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. These tweaks may be difficult to spot at first glance, but they make a huge difference when it comes to overall playability. Simply put theres tonnes of variety! 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. 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! The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with Fender Deluxe Die-cast Sealed Locking tuners. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldnt worry you too much. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. The Fender American Elite Strat has got more tonal possibilities, compared to the American Special and Pro. But fret work and fit/finish on the American Pro is very good. Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons. 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. 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. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. I have a Pro 2 and an Ultra, and had a Pro 1 as well. On the Ultra Tele youll find noiseless pickups unlike on the Pro II model.
Fender American Professional II Telecaster Review 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! Have you played ss frets? Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. 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. (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? Your IP: The neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite rods, while 20 narrow-tall frets make it easy to bend notes into submission. I have too many Strats. 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. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. S2 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! I held one at Guitar Center. The basses havent been left behind either when it comes to their hardware. Even if youre a traditionally bent player, dont be dismayed: the American Ultra Stratocaster is a Strat through and through. 162.246.248.71 Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? 17:53 How Does It Sound? 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. 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. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Maple Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y6ar99k4 Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? Today's best Fender Telecaster deals Fender American Professional II 1,619 See all prices Fender Richie Kotzen Telecaster 2,091.54 See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Best Telecasters: Product guide (Image credit: Squier) 1. The material of a guitars fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck. 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. However, weve also compared these fresh-to-the-market models with Fenders highest-spec production guitars from the American Ultra series to help you to distinguish which instruments are best-suited for your playing needs! Fall All' campaign above. Fenders American Ultra Noiseless pickups are split into two types. Ive got an American Pro I with an all Rosewood neck. Pretty neat! The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability. However, selected Fender American Professional II guitars and basses (with natural finishes) boast Roasted Pine bodies instead. 0:00 Intro Jam on the New Fender American Pro II Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so its important to know what each of those shapes offers. 16:28 Fender American Pro II Telecaster 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 guide], Does guitar weight affect tone? The PRS range consists of 4 different lines: But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? Additionally, the Ultra only has 21 frets whereas the Pro II has 22 frets which are spaced more closely together. 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. I am interested in getting a used Pro I, but cant try it in person because its not local. 12:30 Fender HSS Stratocaster Tones 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. Fenders NEW & Improved American Professional II Series - What's The Difference? Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 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. GearAficionado The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. After a lot of back and forth, I moved from a Squire to an American Professional, skipping the Mexican Player models. Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you. The (original) Professional series will be tough to improve on, in my book. The Ultras noiseless pickups do not produce any hum or suffer from feedback unlike the V-Mod II pickups on the Pro II. I'm not sure the pro ii or the ultra bring much more to the table than the older american deluxe series. American Original 70's Tele Custom neck finish, Cap outer foil tester build -- Peegoo Custom Special. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. 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. But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. Ultra series guitars have noiseless pickups and locking tuners unlike the Pro II series guitars. Fender American Pro Strat in Sunburst, with maple neck.
My favourite guitar in 25 years. 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. May 19, 2020 #3 707GK The AmPro always had a Deep C neck. Very well-made, great players. 23:46 Let's Get Some Tones! Making them apt for use with overdrive and high-gain amp settings, these noise-free pickups eliminate a common issue that has afflicted old-school Fender single-coils for years. 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 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. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? Id say no.
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster and Telecaster Deluxe Balancing a perfect blend of traditional design & modern practicality, Fender has truly listened to its players' & collaborated with various artists in order to improve the American Pro II Series to what it is today. Even the resale value thing is a myth. 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. 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. Shop all Fender American Pro II Jazzmasters | https://tinyurl.com/yxwtylto [Complete guide], Does a guitars bridge affect the tone? Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Fender Stratocaster headstock. 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. Finally, I will give you some comments about each of these instruments. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 13/10/20 2:00pm - 11 min read | 35 min watch. $1,799.99. However, there are less total colour options available compared to the American Professional II series which has an eclectic mix of both traditional and modern finishes.
Fender American pro vs ultra | TalkBass.com Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3eqvg5m 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. This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it. Lightweight tuners are also installed on these basses, which prevent neck-dive and thus make the instruments more balanced in standing positions. They're both crazy high quality for general production run guitars in terms of fit and finish. My friend got a Pro-II P-Bass, and it's awesome. An upgraded 2-point tremolo bridge and cold-rolled steel block combine to give you plenty of sustain and brightness. 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.
Fender American Professional Jazzmaster Review - Old-Time Music I don't think so. JavaScript is disabled. Fender has decided to retain its popular Deep C neck shape for its American Professional II electric guitars. JavaScript is disabled.
11:00 Fender Pro II Stratocaster with Gain Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. After I sold my last MIM Strat, I find myself without a Fender guitar for the first time since I started playing. Designed for modern musicians that seek ultimate performance, precision and tone; these contemporary models go above and beyond those in previous top-of-the-range Fender series' without straying too far from their original, iconic formulas. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb ThorpyFX Dane Overdrive/boost - https://tinyurl.com/y6eoposs If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. Thanks for visiting! Other differences include the neck binding and locking tuners on the Ultra Jazzmaster which are not seen on the American Pro II version. If youre looking for a guitar with a vintage voice and modern feel, the American Professional II Stratocaster is worth your consideration., Introducing the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster: Fenders high-performance iteration of the modern Stratocaster. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. All American Ultra guitars have enhanced body contours on the back of the guitar which are designed to make them more comfortable. I figure if I dont like it, I can return within the 30 or 45 day window.
American Professional II | Fender 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. 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 . I bought a demo model that was practically brand new and got a great deal on it. Id suggest going that route if you can find one. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. 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. I'd have to sell a Strat or two first. The shape of a guitars body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. I dont notice much difference between the supernatural and the original AmPro finish. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? Find out their differences in sound, playability, build quality and value. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Roasted Pine | https://tinyurl.com/y4978jwp 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. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. 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. 27:10 Thoughts, Case & Stock Availability There are many factors that contribute to the sound of a guitar, and whether it has a top is an important one. American Pro II vs American Pro vs American Ultra. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a maple neck. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid alder body. 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. SE Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. That being said, I love mine.
Fender American Pro II VS Ultra - YouTube Its probably my favorite neck on any of my guitars and I somehow had the profile wrong. 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. But looking forward to playing a II. 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. Buy A T-Shirt | https://tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument. I was thinking about getting a Professional. 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. The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. Rolled fingerboard edges and tapered neck heels are also standard features across the American Ultra range. This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret. I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. They are just different flavors of a Strat. American Elite. Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument. Here is Fender's modernism at its best, with the iconic body . Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. Fender's Pro II guitar features 22 narrow-tall frets, a Deep-C neck, alongside a sculpted neck heel. The kind of material used to build a guitars body is something you should really pay attention to. Does fret number matter? 15 years of Work Gone, Don't store picks in zip bags for too long. Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Like the OP, I'm also torn between these two models. 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. [Guide], Does a guitars neck joint affect its tone? The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster fretboard is built of maple / rosewood.
Understanding the Fender Pop-in Trem Arm | Sweetwater - SweetCare 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! If you like old-school Fenders these guitars really arent for you! 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. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. 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. 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. https://tinyurl.com/y6a22s4k However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! 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 The Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. There is a truss rod, of course, with 22 frets with dot inlays inset. In this article I'll be comparing the SE and S2 lines and the reasons why the S2 models are significantly more expensive Hey, welcome Pro Sound HQ. Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y5xcmm47 In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. 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.
Differences Between Fender American Stratocaster Models [2021] - PMT Online Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster vs Fender American Professional II Fender American Professional II or Elite/Ultra Precision? There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you. Pick one up, and youll notice! IMO the hard finish sounds.well.harder. I have an American Pro and love the modern C neck. Now, Fender has revised these with their newly-designed V-Mod II pickups. JavaScript is disabled. However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. All these necks are based on the C-shape and have the following PRS SE vs S2 Guitars (Including Custom, Standard, McCarty). A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. You must log in or register to reply here. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. In this extensive blog, weve broken down the key features of Fenders new American Professional II guitars. It is a central part for the transmission of vibrations through the instrument, and also defines many important factors for playability such as string spacing and action. So again, it's a matter of what you're going for. Click to reveal With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. The neck heel on the Pro II is still sculpted but just not as dramatically. 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. These pickups are therefore a little more flexible than the V-Mod II single-coils found in Fenders American Pro II guitars, and are better-suited for heavier genres with their noiseless technology. A guitar's lifespan is mostly related to how well it is maintained and treated. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. Been a while since I had my AmPro though.
Fender American Professional II | Sweetwater Many players dont consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this.