It depends. When I put an Ibanez tube screamer ts808 on it, it sounds dirty, especially in the middle position. It’s a different dirty to a strat. And then when I used the pickups in series, I haven’t been able to put it down. It’s a different kind of heavy dirtier lead than a strat. I roll off a little on the treble bleed and I’ve got a new dirty lead sound that I don’t get from my other telecaster which is a vintage 58’.
I paid $1349 for mine brand new. It's absolutely gorgeous, plays and sounds great, and the case is fantastic, but you bring up a good point. Teles by design are meant to be cheap, why on earth are they so expensive now?
That guitar is what 1700 new now? Absolutely wild. It was a really good guitar but this is nutso pricing even more than when I originally made this vid
I believe I found a gem. It's a Squier classic vibe though. My friend said it's hard to find a Telecaster that felt and sounded that good and versatile too. It's parked until I feel I can play again 😢
Fender closed a whole shift in CA. They are being found out. We don't pay for a name always. When other companies start to push out the same quality for half the price.... my 275 Squier is world's above average to me.
It’s like the classic pickup truck. Originally made to be a cheap affordable utility vehicles for working class people. Now they are luxury vehicles only the rich can afford, unless you don’t care about paying $1,000/month.
My first guitar was a Squier telecaster standard series I had it since 2004 and I didn’t want to get rid of it but the neck and the frets was starting to wear out real bad so I change the pickups and did my own soldering got stainless steel saddles and got a warmoth tele neck with hipshot locking tuner got a set up and wow I literally fell in love with my first guitar again I enjoy playing it every time
I did a similar thing with my first real Stratocaster, I fixed it up and now I fell back in love with it. Way cheaper than buying a new one and it is back to life!
I stopped buying Fender Tele’s about 6 years ago. Now all my new Tele’s, I have built and or are part-casters. They all are excellent players and very good lookers. But the best thing , is that they emerged from an idea, which developed into a project which turned out to be a positive , enjoyable, and super playing instrument, it’s like total Zen, Super Kool 😎 keep on strumming 🎸🎼👍🍻
What pickups do you like best for the tele? Im thinking of changing up my American pro pickups to something that is less chickin pickin and more suited for touch sensitivity and higher gain… any suggestions?
I have an American professional ii Stratocaster that is absolutely awesome. It plays fantastically and sounds great. The pickups have much more clarity than my 61 custom shop Stratocaster and sound much better through fuzz pedals. It almost makes me want to sell my custom shop because it sounds so good. The neck also fits My hand perfectly. For me, price is secondary to if you’re in tone. If it feels good, sounds good and you love it, it’s worth whatever the cost.
I think the PRO ii strat and especially the jazzmaster have enough differentiating factors to justify them more so than the telecaster. There is no american made Jazzmaster at that price point new or used that really compares or competes with the AM Pro version, and the strat has the two point bridge at least compared to other strats in this kind of range. It's just wild that an American Standard Tele can be had for under a grand and is exactly on par with this guitar. I think it's a testament to how good the american standards were but I feel in the case of the Tele it's simply overpriced when considering what else is available. I do agree with if you love a guitar you love it and price doesn't matter, but this one simply didn't have nearly enough magic for me to warrant keeping it for what it cost.
I just sold a schecter custom s style because i like my pro 2 so much . Half the price of the schecter too . Ok the schecter was nicer built with better features, but theres something about this strat thats addictive to play.
I payed $2300 AU for my pro 11 and haven’t regretted it for a second. In fact it quickly became my number one. It came with a Plek setup and it’s one of the best guitars I have ever owned and after 40 years of playing I have owned and played countless different instruments both good and bad. Personal opinion I guess.
Thanks for the comment and your last comment is what I would love the internet to be. I respect your opinion, and you didn't trash mine. I liked this guitar a lot, but it just wasn't the one for me. Glad you love yours!
@@BelloBudo007 Yes - the exchange rate isn’t great for the AUD vs the USD at the moment + supply chain issues into Australia have made shortages of a lot of music gear.
I paid around the same price for mine. I live in Australia as well. I’ve been playing for about as long as you and just like you I’ve owned and played countless guitars. But, I absolutely love my am pro II. Once I stuck a few pedals which I always intended to do as I thought this guitar had potential to play a heavy dirty lead especially in pickup series mode. All I did was add the Ibanez ts808 tube screamer, Strymon blue sky and a little delay from Strymon timeline and wham, that’s the lead sound I knew it had. I haven’t been able to put it down. It sounds so dirty. When I gig, it’s literally my goto for my rhythm lead songs.
I own an American Performer Telecaster, which is really great and a few hundred dollars cheaper than the American Professional line. Any thoughts on that option?
I've had 2 guitar's come back to me. My first and a guitar I'm selling on the 29th. 2 years later, you look healthier. Have you nice day. Thanks for the encouragement
The problem I have with the Mexican Fenders and Asian Squiers are the necks. They are not only skinnier, but they are also narrower at the nut and only have 21 frets. Now the Pro II has 22 Vintage Tall frets, rolled edges on the fingerboard and a recessed contour at the neck-to-body joint, which is really nice. The thing about buying a used 50s or 60s Tele, after 60+ years you have to expect some maintenance is required just to get it back to its original “old technology” state. A fret job alone will be around $350. Or, you buy a new American made Fender with all the latest technology and all new hardware and in the end you end up spending about the same amount of money or less that on that “revived” 50s or 60s guitar. Consider $1499 minus the cost of the included Deluxe case, and that new American made Fender Professional II doesn’t looks so expensive. That’s my $0.02 on the matter.
I don't particularly like Fender Mexico. When I buy and sell Fenders specifically, 99% of the time they are Japanese. A perfect comparison to this guitar is a Fender Japan Hybrid 50's Telecaster I currently have. It has a very beefy neck that is finished and feels literally on par with this. 22 frets to me isn't an issue, if I want to be playing up in that region I have a two PRS guitars that I use anything that high of access. I never pay over a thousand dollars for any of the MIJ stuff, and it is absolutely killer, especially the Hybrid line... it's like if Vinteras weren't so horribly inconsistent and played the way you'd wish they would out of the box.
Not sure if you. Realize this',but the American Pro II comes in 3 colors that are made of pine.These colors barely weigh 7 lbs, For me,that’s worth the price.
Is the 3 Color Burst color one of the Fender colors that uses the pine vs. alder? I could not find the info on Fenders website. I just got a Pro II Telecaster over the weekend and one of the reasons I liked it, besides the amazing neck profile, rosewood fingerboard and the satin neck finish, was it it so light! The 3 color burst must be pine...? I have another limited edition SH blackguard Tele that sounds great but weighs a ton! I love the Pro II. Played it much of the day yesterday.
The Pro II ist now in Europe around 1900 to 2000 EUR, nearly the same to $, but tax is included already in Germany. That's heavy! We've seen prices 1-2 years ago for ~1500-1600 EUR, and last year around xmas Fender increased by 200 EUR. That's crazy! But all other like the Performance are sold out for months (Fender fired ~300 employees last year).
I have an American pro II tele and haven't regretted buying it for a second. I have several guitars that cost around that 2 grand mark which I do regret buying, but the American Pro 2 is worth every penny imho.
I still regret that one, but my main workhorse guitar now is indeed a Japanese Fender Mustang... and the guitar I've had the longest is a 82 JV stratocaster... there are simply few guitars in the world period that can compete with the Japanese Fenders. Which ones do you have?
I guess I will just take away that it wasn’t special, and the rest is just uh, I don’t know. You got a really really really good deal, but you can’t justify the new price for a great guitar that stays in tune and does everything you want it to do. It’s also beautiful looking, buuuuut I don’t know. I guess next time don’t buy a new guitar and you won’t have to worry about justifying the price.
You're not entirely wrong with the sarcasm, I get it. However I have a guitar that now does all of that and did just as good in the studio for a thousand dollars less. Perhaps you're also somewhat right about the buying new, BUT I also knew I was going to be starting this channel and obviously this video alone has done a good job jump starting that.
it did go up, 1,699$ now, lol. I need a tele.. should I save 600 bucks and buy the Vinrtera 50s ? im leaning that way. Ive never bought a non American guitar so im hesitant. I did play a vintera road worn the controls felt like junk. and the vintage frets on the 50s ventera's am I gonna have to replace those in a few years ?
Not a fan at all of the vinteras at their new prices either, Id rather bite the bullet and pay retail for the am pro than buy one of those. Daves guitar shop has a Vintera in used right now you can buy for i think 799 if you really want one but theres no way Id take MIM over made in Japan.
I just got a pretty good deal for a tele ventera 50 and I am amazed with the vintage features... I didn't expected to like it so much. The chunky neck is awesome!
As you go up the line with Fender guitars I find that all the things they offer are dealbreakers such as; noiseless pups, sculpted neck heels, locking tuners, 2 point bridges, belly cuts and 6 saddles on Teles, etc. all the things I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.
I bought an American professional ii in dark knight and sold it about 2 months later. Felt exactly the same way. I have $1000 guitars that I feel played just as well.
It's sad, but in a way it's a credit to Fender and other companies. When I first started there was a gigantic gap between an American Standard and lesser priced models, and as time has gone on that gap has shrunk.
You are completely right, and people are not understanding something, yours might say corona California, because the ones at that price range , are assembled with less than The amount of parts complete made in USA , so people think that they are buying an American made, they’re not, it’s not that they are bad, Nowadays , only Custom shops and signature series are US made completely, Besides that corona is only 7 miles from Mexico And about, 20 miles from the Mexican factory, I bought the same kind of guitar but MIM , and I have an old US made or made in USA the real deal, more than 40 years old , bought it new and special edition, coming back to my Tele cosmic jade Player series plus 2021. by the end of 21, it comes with noiseless pickups , amazing Colors, such an amazing sound, same electronics, Japanese locking tuners , same as yours, which by the way that does not comply with the trademark “ made in USA” not enough materials from 2020 on, so they try to say to us this is American made but its not completely, so they change it to corona CA. They don’t say any more made in USA, but people think that is US-made, if you want an American made go for an old one , custom shop and pay more than 5000, Or a signature series, besides that you don’t have the real deal of an American made, By the way most of the workers at corona are Mexicans, I prefer for the money THE MIM , for example I both almost the same tele , I tried both to me sounds better the Mexican one, With those noiseless pick ups, no hums , And beautiful colors. and with the difference of money I bought and epiphone casino olive worn , such a Beauty and a beast , and since mine Came with that beautiful gig bag, still had the money for the hard case , for the same price of your ex guitar exactly the same, It is almost the same, anyway , the workers are Mexicans mostly at us factory , And the Mexican factory is better trained nowadays, but the people from Mexico they are guitar builders much before than the US because of the mariachi music, people cannot imagine .....the ones who only play rock or jazz , what kind of amazing acoustic guitars are made in Mexico, Especially nylon strings guitars, it is a history where you could find a Mexican acoustic guitar for Mariachi more expensive than and expensive electric guitar , they make masterpieces in the mariachi world of guitars long before the us made its first guitar , I’ll keep mine , so from 2021 on , I will only buy as an investment, signature series, like George Harrison‘s one, they were made only A thousand of them, started at 2500, One month later they went up to $9000, They will keep going up in terms of price that’s a great investment. , best regards.
Your take on the guitar is very different from most peoples. Most are really loving it and you are the first I’ve heard with a complaint about the price.
I think a lot of it comes down to the fact I rebuy and sell guitars. I played maybe 40? Different telecasters last year made from all over the place in different price ranges. This is a very good guitar, just not a great guitar worthy of over $1600 after tax.
I also share the same opinion, I think Fender guitars are really nice quality instruments but many times I can't seem to justify the price, especially when I see what other brands do.
i buy from a variety of stores because i've done it for years but i can highly recommend Kinko Music in Kyoto, Japan for newer models and Ishibashi for used stuff because both have very, very good english speaking staff if you have questions and I've ordered enough to have more confidence buying blind from them than most american shops.
Im pretty sure I came right out and said exactly why. The hybrid Japanese guitars and used american standards are just as good if not better and cost substantially less.
Hey, thank you for keeping it real, being sincere and honest! What do you think of the American Professional 1? I see one for $1,599 in mint condition. I love the tele sound, but I play a lot of classic rock. i.e., the Cars, Green Day, AC/DC, Beatles, Stones. I like that quacky, jangly spanky sound of a tele, especially in the middle position. I do have a Fender Modern Player series, which handles overdrive really well. Your thoughts please. I also had a Fender Baja Telecaster, great guitar which I sold because I had to make some financial decisions to make a deal. Like you I regretted selling this. I even offered to buy it back from the guy, he said "no, I'm having to much fun with it". Oh well.
Thanks for the honesty. Great video! I recommend firstly, a Baja Tele, then as a second choice - American Performer(or used Special) if you want US in the serial number. I seriously never played a Tele nicer than the Bajas, and I play Teles at every musical instrument shop I visit. There is really something 'crafty' about them. They are made for serious players/performers who want a traditional feel with a variety of sounds, and they're workhorses!
Nice to hear an honest review but I have a question/observation. That case is aftermarket about $200? So if you could get the Pro II for $1300 is that worth it? I’m asking cause I’m a new guitar player, only since the end of Nov and I was looking at getting the Pro II
Ah we had a slight misunderstanding. The case came with it, I was referencing the case was $200 if you brought it from Fender by itself. I think this is a good guitar, but for 1300 I would still not buy it. I'd buy an american standard for 1k and be done with it if i HAD to have an american model. Thanks for watching man!
I was after the Fender American professional ii telecaster but i ended up buying the Fender Baja Telecaster pink shell special edition and i don't regret my choice for a second. Bajas are definitely the best telecaster for the money and they sound amazing
I had a baja telecaster with the rosewood fingerboard many years ago, to this day it was the best mexican telecaster ive ever played. They really got those right 👍🏽
Thanks for making this review. I was wondering if I should get an MIA tele to upgrade from my heavily modified MIM at some point in the future. Your video confirmed what I was thinking in that it is probably not really worth it.
I've learned the hard way too many times, if a guitar works there's really not a reason to replace/upgrade it. If you're happy with your mexi tele keep that thing and if you really want a new guitar get something to compliment it!
I’ve been looking at buying an Am Pro II, but honestly, can’t justify the price to myself either. Thanks for your honesty. I’m probably going to pick up a Player Series Tele and upgrade some parts on it to get the custom guitar I have in my head.
Take one fender player telecaster. Add a Gotoh in tune bridge with brass saddles, pure-tone jack socket, upgraded wiring harness, freeway 3 plus 3 six way lever switch, Graphtec nut and string-tree, locking tuners, stainless steel frets, Fender nocaster ‘51 pickups, and a set of D’Addario NYXL 9-42 (or 10-46 if you prefer).
My buddy has a shiflet Telecaster he put the Tim Shaws into, that has a 12" board and plays/sounds killer, that being said I doubt Fender will do it haha
@@AudiomoMusic interesting. Also these pro 2 have "Tall Narrow frets" much like the Nashville tele. Throws me off a bit. Lacrosse Wis, Jimbo zill guitars builds telecaster with Gibson neck. I may have to revisit. Thank you
I just ordered an American Pro ii Strat for $1300 after returning a PRS CE24 which was $2k. Talk about hard time justifying the high price of a guitar! It was nice but not worth the price and no hard shell case. So I have a 2013 American Standard Strat that I paid $950 for brand new. Yes Fender has increased the price, but for me the upgrades are worth paying a bit more for especially the deep C neck and I got the HSS this time round and I love the Miami Blue color which seems retro. Thought about upgrading the 2013 and buying a new Fender neck and changing the pickups but I would have been more than have the price of a new one. Should be in tomorrow and hopefully won’t be disappointed. Thanks for the video!
New CE24s are crazy, and they don't come with a hard case for 500 dollars more than the AM Pro... It's part of the reason I've never tried a silver sky from PRS, 2200 bucks new without a case seemed like robbery. I'm stoked you like your new guitar tho! The color is sick! I would just leave the AM Standard strat alone, those things don't need a damn thing they are great.
I can relate. My 2007 Deluxe Players Strat needs a refret on its skinny, narrow, 21 fret neck with a fingerboard I’ve worn so much it’s scalloped like Yngwie’s. LOL A new guitar seems a better use of my money.
The ultra tele is different in a sense because you simply won't find anything with those features for a much lower price (from Fender). I like the compound radius neck on those and the extra body comfort points, and when you look at Fender's lineup if that's your cup of tea it is the only option really. I personally prefer a more vintage spec'd tele, but they are really nice guitars.
@@AudiomoMusic Thanks for the reply. I do have a 2008 US Standard Tele that is fantastic. The only down side is it can get uncomfortable after a while.. I will give the ultra a good look. Thanks again..👍🇦🇺
@Luke Decision made today. Traded the Tele against the Pro ll in Olympic white and Rosewood board. Only gripe I had with the Pro was no locking tuners which was an easy fix by ordering a set of OEM’s as per the Ultra. Saved a bunch of money and don’t have to worry about the noiseless Pups debate.. 👍🇦🇺
Well that’s your opinion . Mine is that these guitars are worth every penny and I plan on buying one. Great components, great pickups . Sounds better than most tele’s. Period
Just remember, you can buy an American Standard install Fralin pickups which smoke these, and save a few hundred bucks. Also if you want to buy one of these specifically, wait for Davesguitar.com to get another in stock. They sell them mint for 1100, which IMO is a much more appropriate price. I'm just all about getting the most for your money but at the end of the day as long as you're happy that's all that matters.
Because Dave's has by far the best prices on mint used guitars out of anywhere on the internet and they price them flat per model. Shopped there for years, it's incredible how good of a deal you can get if you just wait it out til they get what you're looking for. Not affiliated at all, just appreciate their shop.
@@AudiomoMusic but I’m not buying used im buying new so it doesn’t matter where I buy from . New they’re priced the same everywhere. I’ll use musicians friend , they always do me right.
I think the fender prices are getting really crazy i was in the local guitar shop recently and saw mim new teles going for a grand i have a feeling the used prices are going to get crazy too you can get a used mim for 400 the same price as a classic vibe in 2008 i bought a american standard tele in blizzard pearl for under 900 dollars and that was with a great hardshell case and all the case candy i just heard a week or two ago the american line was going up like 200 dollars i think that is crazy
The fact you can still get a used American Standard for under a thousand is another dagger to the idea of spending 1600+ on one of these new after tax. Those are damn good guitars to this day.
Not sure what you mean about the American Standard being less than the Pro II, unless you mean on the used market. Here in Canada American Standard is $2700, got my Pro II yesterday for $2000. It's hopefully a "forever" guitar for me and I'm financing it so the price doesn't sting quite as badly. Partscasters are fun and I can see myself getting a used one and modding the heck out of it.
Yeah I specifically meant the used ones. I think my point was more of a testament to how good those guitars have been for the last 20 years than anything else. Sounds like you got a good deal for where you live, congrats!
I think you mean the American Original is 2700 in Canada. The American standard doesn’t exists anymore it’s now called the American professional or professional 2.
@@brisson182 yes, which is why I explicitly said used for the american standards. I also mentioned the Original 60's at that same price point used because that's price you can regularly find them for here as well.
@@AudiomoMusic I was replying to the other guys comment lol sorry. Creaulx said “here in Canada amarrican standard is 2700$” but he’s referring to the original without realizing it lol. Everything you said was on point! And I enjoy your videos man keep it up! Cheers from Canada
Ah I was confused, when I click the comments youtube shows me them completely out of context at times haha... thanks for watching these man, I really have fun making them. Amazing to me anyone watches this stuff haha
I've been eyeballing the APII and what's crazy it they're $1800 new now. They're on a Black Friday sale for $1600 and that's still $100 more than what they were when you made this video. Guitar prices on American Fenders are crazy these days.
The quality is even worse now than when I made this despite the prices going into crazy pills land. This will always be a $1k guitar to me at the most, I can get far better quality than anything Fender USA has in production from various brands in Japan for just over a grand and no effort.
@ I built a Partscaster Tele earlier this year that I love and think kills just about anything you'd get stock from Fender that's not an Ultra or Custom Shop. Watching your channel has mad me want to try a Japanese Fender but I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on one since they're not readily available to try anywhere in Maryland where I am. I've become a big time Reverend guy and have been considering getting an Eastsider S instead of a Fender.
Only reason I am leaning toward the American pro ii tele is specifically for the medium jumbo frets. I play a lot of heavy pop punk and post hardcore so those size frets are perfect. Jumbo frets are too big and vintage style frets are way too small. They are the perfect medium, especially if you tend to press hard when making chords
to each there own! but common, the american pro 2 is a dream! light, vibrant, versatile, beautiful, comfortable...I just bought a gibson es 335 , a gibson lp classic, and the tele pro 2...I love them all equally..Well, to be truthful, i cant keep my hands off the tele! And i wanna love the more expensive gibsons....But the tele suprises me the most and im not even a single coil guy, for the most part! plus my lp classic amazing sounds like it has real paf's in it, my luthier offered mr 500 more the ticket price thats how lucky i got with it..And the 335 is abother GEM.. everything you want in an ES....SAY THE TRUTH YOUR A GUITAR JUNKY LIKE ME LOL AND YOU WENT ON A FRIENDSY, THINKING THE WIFE WOULDNT NOTICE THEN SHE SLAPPED YOU FOR SPENDING THE MORTGAGE MONEY ON THE TELE...NOW YOUR TRYING TO JUSTIFY SELLING THE BEST AXE YOU EVER OWNED FOR THE JAPANESE ONE! LMAOOOO...ONLY JOKING, IM PROJECTING BC I WENT ON A CRAZY GUITAR MISSION THAT WOULDVE PAIOD MY HOUSE TAXES FOR 3 YRS LOL GOD BLESS, ALL FENDERS FROM WHEREVER ARE AMAZING TODAY, BUT THE PRO 2? YOU DEFINITLY HADV TO LOSE SLEEP OVER...LOL
I waited to respond to this because I got a good laugh out of it and it made me think about if I actually regret any guitars ive sold. Absolutely do not miss this tele thats the gods honest truth, just didnt inspire me on any leveI. I mentioned your comment in todays video ruclips.net/video/EnjnRXkYr9g/видео.html
I just got the same guitar, but lefty, w the rosewood fretboard.. I gotta say, it did come w a horrid setup.. But after setting it up myself, it might be one of the finest Fenders Ive ever played.. Maybe you just werent vibing w the maple?.. The new pickups are absolutely fantastic.. Ive owned every Fender from Classsic Vibes to Claptons.. My #1 is an American Standard Strat. Ive had Claptons, Blacktops, multiple 52 reissues, players series etc.. I feel like they have really outdone themselves w this newest series..
I liked the guitar a lot. I've gigged the country with American Standard Tele for ages before I bought my custom shop, and this guitar is exactly on par with that AS. The problem to me was the fact I could just get an American Standard for almost half the price and throw in a set of Fralin pickups that are better than anything Fender puts out stock anyways. Now part of this is in fact a major compliment to Fenders tele design, there simply isn't anything in that price range to me that can justify double the cost when I can get an American Standard that is just as good and save a bunch. I have been presented an opportunity to test out a different model in this line, I think I might have an entirely different take because there simply isn't anything American made of that model for that price point that even comes close. I wish the righty came in rosewood btw, I love that color combo!
@LukeDo it. You wont be disappointed. I have a Players series strat.. Its a wonderful backup to my American Strat for gigging etc, but yeah I know they say everywhere theyre the exact same on here, but the Americans are still better. Between the Ultra and Am Pro 2, build quality is maybe gonna be slightly higher etc on the Ultra, but for myself personally, I would do the American Pro 2 over the Ultra.. The Ultras are nice, but w the noiseless pickups, and belly cuts, etc I feel like it kinda takes away from the whole tele thing a lil.. Too modern for my tastes, but thats just me. I like mine more old skool.. They are fine guitars tho, and the finishes are super nice on the Ultras too. The Ultras are more like what they called the "Elites" a few years ago. The Am pro2 is just a brand new everyday tele w the push push knob, and a few tweaks. Im also really enjoying the vmod2 stock pickups. Im digging mine more every day. For the money theres nothing wrong w those Players either tho. Nice upgrade from the older Mexican Standard line. Sorry for the long winded response lol
Jeremy, your assessment matches my impression of the new Fender American Professional II Telecasters. Take the string through body or string through top bridge. Fender thought through every part of the guitar’s design from top to bottom before committing to production. Even has a Micro-Tilt neck adjustment.
I think most of the tele sound comes through the strings going through the body....seems to engender a natural compression. With that in mind wouldn't any good alder bodied guitar that is string through bring the same sonic pleasure and perhaps at a fraction of the price?....Just a suggestion.
The value of the dollar has changed things. The telecaster is still priced just above half of an LP standard. Gotta pay employees a decent wage in the US where as they work for very little elsewhere in most cases.
It has and I agree employees need to be compensated fairly, but Servco Private equity don't give those extra earnings to the factory workers in Corona. In fact, when sh*t hit the fan in 2022 and they realized they were in a bit of financial problem, one of their solutions to cut costs was to fire 300 people FROM the Fender USA factory. I love my old Fender guitars and will likely never sell the two American ones I have left, but there are other brands not owned by private equity that do pay their employees well while also delivering a far better product than what Fender does these days.
@@AudiomoMusic I half agree. Companies are all going through the same problems/ price increases. Not defending the firing of all those workers but the economy is sht. Still, good content. Who would have thought 2 grand or even 3 would be the new standard pricing for most brands.
It is in the USA, but it's why I have turned to Japan for both new and used guitars primarily. The QC is exceptional the pricing is fantastic no matter what tier you are looking at ( unless you are genuinely at collector grade master built small batch stuff ). When I look at their market and ours I can't help but laugh at how badly we overpay here as a whole. Global economy is indeed in the dumps and it sucks for everyone at this point.
I FINALLY realized that Telecasters are where Heaven resides. Had a few before I saw the light with a modified Squire. Bought a Vintera 50s for $900 and went totally nuts in love with it. Soo of course I had to jeep going and bought the American Pro II. I have it here in my lap as I type this. The Vintera is ABSOLUTELY better. Sending this Am Pro II back. Maybe I'll try the American Vintage 50s but if that is not better, then my Vintera and me forever
It sounds like timing played a pretty big hand in your decision, but yes, ultimately it's about the price tag. Years ago I tried out a Fender La Cabronita Boracho Custom Shop Bass at the Hollywood GC. The sales rep asked me what I thought. I told him that it was unique, it sounded good but I wasn't hearing $4000 coming out of it. I understand. Just saying.
I think the biggest thing that kills the value to me is the fact I regularly see American Standards go for at least 500 less used and they are every bit as good. I did like the guitar, but just not for 1500. My ex-bandmate has one of those Basses, it is a monster!
@@AudiomoMusic Out of my three Teles only one is US made (others are MIM). It's important to have at least 1 American made in your arsenal and I don't see buying a new one any time soon. If I needed a second one it would be a used AS. BTW, a few weeks ago my Xmas present was a 2013 Fender Cabronita Precision bass and THAT is a monster! I've been using that one more than my American Standard P. Also, your Partscaster is very impressive! Well done!
"Don't want to sound like that old man on the porch"......but OK LOOKING like that old man on the porch (hat thing). LOL. Love the channel. The G&L with MFDs (Asian or American) really sound better than Mex/USA Strat/Tele's to me. My $600 G&L S-500 really resonated with me in a way neither the Pro nor Deluxe Strat ever did. Picked up a used G&L ASAT Classic Tele last month and I also really like it!
The GL's are great, I wish they made a cabronita style one of those guys with real filtertrons, I'd probably pick one up. People are just weird about the name on the headstock for one reason or another
I bought an AP II in Dark Night in 2022. I bought it for the finish, knowing that if I didn't like the sound, I could just put a set of Lindy Fralin Blues Special pickups in it. I had to learn to love it, but now I love the neck feel. I moved it to the couch so it would be the first one I grabbed. I may still do a pickup swap if I don't like it. BTW, that shirt had me distracted for about 60 seconds. I thought there was a real fly on it 😂.
@AudiomoMusic He's my favorite living comic, so it felt like the picture fit my RUclips name like a glove 🤣. I was lucky enough to see Bill in 2021 and he was hilarious, I'm glad you reading my comment in his voice made you laugh. Now I'm going to have to read my own comment in his voice.
I'd drop 500 bucks on a G & L tele and have 1k left over to buy a tube amp.....Fender is pricing themselves out of the starving artist market in Gibson fashion....I'd have a hard time telling the difference between a Squire CV tele on a recording and a custom shop tele...as they say...art is not created by autographs!
With sales so high, there's no reason to innovate. Learning to do great setups yourself will make low to mid grade guitar play like butter and save you so much.
This is another major issue I have, the stuff coming out of asia for less money is being spec'd to the max out of the box. I know it isn't apples to oranges but the days of the gigantic superiority of american models in this price range are long gone imho.
@@jamesmarkham7489 I think we will be looking at a similar situation that Fender and Gibson had in the 80's coming soon. The competition is pretty much already caught up, and in some cases they are even better. +1 on learning to do stuff on your own, I've saved thousands over my musical life doing things on my own!
I have to agree, the color is outrageous. I will say, it really did look better in person than it ever did in a video or picture. They definitely got that part right.
I like that looks of that metallic Dark Night Blue, especially with a rosewood fingerboard. I think the latest Tim Shaw pickups in them sound really good, too. At least what I’m hearing through my Sennheiser and AKG headphones on the videos of those guitars.
everything is great with the am ii , but except the saddle. will exchange it. sound is great, but you are right, should be perfect for the huge price. is not.
Just done the same. Very good guitar, but for £1500 I expected it to wow me in ways it hasn't. At the end of the day it's a Telecaster; sounds like all the Teles I've played and owned in the past, and the minor refinements (rolled edges, carved heel etc) don't justify the price disparity or improve my playing experience THAT much. Wish I'd tried the Strat out instead, I tend to find more difference between Strat models than Teles.
Glad I'm not crazy, although I'm not proud of how I did this video I still stand by it. It's a good guitar, but especially since the prices have gone up yet again, it's less appealing than even at the time of filming. Thanks Peter!
You can get a partscaster for less than American Fender that is just as good or better. Need a few skills but a luthier can put it together for you for a couple hundred probably.
At a certain point when it comes to a Fender Tele, You are not paying tor improved sound. You are paying for better materials, vintage materials or a a solid resale value. When you walk out the door with an American Pro 2, You can be assured you can sell it again for close to what you paid for it if it's in excellent condition. Thats; what make it worth it.
That last part is why I ended up just waiting for a steal of a deal on a used Fender Custom Shop Tele instead. I wish I didn't have to sell the first one to begin with, but really, I got more than I paid for it initially and had many great years with it. If I ever have to sell this new custom shop I bought I'm sure it will be the same scenario, I won't be breaking even I'd actually end up ahead. The AM Pro II was a solid guitar though, I didn't make this to bash it in any way really.
@@bobdelair02 You guys have access to a lot of the Fender Japan stuff that I'd much rather have than one of these over there tho, it's all about trade offs
@@AudiomoMusic I don’t know if that’s true .. 😁 but we do have excellent local builders and brands giving way better value alternatives to the main stream top brands... think Haar guitars or Maybach for instance 👌.
@@bobdelair02 I see a lot of rare new Fender Japan guitars for sale in the Netherlands that I never see available here. Is it shop specific then? I get quite jealous, saw a thinline Tele custom in sherwood green that I still think about randomly haha
these are on sale for $1100 at Adorama, which puts me on the fence, but yeah, I don't really think it's special at all, I just don't have a single tele at all yet and really want one. seems like since you can buy aftermarket Fender necks now that building your own's really the way to go... guess I'll start hunting around for a sale on a body, lol i think you talked me outta buying this (which is a good thing)
Bought my am pro 1 ash Tele BSB for $950. Any instrument used is going to save you coin. What’s your point? I never buy new but some folks do. A new anything is going to cost more…
The point is even for the same price used for an American one im still taking the Japanese ones simply make better stuff than we do right now and have for ages.
@LA-zc9rg to each their own, the stuff we get here from Japan is not the same as they get there. The good models would never be sold here, Fender would never be able to sell another mexican guitar or am pro again unless the prices went back to where they were a decade ago.
@@adamk6299 In US online without tax ~ 1600-1700 bucks, so? The Pro II ist now in Europe around 1900 to 2000 EUR, nearly the same to $, but tax is included already in Germany. That's heavy! We've seen prices 1-2 years ago for ~1500-1600 EUR, and last year around xmas Fender increased by 200 EUR. That's crazy! But all other like the Performance are sold out for months (Fender fired ~300 employees last year).
I hear you. I've got 3 PRS guitars. All SEs. I went to Guitar Center and played a top-of-the-line Core model. Did it sound better? Well, yeah. Did it play better? Again, yeah. Did it sound and play $4000 better? No way.
Yeah the PRS stuff especially, the diminishing returns are gigantic. The cores are just so much more expensive and the SE's really capture a big chunk of the vibe as is.
Bro, that is a sick Tele though! I LOVE the paintjob and usually I'm not a fan of those really bright colors. I JUST bought a American Fender Preformer Strat but after watching some more videos I decided I liked the tone slightly more on the Pro2 so I called and cancelled the Preformer and went for the Pro2 and since I had bought a whole bunch of other gear I talked the guy down nearly $200 off the strat. So I paid around $1320 for the pro2 which is only 20 bucks above the Preformer. Now after watching you play that sweet ass Miami Blue Tele, I'm rethinking it, lol.
It's a great guitar, I think a lot of people thought I was calling it a bad guitar even though I stated it wasn't. I think you got a decent deal, and yeah it's beautiful color I ended up with a similar looking telecaster that cost me significantly less and suits me better. If you're happy with your guitar don't worry about what any schmuck like me on the internet says, play it into the ground bro! 👍
@@AudiomoMusic You're no schmuck, broski! I value your opinion and enjoyed how well you played that Tele although I never owned a Tele before so it's on my list of guitars to own. But you're right the new Strats and Teles are pretty costly. We'll see if I like the Pro2 if not I'll be sending it back or trading it in. Thanks for posting! 😎
Greetings from 2023. The Performer 2 is $1,700 and eggs are even higher. Stay in the past , the future sucks ass. Some old geezer is seeing how much he can destroy the country. Inflation is sky high, we’re about to get destroyed by both China and Russia and Doge coin still hasn’t rebounded to the .55 cents level it was at when I put my life savings into.
Considering that Fenders and Gibsons are the main 2 brands of electric guitars that hold their value the best and are the easiest to resell, Fenders are still a much better deal than Gibsons. If you guys think Fenders are expensive, I wonder what you think of Gibsons?
The way I look at Gibson is, I buy used 99.9% of the time. The things aren't ever 100% spot on from QC at the factory so why on earth pay full price? Also with Les Paul style guitars, I really do feel there are better options for less, PRS absolutely deserve more credit on that tweaking of the design... they are remarkable.
Ehh honestly if you are looking at the AM Pro line just get the AM Original and call it a day. I have both AM Pro and AM Original Jazzmasters. I mainly play the American Original JM.
@@dorianford6227 Haha I don't play that kind of music at all. I just liked the meme comment. I have a 65 AVRI Jazzmaster, definitely a great instrument in its own right.
My question is, can you justify $1300 for the American performer tele? It does have greasebucket tone controls and vintage tuners. I don't understand why they put a push/push on the AP ii. I'm not buying a telecaster for it to sound like a les paul 😕
No, I couldn't. I'd buy a used American standard for under a grand and be 400 richer in the wallet afterwards. 👍. Also, check out a shop called prymaxe.com, sometimes they get this model in used and will sell it in basically mint condition for about a grand. Worth a shout.
@@AudiomoMusic Yeah, I agree. Fender's price for new models compared to the quality of the instrument is insane (with the exception of the vintera models). If I am going to spend over a grand on a t style guitar, I'd rather buy from other companies like G&L or Reverend. They are at least adding stuff like locking tuners and easy to adjust pickups 🤷♂️. Thank you for advice :)
The greg koch tele version Reverend makes is one of the best production Teles ive ever played! The p90 one is totally different but it's also incredible!
Got mine for $1000 new, sounds to damn good imo. It’s plays better than my silver sky, and a couple other more expensive guitars I have. it really blew my mind how good it plays.
If I got it for 1k brand new out the door, I think I might have had a different perspective on keeping it. There was nothing wrong with it outside of the fact that I didn't bond with it, and I happened to get the Japanese Hybrid 60's that was significiantly less and just as good at the same time. Congrats on your score!
@Neon Thunderbird they definitely raised their prices, but I got it at a guitar center. Guitar center usually beats the marked price already, and they had a 25-30% special on fenders and I grabbed one for 1g. I remember cost was around $1200-$1300.
You can buy the neck in mint condition for 500 on its own from places like the Stratosphere when they have them in stock which is a pretty regular basis
I agree that it's a lot of money for a guitar. They've gone up $200 since you made this video. It's crazy! But unfortunately they aren't going to get any cheaper. They will probably only go up again. Picked one up new for a good deal (all things considered) recently because options are limited for us lefties. I've always wanted a good forever Tele and this was already really pushing my limits of what I'm willing to spend on a guitar.
I understand the pain of being a lefty, my bassist is a lefty and when he decided he wanted a stratocaster I ended up building him a partscaster because no manufacturer outside of a custom shop had the specs he wanted. The good news is, this tele will last you forever and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it - so enjoy it!
New big brand guitars are pricey these days, no doubt about it. Can't do it myself. No need. Found a sweet 2012 mexican strat used for $380. Like new never played still had the plastic on it. Got one of the new Squier contemporary teles with a roasted maple neck. Huge value.
The used MIM market was the best for quite some time, but since the prices of even those have flown up they are harder to come by for deals like that. I had a swamp ash Mexican tele years ago I got for 300, and it puts the entire modern mexican line to shame in terms of tone, feel, and value. Just crazy how much the market has changed.
@Neon Thunderbird Got the Gunmetal Metallic. Color doesn't really match my 2007 Squier Vintage Modified Gun Metal Grey strat though. The Tele has a slight bluish cast to it but it does look good.
I understand your reasoning....but...at least in Europe : if you build a 1000 euro partscaster and sell it, you get max 300 back if you are lucky enough to find a buyer. If you buy a USA Fender for 1500 euro, you can easily get 1200 for it used, maybe more for a nice or rare color. So I'm sure a partscaster is NOT a cheaper option in the long run. Usually the more expensive guitars are the cheaper buy in the long run (custom shop second hand prices are almost new prices). The special color Silver Sky PRS guitars sell used for 2000 more than newprice.
If I were in Europe, I'd be buying used Fender Japan all day over the AM Pro ii. They are much easier to get a hold of, and just as good as these are honestly. I do so what you are saying to an extent, but even though I've now gone full on with the parts caster and taken my time with it, I've actually created a superior guitar than the AM Pro that is exactly to my specifications for less. Granted, it took a while to find the right deals on the parts but with patience it can absolutely be done by anyone. The silver skys are not really a fair comparison, they were 500 in the first and 1000 in the second run so they were extremely exclusive... PRS rarely make guitars in that price range in such exclusivity with a major artist. Fender on the other hand shell out countless FSR's every single year from every single one of their factories.
@@AudiomoMusic : Fender Japan guitars are pretty much unavailable overhere. I owned a Japanese Fender Antigua Telecaster, amazing guitar. I agree you can build an amazing partscaster, I'm only talking about resale value.
Last March I picked up very lightly used American special tele with a hard case for 825 canadian dollars. It had barely been out of its case since it was bought new in 2017. Looking at the prices now I think I got a steal. The MiM guitars similar to mine are going for 900+ used these days!
You made the right call. I am preaching to anyone that will listen the way you went is the way anyone that wants an american made tele in this price range should go. AM special or AM standard. Congrats man!
At first, I was looking for new Tokai AST Stratocaster. But I got American Performer Telecaster. Satisfied so much. With new spec and conservative looking. Yosemite pick ups and neck profile, they are my sweet spot. Much better than my Silver star. In Japan, the price of Japanese vintage increased much higher. Newer is better.
Yes you're right it is too much to pay for a tele. When I started looking for a tele years ago the mexican standards were £325. Now the mexican Players are around £700!!!!! I bought a Pro 1 last weekend (with genuine reliccing😜) and it's a beauty, for £1099 and that's as much as I'm happy to pay. nearly went for performer but the Pro 1 has compensated saddles and different pickups. It's a little bit too shiny for my tastes, but you could spend forever searching for the perfect one.....
A weird thing has happened lately. New American Fenders look great, and feel great under the hands, but I swear the Mexican ones that I have picked up recently are 75% as good, and for half the price. 🤷♂️
The Fender Japan stuff blows my mind even more, I've had 4 come in the shop since this video, each one was better than this AM Pro was, and half the price. It's crazy how good the mexican and Japanese fenders are.
My big hands like a chunky neck. I have a 2007 Deluxe Player Strat which I’ve enjoyed for its features, but the skinny neck diameter, 21 frets and narrow neck at the nut, are a problem I’d like to get past. Really jonesing for a fatter, wider neck with 22 frets.
Good video and I kinda related. I have an Am Pro II Strat that's slick and awesome, plays good and all that. All the raves you hear about it are completely true. It's great, no doubt. But the thing is is that I have other guitars that do pretty much the exact same thing this one does. I have an old strat and a custom build/Partscaster/Frankenstein that both truly feel 100% "MINE" in a way that no other guitar I have really does and they play great. So why do I have this one if I'm not vibing with it like my main ones? Cuz it's good? I could sell it and fund studio time or get that kickass new amp I really want. We shouldn't feel obligated to keep things that are just taking up space. And something that isn't for you will probably be AMAZING for someone else. So sometimes letting something go is a good thing.
5 years ago I bought an American Special strat. $2000 AUD with case. I took it to another store in town that did setups……. When I picked it up, the store owner asked me where I got it from as he believed it was a fake mock up due to the poor quality of finish and the finer components underneath what you can see when playing it. He was suprised when I had purchased it from the authorised fender dealer in town. I just took my MIM player Tele to the same guy. In his opinion, a better instrument. $850 cheaper. I think it’s sometimes hit and miss
Which is why I avoid Fender USA and Fender Mexico at this point. The only Fender factory I can count on to give me a consistent product without horrible QC issues or blatantly lazy work is Fender Japan. A shame because the prices for MIM and MIA are both outrageous at this point and its a crapshoot on whether you will get a good guitar or not.
That's all the more reason NOT to want to buy this guitar. On top of that, don't you guys have full access to the Fender Japan line? I'd be buying one of those and laughing with an equally good product and money saved in my bank account.
If you close your eyes, he sounds like David Spade talking lol
Haha I've never heard that before! I grew up loving Tommy Boy so this is a great compliment!
😂you a fool!
I heard a little Edward Norton...
It depends. When I put an Ibanez tube screamer ts808 on it, it sounds dirty, especially in the middle position. It’s a different dirty to a strat. And then when I used the pickups in series, I haven’t been able to put it down.
It’s a different kind of heavy dirtier lead than a strat. I roll off a little on the treble bleed and I’ve got a new dirty lead sound that I don’t get from my other telecaster which is a vintage 58’.
I paid $1349 for mine brand new. It's absolutely gorgeous, plays and sounds great, and the case is fantastic, but you bring up a good point. Teles by design are meant to be cheap, why on earth are they so expensive now?
That guitar is what 1700 new now? Absolutely wild. It was a really good guitar but this is nutso pricing even more than when I originally made this vid
I believe I found a gem. It's a Squier classic vibe though. My friend said it's hard to find a Telecaster that felt and sounded that good and versatile too. It's parked until I feel I can play again 😢
Fender closed a whole shift in CA. They are being found out. We don't pay for a name always. When other companies start to push out the same quality for half the price.... my 275 Squier is world's above average to me.
Inflation is a thing.
It’s like the classic pickup truck. Originally made to be a cheap affordable utility vehicles for working class people. Now they are luxury vehicles only the rich can afford, unless you don’t care about paying $1,000/month.
My first guitar was a Squier telecaster standard series I had it since 2004 and I didn’t want to get rid of it but the neck and the frets was starting to wear out real bad so I change the pickups and did my own soldering got stainless steel saddles and got a warmoth tele neck with hipshot locking tuner got a set up and wow I literally fell in love with my first guitar again I enjoy playing it every time
I did a similar thing with my first real Stratocaster, I fixed it up and now I fell back in love with it. Way cheaper than buying a new one and it is back to life!
I stopped buying Fender Tele’s about 6 years ago. Now all my new Tele’s, I have built and or are part-casters. They all are excellent players and very good lookers. But the best thing , is that they emerged from an idea, which developed into a project which turned out to be a positive , enjoyable, and super playing instrument, it’s like total Zen, Super Kool 😎 keep on strumming 🎸🎼👍🍻
that is a killer way to look at instruments and life dude. Enjoy your guitars man!
I built my Tele Thinline for the tune of about $1400 - it's on par with any custom shop. It's a guitar I will never get rid of.
I totally love partscasters too. I got this same Miami blue tele and it's heavenly also.
What pickups do you like best for the tele? Im thinking of changing up my American pro pickups to something that is less chickin pickin and more suited for touch sensitivity and higher gain… any suggestions?
@@personalfreedom2700I suggest you Nocaster set on your Tele.
The sound is very rounded and detailed.
Never, never get rid of a guitar you have, or you will regret it forever. I know.
I don't really regret it at all, there are two guitars I do regret selling... this is most definitely not one of them.
Truth. I sold a Highway One Tele several years ago that I’m still beating my self up over
i just sold a les paul traditional, don’t regret it one bit, it was just a piece of shit 😂
I have an American professional ii Stratocaster that is absolutely awesome. It plays fantastically and sounds great. The pickups have much more clarity than my 61 custom shop Stratocaster and sound much better through fuzz pedals. It almost makes me want to sell my custom shop because it sounds so good. The neck also fits My hand perfectly. For me, price is secondary to if you’re in tone. If it feels good, sounds good and you love it, it’s worth whatever the cost.
I think the PRO ii strat and especially the jazzmaster have enough differentiating factors to justify them more so than the telecaster. There is no american made Jazzmaster at that price point new or used that really compares or competes with the AM Pro version, and the strat has the two point bridge at least compared to other strats in this kind of range.
It's just wild that an American Standard Tele can be had for under a grand and is exactly on par with this guitar. I think it's a testament to how good the american standards were but I feel in the case of the Tele it's simply overpriced when considering what else is available. I do agree with if you love a guitar you love it and price doesn't matter, but this one simply didn't have nearly enough magic for me to warrant keeping it for what it cost.
I just sold a schecter custom s style because i like my pro 2 so much . Half the price of the schecter too . Ok the schecter was nicer built with better features, but theres something about this strat thats addictive to play.
New strings?
i love my player tele which I've tweaked. the neck is so good.
I payed $2300 AU for my pro 11 and haven’t regretted it for a second. In fact it quickly became my number one. It came with a Plek setup and it’s one of the best guitars I have ever owned and after 40 years of playing I have owned and played countless different instruments both good and bad. Personal opinion I guess.
Thanks for the comment and your last comment is what I would love the internet to be. I respect your opinion, and you didn't trash mine. I liked this guitar a lot, but it just wasn't the one for me. Glad you love yours!
Was the $2300 price tag simply because of the exchange rate or are they somehow harder to come by in Oz?
@@BelloBudo007 Yes - the exchange rate isn’t great for the AUD vs the USD at the moment + supply chain issues into Australia have made shortages of a lot of music gear.
I paid around the same price for mine. I live in Australia as well. I’ve been playing for about as long as you and just like you I’ve owned and played countless guitars. But, I absolutely love my am pro II. Once I stuck a few pedals which I always intended to do as I thought this guitar had potential to play a heavy dirty lead especially in pickup series mode. All I did was add the Ibanez ts808 tube screamer, Strymon blue sky and a little delay from Strymon timeline and wham, that’s the lead sound I knew it had. I haven’t been able to put it down. It sounds so dirty. When I gig, it’s literally my goto for my rhythm lead songs.
I know I’m late to the party, but did you buy a Tele or Strat AV Pro ii?
I own an American Performer Telecaster, which is really great and a few hundred dollars cheaper than the American Professional line. Any thoughts on that option?
I have CV tele.Replaced the bridge pickup with an hotrails .Love it.
That's a pretty hot pickup! Bet that thing screams
I just received a new Pro II Tele. More than I wanted to spend but they cost what they cost and aren't going to get cheaper.
I've had 2 guitar's come back to me. My first and a guitar I'm selling on the 29th. 2 years later, you look healthier. Have you nice day. Thanks for the encouragement
Over 2 more years without any alcohol have helped, this was filmed around 6 months into being sober so I was still kinda detoxing out
The problem I have with the Mexican Fenders and Asian Squiers are the necks. They are not only skinnier, but they are also narrower at the nut and only have 21 frets. Now the Pro II has 22 Vintage Tall frets, rolled edges on the fingerboard and a recessed contour at the neck-to-body joint, which is really nice.
The thing about buying a used 50s or 60s Tele, after 60+ years you have to expect some maintenance is required just to get it back to its original “old technology” state. A fret job alone will be around $350. Or, you buy a new American made Fender with all the latest technology and all new hardware and in the end you end up spending about the same amount of money or less that on that “revived” 50s or 60s guitar.
Consider $1499 minus the cost of the included Deluxe case, and that new American made Fender Professional II doesn’t looks so expensive. That’s my $0.02 on the matter.
I don't particularly like Fender Mexico. When I buy and sell Fenders specifically, 99% of the time they are Japanese. A perfect comparison to this guitar is a Fender Japan Hybrid 50's Telecaster I currently have. It has a very beefy neck that is finished and feels literally on par with this. 22 frets to me isn't an issue, if I want to be playing up in that region I have a two PRS guitars that I use anything that high of access. I never pay over a thousand dollars for any of the MIJ stuff, and it is absolutely killer, especially the Hybrid line... it's like if Vinteras weren't so horribly inconsistent and played the way you'd wish they would out of the box.
Fender Player strats and teles have 22 frets...
The player plus series has the wider nut, 22 frets, and a rolled fingerboard.
Great video! I’ve been drooling over an AM PRO II Tele Deluxe. Is a used B+ specimen worth 1350 USD (with taxes) plus shipping?
Not sure if you.
Realize this',but the American Pro II comes in 3 colors that are made of pine.These colors barely weigh 7 lbs, For me,that’s worth the price.
Yeah they are pretty cool, kinda different sound going on but definitely still tele-ish.
Tele Ish? You thinkn it sounds different than a Standard American?@@AudiomoMusic
Is the 3 Color Burst color one of the Fender colors that uses the pine vs. alder? I could not find the info on Fenders website. I just got a Pro II Telecaster over the weekend and one of the reasons I liked it, besides the amazing neck profile, rosewood fingerboard and the satin neck finish, was it it so light! The 3 color burst must be pine...? I have another limited edition SH blackguard Tele that sounds great but weighs a ton! I love the Pro II. Played it much of the day yesterday.
I'm 2 years late... Do you still have that blue guitar, that's on the wall?? Thanks for sharing 🎸 🎶
The mustang with the stripes? Sadly that was bought to sell and went I think about a week after I filmed this one
I dig that song in the studio, is that an original? Is there somewhere I can listen to it?
Haha I see this is one of your first videos and it's definitely noticeable but good for you for sticking with it.
yeah i hate this video but i dont believe in deleting things off hahaha
The Pro II ist now in Europe around 1900 to 2000 EUR, nearly the same to $, but tax is included already in Germany. That's heavy! We've seen prices 1-2 years ago for ~1500-1600 EUR, and last year around xmas Fender increased by 200 EUR. That's crazy! But all other like the Performance are sold out for months (Fender fired ~300 employees last year).
Are there any site where I can buy MIJ teless new or used?? im in the US
Really intrigued to see how your partscaster turns out. I wasn't aware how much of a saving there was to be made by going that route.
I am really stoked for it, I have literally all of the parts except the body here already. Hopefully I can have that video up soon!
I have an American pro II tele and haven't regretted buying it for a second. I have several guitars that cost around that 2 grand mark which I do regret buying, but the American Pro 2 is worth every penny imho.
That's great to hear then, if a guitar speaks to you doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or what brand/model it is
I’ve been playing Fender Japan teles now for 16 years and they are amazing…..A great guitar is one you can’t put down….that’s what matters.
I still regret that one, but my main workhorse guitar now is indeed a Japanese Fender Mustang... and the guitar I've had the longest is a 82 JV stratocaster... there are simply few guitars in the world period that can compete with the Japanese Fenders.
Which ones do you have?
Those FSR MIJ Hybrid 60s Teles are crazy good.
I guess I will just take away that it wasn’t special, and the rest is just uh, I don’t know. You got a really really really good deal, but you can’t justify the new price for a great guitar that stays in tune and does everything you want it to do. It’s also beautiful looking, buuuuut I don’t know. I guess next time don’t buy a new guitar and you won’t have to worry about justifying the price.
You're not entirely wrong with the sarcasm, I get it. However I have a guitar that now does all of that and did just as good in the studio for a thousand dollars less. Perhaps you're also somewhat right about the buying new, BUT I also knew I was going to be starting this channel and obviously this video alone has done a good job jump starting that.
this is true for any guitar that cost over a thousand dollars.
it did go up, 1,699$ now, lol. I need a tele.. should I save 600 bucks and buy the Vinrtera 50s ? im leaning that way. Ive never bought a non American guitar so im hesitant. I did play a vintera road worn the controls felt like junk. and the vintage frets on the 50s ventera's am I gonna have to replace those in a few years ?
Not a fan at all of the vinteras at their new prices either, Id rather bite the bullet and pay retail for the am pro than buy one of those. Daves guitar shop has a Vintera in used right now you can buy for i think 799 if you really want one but theres no way Id take MIM over made in Japan.
Would you say that the AP II Strat is a better deal?
if i were in the market for an american made fender strat OR tele I'd buy a used american standard and save myself a few hundred dollars.
I just got a pretty good deal for a tele ventera 50 and I am amazed with the vintage features... I didn't expected to like it so much. The chunky neck is awesome!
Great to hear!
As you go up the line with Fender guitars I find that all the things they offer are dealbreakers such as; noiseless pups, sculpted neck heels, locking tuners, 2 point bridges, belly cuts and 6 saddles on Teles, etc. all the things I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.
I bought an American professional ii in dark knight and sold it about 2 months later. Felt exactly the same way. I have $1000 guitars that I feel played just as well.
It's sad, but in a way it's a credit to Fender and other companies. When I first started there was a gigantic gap between an American Standard and lesser priced models, and as time has gone on that gap has shrunk.
You are completely right, and people are not understanding something, yours might say corona California, because the ones at that price range , are assembled with less than The amount of parts complete made in USA , so people think that they are buying an American made, they’re not, it’s not that they are bad, Nowadays , only Custom shops and signature series are US made completely, Besides that corona is only 7 miles from Mexico And about, 20 miles from the Mexican factory, I bought the same kind of guitar but MIM , and I have an old US made or made in USA the real deal, more than 40 years old , bought it new and special edition, coming back to my Tele cosmic jade Player series plus 2021. by the end of 21, it comes with noiseless pickups , amazing Colors, such an amazing sound, same electronics, Japanese locking tuners , same as yours, which by the way that does not comply with the trademark “ made in USA” not enough materials from 2020 on, so they try to say to us this is American made but its not completely, so they change it to corona CA. They don’t say any more made in USA, but people think that is US-made, if you want an American made go for an old one , custom shop and pay more than 5000, Or a signature series, besides that you don’t have the real deal of an American made, By the way most of the workers at corona are Mexicans,
I prefer for the money THE MIM , for example I both almost the same tele , I tried both to me sounds better the Mexican one, With those noiseless pick ups, no hums , And beautiful colors. and with the difference of money I bought and epiphone casino olive worn , such a Beauty and a beast , and since mine Came with that beautiful gig bag, still had the money for the hard case , for the same price of your ex guitar exactly the same, It is almost the same, anyway , the workers are Mexicans mostly at us factory , And the Mexican factory is better trained nowadays, but the people from Mexico they are guitar builders much before than the US because of the mariachi music, people cannot imagine .....the ones who only play rock or jazz , what kind of amazing acoustic guitars are made in Mexico, Especially nylon strings guitars, it is a history where you could find a Mexican acoustic guitar for Mariachi more expensive than and expensive electric guitar , they make masterpieces in the mariachi world of guitars long before the us made its first guitar , I’ll keep mine , so from 2021 on , I will only buy as an investment, signature series, like George Harrison‘s one, they were made only A thousand of them, started at 2500, One month later they went up to $9000, They will keep going up in terms of price that’s a great investment. , best regards.
Corona is not near the Mexican border. It's like 120 miles.
Your take on the guitar is very different from most peoples. Most are really loving it and you are the first I’ve heard with a complaint about the price.
I think a lot of it comes down to the fact I rebuy and sell guitars. I played maybe 40? Different telecasters last year made from all over the place in different price ranges. This is a very good guitar, just not a great guitar worthy of over $1600 after tax.
I also share the same opinion, I think Fender guitars are really nice quality instruments but many times I can't seem to justify the price, especially when I see what other brands do.
I am buying my son an American Pro 2 Telecaster for his birthday. Should I get him the regular or Deluxe version? I don’t mind the price. Thanks!
Regular 100%, I would check out Dave Guitar Shop OR Melody Music if you are about to buy. Melody will give you 30% off a new one.
@@AudiomoMusicwhy regular 100%?
Where can you get the Japanese ones from?
i buy from a variety of stores because i've done it for years but i can highly recommend Kinko Music in Kyoto, Japan for newer models and Ishibashi for used stuff because both have very, very good english speaking staff if you have questions and I've ordered enough to have more confidence buying blind from them than most american shops.
I sold mine, too. The tall narrow frets just did not jive with me.
I've been looking at those Vintage Sound amps for the last hour or two, I really want to try one of those now that you brought them to my attention.
I dont understand this video, is it just about the prices on the Fender going up?
There's no reasons to why it isnt worth the money.
Im pretty sure I came right out and said exactly why. The hybrid Japanese guitars and used american standards are just as good if not better and cost substantially less.
Hey, thank you for keeping it real, being sincere and honest! What do you think of the American Professional 1? I see one for $1,599 in mint condition. I love the tele sound, but I play a lot of classic rock. i.e., the Cars, Green Day, AC/DC, Beatles, Stones. I like that quacky, jangly spanky sound of a tele, especially in the middle position. I do have a Fender Modern Player series, which handles overdrive really well. Your thoughts please. I also had a Fender Baja Telecaster, great guitar which I sold because I had to make some financial decisions to make a deal. Like you I regretted selling this. I even offered to buy it back from the guy, he said "no, I'm having to much fun with it". Oh well.
Thanks for the honesty. Great video!
I recommend firstly, a Baja Tele, then as a second choice - American Performer(or used Special) if you want US in the serial number.
I seriously never played a Tele nicer than the Bajas, and I play Teles at every musical instrument shop I visit. There is really something 'crafty' about them. They are made for serious players/performers who want a traditional feel with a variety of sounds, and they're workhorses!
Got my Tele Performer and Im absolutely in love with it.
I LOVE the neck on that guitar. So smooth.
Nice to hear an honest review but I have a question/observation. That case is aftermarket about $200? So if you could get the Pro II for $1300 is that worth it? I’m asking cause I’m a new guitar player, only since the end of Nov and I was looking at getting the Pro II
Ah we had a slight misunderstanding. The case came with it, I was referencing the case was $200 if you brought it from Fender by itself. I think this is a good guitar, but for 1300 I would still not buy it. I'd buy an american standard for 1k and be done with it if i HAD to have an american model. Thanks for watching man!
@@AudiomoMusic audio music is clueless. These guitars are amazing and are worth every penny
I was after the Fender American professional ii telecaster but i ended up buying the Fender Baja Telecaster pink shell special edition and i don't regret my choice for a second. Bajas are definitely the best telecaster for the money and they sound amazing
I had a baja telecaster with the rosewood fingerboard many years ago, to this day it was the best mexican telecaster ive ever played. They really got those right 👍🏽
Thanks for making this review. I was wondering if I should get an MIA tele to upgrade from my heavily modified MIM at some point in the future. Your video confirmed what I was thinking in that it is probably not really worth it.
I've learned the hard way too many times, if a guitar works there's really not a reason to replace/upgrade it. If you're happy with your mexi tele keep that thing and if you really want a new guitar get something to compliment it!
I’ve been looking at buying an Am Pro II, but honestly, can’t justify the price to myself either. Thanks for your honesty. I’m probably going to pick up a Player Series Tele and upgrade some parts on it to get the custom guitar I have in my head.
It's a lot more fun doing that honestly. I really enjoyed building my partscaster.
Im buying used. Never buy new imo.
Take one fender player telecaster. Add a Gotoh in tune bridge with brass saddles, pure-tone jack socket, upgraded wiring harness, freeway 3 plus 3 six way lever switch, Graphtec nut and string-tree, locking tuners, stainless steel frets, Fender nocaster ‘51 pickups, and a set of D’Addario NYXL 9-42 (or 10-46 if you prefer).
Great point "too expensive"
These Tim Shaw V Mods are full of clarity and growl. I would like to see Fender telecaster pro 2 with 12" radius fret.
My buddy has a shiflet Telecaster he put the Tim Shaws into, that has a 12" board and plays/sounds killer, that being said I doubt Fender will do it haha
@@AudiomoMusic interesting. Also these pro 2 have "Tall Narrow frets" much like the Nashville tele. Throws me off a bit. Lacrosse Wis, Jimbo zill guitars builds telecaster with Gibson neck. I may have to revisit. Thank you
I just ordered an American Pro ii Strat for $1300 after returning a PRS CE24 which was $2k. Talk about hard time justifying the high price of a guitar! It was nice but not worth the price and no hard shell case. So I have a 2013 American Standard Strat that I paid $950 for brand new. Yes Fender has increased the price, but for me the upgrades are worth paying a bit more for especially the deep C neck and I got the HSS this time round and I love the Miami Blue color which seems retro. Thought about upgrading the 2013 and buying a new Fender neck and changing the pickups but I would have been more than have the price of a new one. Should be in tomorrow and hopefully won’t be disappointed. Thanks for the video!
New CE24s are crazy, and they don't come with a hard case for 500 dollars more than the AM Pro... It's part of the reason I've never tried a silver sky from PRS, 2200 bucks new without a case seemed like robbery. I'm stoked you like your new guitar tho! The color is sick! I would just leave the AM Standard strat alone, those things don't need a damn thing they are great.
I can relate. My 2007 Deluxe Players Strat needs a refret on its skinny, narrow, 21 fret neck with a fingerboard I’ve worn so much it’s scalloped like Yngwie’s. LOL
A new guitar seems a better use of my money.
Interesting point of view. What about the Ultra Tele? Worth it or not in your opinion?
The ultra tele is different in a sense because you simply won't find anything with those features for a much lower price (from Fender). I like the compound radius neck on those and the extra body comfort points, and when you look at Fender's lineup if that's your cup of tea it is the only option really. I personally prefer a more vintage spec'd tele, but they are really nice guitars.
@@AudiomoMusic Thanks for the reply. I do have a 2008 US Standard Tele that is fantastic. The only down side is it can get uncomfortable after a while.. I will give the ultra a good look. Thanks again..👍🇦🇺
@Luke Decision made today. Traded the Tele against the Pro ll in Olympic white and Rosewood board. Only gripe I had with the Pro was no locking tuners which was an easy fix by ordering a set of OEM’s as per the Ultra. Saved a bunch of money and don’t have to worry about the noiseless Pups debate.. 👍🇦🇺
@@jimmyjimmy951 Are you happy with your choice? I am currently experiencing the same indecision you had going on a few weeks ago.
@Luke Would you mind telling me which one you chose? (once you've done so of course) I have the same problem.
Well that’s your opinion . Mine is that these guitars are worth every penny and I plan on buying one. Great components, great pickups . Sounds better than most tele’s. Period
Just remember, you can buy an American Standard install Fralin pickups which smoke these, and save a few hundred bucks. Also if you want to buy one of these specifically, wait for Davesguitar.com to get another in stock. They sell them mint for 1100, which IMO is a much more appropriate price. I'm just all about getting the most for your money but at the end of the day as long as you're happy that's all that matters.
@@AudiomoMusic yeah but I want the one w humbuckers
@@AudiomoMusic and why do I need to wait for Dave’s guitars ,? I can get one anywhere.
Because Dave's has by far the best prices on mint used guitars out of anywhere on the internet and they price them flat per model. Shopped there for years, it's incredible how good of a deal you can get if you just wait it out til they get what you're looking for. Not affiliated at all, just appreciate their shop.
@@AudiomoMusic but I’m not buying used im buying new so it doesn’t matter where I buy from . New they’re priced the same everywhere. I’ll use musicians friend , they always do me right.
I think the fender prices are getting really crazy i was in the local guitar shop recently and saw mim new teles going for a grand i have a feeling the used prices are going to get crazy too you can get a used mim for 400 the same price as a classic vibe in 2008 i bought a american standard tele in blizzard pearl for under 900 dollars and that was with a great hardshell case and all the case candy i just heard a week or two ago the american line was going up like 200 dollars i think that is crazy
The fact you can still get a used American Standard for under a thousand is another dagger to the idea of spending 1600+ on one of these new after tax. Those are damn good guitars to this day.
Fender`s under $1000 guitars have gone up $200 in the last year.
Not sure what you mean about the American Standard being less than the Pro II, unless you mean on the used market. Here in Canada American Standard is $2700, got my Pro II yesterday for $2000. It's hopefully a "forever" guitar for me and I'm financing it so the price doesn't sting quite as badly. Partscasters are fun and I can see myself getting a used one and modding the heck out of it.
Yeah I specifically meant the used ones. I think my point was more of a testament to how good those guitars have been for the last 20 years than anything else. Sounds like you got a good deal for where you live, congrats!
I think you mean the American Original is 2700 in Canada. The American standard doesn’t exists anymore it’s now called the American professional or professional 2.
@@brisson182 yes, which is why I explicitly said used for the american standards. I also mentioned the Original 60's at that same price point used because that's price you can regularly find them for here as well.
@@AudiomoMusic I was replying to the other guys comment lol sorry. Creaulx said “here in Canada amarrican standard is 2700$” but he’s referring to the original without realizing it lol.
Everything you said was on point! And I enjoy your videos man keep it up! Cheers from Canada
Ah I was confused, when I click the comments youtube shows me them completely out of context at times haha... thanks for watching these man, I really have fun making them. Amazing to me anyone watches this stuff haha
I've been eyeballing the APII and what's crazy it they're $1800 new now. They're on a Black Friday sale for $1600 and that's still $100 more than what they were when you made this video. Guitar prices on American Fenders are crazy these days.
The quality is even worse now than when I made this despite the prices going into crazy pills land. This will always be a $1k guitar to me at the most, I can get far better quality than anything Fender USA has in production from various brands in Japan for just over a grand and no effort.
@ I built a Partscaster Tele earlier this year that I love and think kills just about anything you'd get stock from Fender that's not an Ultra or Custom Shop.
Watching your channel has mad me want to try a Japanese Fender but I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on one since they're not readily available to try anywhere in Maryland where I am.
I've become a big time Reverend guy and have been considering getting an Eastsider S instead of a Fender.
If you can, get a Hipshot B-Bender
Only reason I am leaning toward the American pro ii tele is specifically for the medium jumbo frets. I play a lot of heavy pop punk and post hardcore so those size frets are perfect. Jumbo frets are too big and vintage style frets are way too small. They are the perfect medium, especially if you tend to press hard when making chords
The American pro ii tele comes with narrow tall frets, the hybrid 60s teles come with medium jumbos
to each there own! but common, the american pro 2 is a dream! light, vibrant, versatile, beautiful, comfortable...I just bought a gibson es 335 , a gibson lp classic, and the tele pro 2...I love them all equally..Well, to be truthful, i cant keep my hands off the tele! And i wanna love the more expensive gibsons....But the tele suprises me the most and im not even a single coil guy, for the most part! plus my lp classic amazing sounds like it has real paf's in it, my luthier offered mr 500 more the ticket price thats how lucky i got with it..And the 335 is abother GEM.. everything you want in an ES....SAY THE TRUTH YOUR A GUITAR JUNKY LIKE ME LOL AND YOU WENT ON A FRIENDSY, THINKING THE WIFE WOULDNT NOTICE THEN SHE SLAPPED YOU FOR SPENDING THE MORTGAGE MONEY ON THE TELE...NOW YOUR TRYING TO JUSTIFY SELLING THE BEST AXE YOU EVER OWNED FOR THE JAPANESE ONE! LMAOOOO...ONLY JOKING, IM PROJECTING BC I WENT ON A CRAZY GUITAR MISSION THAT WOULDVE PAIOD MY HOUSE TAXES FOR 3 YRS LOL GOD BLESS, ALL FENDERS FROM WHEREVER ARE AMAZING TODAY, BUT THE PRO 2? YOU DEFINITLY HADV TO LOSE SLEEP OVER...LOL
I waited to respond to this because I got a good laugh out of it and it made me think about if I actually regret any guitars ive sold. Absolutely do not miss this tele thats the gods honest truth, just didnt inspire me on any leveI. I mentioned your comment in todays video ruclips.net/video/EnjnRXkYr9g/видео.html
I just got the same guitar, but lefty, w the rosewood fretboard.. I gotta say, it did come w a horrid setup.. But after setting it up myself, it might be one of the finest Fenders Ive ever played.. Maybe you just werent vibing w the maple?.. The new pickups are absolutely fantastic.. Ive owned every Fender from Classsic Vibes to Claptons.. My #1 is an American Standard Strat. Ive had Claptons, Blacktops, multiple 52 reissues, players series etc.. I feel like they have really outdone themselves w this newest series..
I liked the guitar a lot. I've gigged the country with American Standard Tele for ages before I bought my custom shop, and this guitar is exactly on par with that AS. The problem to me was the fact I could just get an American Standard for almost half the price and throw in a set of Fralin pickups that are better than anything Fender puts out stock anyways. Now part of this is in fact a major compliment to Fenders tele design, there simply isn't anything in that price range to me that can justify double the cost when I can get an American Standard that is just as good and save a bunch.
I have been presented an opportunity to test out a different model in this line, I think I might have an entirely different take because there simply isn't anything American made of that model for that price point that even comes close. I wish the righty came in rosewood btw, I love that color combo!
@LukeDo it. You wont be disappointed. I have a Players series strat.. Its a wonderful backup to my American Strat for gigging etc, but yeah I know they say everywhere theyre the exact same on here, but the Americans are still better. Between the Ultra and Am Pro 2, build quality is maybe gonna be slightly higher etc on the Ultra, but for myself personally, I would do the American Pro 2 over the Ultra.. The Ultras are nice, but w the noiseless pickups, and belly cuts, etc I feel like it kinda takes away from the whole tele thing a lil.. Too modern for my tastes, but thats just me. I like mine more old skool.. They are fine guitars tho, and the finishes are super nice on the Ultras too. The Ultras are more like what they called the "Elites" a few years ago. The Am pro2 is just a brand new everyday tele w the push push knob, and a few tweaks. Im also really enjoying the vmod2 stock pickups. Im digging mine more every day. For the money theres nothing wrong w those Players either tho. Nice upgrade from the older Mexican Standard line. Sorry for the long winded response lol
Jeremy, your assessment matches my impression of the new Fender American Professional II Telecasters. Take the string through body or string through top bridge. Fender thought through every part of the guitar’s design from top to bottom before committing to production. Even has a Micro-Tilt neck adjustment.
I think most of the tele sound comes through the strings going through the body....seems to engender a natural compression. With that in mind wouldn't any good alder bodied guitar that is string through bring the same sonic pleasure and perhaps at a fraction of the price?....Just a suggestion.
I think you're exactly right.
Any choice you make for you is the good and right choice. Music, to me, is very subjective on all fronts. Your money... your choice. Be happy!
The value of the dollar has changed things. The telecaster is still priced just above half of an LP standard. Gotta pay employees a decent wage in the US where as they work for very little elsewhere in most cases.
It has and I agree employees need to be compensated fairly, but Servco Private equity don't give those extra earnings to the factory workers in Corona. In fact, when sh*t hit the fan in 2022 and they realized they were in a bit of financial problem, one of their solutions to cut costs was to fire 300 people FROM the Fender USA factory. I love my old Fender guitars and will likely never sell the two American ones I have left, but there are other brands not owned by private equity that do pay their employees well while also delivering a far better product than what Fender does these days.
@@AudiomoMusic I half agree. Companies are all going through the same problems/ price increases. Not defending the firing of all those workers but the economy is sht. Still, good content. Who would have thought 2 grand or even 3 would be the new standard pricing for most brands.
It is in the USA, but it's why I have turned to Japan for both new and used guitars primarily. The QC is exceptional the pricing is fantastic no matter what tier you are looking at ( unless you are genuinely at collector grade master built small batch stuff ). When I look at their market and ours I can't help but laugh at how badly we overpay here as a whole. Global economy is indeed in the dumps and it sucks for everyone at this point.
Can't get over that fly.
I FINALLY realized that Telecasters are where Heaven resides. Had a few before I saw the light with a modified Squire. Bought a Vintera 50s for $900 and went totally nuts in love with it. Soo of course I had to jeep going and bought the American Pro II. I have it here in my lap as I type this. The Vintera is ABSOLUTELY better. Sending this Am Pro II back. Maybe I'll try the American Vintage 50s but if that is not better, then my Vintera and me forever
Man let me save you the money, if you love the vintera why even look for another tele - you got what you need don't fix it if it ain't broke
@@AudiomoMusic You are no doubt right. I receive the Vintage Monday. I'll come back here and let you know!
It sounds like timing played a pretty big hand in your decision, but yes, ultimately it's about the price tag. Years ago I tried out a Fender La Cabronita Boracho Custom Shop Bass at the Hollywood GC. The sales rep asked me what I thought. I told him that it was unique, it sounded good but I wasn't hearing $4000 coming out of it. I understand. Just saying.
I think the biggest thing that kills the value to me is the fact I regularly see American Standards go for at least 500 less used and they are every bit as good. I did like the guitar, but just not for 1500. My ex-bandmate has one of those Basses, it is a monster!
@@AudiomoMusic Out of my three Teles only one is US made (others are MIM). It's important to have at least 1 American made in your arsenal and I don't see buying a new one any time soon. If I needed a second one it would be a used AS. BTW, a few weeks ago my Xmas present was a 2013 Fender Cabronita Precision bass and THAT is a monster! I've been using that one more than my American Standard P. Also, your Partscaster is very impressive! Well done!
"Don't want to sound like that old man on the porch"......but OK LOOKING like that old man on the porch (hat thing). LOL. Love the channel. The G&L with MFDs (Asian or American) really sound better than Mex/USA Strat/Tele's to me. My $600 G&L S-500 really resonated with me in a way neither the Pro nor Deluxe Strat ever did. Picked up a used G&L ASAT Classic Tele last month and I also really like it!
The GL's are great, I wish they made a cabronita style one of those guys with real filtertrons, I'd probably pick one up. People are just weird about the name on the headstock for one reason or another
@@AudiomoMusic Being Puerto Rican myself....I sorta understand...
I bought an AP II in Dark Night in 2022. I bought it for the finish, knowing that if I didn't like the sound, I could just put a set of Lindy Fralin Blues Special pickups in it. I had to learn to love it, but now I love the neck feel. I moved it to the couch so it would be the first one I grabbed. I may still do a pickup swap if I don't like it.
BTW, that shirt had me distracted for about 60 seconds. I thought there was a real fly on it 😂.
I just read this entire comment in bill burrs voice and I’m dying over here
@AudiomoMusic He's my favorite living comic, so it felt like the picture fit my RUclips name like a glove 🤣. I was lucky enough to see Bill in 2021 and he was hilarious, I'm glad you reading my comment in his voice made you laugh. Now I'm going to have to read my own comment in his voice.
I was always after a Tele!! and actually ended up buying a Baja and love it!!
I'd drop 500 bucks on a G & L tele and have 1k left over to buy a tube amp.....Fender is pricing themselves out of the starving artist market in Gibson fashion....I'd have a hard time telling the difference between a Squire CV tele on a recording and a custom shop tele...as they say...art is not created by autographs!
With sales so high, there's no reason to innovate. Learning to do great setups yourself will make low to mid grade guitar play like butter and save you so much.
This is another major issue I have, the stuff coming out of asia for less money is being spec'd to the max out of the box. I know it isn't apples to oranges but the days of the gigantic superiority of american models in this price range are long gone imho.
@@jamesmarkham7489 I think we will be looking at a similar situation that Fender and Gibson had in the 80's coming soon. The competition is pretty much already caught up, and in some cases they are even better. +1 on learning to do stuff on your own, I've saved thousands over my musical life doing things on my own!
Valid 👍 but that miami blue, WOW. Even the recent Mexican one are pretty good for the price and not that far in quality. Thanks for sharing.
I have to agree, the color is outrageous. I will say, it really did look better in person than it ever did in a video or picture. They definitely got that part right.
I like that looks of that metallic Dark Night Blue, especially with a rosewood fingerboard. I think the latest Tim Shaw pickups in them sound really good, too. At least what I’m hearing through my Sennheiser and AKG headphones on the videos of those guitars.
everything is great with the am ii , but except the saddle. will exchange it. sound is great, but you are right, should be perfect for the huge price. is not.
That's the biggest problem, it's a great guitar but it's not outstanding enough to warrant this price imho
Just done the same. Very good guitar, but for £1500 I expected it to wow me in ways it hasn't. At the end of the day it's a Telecaster; sounds like all the Teles I've played and owned in the past, and the minor refinements (rolled edges, carved heel etc) don't justify the price disparity or improve my playing experience THAT much.
Wish I'd tried the Strat out instead, I tend to find more difference between Strat models than Teles.
Glad I'm not crazy, although I'm not proud of how I did this video I still stand by it. It's a good guitar, but especially since the prices have gone up yet again, it's less appealing than even at the time of filming. Thanks Peter!
You can get a partscaster for less than American Fender that is just as good or better. Need a few skills but a luthier can put it together for you for a couple hundred probably.
At a certain point when it comes to a Fender Tele, You are not paying tor improved sound. You are paying for better materials, vintage materials or a a solid resale value. When you walk out the door with an American Pro 2, You can be assured you can sell it again for close to what you paid for it if it's in excellent condition. Thats; what make it worth it.
That last part is why I ended up just waiting for a steal of a deal on a used Fender Custom Shop Tele instead. I wish I didn't have to sell the first one to begin with, but really, I got more than I paid for it initially and had many great years with it. If I ever have to sell this new custom shop I bought I'm sure it will be the same scenario, I won't be breaking even I'd actually end up ahead. The AM Pro II was a solid guitar though, I didn't make this to bash it in any way really.
You made a great point.The prices on these telecasters are ridiculous.💯
It's only going to get worse, don't see it ever going back to normal
What 🤔 only 1500 USD ? Bargain! Here (The Netherlands) they sell for more than 2100 USD (1750 EUR)... 🤨
@@bobdelair02 You guys have access to a lot of the Fender Japan stuff that I'd much rather have than one of these over there tho, it's all about trade offs
@@AudiomoMusic I don’t know if that’s true .. 😁 but we do have excellent local builders and brands giving way better value alternatives to the main stream top brands... think Haar guitars or Maybach for instance 👌.
@@bobdelair02 I see a lot of rare new Fender Japan guitars for sale in the Netherlands that I never see available here. Is it shop specific then? I get quite jealous, saw a thinline Tele custom in sherwood green that I still think about randomly haha
these are on sale for $1100 at Adorama, which puts me on the fence, but yeah, I don't really think it's special at all, I just don't have a single tele at all yet and really want one. seems like since you can buy aftermarket Fender necks now that building your own's really the way to go... guess I'll start hunting around for a sale on a body, lol i think you talked me outta buying this (which is a good thing)
Bought my am pro 1 ash Tele BSB for $950. Any instrument used is going to save you coin. What’s your point? I never buy new but some folks do. A new anything is going to cost more…
The point is even for the same price used for an American one im still taking the Japanese ones simply make better stuff than we do right now and have for ages.
Not my experience.
@LA-zc9rg to each their own, the stuff we get here from Japan is not the same as they get there. The good models would never be sold here, Fender would never be able to sell another mexican guitar or am pro again unless the prices went back to where they were a decade ago.
2 years later good luck if you find one for 1800....its crazy
It’s not THAT bad but pretty close, FJB nonetheless
@@adamk6299 In US online without tax ~ 1600-1700 bucks, so?
The Pro II ist now in Europe around 1900 to 2000 EUR, nearly the same to $, but tax is included already in Germany. That's heavy! We've seen prices 1-2 years ago for ~1500-1600 EUR, and last year around xmas Fender increased by 200 EUR. That's crazy! But all other like the Performance are sold out for months (Fender fired ~300 employees last year).
I hear you. I've got 3 PRS guitars. All SEs. I went to Guitar Center and played a top-of-the-line Core model. Did it sound better? Well, yeah. Did it play better? Again, yeah. Did it sound and play $4000 better? No way.
Yeah the PRS stuff especially, the diminishing returns are gigantic. The cores are just so much more expensive and the SE's really capture a big chunk of the vibe as is.
Personally I would have kept both. If the Pro2 Tele is anything like the Pro2 Strat, you may regret letting it go.
It’s been a few years, haven’t looked back since but I’ve had that happen with other guitars
Bro, that is a sick Tele though! I LOVE the paintjob and usually I'm not a fan of those really bright colors.
I JUST bought a American Fender Preformer Strat but after watching some more videos I decided I liked the tone slightly more on the Pro2 so I called and cancelled the Preformer and went for the Pro2 and since I had bought a whole bunch of other gear I talked the guy down nearly $200 off the strat. So I paid around $1320 for the pro2 which is only 20 bucks above the Preformer. Now after watching you play that sweet ass Miami Blue Tele, I'm rethinking it, lol.
It's a great guitar, I think a lot of people thought I was calling it a bad guitar even though I stated it wasn't. I think you got a decent deal, and yeah it's beautiful color I ended up with a similar looking telecaster that cost me significantly less and suits me better. If you're happy with your guitar don't worry about what any schmuck like me on the internet says, play it into the ground bro! 👍
@@AudiomoMusic You're no schmuck, broski! I value your opinion and enjoyed how well you played that Tele although I never owned a Tele before so it's on my list of guitars to own. But you're right the new Strats and Teles are pretty costly. We'll see if I like the Pro2 if not I'll be sending it back or trading it in. Thanks for posting! 😎
Greetings from 2023. The Performer 2 is $1,700 and eggs are even higher. Stay in the past , the future sucks ass. Some old geezer is seeing how much he can destroy the country. Inflation is sky high, we’re about to get destroyed by both China and Russia and Doge coin still hasn’t rebounded to the .55 cents level it was at when I put my life savings into.
getting the word
Considering that Fenders and Gibsons are the main 2 brands of electric guitars that hold their value the best and are the easiest to resell, Fenders are still a much better deal than Gibsons. If you guys think Fenders are expensive, I wonder what you think of Gibsons?
The way I look at Gibson is, I buy used 99.9% of the time. The things aren't ever 100% spot on from QC at the factory so why on earth pay full price? Also with Les Paul style guitars, I really do feel there are better options for less, PRS absolutely deserve more credit on that tweaking of the design... they are remarkable.
But what about it wasn't worth the money?
The fact you can get an equally as good guitar made in the same factory for hundreds less without much effort.
Where I live used American strats cost a lot
Where was that? They can definitely be expensive anywhere at this point but some places more than others for sure
He lives by Portland Oregon
But can the tele metal or djent?
Next tele review, I will metal the shit out of it for you man
Without it being modified no not really but it will cut in a mix
Ehh honestly if you are looking at the AM Pro line just get the AM Original and call it a day. I have both AM Pro and AM Original Jazzmasters. I mainly play the American Original JM.
@@dorianford6227 Haha I don't play that kind of music at all. I just liked the meme comment. I have a 65 AVRI Jazzmaster, definitely a great instrument in its own right.
My question is, can you justify $1300 for the American performer tele? It does have greasebucket tone controls and vintage tuners. I don't understand why they put a push/push on the AP ii. I'm not buying a telecaster for it to sound like a les paul 😕
No, I couldn't. I'd buy a used American standard for under a grand and be 400 richer in the wallet afterwards. 👍.
Also, check out a shop called prymaxe.com, sometimes they get this model in used and will sell it in basically mint condition for about a grand. Worth a shout.
@@AudiomoMusic Yeah, I agree. Fender's price for new models compared to the quality of the instrument is insane (with the exception of the vintera models). If I am going to spend over a grand on a t style guitar, I'd rather buy from other companies like G&L or Reverend. They are at least adding stuff like locking tuners and easy to adjust pickups 🤷♂️. Thank you for advice :)
The greg koch tele version Reverend makes is one of the best production Teles ive ever played! The p90 one is totally different but it's also incredible!
Got mine for $1000 new, sounds to damn good imo. It’s plays better than my silver sky, and a couple other more expensive guitars I have. it really blew my mind how good it plays.
If I got it for 1k brand new out the door, I think I might have had a different perspective on keeping it. There was nothing wrong with it outside of the fact that I didn't bond with it, and I happened to get the Japanese Hybrid 60's that was significiantly less and just as good at the same time. Congrats on your score!
@@AudiomoMusic I think for $1000-$1200 range for the guitar is good.
@Neon Thunderbird they definitely raised their prices, but I got it at a guitar center. Guitar center usually beats the marked price already, and they had a 25-30% special on fenders and I grabbed one for 1g. I remember cost was around $1200-$1300.
@Neon Thunderbird Yea, It was new.
I love my am pro 2 Miami blue tele it's fantastic brother
What got me was the narrow tall frets on a perfect neck. I’d pay $1600 for just the next if I had to.
You can buy the neck in mint condition for 500 on its own from places like the Stratosphere when they have them in stock which is a pretty regular basis
I agree that it's a lot of money for a guitar. They've gone up $200 since you made this video. It's crazy! But unfortunately they aren't going to get any cheaper. They will probably only go up again. Picked one up new for a good deal (all things considered) recently because options are limited for us lefties. I've always wanted a good forever Tele and this was already really pushing my limits of what I'm willing to spend on a guitar.
I understand the pain of being a lefty, my bassist is a lefty and when he decided he wanted a stratocaster I ended up building him a partscaster because no manufacturer outside of a custom shop had the specs he wanted. The good news is, this tele will last you forever and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it - so enjoy it!
I think you right
now that these are nearing 2 grand I feel even stronger about it
New big brand guitars are pricey these days, no doubt about it. Can't do it myself. No need. Found a sweet 2012 mexican strat used for $380. Like new never played still had the plastic on it. Got one of the new Squier contemporary teles with a roasted maple neck. Huge value.
The used MIM market was the best for quite some time, but since the prices of even those have flown up they are harder to come by for deals like that. I had a swamp ash Mexican tele years ago I got for 300, and it puts the entire modern mexican line to shame in terms of tone, feel, and value. Just crazy how much the market has changed.
@Neon Thunderbird Got the Gunmetal Metallic. Color doesn't really match my 2007 Squier Vintage Modified Gun Metal Grey strat though. The Tele has a slight bluish cast to it but it does look good.
I understand your reasoning....but...at least in Europe : if you build a 1000 euro partscaster and sell it, you get max 300 back if you are lucky enough to find a buyer. If you buy a USA Fender for 1500 euro, you can easily get 1200 for it used, maybe more for a nice or rare color. So I'm sure a partscaster is NOT a cheaper option in the long run. Usually the more expensive guitars are the cheaper buy in the long run (custom shop second hand prices are almost new prices). The special color Silver Sky PRS guitars sell used for 2000 more than newprice.
If I were in Europe, I'd be buying used Fender Japan all day over the AM Pro ii. They are much easier to get a hold of, and just as good as these are honestly. I do so what you are saying to an extent, but even though I've now gone full on with the parts caster and taken my time with it, I've actually created a superior guitar than the AM Pro that is exactly to my specifications for less. Granted, it took a while to find the right deals on the parts but with patience it can absolutely be done by anyone. The silver skys are not really a fair comparison, they were 500 in the first and 1000 in the second run so they were extremely exclusive... PRS rarely make guitars in that price range in such exclusivity with a major artist. Fender on the other hand shell out countless FSR's every single year from every single one of their factories.
@@AudiomoMusic : Fender Japan guitars are pretty much unavailable overhere. I owned a Japanese Fender Antigua Telecaster, amazing guitar. I agree you can build an amazing partscaster, I'm only talking about resale value.
I really am thinking about one of those Japanese teles
Definitely worth a look, especially given how US and MIM prices keep rocketing new.
Last March I picked up very lightly used American special tele with a hard case for 825 canadian dollars. It had barely been out of its case since it was bought new in 2017. Looking at the prices now I think I got a steal. The MiM guitars similar to mine are going for 900+ used these days!
You made the right call. I am preaching to anyone that will listen the way you went is the way anyone that wants an american made tele in this price range should go. AM special or AM standard. Congrats man!
@@AudiomoMusic Performers are pretty close as well.
At first, I was looking for new Tokai AST Stratocaster. But I got American Performer Telecaster. Satisfied so much. With new spec and conservative looking. Yosemite pick ups and neck profile, they are my sweet spot. Much better than my Silver star. In Japan, the price of Japanese vintage increased much higher. Newer is better.
Yes you're right it is too much to pay for a tele. When I started looking for a tele years ago the mexican standards were £325. Now the mexican Players are around £700!!!!!
I bought a Pro 1 last weekend (with genuine reliccing😜) and it's a beauty, for £1099 and that's as much as I'm happy to pay. nearly went for performer but the Pro 1 has compensated saddles and different pickups. It's a little bit too shiny for my tastes, but you could spend forever searching for the perfect one.....
A weird thing has happened lately. New American Fenders look great, and feel great under the hands, but I swear the Mexican ones that I have picked up recently are 75% as good, and for half the price. 🤷♂️
The Fender Japan stuff blows my mind even more, I've had 4 come in the shop since this video, each one was better than this AM Pro was, and half the price. It's crazy how good the mexican and Japanese fenders are.
Agree, even 85% as good. 👍
My big hands like a chunky neck. I have a 2007 Deluxe Player Strat which I’ve enjoyed for its features, but the skinny neck diameter, 21 frets and narrow neck at the nut, are a problem I’d like to get past. Really jonesing for a fatter, wider neck with 22 frets.
Should’ve bought a Nashville Tele
I liked those minus the neck, not a fan of a 12" radius on a telecaster. Daphne blue is beautiful tho!
Good video and I kinda related. I have an Am Pro II Strat that's slick and awesome, plays good and all that. All the raves you hear about it are completely true. It's great, no doubt. But the thing is is that I have other guitars that do pretty much the exact same thing this one does. I have an old strat and a custom build/Partscaster/Frankenstein that both truly feel 100% "MINE" in a way that no other guitar I have really does and they play great. So why do I have this one if I'm not vibing with it like my main ones? Cuz it's good? I could sell it and fund studio time or get that kickass new amp I really want. We shouldn't feel obligated to keep things that are just taking up space. And something that isn't for you will probably be AMAZING for someone else. So sometimes letting something go is a good thing.
5 years ago I bought an American Special strat. $2000 AUD with case.
I took it to another store in town that did setups……. When I picked it up, the store owner asked me where I got it from as he believed it was a fake mock up due to the poor quality of finish and the finer components underneath what you can see when playing it. He was suprised when I had purchased it from the authorised fender dealer in town. I just took my MIM player Tele to the same guy. In his opinion, a better instrument. $850 cheaper.
I think it’s sometimes hit and miss
Which is why I avoid Fender USA and Fender Mexico at this point. The only Fender factory I can count on to give me a consistent product without horrible QC issues or blatantly lazy work is Fender Japan. A shame because the prices for MIM and MIA are both outrageous at this point and its a crapshoot on whether you will get a good guitar or not.
Try living in New Zealand where the same tele costs US$2750 new. And wages are lower.
That's all the more reason NOT to want to buy this guitar. On top of that, don't you guys have full access to the Fender Japan line? I'd be buying one of those and laughing with an equally good product and money saved in my bank account.
they are 1700 now... wtf
they'll be even more come january that's the crazy part
@@AudiomoMusic i can see that happening but has fender said that themselves?
Inflation. It's hit fender, gibson, PRS