The Ultimate American Telecaster Comparison | American Pro II vs. American Pro and American Ultra

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  • Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024

Комментарии • 129

  • @TheNewenglandboys
    @TheNewenglandboys 3 года назад +25

    I tried them all and to my ear they all sound great. Thats said, in my humble opinion, the Ultra absolutely lives up to it's name. The amazing comfortable contours, the locking tuners, especially the D neck with the 10" - 14" radius making it super easy and fast to play, the noiseless pickups that incredibly retain the vintage sound without the 60hz hum. For me, after playing them all, The Ultra Tele was it. Again, they are all great guitars but keep in mind that whatever you decide to purchase you'll probably keep for a long time. I went with the Ultra and no regrets. Yes, the price is a spanking and I get it. But at the end of the day you have it. You can also buy one out of the box hanging in a guitar shop and they should be willing to take a couple hundred off. Thanks for the video. Great playing! Rock on

    • @Andy123Harris1
      @Andy123Harris1 5 месяцев назад +1

      I have an Am Pro II Strat in mystic surf & rosewood. I love playing it, but the truth is that I really only use positions 2 & 4 live. I recently picked up the Ultra Tele and, aside from the excellent neck, it also has 4 distinct and highly usable sounds. I can't put it down...

    • @jasonswitzer1748
      @jasonswitzer1748 2 месяца назад

      I love the way the Uktra feels… but not how it sounds. You can always change up the pickups to taste, but that’s a big pill to swallow after shelling out the largest amount of cash just to switch out the pups. But man, does it feel nice.

  • @denis-guidomuller4763
    @denis-guidomuller4763 3 года назад +26

    Hi guys, I don't know but the best sound has for me the Ultra. The sound is great.
    Cooper, you are a brilliant guitar player. Great

  • @GreenmanXIV
    @GreenmanXIV 3 года назад +21

    The original pro, sounded more like a telecaster , I think it must be the Tim Shaw, V- mods.

  • @FilmFlam
    @FilmFlam 2 года назад +5

    "Professional player preferences". Very alliterative. Love it. Great informative video. Debating diving into a Fender electric late in life. Better later than never? The one downside with Cooper's videos is his playing would make any guitar sound great. Me, not so much.

  • @jaysonbeslig3765
    @jaysonbeslig3765 3 года назад +6

    That was very violent at the end. Oh the humanity!

  • @josephcurran7327
    @josephcurran7327 2 года назад +6

    I am fortunate to have one of the last ASH models LEFT HAND in the original American Pro series. These are the best models. Loved the demo , but the original pro series in Ash is awesome.

    • @dakn0x
      @dakn0x 2 года назад

      I'm looking at a used Pro (original series) from 2020. I'm not sure what the body wood is, any idea when they changed?

    • @bring.us.together
      @bring.us.together Год назад

      @@dakn0x, I believe it was 2017.

  • @evianbidet3553
    @evianbidet3553 3 года назад +16

    Dude, you are a Hell of a player! Great demo. Thank you.

  • @billhannum4117
    @billhannum4117 3 года назад +8

    Pro 2 sounds very clear . I like the pickups .I wonder how the roasted pine body is though ? Is it soft? What's the deal? Does it harden after its roasted?

  • @cesalt2408
    @cesalt2408 2 года назад +15

    That Ultra totally won for classic tele sound.

    • @nathanglass512
      @nathanglass512 2 года назад +5

      You sacrifice a little bit of tone and growl with the Noiseless pickups. Id rather put up with the 60 cycle hum, which new Fenders barely have anyway.

  • @joelanderson6777
    @joelanderson6777 Год назад +3

    One of the biggest decision makers: Dark Knight on the Pro II or Texas Tea on the Ultra!

    • @Justin-ec4vo
      @Justin-ec4vo 9 месяцев назад

      what did you decide? I literally am dealing with the same dilemma. I have been playing the acoustic for a few years now and am ready for my first and forever electric.

  • @ejor31
    @ejor31 3 года назад +6

    Ok, the Pro II is a very slight upgrade of the Pro (I?) but my God does it warrant the significant price increase over the Pro?? I sure doubt it......slick marketing and 'must-have' psychology at work here, methinks. Btw, I prefer the sound of the Pro, and anyway with a good amp you can get pretty much the Tele sound you need...isn't that what all those interesting buttons,knobs and switches are for on amps??? Great playing there!

    • @robertherrick6703
      @robertherrick6703 3 года назад

      How much more is the Professional II compared to the prior version?

    • @fuelarjun
      @fuelarjun 4 месяца назад

      @@robertherrick6703 I bought a Pro 1 (BSB, Ash) for US$ 1499 in 2018; in 2024 a Pro 2 (BSB, Pine) costs US$ 1899, so that's a 400 dollar jump there. Back when I bought mine, there was a US$ 50 markup for the BSB Ash; today there's a US$ 100 markup for the BSB Pine. Wow that kinda rhymes 😅

    • @calvinevans6347
      @calvinevans6347 Месяц назад

      NOTHING WAS REALLY RHYMING UNTIL YOU TYPED THE WORD "rhymes." Lol!!! ​@fuelarjun

    • @fuelarjun
      @fuelarjun Месяц назад

      @@calvinevans6347you’re right, it was a far shot 😂

  • @cathalwhelehan
    @cathalwhelehan 3 года назад +7

    I have both the Strat and Tele in the Pro I version and neither of the Pro II versions would convince me to upgrade - certainly not as regards the Tele (as that additional pickup switching option doesn't sound like something I'd use anyway). The additional 3-pickup option on the Strat sounds nice but if I really think I couldn't live without it I'd just upgrade the wiring of what I have (at the moment, though, I'm good thanks).
    The carved heel really doesn't do it for me at all - looks kind of half-assed compared to what the Ultra has and, again, it's not something that I need as I rarely go that far up the neck anyway. The new Miami Blue colour looks great though (none of the other colours appeal to me at all - particularly the reverse dark blue burst one) but that's just paint.

    • @user-th6rh8zp3t
      @user-th6rh8zp3t 3 года назад +2

      miami blue is my least favorite and the dark knight is one of my favorites especially on the jazzmaster, but on the tele i'd probably get the pine or the butterscotch

    • @gregdenis5191
      @gregdenis5191 3 года назад +2

      Hi ... I really like the look of the dark night Tele . It almost hooked me ... but , I got the butterscotch blonde Tele ... love it.

  • @metalmover
    @metalmover 3 года назад +7

    Ultra!....I’m biased...I own a rosewood neck tele ultra (Texas tea) and the HSS Strat.

    • @TRose-hc9pv
      @TRose-hc9pv 3 года назад +1

      How are you liking it? I ordered that exact model... beautiful guitar! They're on back order, so I won't get it for a couple months. Ugh!

  • @travelinlight1141
    @travelinlight1141 3 года назад +8

    Yeah with headphones on for sure the original pro sounded more teleish than the other two.

  • @dylee_mang
    @dylee_mang 2 года назад +1

    I have a Pro. II, it's an amazing guitar. Very versatile instrument and I've had very few issues with it since I've gotten it, the ones I've had are just standard new-guitar issues. I haven't played an original Pro, but I'd wager if you're looking at both and need to decide between both the Pro. II is worth it.

    • @dylee_mang
      @dylee_mang 2 года назад

      Also, the Ultra feels and looks amazing. Many may not like the pickups, but they're not too different. I personally chose to get the Pro. II instead because I wanted a more traditional instrument with only a few modern improvements, but the Ultra is amazing.

  • @teodelnorte
    @teodelnorte 3 месяца назад

    I just smile at how effortlessly good Cooper is on guitar! Meanwhile, I'm trying not to mess up the pentatonic scale lol

  • @nickwilson1330
    @nickwilson1330 3 года назад +8

    The original Pro for me. Sounds more traditionally Tele to my ears!, we all have different ears though I suppose,.

  • @DB-hv3fn
    @DB-hv3fn 3 года назад +15

    American professional all the way👍

  • @spywithme
    @spywithme 5 месяцев назад +1

    The pro seems more focused and intimate. I think I prefer it.

  • @michaelbuckner9846
    @michaelbuckner9846 Год назад +2

    The Professional I sounds more vintage and more open; not as muffled as the Pii.

  • @lenmusic123
    @lenmusic123 3 года назад +2

    It's hard to see which pickup position he switches from each time - can anyone help please? Thank you!

  • @Gibson45er
    @Gibson45er 3 года назад +2

    I like the rosewood fingerboard on my American Professional I.

  • @michaelnelson3469
    @michaelnelson3469 3 года назад +1

    Nicely done review, thanks for the effort!

  • @snailsfrogslegs119
    @snailsfrogslegs119 4 месяца назад

    I think the VMod II pickups sound the best. Jangly, but also with balanced mids... very nice. The VMod I sounded clear but without anything special above what a cheap guitar would supply. The Ultra... sounded almost like humbuckers with a lot of mids; but the bridge pickup had a cool jangly sound that was not over the top. The problem I have with the ultra is that I think they took out too much wood behind the neck and I think it is not going to hold up over time. I'd pick a 63 Vintage II over any of these.

  • @JohnnyRebKy
    @JohnnyRebKy 3 года назад +4

    I like whichever one has the most vintage sounding pickups.

    • @Squall6575
      @Squall6575 2 года назад

      Id suggest just buying the one closest to your budget and dropping a set of 51’ nocaster pickups in there.

  • @OswaldoLafee
    @OswaldoLafee 2 года назад

    Thank you for your awesome video got my professional II and can’t wait to have it.

  • @denis-guidomuller4763
    @denis-guidomuller4763 3 года назад +6

    Clearly three great Telecasters. Personally, I would prefer the Ultra. It has that wonderful twangy sound that is so typical of a Telecaster. I miss that a little about the professional two. I think the sound of the professional two is very similar to a Stratocaster. I think a Telecaster should remain a Telecaster.

    • @benallmark9671
      @benallmark9671 3 года назад +2

      Does anybody else agree with your comment ? I’m just curious because your comment made things confusing to me.

    • @herritymusick1758
      @herritymusick1758 Год назад +1

      The Ultra sounds better on these videos that in real life. I returned mine and got the Pro 2, which I like much better. Ultra sounds neutered IMO…

    • @johnmmjj3162
      @johnmmjj3162 11 месяцев назад

      I also thought the tele pro II sounded very much like the strat pro II

  • @stryanx4395
    @stryanx4395 2 года назад +2

    They all sound dam good

    • @Tarantula_Fangs
      @Tarantula_Fangs 2 года назад

      Agreed!! It's so hard for me to tell the difference.

  • @yannisvasileiadis3992
    @yannisvasileiadis3992 3 года назад +4

    They all sound great (although, to be honest, the Ultra's noiseless pickups sound a bit muffled to me); Cooper's playing is spot on, as always.
    However, as much as the new features (finally) bring playability to the modern era, the pricing model looks in dire need of an update.
    Of course the rolled fingerboard edges must feel great to play, but the push-push is more of a nice-to-have than a must-have.
    The sculpted neck heel is now standard pretty much everywhere, Fender should include it in all their models instead of making a fanfare about finally bringing it to the Pro line...
    All in all, it's tough to justify the price bump, but since I can't afford either of the Pro models, I'm probably not in Fender's target group anyway...! 😂😂😂

    • @benallmark9671
      @benallmark9671 3 года назад +1

      Your not alone but they sure are nice aren’t they.

    • @iancurrie8844
      @iancurrie8844 11 месяцев назад

      You're right. They are muffled.

  • @shaneroberts9466
    @shaneroberts9466 3 года назад +3

    Whatever that is Cooper played really showcases the Tele twang and roots, good job. Thought I was listening to Chet! I personally liked the blonde but all sound good.

  • @leostratonly
    @leostratonly 3 года назад +7

    Pro 1 all the way! As you can see in my profile picture, I’m holding maple neck black color with olive pickguard Strat. This is literally the best guitar you can wish for. American professional 2 Strat in same color costs 400$ more. So people buying “new“ pros are overpaying in my opinion. I bought fender acoustic 100 for 400$ and American pro for 1500$. People buying AP 2 are getting only guitar🤷🏼‍♂️

    • @soofitnsexy
      @soofitnsexy 3 года назад +2

      why is the pro better?? whats the difference? thanks

    • @arn999
      @arn999 3 года назад +1

      I bought a Pro 1 (black HSS) a few days ago on Reverb for a tiny bit under $900 in almost perfect condition (didn’t come with the fancy case though). Happy with my decision.

    • @SandeepTuladhar
      @SandeepTuladhar 3 года назад +3

      Got pro 2 for same price of pro 1. And its way better than my pro 1. Neck feels super comfy. Reaching 22 fret is super easy. Over all Better build.

    • @arn999
      @arn999 3 года назад +1

      @@SandeepTuladhar 😂

    • @jonathonrich8061
      @jonathonrich8061 3 года назад +1

      @@keithclark486 I agree 100%, I don't see how Fender doesn't realize that. Who cares who designed them. I guess to some people think they sound good.

  • @mikegreen2417
    @mikegreen2417 3 года назад +4

    I want it all

  • @Tarantula_Fangs
    @Tarantula_Fangs 2 года назад +2

    I have a Strat Pro2 but I'm really considering getting the Tele Ultra over the Tele Pro2 sometime next year. Hmm... it's hard to pick, they both sound so similar. I can't tell which one I prefer.

    • @Squeemsquash
      @Squeemsquash 6 дней назад +1

      Which one did you go with? I have a pro2 Strat and am trying to decide which tele to get.

    • @Tarantula_Fangs
      @Tarantula_Fangs 5 дней назад +2

      @@Squeemsquash Surprisingly, I went with a Tele Player! And I LOVE it. I think it fits me perfectly, it feels great and the price was too good to pass up. I’m happy with my purchase. 🎸

    • @Squeemsquash
      @Squeemsquash 5 дней назад

      @@Tarantula_Fangs oh nice!

  • @nohero178
    @nohero178 9 месяцев назад

    Just to correct, it's not "modern C" but "Deep C" on the neck on the Pro.

  • @leesanna7835
    @leesanna7835 2 года назад

    Excellent review, Mate 👏

  • @ShaneStoneOfficial
    @ShaneStoneOfficial 2 года назад +1

    What a great guitarist!

  • @fguihen
    @fguihen 2 года назад

    Great playing! Want to do a tips and tricks lesson on that little piece used to demo the guitars?!

  • @sixwheelcarlisle8491
    @sixwheelcarlisle8491 Год назад

    I’d love to see you play on the roasted pine sienna sunburst. That’s the one i’ve got.

  • @lightninggod4348
    @lightninggod4348 2 года назад +2

    Does the neck feel that much different in the palm with the Full C shape vs the D shape? I kinda like a fuller feeling neck.

  • @BikerBry
    @BikerBry 3 года назад +1

    My American Pro II, 3 color sunburst Tele is not Pine, it’s Alder.

  • @jmacc9876
    @jmacc9876 3 года назад +2

    Isn't this alder, not pine? (though I think there might be one transparent available in pine.)

    • @zachb5803
      @zachb5803 6 месяцев назад

      Yes you are correct 👍 I just checked

  • @TahaNasser
    @TahaNasser 3 года назад +2

    The Ultra is amazeballs.

    • @davequast
      @davequast 3 года назад

      I pulled the trigger and got one. I completely agree.

    • @davequast
      @davequast 3 года назад +1

      @Luke I do like it a lot. The "shoulders" on the neck are a tad wide for me, but I love the pickups, the neck, radius, and especially the contours. The only thing about a fancy Tele is that it's so nice and shiny (even the butterscotch, which is what I have) that feel like it I have to be careful with it. One day, I'd like a relic of some kind just so I can play something that feels more lived-in. But the Ultra series is great; I have two models.

  • @traverseaa679
    @traverseaa679 3 года назад +7

    The Pro II isn’t an “upgrade”. Fender can’t access Ash supply. So they’re using Pine and wrap it in marketing BS for the bonus carved heel and “newer” same pick ups with a higher price point? Nice.

  • @THEMikeAguirre
    @THEMikeAguirre 3 года назад

    Lol make sure to stick around to the very end!! 😂 Great informative video, but YIKES!!

  • @mougabo
    @mougabo 3 года назад +1

    can you do this with the strato?

  • @PaoloC.
    @PaoloC. 3 года назад +4

    the pine body is a little disappointing, also don't like that orangey color. The b-blonde ultra in ash is so much better looking but they don't produce it anymore because ash is hard to find as the video says correctly. I'd like to have an ultra in that finish...

    • @jmacc9876
      @jmacc9876 3 года назад +1

      After hearing him say this was pine, i looked around youtube a bit, and I'm 99.9% sure that this butterscotch is in Alder not pine. Here is a video of roasted pine in the am pro II it's a more light caramel brown colour, still looks kinda nice: ruclips.net/video/jNMpv5b-hFA/видео.html

  • @steveyankees1
    @steveyankees1 Год назад

    I prefer the VM pickups for the Ultra noiseless.

  • @Robowx
    @Robowx 2 года назад

    I would definitely get the Tele Pro ii

  • @iesusmi
    @iesusmi 3 года назад

    Nice demo

  • @OldGrowthRedwood
    @OldGrowthRedwood 3 года назад +3

    Nice playing! Neck on AP II is “deep C” not modern C.

    • @Hardtimes330
      @Hardtimes330 3 года назад +1

      nothing deep about it. its so thin

  • @calvinevans6347
    @calvinevans6347 Месяц назад

    WOW!!! THE PRO II BLEW THE OTHER TWO AWAY!!! IT SOUNDS ALIVE!!! THEN THE AM PRO!!! THE ULTRA WAS LIFELESS.

  • @tissue2098
    @tissue2098 Год назад

    6:22
    6:32
    7:46
    7:55

  • @louielouie5120
    @louielouie5120 Год назад

    Love that riff….

  • @gersomfender6622
    @gersomfender6622 3 года назад +4

    N
    5:06
    6:31
    7:55
    M
    5:31
    7:05
    8:17

    • @Chikolad
      @Chikolad 3 года назад

      Pro 1 and 2 sound pretty much identical through my crappy earphones. I think the 2 have a slightly lower output? Or maybe the 1 has more mid peaks/less even sound

  • @iancurrie8844
    @iancurrie8844 11 месяцев назад

    I loved the first two! Classic and bright! I didn't care for the ultra. Muffled and muddy to my ears. That said, you EQ for them all so it doesn't matter.

  • @zachb5803
    @zachb5803 6 месяцев назад

    Not ash or pine 🤦‍♂️ It is Alder which I prefer! There is a Pine version in natural finish

  • @thepiggyprophet
    @thepiggyprophet 3 года назад +2

    I have a question I've been trying to find unsuccessfully some videos to understand what kind of guitar is better for a beginner. A classic with large neck but nylon strings or an acoustic with a thinner neck but with steel strings on it?

    • @arn999
      @arn999 3 года назад +3

      In my opinion, a standard acoustic with steel strings would be better. It’s a bit easier to press on individual notes with a classic one, but chords will not sound at all like what you’re used and chords can be more awkward to do (due to the large neck). It’s a classical guitar after all and not the one used in rock/pop/folk etc. Since when you begin you’ll mainly start with playing basic chords, you’ll not really enjoy the feel or the sounds of a classical guitar. I vote for regular acoustic. Source: I’ve been playing since the 90s (no guitar God but still ;) ) and started with a classical guitar (my dad had one at the time). Realized starting with an acoustic would have been a bit easier.

    • @thepiggyprophet
      @thepiggyprophet 3 года назад

      @@arn999 thanks for your advice, I was thinking kind the same but had my doubts, but with your advice I feel more confident on my decision

    • @cooperG53
      @cooperG53 3 года назад +1

      Learning the fundamentals on a steel string acoustic, in my opinion at least, will make it a lot easier to transfer that knowledge to electric down the road too. I’d definitely agree with the comment above and say steel string acoustic!

    • @thepiggyprophet
      @thepiggyprophet 3 года назад

      @@cooperG53 thank you so much for your comment 👍🏻

    • @bruceMooseman
      @bruceMooseman 3 года назад +1

      I really wanted to post a comment that helps u..but I'm not sure I can! I think these other guys have u covered! Just make sure u get a guitar (no matter what u decide on) that when u start playing it makes u want to play more 😁 for example, I like it when other people play classic acoustic guitars but when I pick them up it does nothing for me and I struggle to want to practice, i guess my point is, if u can try a couple of different guitars out just to see how they feel to YOU, that's great 👍 some guitars (no matter the price or what people think of them) just fit so well and make u want to pick it up, it's important especially when u hit those learning blocks that we all get. I hope u get just what u are looking for and get jamming ☺️👍

  • @ShonTseng
    @ShonTseng 2 года назад

    I'd like to see someone smashing a piano on the other channel. XD

  • @caseysniper308
    @caseysniper308 2 года назад

    Put some noiseless pickups in the pro 2 and it would sound the same as the ultra, I just got a pro 2 ash body w/maple neck and it plays great. Thanks for the comparison.

  • @kevinschmitt4050
    @kevinschmitt4050 3 года назад +23

    The old v-mods sound better

    • @quicklynamed
      @quicklynamed 3 года назад +5

      Agreed. I played the pro ii at a store and was wildly underwhelmed by the pups. I have no idea why they felt the need to "improve" them. I do like the rest of the changes--the push/push series/parallel option is really useful

    • @kangsk8er
      @kangsk8er 2 года назад +2

      Nah u all jealous

    • @BryanClark-gk6ie
      @BryanClark-gk6ie Год назад

      The first ones sound like shit and the second version sounds even worse. All v mod pickups suck. I have 19 teles' 2 squires' china versions and 2 toaco made versions, they sound better than the v mod pickups.
      I put a set of 50's CV tele pickups in the first version and a set of cheap pickups off of eBay $25.00 in the American pro2 that sounds better than the v mods. They're lifeless' no definition' they have a over compressed sound to them' same way with the American pro 2 strat.
      If you can get your hands on a good used 50's Baja tele or try out a 50's vintera tele' you'll get back into. tele territory which v mod pickups lack.
      Fender should offer an option/pickup on the pro series guitars rather than just taking a great line of guitars and leaving the consumer stuck. About everyone I know changes the v mods out.

    • @nicolasfernando697
      @nicolasfernando697 6 месяцев назад +1

      Hell nah Bro 💀, but it's a matter of tastes

  • @ralex3697
    @ralex3697 3 года назад +1

    Handsome man

  • @peterpigna9505
    @peterpigna9505 9 месяцев назад

    L’american Professional 2 mi piace di più

  • @LA-zc9rg
    @LA-zc9rg Год назад +2

    Pro 2’s sound too modern & more like strats.

    • @lukeGGlee
      @lukeGGlee 9 месяцев назад

      How can it be both?

    • @LA-zc9rg
      @LA-zc9rg 9 месяцев назад

      Two observations that are not mutually exclusive

  • @Родя_Ро
    @Родя_Ро Год назад

    Ultra👌✨🌟🌍🔥

  • @mikemccart8236
    @mikemccart8236 2 года назад +10

    For the love of God already!!!!!! Everyone, please join me in my world-wide effort to expunge telecaster chick'n pick'n from the World Wide Web. Why doe EVERY reviewer have to chicken pick Telecaster???!!! Drives me crazy!

  • @tobisteffen
    @tobisteffen 3 года назад +1

    You compared a maple neck to a rosewood neck. lol

  • @ripw1
    @ripw1 3 года назад +2

    The ultra does not have a compound radius neck. That was the elite

    • @michaelgreen5206
      @michaelgreen5206 3 года назад +3

      Wrong, it has a compound radius of10" near the nut morphing to 14" going up the neck.

    • @ripw1
      @ripw1 3 года назад +3

      @@michaelgreen5206 That's fretboard not the neck

    • @michaelgreen5206
      @michaelgreen5206 3 года назад +1

      Robert Williams I sit corrected, thanks for the clarification.

  • @eaglewindrider7700
    @eaglewindrider7700 3 года назад

    👍🔥🎸🦅

  • @junito1957
    @junito1957 2 года назад

    WOOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TONE THAT BEEN PROVING THIS YEAR!

  • @MentalMickey999
    @MentalMickey999 Год назад

    Obviously the Ultra sounded great, but the sunburst pro sounded better than the pro II, the pro sounded free and responsive whereas the pro II seemed more restrained as if the wood couldn't release the tones.