Based on what I'm seeing, they seem to be the same aside from that. Squier Lines Explained: Which Is Best for You? Fender American Professional II vs. Ultra Guitars How are the pickups? Headrush vs Helix vs Kemper vs GT1000 vs AX8: Which is best? Interested in finding out more about music gear and expanding your knowledge? 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 . Fender American Pro II Telecaster in Mercury | https://tinyurl.com/yxz2e2gk The D-shape neck feels slightly thinner and flatter compared to the more rounded C-shape neck on the Pro II models. The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string. 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. Does guitar body shape affect tone or playability? The Big Review: Fender American Professional II Stratocaster - guitar The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is painted with a gloss polyurethane finish. Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y6kv9bdr I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. Im obsessed with everything gear-related and I thought it might be worth sharing it. 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. Mar 14, 2021. Sporting minor yet noteworthy upgrades, these instruments perfectly merge classic Fender design with modern practicality. 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. Andertons Shopping Website: https://goo.gl/TPsG2Q 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. 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. 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! Who do you pick as one of the best guitarist of all time, Alnico5 single coil pickups in a 2019 player strat. Both series include SSS and HSS pickup configurations however only the American Professional II series includes a left-handed version of the SSS Strat. I think it will end up being the Professional II then. However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. But ultimately, these small refinements bring these instruments more up-to-scratch for contemporary musicians looking for greater tonal flexibility and added playing comfort. On the subject of fingerboards, Fenders American Ultra models come installed with Medium Jumbo frets. Standards were modern C, as are performers. Hello there, my name is Ramiro and Ive been playing guitar for almost 20 years. ThorpyFX Dane Overdrive/boost - https://tinyurl.com/y6eoposs 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. Hence, if you are using a lot of distortion then the Ultra will probably be more suitable. [Nitro vs Poly], Different neck tonewoods and their effect on tone, Guitar neck shapes guide [Playability and tone], Does a guitars headstock shape affect its tone? Thanks for visiting. JavaScript is disabled. Andertons Guitar & Bass YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/kRJCpb Youll find medium jumbo frets on the Ultra version and narrow tall frets on the Pro II version. #3. Guitars in both series have a push/ pull tone pot which activates the additional switching that you wont find on many other Fender models. Andertons Drummers YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/9yKSS9 But looking forward to playing a II. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 25.5 scale length. Shop the Fender American Ultra Series: https://tinyurl.com/2d2d5fmw May 19, 2020 #3 707GK 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. We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument. 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. These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. An upgraded 2-point tremolo bridge and cold-rolled steel block combine to give you plenty of sustain and brightness. [question] Is the Fender American Pro II worth the money? Fender American Ultra Tele Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y3avdhpz Review: Fender American Professional II Stratocaster - WIRED I pulled the trigger. The Hardware The original Jazzmaster experienced some problems with its bridge and the tremolo arm. In terms of tone, the American Professional II guitars sound more crunchy and warmer compared to the American Ultra guitars which sound cleaner and brighter. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a solid body. JavaScript is disabled. Do fret size and material affect tone and playability? Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y5wv9ver Does anybody know if the necks on the American Pro I are different than the necks on the Pro II? Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/y6xoozzr While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the . Or $300/month for 6 months. I'd look for guitars in the range of $500 - $800. On the HSS versions it coil taps the humbucker pickup. 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. Fender American Pro II VS Ultra - YouTube Its clear that Fenders American Professional II and Ultra instruments are exceptional. The whole instrument has been thought out and designed in painstaking detail, all the way down to the embossed Fender headstock logo and extra comfortable trem arm.. The shape of a guitars headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone. The versatility of the new American Professional II Fender Jazz Bass (or J Bass) comes to life thanks to twin V-Mod II single-coil Jazz Bass pickups and its HiMass vintage bridge for increased sustain. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Mocha Burst - https://tinyurl.com/yyf4y8g8 Read the full Fender American Professional II Stratocaster review (Image credit: Fender) 8. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster in Miami Blue | https://tinyurl.com/y4w9svgg Fender American Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Texas Tea - https://tinyurl.com/y4al8ffc 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. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a 2-Point Fender Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo bridge. I'd say not really. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is built with a Stratocaster body. This is definitely one of the best Jazzmasters manufactured by Fender! But Im unsure about several things, namely Fenders QC and the guitars lifespan. 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. 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. 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 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. A more comparable choice is the American Original Series - that's where I have settled after stints with both CS and Am Pro guitars. Fender American Ultra vs Professional II Series Guitars Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y2ow3bve Interested in other Andertons YouTube channels? 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 Ultra Strat Maple Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/yyouf2rz These also have a push-push pot for series-parallel switching. I was thinking about getting a Professional. [Complete guide]. 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. However, the Ultras have neck heels that are more dramatically-contoured and thus offer virtually zero upper-fret restriction! American Ultra guitars boast Fenders ingenious S-1 switching circuitry. Deals. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I also recently needed to replace my wah pedal, and I tested the new one out with a Pro-II Strat. In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. Thanks! Fenders American Professional II models have a contemporary twist, but the brands American Ultra guitars go one step further. This activates a series mode to fatten up the tone. Fender American Pro II Stratocaster HSS in Sienna Sunburst | https://tinyurl.com/yyuluks6 Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. The light weight, punchy tonal qualities and stunning grain pattern of Roasted Pine makes it a more than worthy alternative though! 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. As others have said, both are top notch so it really comes down to preference. 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. The same core Fender models that form the American Professional II lineup are also what prop up the American Ultra series. I don't know if the pro ii model is the exact model that is right for you. 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? If it were a choice of upgrading from a Pro 1 to a Pro 2, I'd say it's . The Bajas and Classic Player series held their value much better. The most noteworthy of these are Fender-designed Deluxe locking tuners fitted as standard on the electric guitar models. However, if you take good care of a guitar, storing and maintaining it properly, even a cheap one, it should last decades. The American Professional II range has replaced Fenders entire American Pro lineup, of which took over from the venerable American Standard series in 2017. Lets explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you. A guitars bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck. Click on one of these links to find out more Fender American Ultra Strat HSS Rosewood Fretboard Ultraburst - https://tinyurl.com/y4xzt6vt 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. The Ultra has a 21-fret, D-shape neck with compound-radius (10"-14") fingerboard. MA. Both guitars have a 2-point tremolo bridge with a pop-in tremolo arm and also include extra switching. On the humbucker-equipped HSS Strat and Tele Deluxe models, this serves as a coil-split switch instead. Allowing you to access more pickup combinations for greater tonal versatility, these electronics therefore work very similarly to the Push/Push systems found in Fenders new American Professional II guitars. You must log in or register to reply here. CE 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. Anything from Fender will last you a lifetime so you don't have to worry about that. Fender American Ultra Tele Maple Fretboard Cobra Blue - https://tinyurl.com/y3odjufd 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. Thanks. [Playability, tone, and scale], Does guitar scale length affect tone? Fender American Professional Jazzmaster Review - Old-Time Music Here is a table highlighting the differences between the Fender American Professional II and American Ultra Jazzmaster models. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance. Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. But is one of these flagship Fender series clearly better than the other? I have too many Strats. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. Fender's QC at the US factory is excellent. Here we compare the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster and the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. Fenders American Professional II Stratocaster offers multiple upgrades from its inaugural configuration. The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has a 25.5 scale length. (3) Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe - Dark Night with Rosewood Fingerboard. Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option. Fender American Professional II - Fender American Ultra Strat Rosewood Fretboard Arctic Pearl - https://tinyurl.com/y57233cl 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. You are using an out of date browser. 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. The American Pro II series includes left and right-handed versions of the SS model as well as a HH right-handed version. Best Telecasters 2023 | Guitar World However, theres no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument.