What ever you're paying this guy ....its NOT ENOUGH...excellent versatile guitar player and demos all kinds of guitar in an outstanding way. And gives full details about the guitars. Excellent job jack.
@@johnpulwers680 I’m not him but I’m guessing that 1. The ultra has way more color options, or 2. The price difference wasn’t worth the upgraded features. Ultra is also sweet
I was making coffee and only listening, but my ears perked up when he started playing the 60s Original - it spoke to me: punchy, chimey, woody...but I'm an old guy, and an comfortable with my MIM Roadworns, so...
Based on this review alone, I would have chosen the Ultra Luxe. But since i couldn't afford it, I bought the Performer in Honey Burst. The Performer is everything a tele should be, and I absolutely adore it.
I tried one myself, among many others american made high end teles, and I can assure that the Am. Original 60s is by far the best I played. I just couldn't put it down!
@@benjimontgomery9826the 5,000 dollar Jimmy Page telecaster is the nicest telecaster you can buy from the USA line. Hands down…. I’ve played em all. And that one is by far superior in feel and raw tele tone. It’s just too much for me… and the Mexican dragon tele doesn’t feel anything at all like the mirror telecaster. I’m not big on artist series models but no joke… those are killer guitars.
I just bought a 2018 butterscotch Fender player telecaster in great condition and it's awesome ‼️ I was looking at an 🇺🇸 fender professional 2 telecaster and played it a few times. BUT I played a G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC ( one time and knew that this is the guitar) and it is a much better built guitar than fender professional 2 telecaster and it's on steroids ‼️ Right now my playing doesn't justify it yet but I will get a G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC ‼️
I'd go with the American Performer Tele because it has the Yosemite pickups and jumbo frets. The higher end American made have the narrow tall frets. I really don't care for the narrow tall frets.
I got an American Performer Strat (seafoam green). I put locking tuners & a Floyd Rose Rail-Tail on it but not necessary. It's my go-to. I was gonna get an American Pro, but it had that lacquer coating on the maple fretboard & I like the raw wood feel of standard maple. I've also got a Tele Deluxe (Troublemaker Tele) & its pickups are incredible but it's a bit heavy. I play 99% of the time with the guitar on my lap (4hrs daily at least) so having something light/comfy is important.
Agreed. Although I did get the compensated brass saddles from stew mac as well as a natural bone nut. I am very happy with it. I have it in Vintage white - the humbucker model. Highly recommend...
A year after this video was released and I bought an Ultra in Texas Tea. I don:t have a challenge with my wife other than she wants it and doesn't even play. She kind of sniveled about a few others I have purchased, but this one she loves as much as I do and asks me if I'm going to play it when I am going to play one. What a blessing; maybe she can get her own.... I don't sleep with it but it is usually my go to guitar now. I play it more that all the rest (8) combined.
I’ve watched every review of this line, and this video was exceptionally detailed and even hard to make in order to pinpoint differences that matter to buyers. To my ear and for my money, the Pro II wins. I was keenly interested in the top line stainless frets, but then I realized in my humid environment that really wouldn’t matter, as other wiring will suffer anyway. Many thanks!
Incredible overview. As a result I pulled the trigger on a mystic surf green Am Pro II today. My first new fender since I bought my ‘74 Precision in high school!
I chose the pro 2. For me it was feel of the deep D shaped neck, not too narrow at the nut. The sound of these pick ups is exactly what i think a tele should sound like, I think the noiseless pick ups just don't quite have the same twang. I did like the feel of the compound radius on the ultra luxe as well. Would have been nice to have stainless frets, on the pro 2 and maybe the contour. Also the compensated bullet saddles give you the option to string it through the back or the bridge and look more traditional. That's my 2 cents
Great overview! 👍 Just what I was looking for. Was primarily considering the Performer although I think the Pro II and/ The Originals are the way to go. Slightly more likely to go for the Pro II. Spec-wise, the Ultras seemd great although lacked the sonic mojo of the others IMO. Overall awesome video, 🙏 Thank you.
Hmm its an interesting take. I myself own an Ultra, got it within the first few months of release in ash/butterscotch, years later still not sure I love it, love aspects of it, love the pickups when I use gain, love the neck feel ... looks amazing...most $$$ guitar I own but its not my #1 (Am Pro Jazzmaster gets that nod). Sometimes I think about selling it and sometimes I think I would be crazy to sell it.
I tried one in a store, the finish is very lacking in feel and the pickups couldn't compare to the APii or the 60s. Online it sounds similar but not in person. Neck sucked too, not as buttery smooth. Getcha the APii and sell the case to make up the $200 difference.
@@nateglass8767 IMO the pickups on the pro 2 are way more lacking than the performer series for both teles and strats. They sound thin. But this also might be due to the string gauges being 9 out of the box, but I really expected better from the Vmod 2s.
@@Squall6575 I played them both side by side and they sounded the same, but the pro2 had a much smoother neck and glossier finish. Also has a hardshell case you could sell to make up the $200 difference in price.
@@nateglass8767 agreed on both fronts. If you can afford it, id go pro ii. Maybe down the line, even sell it and the case separately to put towards an ultra, but the performer is quite a deal, even if its barebones in comparison. I definitely prefer the tone of the yosemite pickups in comparison to the vmods
@@Squall6575 I noticed the case sells separate new for $230, so its easy to make up the $200 difference if you're broke by selling the case. The performer doesnt get a hardshell with it. So a caseless APii would be the same price after selling case.
I bought a Performer in January 2020. It got me thru Covid lockdown sane. So I owe it a hugely already. It is quite amazing, it has a tone AND a volume control - wow! You can change from the neck pick-up to the bridge pick up using a selector switch, conveniently provided. It has a single cutaway (who needs more?) so you can get to the upper register. But it don't got no whammy bar, so you have to do all the vibrato stuff yourself. It does stays in tune, even when you bend up 2 whole notes, so the electronic tuner I bought is redundant (damn!). To sum up, It's just bloody brilliant, and I'm a much better guitarist already! Will I go back to my Strat or LP? Not in a million years! Just save up and buy one - you know you are worth it!
Performer and Luxe are stand outs - I’d get the performer, but if I had the cash I’d get them all and build a studio and record myself all day noodling about… dreams.
That was extremely informative, thank you so much Jack. Love hearing you play, it is an added bonus that we get a players perspective on new gear offerings!
Bought an Ultra….very simple…it’s about going forward and not living in the past. It’s feels like a boutique guitar, feels like a Ferrari in my hands. Slimmer neck, heavy rolled edges, medium frets, individual brass (chrome covered) saddles, slimmer bridge, contoured body access, bone nut, satin finish neck, nice quiet pickups, locking tuners, beautiful binding body, tsa approved case all in a flawless perfect finish. Thx Fender, it’s not the 60’s anymore!
@@iamanovercomer3253 not every guitar from the 60’s is with a lot of money. Don’t have the original pickups? Was it painted over? Swapped necks or parts? All of those things will take 50-70% of their max value. I could care less about “mojo” the fact is that new guitar technology delivers better playability. Having said that would I love to have a 50’s original strat or Tele? Heck yea but it will be for investment value or to be in the “cool kids club”. Chances are it will buzz like crazy, original frets will be super skinny and every playability will be comprised. I will stick with my Ultra, smooth as a baby’s butt, quiet and super precise.
Man, what I wouldn't give for those long, thin, octave-spanning fingers. Sigh. Alas - I have had to spend 47 years of playing with these short, wide, European peasant/worker hands. I love your playing, Jack.
Hi Mark, You're certainly correct on that. We're not sure if you're aware but Peach Guitars is a guitar retailer based in the United Kingdom. All of the instruments featured on our channel are in stock and available for purchase. Once the guitar has been purchased the new owner is of course welcome to remove the protective plastic film. Hopefully this clears up any confusion All the best!
Oh c'mon now throw in a mistake, I can't play no guitars what don't have mistakes all over 'em! WONDERFUL demo and detail...and artistry... for each and every one, thank you!
Really digging the 60's Surf Green Tele! 🏄🏻♂️ I don't always like the matching painted headstock, but it works perfectly, there! After all, green is in my DNA! ☘☘☘
Ultra for me. Yes it's the expensive one but the neck is superb, the body contours make for a very comfortable guitar and my old house has electrics that cause a lot of 60 cycle hum so noiseless pickups are a big plus point. The Texas Tea finish is gorgeous and the binding looks great.
@@jimmydye6695 I can't recall the last time I checked fret heights on a Fender with a fret rocker and didn't find some uneven frets. Even a £2000 Ultra Telecaster had uneven frets. It would be great if Fender started to PLEK guitars. Only two guitars I've bought in the last few years that had perfectly levelled frets was a PRS CE 24 and a 2021 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Ibanez Prestige (supposedly high end Japanese made), Fender MIM, Fender USA, Fender MIJ, every PRS SE model etc etc all needed fret levelling to improve the guitars. Online reviewers always comment on how well fret ends are done, very few reviewers test how well frets are levelled. So I think manufacturers now emphasise doing the ends well at the expense of putting in the time to properly level frets. Basically any guitar under £2000 seems likely to come with some uneven frets. £1000-2000 guitars are not budget models. You should expect a £1600 Ibanez Prestige or Fender USA guitar to have good fret ends and level frets.
I almost bought an Ultra in Texas Tea to match my HSS Ultra strat. Instead I went a bit overboard and modded a fiesta red Vintera Custom 70’s I bought used. It already came with a Mastery M3 bridge, and I changed the pups to a CuNiFe Wide Range neck humbucker and Amber Blues in the bridge (handmade by Wolfgang Damm, he worked for Gibson and came up with the P94). I also changed the pots to VIPots 550k, added a black pickguard, strap locks and got a navy blue Fender case for it. Very happy with it, feels like «my» tele. I can’t sell it anyway at this point :P
Wonderful as always! After far too long I finally landed on the Pro II from among these and many others. One thing I didn't hear (I may have missed it) is that the Pro II is one of the few Telecasters (or even T-Style guitars) out there that has a top load string option. Not only that, but with the Pro II you can top load OR run your strings through the body. May seem unimportant but once you experience the difference, it's a great option to have; especially depending on your style. A close second--if not tied for first--the Ultra is just so comfortable to play. Also, I'm in love with the Cobra Blue, so there's that. However, I'm still not sold on the Fender Noiseless pups. Were the pups more suited to me and were there a top load option...or if I were just rich...I may have gone with the Ultra. That said, it's hard to go too far wrong with this line-up. Are they over-priced? Totally depends on what you want. Yes, you're definitely paying extra for the name, but a lot comes with the name, so fair enough.
There’s only one Tele: Alnico pickups, 3 saddle bridge, 21 frets on 7.25 deep U neck, Kluson tuners. Under no circumstances with body contours or heel sculpting be tolerated!
That green 60s one. Good lord that thing sounds great. I would put a treble bleed in it though. Was the thing you were playing on the clean demo of its neck pickup a particular song?
Which americN, japanese made and custom tele for best sounding of jazz, modern rock- slightlg classix rock, and clean twangy funky strum..?? No bluesy or country ish sound
I liked the Stainless steel fret sound, plus they will last! The "Ultra Luxe" sound clean, bright, and could, like EVH said, " We're going to blow then roof off this place"!!! (RIP), Bro
I think that Jack is probably one of the top two or three guys on RUclips for demonstrating gear of all kinds. I've personally purchased four items that he demoed and am really satisfied with the purchases. With regards to these telecasters, the ones with the maple necks always seem to sound so good! For me though, I just can't seem to bond with Maple neck guitars. I've owned a handful of Strats and Tele's with Maple necks and I just can't seem to find The Sweet Spot or any kind of comfortable spot. So I'm a Rosewood or ebony board guy. I'm interested if there's other guys or girls out there that have a similar problem with the maple neck guitars? Or if anybody has had this problem and found a way to overcome it?
Yep , All of my Fender guitars are rosewood fretboards and all of my Gibsons are Rosewood or Ebony. I think rock maple is actually too hard a surface…. Rosewood seems warmer and more responsive and I’ve been playing over 50 years. I have one maple neck Peavey that seems ok and tone wise is really Tele’ like …. I tend not to choose maple whenever I have a chance to choose ! Just my personal experience and preference but I do essentially agree with you on this. Thanks !
@@bluenotesharp yeah that's the same for me. All my Gibson's are Rosewood except for a 56 Les Paul Custom that I have which is ebony. I've owned that 56 for close to 40 years and I picked it up for just over $500! It's pretty sweet it's got the gold Bigsby and a really comfortable neck. But my go-to guitar is a 1971 Les Paul Deluxe in cherry sunburst that I bought brand-spanking-new when I was 17 for $546.52! Took me 10 months to pay that guitar off! I'm in my 60s and worked in the music retail industry for about 30 years and have owned roughly 40 some guitars over the years and that 71 Les Paul was never ever up for sale or even considered for that! I've paired down to 5 guitars and I'm really happy with that. You're probably hip to Heritage guitars. I just purchased thier HS535 one of the Aged Artesian models in a beautiful nitro cherry finish with light relicing. It's crazy, I went into Guitar Center to buy some strings and saw that guitar hanging on the wall and played a few chords without it being plugged in and boy it just resonated so beautifully. When I plugged it in I was immediately sold on it. At $2799 it's half the price of a Gibson ES-335 and in my opinion it's a much better guitar. I played them both back-to-back and the Gibson seemed just kind of muddy sounding and not nearly as responsive or as live as the Heritage. The Heritage comes with Duncan 59 pickups which I had never played before and just love them. I don't know what you have in your arsenal but if you're looking for a semi-hollow you might look at a Heritage. Just my opinion and just passing it on! Have a good one!
@@Jakal-pw8yq , I have a 78’ International Sahara Taupe Tele, 1990 custom shop Strat, a 1960 customized Gibson Melody Maker with one Gibson double cream humbucker and a vintage Tele pup in the bridge position..The rosewood was badly shrunk so I opted for an ebony replacement. I have a 2012 Gibson ES 355 with Varitone and 57 pups and opted for the rosewood fb( it comes with ebony as well ) and my new go to is a heavily modded 1998 Gibson All American 2…. The only Gibson that came with factory installed spring tremolo system. I dropped some 15 yr old Gibson P-90’s into it with nickel/ chrome covers and a roller nut. It is similar to the newest reissue P-90 Melody Maker but has rear loaded controls. I have to add that I bought most of these for pretty cheap back in the day. It’s crazy how the vintage instrument and vintage accessories market has kept climbing. I love all of my “finds” and purchases and I don’t need much of anything else. Btw , I absolutely thought about those heritage semi hollow guitars and may still grab one. Thanks for the chat…..
@@bluenotesharp yeah no problem. This is what I love about you too that we can all exchanged information and turn each other on to some really cool stuff
After the American Professional - the growth in sound is subtle .. I own a Professional Strat and have played all types of Teles starting from Elite down to Thinline and the Squires and G&L etc ... Professional onward the game is very very different folks.
One month later and the Player Plus Fenders have been released, early days but I think consumers who were considering an American made model may be drawn to these upgraded more affordable made in Mexico guitars. Improved neck and frets, locking tuners, noiseless pickups,, push/pull on the tone pot to give more tone variations. New shape bodies on the Tele's and a Nashville version with a middle Strat pickup, better quality bridge and included gig bag, new colours. Glad I didn't buy a Player Tele in the last couple of weeks!!!
I always thought telecasters were ugly and I worshipped the strat, then on impulse I bought a telecaster and my eyes opened. Now I can't put it down, fantastic guitar.
Fender m'a écrit que c'est l'équivalent d'une Fender Standard American d'avant. C'est se moquer de nous, vendre à ce prix aussi cher ! C'est honteux. Je n'achète plus rien de chez Fender. Ce n'est qu'un Logo, d'autres font aussi bien à moins cher. Adieu Fender. De plus la Telecaster Standard American de 2007 que j'ai a mal été peinte. Pas d'apprêt au niveau des échancrures, une fabrication en série au rabais. La honte !
My problem with fender is that I like big necks. But I can only get that with a vintage style guitar. Which is cool and all and I like that style and sound. But I also would like big neck more modern type teles like the ultra etc.
I just got an ultra and it's really great! I'm looking forward to finding out how it's going to fit with the singers I'm playing with. I've been using a les paul clone with lollar p90s and bigsby mostly lately.
I find the fender AO, line the best value, it a traditional style tele, build is similar to custom shop, without the relic stuff, nitro finish that will age like poly can not, and a parts list that is top shelf, the only issue I have with the AO, line, is the pickups, the potential with a guitar built to this level, is held back by ok pickups, My #1 guitar is a 50’s AO, running don mare hot bakelight pickups, and Gibson 50s style wiring, that guitar has a sweetness, and clarity, it sits in a mix well, both live and tracking, it was the AO line and the change to a 9.5 radius that got me to love vintage fender in a way I could not with a vintage radius, and yes it matters, 12” is my favorite, all my strats, srv, Eric Johnson have 12”, all my les Pual’s have 12”, the shift to 9.5 is not bad, but 7.5 or 7.25 is a no go, and requires perfect setup to not fret out on bends, and it may regardless of setup, as the weather changes so does the neck, and a vintage radius is is pain to keep working correctly, a 9.5 radius is much more forgiving, a 12” even more so, I like to play more that play guitar tech. Just something to consider……
Between the Pro II and Performer Strat, I went with the Performer based on neck feel and pickups. I don’t love the pickups on the performer, but there is something about the pickups on the Pro II that just didn’t sound the way I wanted.
I've got the Jimmy Page Mirror Tele and a 2003 American Standard and they are both awesome but the Mirror Tele is in a league of its own. Seriously a rock machine and an instant classic Tele!
Yeh me too, it just has this transparency and clarity to my ears it’s like totally pure (the Mirror). I think it’s the top loaded bridge. I also have a 60th anniversary nitro blackguard replica standard with maple neck which is so raw in the bass. For value for money it’s the best. My other Tele is the ultra and to me it’s totally lifeless - the Maz 18 here must be doing a lot for it. Ordered some Pure Vintage 64 pickups this week to try and bring it to life. Need to sell one of the three I promised myself! The neck on the Ultra and the Texas Tea finish are so nice I’d like to save it and keep it and the Mirror ideally.
Tried an ultra strat and did not like the feeling of the neck and thought the pups were lifeless. Went home had a think about the guitars I played and bought the pro 2 dark knight(from peach guutars). If the pro 2 neck was on the ultra I would have bought the ultra and changed the pups.
People : The better guitar makes the man play better !! you can make him say what he wants ( thats the job- and his pre-frontal cortex, his executive brain ),,, but when he plays - his soul plays through, and its the subconcious brain. So ask yourself ... which guitar made his playing better - more tonality, variation in dynamics, exploration of phrases, sounds, etc....he cannot fake it.
I got one of the few standard Ultra in ash body and it is beautiful, I’m into that neck profile so I prefer it over the luxe… and the luxe doesn’t come in butterscotch blonde anyway
What ever you're paying this guy ....its NOT ENOUGH...excellent versatile guitar player and demos all kinds of guitar in an outstanding way. And gives full details about the guitars. Excellent job jack.
6:23 Performer Clean
12:57 Professional Clean
19:00 Original 60’s Clean
26:57 Ultra Clean
33:32 Luxe Clean
7:26 Performer Driven
14:17 Professional Driven
20:34 Original 60’s Driven
28:41 Ultra Driven
35:02 Luxe Driven
I never feel like I need anything else and then Peach puts up these damn videos
I just bought an ultra and I’m freaking in love with this guitar , my wife’s mad she don’t like sleeping with it
My wide don't know about mine.. yet.. it's complicated 😂
*wife
@@enriquemendez1507 don't tell her, it opens doors to more jewelry and such
Why didn't you get the Ultra Luxe? He obviously liked that sound the best.
@@johnpulwers680 I’m not him but I’m guessing that 1. The ultra has way more color options, or 2. The price difference wasn’t worth the upgraded features.
Ultra is also sweet
I was making coffee and only listening, but my ears perked up when he started playing the 60s Original - it spoke to me: punchy, chimey, woody...but I'm an old guy, and an comfortable with my MIM Roadworns, so...
Based on this review alone, I would have chosen the Ultra Luxe. But since i couldn't afford it, I bought the Performer in Honey Burst. The Performer is everything a tele should be, and I absolutely adore it.
A Squier CV body with a US Made Warmoth neck with a Fender headstock Decal from Etsy
American original sounds best to me
Have to agree with you. The pro series was nice too
I tried one myself, among many others american made high end teles, and I can assure that the Am. Original 60s is by far the best I played. I just couldn't put it down!
@@benjimontgomery9826the 5,000 dollar Jimmy Page telecaster is the nicest telecaster you can buy from the USA line. Hands down…. I’ve played em all. And that one is by far superior in feel and raw tele tone. It’s just too much for me… and the Mexican dragon tele doesn’t feel anything at all like the mirror telecaster. I’m not big on artist series models but no joke… those are killer guitars.
I just bought a 2018 butterscotch Fender player telecaster in great condition and it's awesome ‼️
I was looking at an 🇺🇸 fender professional 2 telecaster and played it a few times. BUT I played a G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC ( one time and knew that this is the guitar) and it is a much better built guitar than fender professional 2 telecaster and it's on steroids ‼️ Right now my playing doesn't justify it yet but I will get a G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC ‼️
It’s been a week since I bought an American Performer in vintage white 😍😍. I am in love with her.
I'd go with the American Performer Tele because it has the Yosemite pickups and jumbo frets. The higher end American made have the narrow tall frets. I really don't care for the narrow tall frets.
Jacks playing makes all of these sound great. I bought my first tele last year. It’s a dark night, tele pro II. I love it.
I bought an American Performer myself. A great playing and sounding guitar straight out of the box.
Ditto!!
I got an American Performer Strat (seafoam green). I put locking tuners & a Floyd Rose Rail-Tail on it but not necessary. It's my go-to. I was gonna get an American Pro, but it had that lacquer coating on the maple fretboard & I like the raw wood feel of standard maple.
I've also got a Tele Deluxe (Troublemaker Tele) & its pickups are incredible but it's a bit heavy. I play 99% of the time with the guitar on my lap (4hrs daily at least) so having something light/comfy is important.
Agreed. Although I did get the compensated brass saddles from stew mac as well as a natural bone nut.
I am very happy with it. I have it in Vintage white - the humbucker model.
Highly recommend...
are you the reincarnation of Mickey Finn from T.REX ?!
Last year I bought a Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe (dual humbuckers)...it’s like a Swiss Army knife. Fantastic guitar!
A year after this video was released and I bought an Ultra in Texas Tea. I don:t have a challenge with my wife other than she wants it and doesn't even play. She kind of sniveled about a few others I have purchased, but this one she loves as much as I do and asks me if I'm going to play it when I am going to play one. What a blessing; maybe she can get her own....
I don't sleep with it but it is usually my go to guitar now. I play it more that all the rest (8) combined.
What about The Elite?
I’ve watched every review of this line, and this video was exceptionally detailed and even hard to make in order to pinpoint differences that matter to buyers. To my ear and for my money, the Pro II wins. I was keenly interested in the top line stainless frets, but then I realized in my humid environment that really wouldn’t matter, as other wiring will suffer anyway. Many thanks!
How often do the boys gotta tell Jack that his playing demo is getting long? He seems to just go somewhere else on a musical journey.
Well done presentation, Jack! Such a good description of each model. Thank you.
Incredible overview. As a result I pulled the trigger on a mystic surf green Am Pro II today. My first new fender since I bought my ‘74 Precision in high school!
How do you love it ?
@@titi64230 its incredible
So many Tellys and not a single country lick. ....
I chose the pro 2. For me it was feel of the deep D shaped neck, not too narrow at the nut. The sound of these pick ups is exactly what i think a tele should sound like, I think the noiseless pick ups just don't quite have the same twang. I did like the feel of the compound radius on the ultra luxe as well. Would have been nice to have stainless frets, on the pro 2 and maybe the contour. Also the compensated bullet saddles give you the option to string it through the back or the bridge and look more traditional. That's my 2 cents
Great overview! 👍 Just what I was looking for. Was primarily considering the Performer although I think the Pro II and/ The Originals are the way to go. Slightly more likely to go for the Pro II. Spec-wise, the Ultras seemd great although lacked the sonic mojo of the others IMO.
Overall awesome video, 🙏 Thank you.
Hmm its an interesting take. I myself own an Ultra, got it within the first few months of release in ash/butterscotch, years later still not sure I love it, love aspects of it, love the pickups when I use gain, love the neck feel ... looks amazing...most $$$ guitar I own but its not my #1 (Am Pro Jazzmaster gets that nod). Sometimes I think about selling it and sometimes I think I would be crazy to sell it.
Still love my American special 2010 tele...
Some say Butterscotch ones are just toanally superior
I agree
Yes along with tonewood there is tone colour to consider, hee hee.
And it’s ready for the fashion show too
The American performer sounds pretty killer to my ear, maybe the best.
I tried one in a store, the finish is very lacking in feel and the pickups couldn't compare to the APii or the 60s. Online it sounds similar but not in person. Neck sucked too, not as buttery smooth. Getcha the APii and sell the case to make up the $200 difference.
@@nateglass8767 IMO the pickups on the pro 2 are way more lacking than the performer series for both teles and strats. They sound thin. But this also might be due to the string gauges being 9 out of the box, but I really expected better from the Vmod 2s.
@@Squall6575 I played them both side by side and they sounded the same, but the pro2 had a much smoother neck and glossier finish. Also has a hardshell case you could sell to make up the $200 difference in price.
@@nateglass8767 agreed on both fronts. If you can afford it, id go pro ii. Maybe down the line, even sell it and the case separately to put towards an ultra, but the performer is quite a deal, even if its barebones in comparison. I definitely prefer the tone of the yosemite pickups in comparison to the vmods
@@Squall6575 I noticed the case sells separate new for $230, so its easy to make up the $200 difference if you're broke by selling the case. The performer doesnt get a hardshell with it. So a caseless APii would be the same price after selling case.
Really enjoyed this vid. I expected to watch for a bit but watched the entire video. Now I “need” a Tele
I bought a Performer in January 2020. It got me thru Covid lockdown sane. So I owe it a hugely already. It is quite amazing, it has a tone AND a volume control - wow! You can change from the neck pick-up to the bridge pick up using a selector switch, conveniently provided. It has a single cutaway (who needs more?) so you can get to the upper register. But it don't got no whammy bar, so you have to do all the vibrato stuff yourself. It does stays in tune, even when you bend up 2 whole notes, so the electronic tuner I bought is redundant (damn!). To sum up, It's just bloody brilliant, and I'm a much better guitarist already! Will I go back to my Strat or LP? Not in a million years! Just save up and buy one - you know you are worth it!
this is a convincing review
reads like a r/guitarcirclejerk post
I'm just about to purchase one thanks for the review it's made my mind up.
Performer and Luxe are stand outs - I’d get the performer, but if I had the cash I’d get them all and build a studio and record myself all day noodling about… dreams.
I’d come work with you to
Just bought my 1st tele. American ultra luxe plus top! Love it!!!
I more rock and metal and sort of prefer the older American Standard over the Ultra.
Thing is, I want them all! I love Telecasters period.
All telecasters work for me
The American Pro ll don’t have a flatter radius than the performers. They’re both 9.5 l believe.
That was extremely informative, thank you so much Jack. Love hearing you play, it is an added bonus that we get a players perspective on new gear offerings!
What about the thinline version??
the ultra really doesnt sound like a tele tbh
Bought an Ultra….very simple…it’s about going forward and not living in the past. It’s feels like a boutique guitar, feels like a Ferrari in my hands. Slimmer neck, heavy rolled edges, medium frets, individual brass (chrome covered) saddles, slimmer bridge, contoured body access, bone nut, satin finish neck, nice quiet pickups, locking tuners, beautiful binding body, tsa approved case all in a flawless perfect finish. Thx Fender, it’s not the 60’s anymore!
Maybe, BUT A guitar from the 60s is worth 10 times of a new one. In the 60s things were made to last
@@iamanovercomer3253 not every guitar from the 60’s is with a lot of money. Don’t have the original pickups? Was it painted over? Swapped necks or parts? All of those things will take 50-70% of their max value. I could care less about “mojo” the fact is that new guitar technology delivers better playability. Having said that would I love to have a 50’s original strat or Tele? Heck yea but it will be for investment value or to be in the “cool kids club”. Chances are it will buzz like crazy, original frets will be super skinny and every playability will be comprised. I will stick with my Ultra, smooth as a baby’s butt, quiet and super precise.
The Ultra Luxe sounds amazing. Could be the guitar player..
That Performer looks and sounds absolutely amazing.
Man, what I wouldn't give for those long, thin, octave-spanning fingers. Sigh. Alas - I have had to spend 47 years of playing with these short, wide, European peasant/worker hands.
I love your playing, Jack.
2 years old, but a GREAT comment!!
The Yosemite Tele pups are the best-sounding that Fender currently make, regardless of price.
I noticed that you leave the plastic film on some of the pickups, it should be noted that this change how the pickup sounds.
Hi Mark, You're certainly correct on that. We're not sure if you're aware but Peach Guitars is a guitar retailer based in the United Kingdom. All of the instruments featured on our channel are in stock and available for purchase. Once the guitar has been purchased the new owner is of course welcome to remove the protective plastic film.
Hopefully this clears up any confusion
All the best!
Got a used 2021 tele butterscotch performer, Just waiting for delivery...hoping well...
Oh c'mon now throw in a mistake, I can't play no guitars what don't have mistakes all over 'em!
WONDERFUL demo and detail...and artistry... for each and every one, thank you!
Jack plays all the Teles... Dang it, now I want them all
Same here
Sometime I think that he plays so great that I think I need another Tele…
Really digging the 60's Surf Green Tele! 🏄🏻♂️ I don't always like the matching painted headstock, but it works perfectly, there! After all, green is in my DNA! ☘☘☘
I think i like the Prof II, next the Original 60's
Which Telecaster is for me? Why, all of them, of course!
I think the Professional II takes the cake, honestly
If I was looking at buying a new Tele then the best sounding guitar in this range for me was that Surf Green one, in both clean AND dirty tones 👍
American Original and Ultra are the best sounding to me. The ultra sounds a bit more strattish though.
You should mat that sound and kill the room reverb. It hinders your voice sound. Good vid nevertheless.
I have the American Deluxe with the N3 pickups. I’m wondering what’s the difference with the Noiseless?
Very good video. It would have been nice to know which amp(s) you used
Ultra for me. Yes it's the expensive one but the neck is superb, the body contours make for a very comfortable guitar and my old house has electrics that cause a lot of 60 cycle hum so noiseless pickups are a big plus point. The Texas Tea finish is gorgeous and the binding looks great.
I ordered one then watching I’m nervous I went original 50s
Today I bought exactly the Luxe as it´s in the vid. Can't await until next Sunday when I´ll pick up my new baby!
@@jimmydye6695 Enjoy. Hope you get a good one.
@@talkychris I will let you know...
@@jimmydye6695 I can't recall the last time I checked fret heights on a Fender with a fret rocker and didn't find some uneven frets. Even a £2000 Ultra Telecaster had uneven frets. It would be great if Fender started to PLEK guitars. Only two guitars I've bought in the last few years that had perfectly levelled frets was a PRS CE 24 and a 2021 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
Ibanez Prestige (supposedly high end Japanese made), Fender MIM, Fender USA, Fender MIJ, every PRS SE model etc etc all needed fret levelling to improve the guitars.
Online reviewers always comment on how well fret ends are done, very few reviewers test how well frets are levelled. So I think manufacturers now emphasise doing the ends well at the expense of putting in the time to properly level frets.
Basically any guitar under £2000 seems likely to come with some uneven frets. £1000-2000 guitars are not budget models. You should expect a £1600 Ibanez Prestige or Fender USA guitar to have good fret ends and level frets.
Pro ii
for the Win
Good video. I think it just needed a telecaster with a 7.25 radius to cover everything. AVRI model.
or u could just get a classic vibe and live to pay rent
performer is the best price/performance i think. and it looks the best in these.
I almost bought an Ultra in Texas Tea to match my HSS Ultra strat. Instead I went a bit overboard and modded a fiesta red Vintera Custom 70’s I bought used. It already came with a Mastery M3 bridge, and I changed the pups to a CuNiFe Wide Range neck humbucker and Amber Blues in the bridge (handmade by Wolfgang Damm, he worked for Gibson and came up with the P94). I also changed the pots to VIPots 550k, added a black pickguard, strap locks and got a navy blue Fender case for it. Very happy with it, feels like «my» tele. I can’t sell it anyway at this point :P
Wonderful as always! After far too long I finally landed on the Pro II from among these and many others. One thing I didn't hear (I may have missed it) is that the Pro II is one of the few Telecasters (or even T-Style guitars) out there that has a top load string option. Not only that, but with the Pro II you can top load OR run your strings through the body. May seem unimportant but once you experience the difference, it's a great option to have; especially depending on your style.
A close second--if not tied for first--the Ultra is just so comfortable to play. Also, I'm in love with the Cobra Blue, so there's that. However, I'm still not sold on the Fender Noiseless pups. Were the pups more suited to me and were there a top load option...or if I were just rich...I may have gone with the Ultra.
That said, it's hard to go too far wrong with this line-up. Are they over-priced? Totally depends on what you want. Yes, you're definitely paying extra for the name, but a lot comes with the name, so fair enough.
So do you like the top loading option better since you can use either? I’ve never heard of a guitar that could do either one - very interesting.
I like the Performer
There’s only one Tele: Alnico pickups, 3 saddle bridge, 21 frets on 7.25 deep U neck, Kluson tuners.
Under no circumstances with body contours or heel sculpting be tolerated!
That green 60s one. Good lord that thing sounds great. I would put a treble bleed in it though. Was the thing you were playing on the clean demo of its neck pickup a particular song?
Yeah, the Original 60's sounds superb, but I like the Performer nearly as much.
Which americN, japanese made and custom tele for best sounding of jazz, modern rock- slightlg classix rock, and clean twangy funky strum..?? No bluesy or country ish sound
American original 60's... OR... ultra LUXE ?? .. I think these two sounded the best to me . But still can't make my mind up.
I liked the Stainless steel fret sound, plus they will last! The "Ultra Luxe" sound clean, bright, and could, like EVH said, " We're going to blow then roof off this place"!!! (RIP), Bro
I think that Jack is probably one of the top two or three guys on RUclips for demonstrating gear of all kinds. I've personally purchased four items that he demoed and am really satisfied with the purchases. With regards to these telecasters, the ones with the maple necks always seem to sound so good! For me though, I just can't seem to bond with Maple neck guitars. I've owned a handful of Strats and Tele's with Maple necks and I just can't seem to find The Sweet Spot or any kind of comfortable spot. So I'm a Rosewood or ebony board guy. I'm interested if there's other guys or girls out there that have a similar problem with the maple neck guitars? Or if anybody has had this problem and found a way to overcome it?
Yep , All of my Fender guitars are rosewood fretboards and all of my Gibsons are Rosewood or Ebony. I think rock maple is actually too hard a surface…. Rosewood seems warmer and more responsive and I’ve been playing over 50 years. I have one maple neck Peavey that seems ok and tone wise is really Tele’ like …. I tend not to choose maple whenever I have a chance to choose ! Just my personal experience and preference but I do essentially agree with you on this. Thanks !
@@bluenotesharp yeah that's the same for me. All my Gibson's are Rosewood except for a 56 Les Paul Custom that I have which is ebony. I've owned that 56 for close to 40 years and I picked it up for just over $500! It's pretty sweet it's got the gold Bigsby and a really comfortable neck. But my go-to guitar is a 1971 Les Paul Deluxe in cherry sunburst that I bought brand-spanking-new when I was 17 for $546.52! Took me 10 months to pay that guitar off! I'm in my 60s and worked in the music retail industry for about 30 years and have owned roughly 40 some guitars over the years and that 71 Les Paul was never ever up for sale or even considered for that! I've paired down to 5 guitars and I'm really happy with that. You're probably hip to Heritage guitars. I just purchased thier HS535 one of the Aged Artesian models in a beautiful nitro cherry finish with light relicing. It's crazy, I went into Guitar Center to buy some strings and saw that guitar hanging on the wall and played a few chords without it being plugged in and boy it just resonated so beautifully. When I plugged it in I was immediately sold on it. At $2799 it's half the price of a Gibson ES-335 and in my opinion it's a much better guitar. I played them both back-to-back and the Gibson seemed just kind of muddy sounding and not nearly as responsive or as live as the Heritage. The Heritage comes with Duncan 59 pickups which I had never played before and just love them. I don't know what you have in your arsenal but if you're looking for a semi-hollow you might look at a Heritage. Just my opinion and just passing it on! Have a good one!
@@Jakal-pw8yq , I have a 78’ International Sahara Taupe Tele, 1990 custom shop Strat, a 1960 customized Gibson Melody Maker with one Gibson double cream humbucker and a vintage Tele pup in the bridge position..The rosewood was badly shrunk so I opted for an ebony replacement.
I have a 2012 Gibson ES 355 with Varitone and 57 pups and opted for the rosewood fb( it comes with ebony as well ) and my new go to is a heavily modded 1998 Gibson All American 2…. The only Gibson that came with factory installed spring tremolo system. I dropped some 15 yr old Gibson P-90’s into it with nickel/ chrome covers and a roller nut. It is similar to the newest reissue P-90 Melody Maker but has rear loaded controls. I have to add that I bought most of these for pretty cheap back in the day. It’s crazy how the vintage instrument and vintage accessories market has kept climbing. I love all of my “finds” and purchases and I don’t need much of anything else. Btw , I absolutely thought about those heritage semi hollow guitars and may still grab one. Thanks for the chat…..
@@bluenotesharp yeah no problem. This is what I love about you too that we can all exchanged information and turn each other on to some really cool stuff
Maple necks suck imo lol rosewood all the way
I absolutely love the style of Playing on that Ultra Luxe! Hammersound modern and fresh!
I have a Baja Telecaster, yes I know it's MIM but I hardly play it cause it ways a ton, but it's a quite sort after model so happy days;
What amp were these played on?
After the American Professional - the growth in sound is subtle .. I own a Professional Strat and have played all types of Teles starting from Elite down to Thinline and the Squires and G&L etc ... Professional onward the game is very very different folks.
When you say different as you ascend the lineup, do you mean better or worth the money?
One month later and the Player Plus Fenders have been released, early days but I think consumers who were considering an American made model may be drawn to these upgraded more affordable made in Mexico guitars. Improved neck and frets, locking tuners, noiseless pickups,, push/pull on the tone pot to give more tone variations. New shape bodies on the Tele's and a Nashville version with a middle Strat pickup, better quality bridge and included gig bag, new colours. Glad I didn't buy a Player Tele in the last couple of weeks!!!
You food the tellie justice great demmo and the truth...wow factor 100% I scored the performer tellie vintage white... RocknRollflat5
Looking at a Mexican Player Series. Unfortunately, that’s not covered here.
I always thought telecasters were ugly and I worshipped the strat, then on impulse I bought a telecaster and my eyes opened. Now I can't put it down, fantastic guitar.
The Baja MIM sounds best for me.
I have the American Performer in satin sonic blue, it’s awesome! Going to install some Texas Special pickups and a 4 way selector switch though
Fender m'a écrit que c'est l'équivalent d'une Fender Standard American d'avant. C'est se moquer de nous, vendre à ce prix aussi cher !
C'est honteux. Je n'achète plus rien de chez Fender. Ce n'est qu'un Logo, d'autres font aussi bien à moins cher.
Adieu Fender.
De plus la Telecaster Standard American de 2007 que j'ai a mal été peinte. Pas d'apprêt au niveau des échancrures, une fabrication en série au rabais. La honte !
My problem with fender is that I like big necks. But I can only get that with a vintage style guitar. Which is cool and all and I like that style and sound.
But I also would like big neck more modern type teles like the ultra etc.
American Performer HUM Telecaster should have been used, the Hum Tele is the one, in my opinion , Peace !
American Original sounded the most likable or the most recognizable!
I just got an ultra and it's really great! I'm looking forward to finding out how it's going to fit with the singers I'm playing with. I've been using a les paul clone with lollar p90s and bigsby mostly lately.
Too much speech...
I find the fender AO, line the best value, it a traditional style tele, build is similar to custom shop, without the relic stuff, nitro finish that will age like poly can not, and a parts list that is top shelf, the only issue I have with the AO, line, is the pickups, the potential with a guitar built to this level, is held back by ok pickups, My #1 guitar is a 50’s AO, running don mare hot bakelight pickups, and Gibson 50s style wiring, that guitar has a sweetness, and clarity, it sits in a mix well, both live and tracking, it was the AO line and the change to a 9.5 radius that got me to love vintage fender in a way I could not with a vintage radius, and yes it matters, 12” is my favorite, all my strats, srv, Eric Johnson have 12”, all my les Pual’s have 12”, the shift to 9.5 is not bad, but 7.5 or 7.25 is a no go, and requires perfect setup to not fret out on bends, and it may regardless of setup, as the weather changes so does the neck, and a vintage radius is is pain to keep working correctly, a 9.5 radius is much more forgiving, a 12” even more so, I like to play more that play guitar tech. Just something to consider……
Between the Pro II and Performer Strat, I went with the Performer based on neck feel and pickups. I don’t love the pickups on the performer, but there is something about the pickups on the Pro II that just didn’t sound the way I wanted.
I've got the Jimmy Page Mirror Tele and a 2003 American Standard and they are both awesome but the Mirror Tele is in a league of its own. Seriously a rock machine and an instant classic Tele!
Yeh me too, it just has this transparency and clarity to my ears it’s like totally pure (the Mirror). I think it’s the top loaded bridge. I also have a 60th anniversary nitro blackguard replica standard with maple neck which is so raw in the bass. For value for money it’s the best. My other Tele is the ultra and to me it’s totally lifeless - the Maz 18 here must be doing a lot for it. Ordered some Pure Vintage 64 pickups this week to try and bring it to life. Need to sell one of the three I promised myself!
The neck on the Ultra and the Texas Tea finish are so nice I’d like to save it and keep it and the Mirror ideally.
may i know which Tele has nut width of 44mm or something close to it ?
Would love to have heard the 75th Anniversary "Commemorative" edition with it's custom shop twisted Tele pickups
Tried an ultra strat and did not like the feeling of the neck and thought the pups were lifeless. Went home had a think about the guitars I played and bought the pro 2 dark knight(from peach guutars). If the pro 2 neck was on the ultra I would have bought the ultra and changed the pups.
Recently bought an AM Pro II in Roasted Pine at BTM Nürnberg. Love this Guitar!
The baja
Anyone else not a fan of color finished headstocks on Fenders?
Fender deserves to go bankrupt....so many substandard crap versions of the same thing and the playable ones aren't worth a 10th of what they charge.
Wow, Jack, those tunes are very tasty. Great demos.
People : The better guitar makes the man play better !! you can make him say what he wants ( thats the job- and his pre-frontal cortex, his executive brain ),,, but when he plays - his soul plays through, and its the subconcious brain. So ask yourself ... which guitar made his playing better - more tonality, variation in dynamics, exploration of phrases, sounds, etc....he cannot fake it.
I got one of the few standard Ultra in ash body and it is beautiful, I’m into that neck profile so I prefer it over the luxe… and the luxe doesn’t come in butterscotch blonde anyway
Great video. Didnt know about the Ultra Luxe. Looks interesting