Last year (February 2021), I bought the American Professional II Stratocaster with the roasted pine body and maple fingerboard for my son's 18th birthday. It was his dream guitar since he saw it on Fender's page. His guitar skills skyrocketed as he just can't put the guitar down. He plays and practices several hours a day. So I guess it was a really good investment. ❤️
I really do think there's something to that phenomena. A truly great guitar that's predictable, stays in tune and has great intonation up and down the fretboard really will cause a lot of musicians to practice a lot more. I bought a Schecter Blackjack a while back and while it's far from the most expensive guitar in the world (around $1300), it's a magnificent guitar. I wouldn't say it's as nice as a $2800 les paul standard, but it's around 95% as nice, does a couple of things better than the les paul, and is just a joy to play. As a consequence, I've practiced far, far more due to that guitar. And btw, you're a damn good dad for investing in your son's musical journey. Kudos, sir.
I played the American professional 2 series and I played the American ultra before I bought either of them and I went with the pro series 2 HHS because it is a much more versatile guitar I don't care what they say in the video he is a wonderful guitar player but I don't see how they can't hear that the pro 2 series is better.
@@exposingthetruth3427 I agree with you. I thought the pro 2 sounded better than the ultra. I have been thinking about buying the ultra, but now I don't know.
@@craigladeroot642I just got back from testing them both for the first time. I thought I'd have to think about it and go back a few times...I got home and bought the pro ii immediately...it's so much better in my opinion.
Just bought the ultra for my son for his 16th birthday.. I realy bought it for my self for when he is at school .. I hope he never moves out ...hee hee
I agree. I’ve owned 6 or 7 American Strats since the 90s, and the Pro II is the best electric I’ve ever owned. I own a PRS Core Custom 24, which cost more than twice as much. And, I honestly prefer my Pro II strat.
Dude with the hair, sorry don't know your name but that was the best demo I've seen to showcase the Fender Strat sound that I've been looking for. I was about to purchase the ultra but the pro 2 sounds better to me. Thank you so much :)
I agree, the noiseless pickups sound great, but sound like they are processed through a studio mixer, whereas the noisy single coils sound more authentic and perhaps more 3 dimentional?
True.. that Strat Nuance.. Only one reason for me of getting a Strat.. is that sounding like a classic Strat... otherwise, there is no other reason.. even the Ultra is more expensive.. it doesn't have that classic Strat clean tone that we go for (well maybe it does.. like 85-90%).
I chose Miami Blue with rosewood AP2. Went SSS almost went HSS. What a guitar!! Liked the Ultra, but loved the color on AP2. Best deal is a Performer or Player with new PUP's if you don't care about American. Going even further a classic vibe Squier is the best bang for buck at half Fender price. I just had to have the Miami Blue and absolutely love it!! Buy whatever floats your boat and love to play. No bad choices!
I am a player of 50 years and have had many strats. Never bonded with one. Had an Ultra for a week and returned it. Was selling a PRS CE 22 and an even trade was offered feta new pro ii. I love it.
Lesson 1: How to promote a Stratocaster video: "This is the intro to the part of the video that we want you to get excited about so you watch the rest of the video." (Shows Les Paul)
The neck pickups don't persuade me either way; but the bridge position sounds so much better to me on the Ultra than it does on the AmPro II. I was expecting the "noiseless" pickups on the Ultra to leave me cold; but what happened instead was that the bridge pickup on the AmPro II seemed to me to have not just the stereotypical Strat quack, but to actually be really shrill. I just wish the finishes available for the AmPro II were available for the Ultra; because the Dark Night finish for the AmPro II is for me the best finish I've ever seen Fender do.
Love my black ap2. Neck is like a Cadillac and I love the pups. Getting locking tuners is an easy adjustment. Have tech set it up and check the bone nut for any needed fine adjustments.
Man, I just pulled the trigger on the Plasma Red Ultra strat from Alamo (via Reverb), and I can't *wait* to lay hands on it! It ticks all my boxes - ash body, coll transparent burst, rosewood fretboard, and all the modern features. And that neck - I was able to play one (not the color I wanted) up in Reno, but there aren't any like that plasma burst anywhere in driving distance to me. So, it's my first purchase from Alamo, and I'm so excited to get it! Thanks for all of your great videos, Chris and Cooper!
@@daveowens Well, it's an amazing Strat. I have a 1990 Strat Plus that I've always considered my holy grail strat, but the Am. Ultra in plasma burst, with a gorgeous ash body, rosewood fretboard - man, it's really something else. The rolled edges are incredible, and it sounds fantastic. I'm used to noiseless pickups (my '90 Plus has the gold Lace sensors), so while purists might cringe, I think the new noiseless sound great. There is nothing to dislike about my Ultra. It's another 'lifetime' guitar for me...
Nice! I have a Strat I put together. It has an American maple neck that I got from the F website. It cost just under 800. One of the best necks I have ever played
Nice playing! The pro 2 is a fantastic guitar. Got a miami blue one with rosewood fingerboard and I love it. Does anyone know what song is played at 10:59? Great song to demo a Strat!
More magic in the sound of the American Professional II to my ears, but when I played them both in store I have to say the Ultra neck was the clear winner for feel and playability. Maybe I can find some store that will let me take two of them and swap the necks, lol.
I ran the gamut. I'd been trading several guitars to reduce the fleet and improve the quality of my collection (wife's suggestion). In the process I obtained a Pro II Strat HSS (mercury)and it was wonderful; Then a Pro II Telecaster (mercury) and it was wonderful; then a Pro II Jazzmaster (Dark Night) and it was......wonderful. Then I obtained an Ultra Stratocaster (Mocha Burst) and it was amazingly wonderful...dang these things are something! Well, couldn't stop there, onward to a Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster (Olympic white) ...yes - wonderful; and for the finale an Eric Clapton "Blackie" signature Stratocaster. Oh man that guitar is a singer with a 25dB boost providing girth and endless sustain. Conclusion: They're all incredibly great guitars and I'm no help. Sure am lucky though!
I've been playing guitar since 1990. Even played professionally from 2008 to 2016. I have yet to be able to tell a difference in sound between fretboard woods. If the guitar was built well, it will play and sound well regardless of the wood species. If it was not built well, it will not play or sound well, regardless of the wood species.
Yeah I never got the fuss over wood species and tone. For me I go for the wood type that looks the best and I rely on the pick ups, pre-amp, and post processing to get the tone I need.
i think people just want to sound smart and thats why they say those things... when it comes to electric its really about the magnets, strings, amp and effects
My buddy and I played the Miami Blue 2 weeks ago when it first arrived at our local GC. It sounds great and plays very well with no scratchy frets on each side. 👍🎸
Very short mention of neck profiles . Most important features Pickups i.e sounds available and playability /comfort or wanting to fight a little with the neck . So many reviews gloss over the neck profile . If I pick up a guitar and I hate the neck I put it down .
For those on a budget save money and get a MIM strat. I had a Clapton that now sells for 2500 and sold it and bought a MIM strat. I spent a couple hours fine tuning it and like it more than the Clapton. That being said, if you have the money buy whatever feels good when you play it. I have the money to buy any guitar I desire, my two favorites are a MIM tele I swapped pickups to American Vintage 52's and put in a 5 way switch and the MIM strat that is the same as I bought it. I also believe the more time you put into a guitar and make it yours (kinda like a song you make your own) the pride and ownership feels better than a decked out best hardware from the box 3000 plus guitar.
I own the AP2 and, precisely, in Miami Blue. Total lover! Between these two, this is more like Vintage Tone vs Modern (noiseless) Tone. I recognize the advantages of noiseless single coils; but the "original" recipe still wins. American Professional 2 > Ultra
Hi guys, nice video! last week I did the same comparison in the guitar shop. I love both guitars. I chose the ultra because of the noiseless pickups and the locking tuners. I also really liked the compound radius neck! Pricedifference was only €100, so the choise wasn’t that hard.
Currently own a pro II strat HSS. I have some expensive acoustics and a pro II tele as well. Nothing came close to my pro II strat when it comes to 'out-of-the-box-greatness'. It's just flawless in any way and feels like home from the first chord I played. However, am considering getting rid of the tele and strat to get 1 ultra luxe tele or strat because i'd like to keep my amount of guitars minimal. As for the tradition thing: The ability to split the humbucker to get a single coil sounds works good enough
I recently bought an American Professional II Stratocaster and loved it in every way except one; sadly, the one problem was a fatal flaw, so I returned the guitar: whenever using the tremolo arm, even moderately, the guitar would return out of tune. Even after the strings were well broke in.
For anyone else reading this, buy some nut lube! Check if your nut has a sharp feel to it and tell the shop you got it from. They’ll fix it in a couple minutes and you’re good to go 90% of the time!
It surprises me that the pro II with maple neck sounds warmer than the ultra with rosewood, that's an unffair comparation, and even so the pro II sounds more Straty. I compare the pro II with the ultra, both with rosewood neck, and I bought the pro II it's sound more like a real Strat to my ears.
I have the Ultra HSS, and even the Hot Noiseless pickups don’t hold a candle to my custom strat with Texas Specials. I also prefer the C vs the compound D. It’s crazy that my ultra spends most of its time in the case. Either way... don’t see myself selling it.
same here, i felt even my Player Strat HSS sounds better... i like everything about my Ultra HSS, specially the Texas Tea finish is just amazing, but the pickups... especially this what they call it "Double Tap" Humbucker, it's just way too warm and compressed for a bridge humbucker, i really want to love this guitar and am still trying hard...
@@owen4255 saaaaaame. Ultra is gorgeous, super playable, but the pickups are just… soft. Weak. My American Texas Fat Strat from ‘99 crushes it on all positions (it IS noisier tho). The Ultras are just too polite. Prolly selling mine.
@@thesmr Or u know u can easily swap in prewired pickguards like with Fat ‘50s pickups or Texas Specials. Best of both worlds, you get the premium neck/body and no dull/dead noiseless pickups.
@@joshL28 Yeah... I could. But I just don't vibe with this guitar as a whole. My TX Fat Strat just works with me better, even though it lacks all the refinements of the Ultra. Live and learn.
I don't see $900 difference between the two. I bought the Pro II with rosewood fingerboard and love it, after a few mods and extensive set up to my liking. I hate those noiseless pickups on the ultra or mexican strats. The V Mods are hot. So hot I had to lower the middle and neck almost flush to the body with the treble side a little higher. save $900 and get a decent amp!
Just bought the Miami Blue, blond neck. Best Stratocaster I've owned or played .. the pickups are straight up killer" (yeah, im.a Masshole). LOL!!! 😜 🎸 My advice is find the Pro. 2 color and neck configurations you like and buy one,..you'll NOT regret it!!
I own the pro 2 HSS and I think it is a more versatile guitar than the ultra and not to mention I think that it sounds better mine is the American version also. Even in this video I think the pro 2 series sounds better
I bought a Tele last year Miami blue, next month I’m buying strat .. I’m still thinking whether to go for SSS or HSS. Does the coil split sound exactly like the single coil out of phase? Secondly,, Does noiseless PUs destroy (suck ) the natural tone compared to the noisy normal PUs? Thanks 🙏🏼
Great video and playing. I have a recent bug on the strat again, i find myself gravitating back n forth with this relationship. I purchased that beautiful cherry burst American deluxe strat a few years ago, honestly after 6 months of shows I did not like the ash body tonality. For my ears it was too thin, very bright. I prefer the Alder body tones on the older strats, the resonance is amazing. I ended up selling the Deluxe and a Suhr guitar purchasing a custom Novo Serus j guitar. Unbelievable guitar but that's another topic. My main reason for the ramble, lol, is I hear the strats are going to Pine, which is what my Novo is, I am curious what your take is on that, besides environment an all that jazz.
I need a strat but I torn. Which would handle better overdrive. I am looking for a strat that handle overdrive well., i.e., AC/DC, Beatles Classic Right, where I can plug into a Fender Twin Reverb, and a Marshall Plexi?
Sounds like you are headed for a Strat HS condig as this would be a better fit for the ac/dc overdrive stuff as Malcom uses SG Gibson with dual humbuckers
Which is better? Neither. Each of these signature guitars was made to replicate the "ideal instrument" in the mindset of either Beck or Clapton. As they are both very different players, with different priorities, so are their signature guitars. Best bet is going to a few stores and trying both guitars. That's the only way to a get a true feel of what a guitar really is. Due to all the compression hell RUclips puts on top of every video, a guitar may sound great (or crap) in a video, but completely different in real life. In the end, both are Strats, with the right amp, pedals or audio interface... you can make both guitars sound like a flock of quacking ducks if you that's what you want 😂
sounds to me the ultra has a more tamed output especially in the lower frequencies. The pro ii is more "boomey" and has heavier lower frequencies. If I were to choose one as a professional I would probably go ultra and then change the pickups according to where I find myself using it. Good value on the ultra considering all the features and I really enjoyed the neck and rolled edges.
You mention the traditional Strat versatility, as well as the S1 switch to add the neck pickup into the rear positions to give you that many more tonal choices. Seems like the HSS would be one notch more versatile. So, how about a AmPro II / Ultra HSS-vs-SSS comparison? Demo the coil split humbucker sound compared to the single-coil bridge in the SSS version, what happens to the output balance with the other pickups, straight humbucker bridge tone vs the single-coil. Comparing AmPro II vs Ultra would let you show off the differences in the V-Mod II and the Noiseless Gen 4. (Or I see on Fender's website they have a "Noiseless Hot" and "Noiseless Vintage" now... so many things to compare, Cooper will never get to go home.)
The Ultra sounded better to me. It is however ash vs alder, noiseless 4 vs V Mod 2s and rosewood vs maple. I'm trying to say that it's not just the pickups, they really are different guitars.
Can you please do another video where are both guitars have a maple neck and alder body?! In my opinion, I wish that all demos such as this will one day soon compare the same features as far as comparing guitars. Same fretboard and body.🤔
Ha ha and what will the difference be a blob of paint then you will be told by music establishments how much of a game changer it is and why you should upgrade
Pine (without a fat discount)... this should put the "tonewood" issue to rest. We don't even burn pine in the woodstove. Sounds really nice though! Miami Blue... I saw a retired guy at Luby's wearing a shirt that color. BTW, "Telecaster" is always the answer.
I like am pro II. The pickups is really sing in my ears specially neck pickups. I had try Noiseless 2 times before, it is OK, no complain about it. But there is something that I can not explain when play with V mod II pickups in am pro II.
I just got a new American Pro II HSS with rosewood in midnight blue (i think its called) this guitar is sick. I did change the pickgaurd to a anodized aluminum black to replace the black plastic. I put ebony knobs on it and a switch tip that matches the guitars finish. But this is the most impressive overall Fender ive had my hands on and ive been playing for decades. Ive always stuck to G&L for my Tele or Strat style guitars. Over the years ive owned a LOT of Fender guitars and i never kept them that long as It seemed to be having to give up too much to use their guitars. If that makes any sense. Like for all the things i liked, their were more things i didnt like. G&L guitars ive never had this issue with, love those guitars ! But Fender solved with the electronics one of my biggest complains which is the tone pot never is hooked up to the bridge pickup. On my G&Ls they have whats called a PTB system. So the tone pots are actually Treble and Bass. This allows you to really dial in that tone. The new pickups in this guitar are among the best ive heard. Having the tap on it is also cool, along with the 5 way. The neck on mine is perfect, the way they rolled the edges, the frets, the feel overall A+. Not one issue with the finish and this is one cool finish i tell ya, in different lights it changes to different colors on stage. Kinda like a Gibson Flip Top (I think they were called, if you guys remember those). Im blown away. This is the first Fender i have owned that i feel is up to snuff with my G&Ls. Def try one out, i think this is the change(s) Fender needed to address on their newer guitars. This has everything i like about a Strat with very very little i do not like. Also the heel access is perfect. This guitar gets an A+ from me. Nice case as well.
Oh. I wouldnt get the Ultra because im just not a fan of those pickups. So in the end id be spending a lot more to replace those etc. Never been a fan of any of their noiseless pickups and the demos ive heard prove that i will take the V-Mod pickups over them any day. :-) These V-Mod pickups are insane. Finally i have a Fender with balls it feels like when i need it and then jangle and Knopfler ish when needed. Best of both worlds.
I agree. AP2 for home and studio. I think these noiseless pickups do sound good though and if you never play completely clean you won’t notice the differences as much.
No choice for lefties as there are no left-handed Ultras (there used to be a left-handed Elite). It would be cool if Fender added Stainless Steel frets and a Ebony fretboard option (while retaining Maple and Rosewood) to the Ultra. That would allow them to add locking tuners as standard to the Professional II while keeping enough spec difference to justify the higher price of the Ultra. I wonder if Fender will offer the Generation 5 noiseless pickups as a stand-alone purchase to allow those with earlier generations of noiseless pickups to upgrade? I wonder what enhancements Fender will make to their Performer and Player lines when they upgrade those?
this is good channel ! creetings from finland i just wonder can you do demo about fender made in japan guitars (jv reissue stratocaster) actyally i got jv reissue strat a sixties model a great great guitar a thick soft v neck and little bit different than usa or mexican models but anyway thanks for these introduction
I will be getting the pro ll Telecaster next week. It will be my second Telecaster but my first Fender. Never cared to much for Stratocaster. But to each there own.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
Last year (February 2021), I bought the American Professional II Stratocaster with the roasted pine body and maple fingerboard for my son's 18th birthday. It was his dream guitar since he saw it on Fender's page. His guitar skills skyrocketed as he just can't put the guitar down. He plays and practices several hours a day. So I guess it was a really good investment. ❤️
I really do think there's something to that phenomena. A truly great guitar that's predictable, stays in tune and has great intonation up and down the fretboard really will cause a lot of musicians to practice a lot more. I bought a Schecter Blackjack a while back and while it's far from the most expensive guitar in the world (around $1300), it's a magnificent guitar. I wouldn't say it's as nice as a $2800 les paul standard, but it's around 95% as nice, does a couple of things better than the les paul, and is just a joy to play. As a consequence, I've practiced far, far more due to that guitar. And btw, you're a damn good dad for investing in your son's musical journey. Kudos, sir.
I played the American professional 2 series and I played the American ultra before I bought either of them and I went with the pro series 2 HHS because it is a much more versatile guitar I don't care what they say in the video he is a wonderful guitar player but I don't see how they can't hear that the pro 2 series is better.
@@exposingthetruth3427 I agree with you. I thought the pro 2 sounded better than the ultra. I have been thinking about buying the ultra, but now I don't know.
@@craigladeroot642I just got back from testing them both for the first time.
I thought I'd have to think about it and go back a few times...I got home and bought the pro ii immediately...it's so much better in my opinion.
Just bought the ultra for my son for his 16th birthday.. I realy bought it for my self for when he is at school .. I hope he never moves out ...hee hee
sweet
Heck of a gift! Let us know what he gets for his 17th! :p
…dad?
Very cool! I still have my Dean from my 16th birthday - which was in 1982!
Be my dad and buy me one
9:10 Ultra Pos 5 10:55 Pro ii
9:34 Ultra Pos 4 11:22 Pro ii
9:53 Ultra Pos 3 11:42 Pro ii
10:04 Ultra Pos 2 12:02 Pro ii
10:08 Ultra Pos 2 S1 engaged 12:12 pro ii
10:22 Ultra Pos 1 S1 engaged 12:20 pro ii
10:37 Ultra Pos 1 12:31 pro ii
you are welcome.
Thank you!
American Pro II for me. After 37 years of playing I consider it to be the best guitar I've ever owned. Keeper for life.
I agree. I’ve owned 6 or 7 American Strats since the 90s, and the Pro II is the best electric I’ve ever owned. I own a PRS Core Custom 24, which cost more than twice as much. And, I honestly prefer my Pro II strat.
I just bought my 3rd ultra. First was a strat, then the tele, now the Texas tea jazz bass (and I’m not a bassist)
Nice bro.. I got the elite Stratocaster in sky burst ... maple fret .. and I going to this new ultra series.. in hss configuration
I'd consider buying an ultra strat but I'm a lefty🗿
@@Yumemaru. so? There’s lefty models
@@daitosf5537 the lefty models weren't out when I made that comment.
@@Yumemaru. go get ur lefty bro
better be texas tea tho 😵💫
Dude with the hair, sorry don't know your name but that was the best demo I've seen to showcase the Fender Strat sound that I've been looking for. I was about to purchase the ultra but the pro 2 sounds better to me. Thank you so much :)
The other dude needs the stop interrupting
I just bought American Professional II Stratocaster left handed 3 Color Sunburst😊
Noise less pick ups really take out some of the magic
I agree, the noiseless pickups sound great, but sound like they are processed through a studio mixer, whereas the noisy single coils sound more authentic and perhaps more 3 dimentional?
Couldn’t agree more
True.. that Strat Nuance.. Only one reason for me of getting a Strat.. is that sounding like a classic Strat... otherwise, there is no other reason.. even the Ultra is more expensive.. it doesn't have that classic Strat clean tone that we go for (well maybe it does.. like 85-90%).
@@PinoyMukbangPro agree,i have the texas tea,plan swapping to custom 54 pup
Yup same, all my hero’s did not use noiseless pickups
I chose Miami Blue with rosewood AP2. Went SSS almost went HSS. What a guitar!! Liked the Ultra, but loved the color on AP2. Best deal is a Performer or Player with new PUP's if you don't care about American. Going even further a classic vibe Squier is the best bang for buck at half Fender price. I just had to have the Miami Blue and absolutely love it!! Buy whatever floats your boat and love to play. No bad choices!
Nice! Yeah I couldn't afford a GT3 so I went with the Miami Blue strat as well. ;) Love it
Performer is corona USA made I had one
I own the PRO2 in Olympic White and I *LOVE* it!! I've been playing it non stop. Crybaby, DS1, RC5, TS9, and the Walrus Slo bring me to another world.
Roger that, brother!
Pro 2 for me.
Lol
Hell yeah,.I own the Miami Blue with blond neck,..LOVE IT!!!!
I am a player of 50 years and have had many strats. Never bonded with one. Had an Ultra for a week and returned it. Was selling a PRS CE 22 and an even trade was offered feta new pro ii. I love it.
I love the color of the ultra 👀
Had my AMPro2 4 weeks now. Put Fender locking tuners on and now the Dark Night is complete… good enough 😊
Def ! I may get locking tuners as well
I got the American pro ll dark night…for 60 bucks I swapped out the tuners for the fender locking tuners
Hmmm....
I think the pickups on the American Professional 2 sound warmer than the Ultra.
I agree, I looked at demos from the Preformer, Pro2, and Ultra. Yet always went back to the pro2.
the PRO 2 is really good on tones, just great
The pro sounds less compressed and much better than the ultra, I was surprised !
That’s because noiseless single coils suck. Takes the life right out of them.
I have many strats (American original, Malmsteen sign, US Std), and the Ultra is my latest add. It rises up the bar for sure, amazing guitar
Do you know Gianni Vecchio
One pro 2 in miami blue with rosewood neck coming up! Thanks guys!🎸🎶
They both look and sound great. The American Ultra sounds better to me. Thanks for the gas 😂
Me too
Lesson 1: How to promote a Stratocaster video:
"This is the intro to the part of the video that we want you to get excited about so you watch the rest of the video."
(Shows Les Paul)
Chris is great by himself, but together with Cooper the videos are a bit extra special. They're an excellent duo!
The neck pickups don't persuade me either way; but the bridge position sounds so much better to me on the Ultra than it does on the AmPro II. I was expecting the "noiseless" pickups on the Ultra to leave me cold; but what happened instead was that the bridge pickup on the AmPro II seemed to me to have not just the stereotypical Strat quack, but to actually be really shrill. I just wish the finishes available for the AmPro II were available for the Ultra; because the Dark Night finish for the AmPro II is for me the best finish I've ever seen Fender do.
i agree but also sometimes the maple board vs rosewood can affect sound a bit in my experience
Love my black ap2.
Neck is like a Cadillac and I love the pups.
Getting locking tuners is an easy adjustment.
Have tech set it up and check the bone nut for any needed fine adjustments.
I tried a pro ii vs a sg gibson and the pro ii blew it out of the park. Great sound and playability
Man, I just pulled the trigger on the Plasma Red Ultra strat from Alamo (via Reverb), and I can't *wait* to lay hands on it! It ticks all my boxes - ash body, coll transparent burst, rosewood fretboard, and all the modern features. And that neck - I was able to play one (not the color I wanted) up in Reno, but there aren't any like that plasma burst anywhere in driving distance to me. So, it's my first purchase from Alamo, and I'm so excited to get it! Thanks for all of your great videos, Chris and Cooper!
How do you like it?
not the same fingerboard = useless demo
@@daveowens Well, it's an amazing Strat. I have a 1990 Strat Plus that I've always considered my holy grail strat, but the Am. Ultra in plasma burst, with a gorgeous ash body, rosewood fretboard - man, it's really something else. The rolled edges are incredible, and it sounds fantastic. I'm used to noiseless pickups (my '90 Plus has the gold Lace sensors), so while purists might cringe, I think the new noiseless sound great. There is nothing to dislike about my Ultra. It's another 'lifetime' guitar for me...
@@joegriego9805any more updates? Do you still have your ultra?
Nice! I have a Strat I put together. It has an American maple neck that I got from the F website. It cost just under 800. One of the best necks I have ever played
i just bought the American pro 2 in roasted pine and love it
Same ! Love love this guitar 🎸
Miami Blue,.. blond neck,.it's simply incredible!!!!
i'm sold on the American Pro II. It's enough. But, i do like them both. Thanks
Nice playing! The pro 2 is a fantastic guitar. Got a miami blue one with rosewood fingerboard and I love it. Does anyone know what song is played at 10:59? Great song to demo a Strat!
I prefer the sound of the Pro ll pickups over the Ultra’s noiseless.
Same !
Same
More magic in the sound of the American Professional II to my ears, but when I played them both in store I have to say the Ultra neck was the clear winner for feel and playability. Maybe I can find some store that will let me take two of them and swap the necks, lol.
I have an Ultra Tele and Pro II Strat. The Strat bugs me because they nailed the sound. Magical. Those pickups are voiced perfectly.
I ran the gamut. I'd been trading several guitars to reduce the fleet and improve the quality of my collection (wife's suggestion). In the process I obtained a Pro II Strat HSS (mercury)and it was wonderful; Then a Pro II Telecaster (mercury) and it was wonderful; then a Pro II Jazzmaster (Dark Night) and it was......wonderful. Then I obtained an Ultra Stratocaster (Mocha Burst) and it was amazingly wonderful...dang these things are something! Well, couldn't stop there, onward to a Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster (Olympic white) ...yes - wonderful; and for the finale an Eric Clapton "Blackie" signature Stratocaster. Oh man that guitar is a singer with a 25dB boost providing girth and endless sustain.
Conclusion: They're all incredibly great guitars and I'm no help. Sure am lucky though!
that v-mod ii pickups are fantastic!!!
I've been playing guitar since 1990. Even played professionally from 2008 to 2016. I have yet to be able to tell a difference in sound between fretboard woods. If the guitar was built well, it will play and sound well regardless of the wood species. If it was not built well, it will not play or sound well, regardless of the wood species.
Yeah I never got the fuss over wood species and tone. For me I go for the wood type that looks the best and I rely on the pick ups, pre-amp, and post processing to get the tone I need.
Dead right
Bang on
i think people just want to sound smart and thats why they say those things... when it comes to electric its really about the magnets, strings, amp and effects
Agreed! So little of the fretboard wood surface is in the equation when fretting. The feel of the fretboard wood is, to me, more important.
My buddy and I played the Miami Blue 2 weeks ago when it first arrived at our local GC. It sounds great and plays very well with no scratchy frets on each side. 👍🎸
Your videos are always great and tell me exactly what I’m trying to learn!
I like the sound of the American Pro 2 more
Very short mention of neck profiles . Most important features Pickups i.e sounds available and playability /comfort or wanting to fight a little with the neck . So many reviews gloss over the neck profile . If I pick up a guitar and I hate the neck I put it down .
Ultra feels better, Pro sounds better. So get an Ultra and put new pickups in.
Exactly what I was thinking
I have both guitars, I love them both.
lol
Love the Ultra. (maybe cause I have one????) No bias here. :)
Hows the neck feel?
I was not prepared for that ending.
Stopped the video. Now I'm going to play my guitar! Good advice;)
No, now you're commenting on RUclips Videos...
For those on a budget save money and get a MIM strat. I had a Clapton that now sells for 2500 and sold it and bought a MIM strat. I spent a couple hours fine tuning it and like it more than the Clapton. That being said, if you have the money buy whatever feels good when you play it. I have the money to buy any guitar I desire, my two favorites are a MIM tele I swapped pickups to American Vintage 52's and put in a 5 way switch and the MIM strat that is the same as I bought it. I also believe the more time you put into a guitar and make it yours (kinda like a song you make your own) the pride and ownership feels better than a decked out best hardware from the box 3000 plus guitar.
I love the ultra specs and I love the player plus specs the problem is I just don't like sender noises pickups they take away a lot of the punch
I own the AP2 and, precisely, in Miami Blue. Total lover! Between these two, this is more like Vintage Tone vs Modern (noiseless) Tone. I recognize the advantages of noiseless single coils; but the "original" recipe still wins. American Professional 2 > Ultra
I thought that AP2 sounded great.
Hi guys, nice video! last week I did the same comparison in the guitar shop. I love both guitars. I chose the ultra because of the noiseless pickups and the locking tuners. I also really liked the compound radius neck! Pricedifference was only €100, so the choise wasn’t that hard.
i own the ultra Absolutely killed guitar
It's actually Porsche Miami Blue. Thought that pretty cool!
Porsche does the Macan in Miami blue also up until 2022
as a Les Paul owner the idea of an HSS Strat excites me.. I know it’s not traditional but I’d take versatility over tradition.
Currently own a pro II strat HSS. I have some expensive acoustics and a pro II tele as well. Nothing came close to my pro II strat when it comes to 'out-of-the-box-greatness'. It's just flawless in any way and feels like home from the first chord I played. However, am considering getting rid of the tele and strat to get 1 ultra luxe tele or strat because i'd like to keep my amount of guitars minimal. As for the tradition thing: The ability to split the humbucker to get a single coil sounds works good enough
I recently bought an American Professional II Stratocaster and loved it in every way except one; sadly, the one problem was a fatal flaw, so I returned the guitar: whenever using the tremolo arm, even moderately, the guitar would return out of tune. Even after the strings were well broke in.
I bought a performer strat with the same issue, I returned it for another one exact same colour etc and it’s been fine :)
For anyone else reading this, buy some nut lube! Check if your nut has a sharp feel to it and tell the shop you got it from. They’ll fix it in a couple minutes and you’re good to go 90% of the time!
Almost always a set up issue..
Been considering an AM2 with the solid rosewood neck. Love the feel of that neck...
It surprises me that the pro II with maple neck sounds warmer than the ultra with rosewood, that's an unffair comparation, and even so the pro II sounds more Straty. I compare the pro II with the ultra, both with rosewood neck, and I bought the pro II it's sound more like a real Strat to my ears.
GET BOTH....
Brilliant review 👍
I have the Ultra HSS, and even the Hot Noiseless pickups don’t hold a candle to my custom strat with Texas Specials. I also prefer the C vs the compound D. It’s crazy that my ultra spends most of its time in the case. Either way... don’t see myself selling it.
same here, i felt even my Player Strat HSS sounds better... i like everything about my Ultra HSS, specially the Texas Tea finish is just amazing, but the pickups... especially this what they call it "Double Tap" Humbucker, it's just way too warm and compressed for a bridge humbucker, i really want to love this guitar and am still trying hard...
@@owen4255 saaaaaame. Ultra is gorgeous, super playable, but the pickups are just… soft. Weak. My American Texas Fat Strat from ‘99 crushes it on all positions (it IS noisier tho). The Ultras are just too polite. Prolly selling mine.
@@thesmr Or u know u can easily swap in prewired pickguards like with Fat ‘50s pickups or Texas Specials. Best of both worlds, you get the premium neck/body and no dull/dead noiseless pickups.
@@joshL28 Yeah... I could. But I just don't vibe with this guitar as a whole. My TX Fat Strat just works with me better, even though it lacks all the refinements of the Ultra. Live and learn.
That was the best intro I've seen, ever.
My favorite is definitely the Ultra. The sound is better.
honestly i like the v mods better bc they have a fuller sound
@@csweat4450 yes but no strat tones there....its a hot guitar the pickups are modern and full
@@soofitnsexy I have an Ultra and the vintage noiseless definitely aren't hot pickups. I really like them... clean, articulate, and well balanced :)
@@soofitnsexy can you explain your thinks about this ?
@@estructure8220 about what???
American Pro 2 pick ups for me but the locking tuners and that thin Ultra neck heel is nice!!
I chose the American Pro 2, and then bought some Fender locking tuners that are a drop-in replacement. It is now the best guitar I’ve ever owned.
I don't see $900 difference between the two. I bought the Pro II with rosewood fingerboard and love it, after a few mods and extensive set up to my liking. I hate those noiseless pickups on the ultra or mexican strats. The V Mods are hot. So hot I had to lower the middle and neck almost flush to the body with the treble side a little higher. save $900 and get a decent amp!
Played the ultra in a pawn shop and loved it but still 17 hundred used. After listening to your video with headphones I'm right, the ultra any day.
Just bought the Miami Blue, blond neck.
Best Stratocaster I've owned or played .. the pickups are straight up killer" (yeah, im.a Masshole). LOL!!! 😜 🎸
My advice is find the Pro. 2 color and neck configurations you like and buy one,..you'll NOT regret it!!
The v-mod ii are speaking to me!
I own the pro 2 HSS and I think it is a more versatile guitar than the ultra and not to mention I think that it sounds better mine is the American version also. Even in this video I think the pro 2 series sounds better
I bought a Tele last year Miami blue, next month I’m buying strat .. I’m still thinking whether to go for SSS or HSS.
Does the coil split sound exactly like the single coil out of phase?
Secondly,, Does noiseless PUs destroy (suck ) the natural tone compared to the noisy normal PUs?
Thanks 🙏🏼
Great video and playing. I have a recent bug on the strat again, i find myself gravitating back n forth with this relationship. I purchased that beautiful cherry burst American deluxe strat a few years ago, honestly after 6 months of shows I did not like the ash body tonality. For my ears it was too thin, very bright. I prefer the Alder body tones on the older strats, the resonance is amazing. I ended up selling the Deluxe and a Suhr guitar purchasing a custom Novo Serus j guitar. Unbelievable guitar but that's another topic. My main reason for the ramble, lol, is I hear the strats are going to Pine, which is what my Novo is, I am curious what your take is on that, besides environment an all that jazz.
I need a strat but I torn. Which would handle better overdrive. I am looking for a strat that handle overdrive well., i.e., AC/DC, Beatles Classic Right, where I can plug into a Fender Twin Reverb, and a Marshall Plexi?
Sounds like you are headed for a Strat HS condig as this would be a better fit for the ac/dc overdrive stuff as Malcom uses SG Gibson with dual humbuckers
I think I need both of them.
I was considering getting a Jeff Beck, or Clapton ed... Which is better?
Which is better? Neither.
Each of these signature guitars was made to replicate the "ideal instrument" in the mindset of either Beck or Clapton. As they are both very different players, with different priorities, so are their signature guitars.
Best bet is going to a few stores and trying both guitars. That's the only way to a get a true feel of what a guitar really is. Due to all the compression hell RUclips puts on top of every video, a guitar may sound great (or crap) in a video, but completely different in real life.
In the end, both are Strats, with the right amp, pedals or audio interface... you can make both guitars sound like a flock of quacking ducks if you that's what you want 😂
The center pick up looks damaged on a "new" guitar? Quality control check before shipping to customer?? i love the finish and the pick guard
Most likely what you're seeing are the protective plastics that are still on the pick ups?
sounds to me the ultra has a more tamed output especially in the lower frequencies. The pro ii is more "boomey" and has heavier lower frequencies. If I were to choose one as a professional I would probably go ultra and then change the pickups according to where I find myself using it. Good value on the ultra considering all the features and I really enjoyed the neck and rolled edges.
You mention the traditional Strat versatility, as well as the S1 switch to add the neck pickup into the rear positions to give you that many more tonal choices. Seems like the HSS would be one notch more versatile. So, how about a AmPro II / Ultra HSS-vs-SSS comparison? Demo the coil split humbucker sound compared to the single-coil bridge in the SSS version, what happens to the output balance with the other pickups, straight humbucker bridge tone vs the single-coil. Comparing AmPro II vs Ultra would let you show off the differences in the V-Mod II and the Noiseless Gen 4. (Or I see on Fender's website they have a "Noiseless Hot" and "Noiseless Vintage" now... so many things to compare, Cooper will never get to go home.)
We plan to do that comparison when an HSS finally arrives.
I'll look forward to it!
Noiseless pickups suck! I chose an AP2 and grabbed a set of locking Fender tuners that just dropped in. And, it is now perfect.
Thank you for making this video. You did a great job.
That intro had me laughing so hard😂
Loved it.
Thank you for these amazing and useful videos. You are really really good at this job. Congrutilations to great team.
Ultra sounds very well. I’m just a bit sad because besides different guitar models, the comparison has involved rosewood against maple!
The Ultra sounded better to me. It is however ash vs alder, noiseless 4 vs V Mod 2s and rosewood vs maple. I'm trying to say that it's not just the pickups, they really are different guitars.
10000000 percent....it would have been great to see both alder maple....etc
For Fender strat, which one is more iconic, HSS pickup or SSS pickup? And what kind of wood most signature for strat? Thanks.
1. SSS is known for classic set-up/standard for strat
2. Alder on body & maple neck for sure
The push-push knob in Pro II puts the neck pickup in series or parallel with other 2?
it does. you can do bridge, neck and bridge, mid and neck lmao
Can you please do another video where are both guitars have a maple neck and alder body?!
In my opinion, I wish that all demos such as this will one day soon compare the same features as far as comparing guitars. Same fretboard and body.🤔
Are pickups have hum cancellation?
Thoughts on time frame of the next update to the Ultra?
Ha ha and what will the difference be a blob of paint then you will be told by music establishments how much of a game changer it is and why you should upgrade
I lived in a very old building where single coils had massive hum. The Pro II had almost no hum at all. For some reason, it's almost noiseless.
Pine (without a fat discount)... this should put the "tonewood" issue to rest. We don't even burn pine in the woodstove. Sounds really nice though! Miami Blue... I saw a retired guy at Luby's wearing a shirt that color. BTW, "Telecaster" is always the answer.
I like am pro II. The pickups is really sing in my ears specially neck pickups. I had try Noiseless 2 times before, it is OK, no complain about it. But there is something that I can not explain when play with V mod II pickups in am pro II.
I just got a new American Pro II HSS with rosewood in midnight blue (i think its called) this guitar is sick. I did change the pickgaurd to a anodized aluminum black to replace the black plastic. I put ebony knobs on it and a switch tip that matches the guitars finish. But this is the most impressive overall Fender ive had my hands on and ive been playing for decades. Ive always stuck to G&L for my Tele or Strat style guitars. Over the years ive owned a LOT of Fender guitars and i never kept them that long as It seemed to be having to give up too much to use their guitars. If that makes any sense. Like for all the things i liked, their were more things i didnt like. G&L guitars ive never had this issue with, love those guitars ! But Fender solved with the electronics one of my biggest complains which is the tone pot never is hooked up to the bridge pickup. On my G&Ls they have whats called a PTB system. So the tone pots are actually Treble and Bass. This allows you to really dial in that tone. The new pickups in this guitar are among the best ive heard. Having the tap on it is also cool, along with the 5 way. The neck on mine is perfect, the way they rolled the edges, the frets, the feel overall A+. Not one issue with the finish and this is one cool finish i tell ya, in different lights it changes to different colors on stage. Kinda like a Gibson Flip Top (I think they were called, if you guys remember those). Im blown away. This is the first Fender i have owned that i feel is up to snuff with my G&Ls. Def try one out, i think this is the change(s) Fender needed to address on their newer guitars. This has everything i like about a Strat with very very little i do not like. Also the heel access is perfect. This guitar gets an A+ from me. Nice case as well.
Oh. I wouldnt get the Ultra because im just not a fan of those pickups. So in the end id be spending a lot more to replace those etc. Never been a fan of any of their noiseless pickups and the demos ive heard prove that i will take the V-Mod pickups over them any day. :-) These V-Mod pickups are insane. Finally i have a Fender with balls it feels like when i need it and then jangle and Knopfler ish when needed. Best of both worlds.
Gotta say, the AP2 wins it. Probably due to the pickups being noiseless in the Ultra.
I agree. AP2 for home and studio. I think these noiseless pickups do sound good though and if you never play completely clean you won’t notice the differences as much.
Agree
Ash borer is impacting the industry.
Those are great guitars, however, I have a Fender American Professional Stratocaster Sienna Sunburst; I think I'll keep it :)
What about the locking tuning pegs, or lack thereof? $1,499++
No choice for lefties as there are no left-handed Ultras (there used to be a left-handed Elite). It would be cool if Fender added Stainless Steel frets and a Ebony fretboard option (while retaining Maple and Rosewood) to the Ultra. That would allow them to add locking tuners as standard to the Professional II while keeping enough spec difference to justify the higher price of the Ultra. I wonder if Fender will offer the Generation 5 noiseless pickups as a stand-alone purchase to allow those with earlier generations of noiseless pickups to upgrade? I wonder what enhancements Fender will make to their Performer and Player lines when they upgrade those?
I'm a lefty as well and I'm pretty sure Fender sells those pickups on their website.
Update - lefty Ultras are now available, thanks Fender.
I have the Ultra. I can't imagine a better guitar.
Great video- either (or both guitars) would look great next to my American Deluxe strat!
this is good channel ! creetings from finland i just wonder can you do demo about fender made in japan guitars (jv reissue stratocaster) actyally i got jv reissue strat a sixties model a great great guitar a thick soft v neck and little bit different than usa or mexican models but anyway thanks for these introduction
Local shop has them both on sale difference in price is just $100. Considering
Wow first person to watch this video, great review, thanks guys
Hiya from Northern Cyprus
Keep the reviews coming x
I will be getting the pro ll Telecaster next week. It will be my second Telecaster but my first Fender. Never cared to much for Stratocaster. But to each there own.
So the Miami blue pro doesn’t have noise canceling pickups ?
Correct! V-mod II pickups that aren't noiseless. They're great!