapes and Sizes. Whether your guitar has a standalone one or a bridge that works like one too, you might be interested in broadening your knowledge about tailpieces here: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a bone nut. Theyre both great, very different, and neither is really better. What is fretboard radius and why is it important? But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 10 14 Compound radius. The American Pro series seems just in that goldilocks zone of high quality for a good price, so Im hoping that itll work out. Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver On the Ultra Tele youll find noiseless pickups unlike on the Pro II model. It can thus be said, again, that Fender heavily drew upon its American Ultra models when conceptualising the Pro II series. 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. Fender's flagship USA-made guitar & bass lineup has just received a major makeover! 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. 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. I know there are better options out there for the same price, but I want to have another Fender Strat in the near future. 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. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster in 3-Tone Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yxz8kalr 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones All guitar and bass models now sport bevelled neck plates too. They're definitely a winner with Danish Pete and The Captain! The push/ pull pot on the Ultra overrides the pickup selector and activates both pickups in series, whilst on the Pro II it coil taps the bridge pickup. If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. 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. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. 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. Headrush vs Helix vs Kemper vs GT1000 vs AX8: Which is best? Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a maple neck. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a solid body. 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 electronics of an electric guitar are what give the instrument its name. The best off the line guitar they make. 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. These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitars wood. 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. I love the deep C neck carve and the pickups sound stellar. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. Fender American Pro II VS Ultra - YouTube 0:00 / 15:49 Fender American Pro II VS Ultra astringsuk 11K subscribers Subscribe 753 71K views 2 years ago We see how well the Pro II stacks up. Here we compare the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. I have an American Pro and love the modern C neck. 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 This is definitely one of the best Jazzmasters manufactured by Fender! 17:53 How Does It Sound? The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. It was REALLY HARD to leave the store without that Strat. But looking forward to playing a II. Standards were modern C, as are performers. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song. If you have any other questions feel free to let me know! Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. This material has essentially replaced the Ash body option previously available in the American Pro series, which has now become more difficult to source. IMO the hard finish sounds.well.harder. It is going to come down to which specs you like better. The American Professional II series includes all the same right-handed versions but also includes some left-handed versions and a humbucker Telecaster model. From guitars, pedals, amps, and synths to studio gear and production tips, I hope you find what I post here useful, and Ill try my best to keep it entertaining also. Does anybody know if the necks on the American Pro I are different than the necks on the Pro II? Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk You must log in or register to reply here. 13/10/20 2:00pm - 11 min read | 35 min watch. There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. The blues virtuoso's 'Number One' Strat was the core of his tone . Main Stratocaster Guitar Discussion Forum. Now, I just don't know. Good question, there are only a couple differences that I can see - the top-loader option for the bridge and the sculpted heel, and a roasted pine option that seems interesting. Ultra series guitars have noiseless pickups and locking tuners unlike the Pro II series guitars. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. JavaScript is disabled. The American Ultra has a flatter fingerboard and also has a compound radius meaning that its more rounded at the nut to help with chords and flatter towards the upper frets to aid with bending. Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. Ive been playing for about two years now. I have an American Pro I and had an Ultra. Fenders American Ultra Noiseless pickups are split into two types. If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . If you like old-school Fenders these guitars really arent for you! Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. In this article, Ill be comparing the two series head-to-head so you can decide which is the best for you. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Lightweight tuners are also installed on these basses, which prevent neck-dive and thus make the instruments more balanced in standing positions. Strats and teles are pretty simple guitars and $1000 will get you all you need. Thanks for visiting. Neither series has a left-handed version of the HSS Strat. Thanks for visiting! Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y4w9svgg Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has Coil-tapping (HSS), Neck pickup blend (SSS) electronics, 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), and a 5-way blade switch. However, American Ultra bodies are heavily-contoured at the rear around their lower horn, neck and belly-cut sections. They are just different flavors of a Strat. Also, there are different fret materials to consider. You are using an out of date browser. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. Even better, the neck has rolled edges for premium playability and comfort. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 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. The American Ultras have a slight edge when it comes to their pickups and hardware appointments, but that is reflected in their pricing. Fender Launch American Professional II Series. However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d90c11c2fe174 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. American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. Simply put - there's tonnes of variety! 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. In this blog, we've pitted Fender's brand new American Professional II series guitars against their top-of-the-line counterparts from the American Ultra range! 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. TeTe MICOponkichi http . The Pro 2 is probably the more traditional 'stratty' of the two, but both play really well. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Stratocaster models. The American Ultra models have locking tuners unlike the American Professional II models. 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. You are using an out of date browser. Andertons Synths, Keys & Tech YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/ns172M The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. If the condition of Fender's USA-made production-line guitars provides a useful temperature test for the fortunes of the brand as a whole, then the new American Professional II series provides compelling evidence that the people at the company who really know guitars are making their voices heard loud and clear. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 A host of new Fender colours were introduced for the American Ultra series. Guitar weight is an important factor when it comes to finding the right guitar for you. Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this. 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. Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 $1,799.99. 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. 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. 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. . 162.246.248.71 In this guide, we will discuss the different types of pickups and how they affect your sound. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. Having yet to play one the marketing reads like they are just doing even more rolling on the fingerboard edges - much like what they started doing on the American Ultras last year. Episode Guide 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. Even the resale value thing is a myth. S2 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. However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . Wide Fat But similarly to those models, Fenders American Ultra instruments have smooth satin-finished necks that allow for fast playability. Then, there are wood wings glued to its side to complete the body shape. 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. [Complete wood guide]. Finally, I will give you some comments about each of these instruments. Fall All' campaign above. Or $300/month for 6 months. 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. American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. You'll find amp controls guides, tips to improve your tone, and answers to loads of specific issues. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. 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). A number of stellar hardware appointments really make Fenders American Ultra instruments something to behold. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

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