Got the Pro 2 HSS in Olympic White with rosewood fingerboard loved it so much went back to shop a week later and bought the Pro 2 Telecaster same colour with rosewood again. I’m so happy with both unfortunately can’t say the wife feels the same way so I’m in the dog house for now, but on a more serious note they make a lovely pair and cover all the tones I need.
stellar demo video- i have the 2022 - it's an impressive instrument- I'm not into the pine bodies they are rolling out now- so this solid Alder body really captures the traditional strat resonance- even un-plugged the maple neck (2022 American Pro II )is extremely resonant in itself- Fender really delivered on body/ neck pro-build- and the back of the neck profile is user friendly
What I like about these videos Marty.. Is that every guitar you play is different in terms of set up or tone e.t.c.... and I like how you can pick out it's weakness and strength and play to that. You make it sound easy but I know that it's not. It just tells me how professional you are at playing. Your talent and wisdom is well met. I love it! Keep rockin' my brother... and we will keep learning. 🤘
I got an 🇺🇸 strat and I went to the store looking for a black Mexican telecaster to modify and while I was waiting for the Mex telecaster to be set up, I asked if they had an 🇺🇸 professional 2 telecaster and the guy came with a Miami Blue one. I love the color and when I held the 🎸, I knew that this was my 🎸 👍. It fits me like Cinderella's shoe for Cinderella 👍‼️
I am a PRS/Tele guy normally. Got my Pro 2 SSS Dark Night last week and can't put it down. The tones are just amazing and it plays just as well as my 30th Anni Core 24 PRS. Well done Fender, this is a good un !!!
@@bpluto5559 prices vary. They started off at $1499. Sale price 1299. Now they are 1699. I saw them on sale new 1499 over Black Friday weekend. Used you're probably looking at $1100-1300? Take a gander at reverb and eBay. Prices fluctuate.
I"ve had a one for a couple of years, my first Strat ever (in Dark Night/Rosewood). Great guitar all around. I have a light attack and everything just feels smooth. Great demo. The tone you have at the beginning of the playing demo is fantastic!
I bought an American Pro ll, HSS a year ago, with a maple neck and I love it. The pickups sound great and I had the setup that came from the factory checked a month ago , and it needed very little adjustment. I prefer the pickups to the noiseless ones that come with the Ultra. They sound brighter.
@@1234manideep Yes, the neck pickups and middle pickups are identical. The only difference is in the bridge pickup, which is a humbucker that you can also choose to split into a single coil. It gives you the added option to add an additional sounding pickup, and I got this combination because it gave me more choices.
@carnivaltym I HIGHLY recommend getting a set of RadioShop Chris Buck ID pickups. I ordered those from the UK and now this Strat sounds better than any Fender I have ever held in my hands.
@jonathananthony1901 Thanks, big fan of Buck myself. I'm going to have it set up with heavier guage strings (11's) than come from the factory first up, and I'll see how that goes for a few months. But yes, I won't be shy to put different pups in....I'll be playing thru a Ceriatone OTS 50, a Dumble clone, into a EVM 12L open backed cab, so my thinking is that rig will warm the standard Am pro ii pups up quite a bit, but we will see! I like fat tones but always with articulation....the search continues!
I have 2 from this series, the strat and the Tele deluxe. Both are really well made, sound great, and feel fantastic. It seems a little boring to say, "yep." But if someone out there is saving up for a really high quality instrument, the American Professional II line is a great option. I feel very fortunate to have them.
What are those pickups again ? They sound amazing and cover a lot of ground ! Thanks for sharing the origins of the “Marty 5150” intro riff 😎….once again you’ve inspired me to get my Strat out on Straturday ! 🎸
I went for the roasted pine body with a rosewood neck. I've only had it for a month and I'm still playing with pickup elevations and slants. As of right now it looks like yours are pretty close to mine. I have a dozen Strats, primarily AVRI models, a couple Standards and a Pro1. and I've never had a problem getting the pickup set to my taste, so this is a little surprise. But I'm enjoying the experience.
I know a lot of players love PRS and of course esch to their own. I'm a Fender Strat and Tele guy and Gibson 335 and Les Paul guy. But nothing cones close to a strat tone to me. Love your playing! Nice Axe!
Yeah I’ve had mine for a while now and same, no regrets. I will say though, the narrow/tall frets may not vibe with everybody and it’s a good idea to play before you buy. I like them a lot but it can be a little different feel under the fingers for some folks. For me it’s a keeper.
Is it silly for a beginner player to purchase a guitar like this? I mean I want something that I can keep long-term and grow with that will keep me engaged and I just really love the look of the dark night color. Thank you.
Not silly at all. You will be inspired by it and play more. It will retain its value. These play great too so starting in a nice instrument is always a plus.
Maybe it’s late for my answer - but definitely is! Started with a Harley-Benton - put it down after a week. After some years bought a Vintera 50s road worn, played it for a year but still - it wasn’t “it”. After that I bought the Blackie Am Pro II - literally did not put it down, before my mother threw it and shattered the lacquer. Bought an 1994 Standard - the same story. Then bought an AVII ‘61 which got its rod damaged. Today I got a refund for the AVII and am currently on a hunt for the Pro II or 80s/90s Standard. Hope it helps!
Very nice review and demo. Liked and subscribed and may just buy the roasted pine with rosewood neck today from American Muscial Supply as it is Strataday. (And: they have 12-month no-interest payment plan!) Thanks! I have been binging Am Pro II videos for 2 days looking for reasons not to buy one. Can’t find one. 🙏🏽✌🏽💙 from Minnesota
I just got one of these on sale. Never had a strat that wasnt a total knock off. Is there anything i should know particular to these as far as care/maintenance that you would recommend? Gonna need to reteach myself how to play an electric, an acoustic has been my only guitar for a few years.
I’m terrible with band names and names of songs, what is the name of the song you played in the intro. Just picked this guitar up a few days ago. Thanks.
Sounds like you need to raise the individual saddle a little on that G. Crank it up a little bit and it should go away. My pickups are set the way they came from fender and are slightly angled.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I was asking because I have an old Eric Johnson strat with MN that is always been very sticky, especially when playing long sessions live. So being after your same AMII guitar I was afraid to have the same problem, but eventually I bought it and I think it's better on the neck, higher frets also helps.
Performers are beautiful. I still think about the one I tried at my local store in Lake placid blue. I ultimately went for the pro ii because I liked the gloss on the neck and rolled edges, but performer works just as well imo. The yosemite pickups are great
Man those are slick guitars and they are pricey though I've seen them and them cases man you can't beat them cases but that's slick man how you slid your channel theme song there in the demo wonder how many other people will figure that out LOL
They are a bit pricey. The player series are excellent too and half the cost or less. I was wondering if anyone would catch that I put my theme song in there. 😂😂. Nice job man! 🤟🏻
I do have it! It’s a bit brighter sounding but very comparable. My best of both worlds lesson video showcases it, if you want to hear it. It’s a really nice guitar. The roasted maple neck is sweet. 👍
What I had to do to mine: - File nut down from harp height (.060" factory height at 1st fret--wtf?!) - File nut at highest string because of deadness when played open - Remove aggressive treble bleed PCB (wtf?) and replace with milder cap+resistor
I have this guitar and it's great but has the usual crappy fret job with about 6 high frets. If you buy any Fender 99% of the time you need to level the frets and fix the sprout so I really recommend getting it plekked if you have that available when purchasing or take it to a tech to level even though you shouldn't have to on a $17000 guitar.
After more than 2 years of abstinence, I went to the Music Station again and played 3 Fender American Professional II Strats, and again I noticed that the woods had little vibrancy, the maple necks were not very dense and responsive, there was little twang, little crunch , wiry-glassy, few overtones, sustain, attack, everything you associate with Fender guitars, everything is less than on my ESP 400 Series Strats and less than on my BLADE Texas models. This can be tested objectively and I can only say that I am extremely disappointed with this price-performance ratio. No, I can no longer objectively understand this adulation regarding Fender Strats. My first Stratocaster was a Fender American Standard Stratocaster and that was my worst guitar of all, a Fender Mexico Standard followed after that, but after I played the ESPs and the BLADEs everything was clear to me, and that proves itself again, every time, when I compare, the same result always comes out - what else can I say, it is true! The ESP-400-Series Strats and the BLADEs have objectively, noticeably and audibly better tonewood, the BLADEs even have a flattened neck-body-joint and covered fret slots and therefore much better playability!!! So, I'm done with Fender, I'm playing something clever, and at a much cheaper price. I don't want to talk anyone out of their love of Fender, I have nothing against you buying the (usually) worse guitars for a far too exorbitant price, you're welcome to do that. Then there will be more BLADEs for me, very simple! Thanks for listening!
Got the Pro 2 HSS in Olympic White with rosewood fingerboard loved it so much went back to shop a week later and bought the Pro 2 Telecaster same colour with rosewood again.
I’m so happy with both unfortunately can’t say the wife feels the same way so I’m in the dog house for now, but on a more serious note they make a lovely pair and cover all the tones I need.
The dog is also not happy with you
stellar demo video- i have the 2022 - it's an impressive instrument- I'm not into the pine bodies they are rolling out now- so this solid Alder body really captures the traditional strat resonance- even un-plugged the maple neck (2022 American Pro II )is extremely resonant in itself- Fender really delivered on body/ neck pro-build- and the back of the neck profile is user friendly
What I like about these videos Marty.. Is that every guitar you play is different in terms of set up or tone e.t.c.... and I like how you can pick out it's weakness and strength and play to that. You make it sound easy but I know that it's not. It just tells me how professional you are at playing. Your talent and wisdom is well met. I love it! Keep rockin' my brother... and we will keep learning. 🤘
Thanks Dave, that’s very cool of you to say! ☮️
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Well, it's true... Accept your throne and wear your crown King Marty! You deserve it sir.
I got an 🇺🇸 strat and I went to the store looking for a black Mexican telecaster to modify and while I was waiting for the Mex telecaster to be set up, I asked if they had an 🇺🇸 professional 2 telecaster and the guy came with a Miami Blue one. I love the color and when I held the 🎸, I knew that this was my 🎸 👍. It fits me like Cinderella's shoe for Cinderella 👍‼️
I am a PRS/Tele guy normally. Got my Pro 2 SSS Dark Night last week and can't put it down. The tones are just amazing and it plays just as well as my 30th Anni Core 24 PRS. Well done Fender, this is a good un !!!
Great to hear!
Hey Marty
Nice strat. Excellent playing. Tremolo always sounds great with a strat.
Thanks for sharing the love my brother 🙏
Thanks Michael! I just got the pipeline tremolo off eBay and love it!
Just got mine in Miami Blue with a maple fingerboard.
Amazing instrument
That’s great man! I love the Miami blue so much. These Strats play, look and sound beautiful. Congrats man! 🥂
How much is it,dude
@@bpluto5559 prices vary. They started off at $1499. Sale price 1299. Now they are 1699. I saw them on sale new 1499 over Black Friday weekend. Used you're probably looking at $1100-1300? Take a gander at reverb and eBay. Prices fluctuate.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker thanks dude
I"ve had a one for a couple of years, my first Strat ever (in Dark Night/Rosewood). Great guitar all around. I have a light attack and everything just feels smooth. Great demo. The tone you have at the beginning of the playing demo is fantastic!
I bought an American Pro ll, HSS a year ago, with a maple neck and I love it. The pickups sound great and I had the setup that came from the factory checked a month ago , and it needed very little adjustment. I prefer the pickups to the noiseless ones that come with the Ultra. They sound brighter.
I absolutely love this guitar. It's the sweetest Strat I've ever played. ❤️
Does the neck pickup for HSS and SSS sound same ? I want to buy one but I'm confused
@@1234manideep Yes, the neck pickups and middle pickups are identical. The only difference is in the bridge pickup, which is a humbucker that you can also choose to split into a single coil. It gives you the added option to add an additional sounding pickup, and I got this combination because it gave me more choices.
I own one, love it. Wished I had bought one sooner.
I just got one of these in tobacco sunburst. Im a Les Paul player, but I have fallen in love with the tonal options this affords!
Lol! 30+ year Les Paul player here, I have an AM pro ii arriving this week....my first Strat!
@carnivaltym I HIGHLY recommend getting a set of RadioShop Chris Buck ID pickups. I ordered those from the UK and now this Strat sounds better than any Fender I have ever held in my hands.
@jonathananthony1901 Thanks, big fan of Buck myself. I'm going to have it set up with heavier guage strings (11's) than come from the factory first up, and I'll see how that goes for a few months.
But yes, I won't be shy to put different pups in....I'll be playing thru a Ceriatone OTS 50, a Dumble clone, into a EVM 12L open backed cab, so my thinking is that rig will warm the standard Am pro ii pups up quite a bit, but we will see! I like fat tones but always with articulation....the search continues!
I have 2 from this series, the strat and the Tele deluxe. Both are really well made, sound great, and feel fantastic. It seems a little boring to say, "yep." But if someone out there is saving up for a really high quality instrument, the American Professional II line is a great option. I feel very fortunate to have them.
I still love this Strat. It's perfect IMO.
What are those pickups again ? They sound amazing and cover a lot of ground ! Thanks for sharing the origins of the “Marty 5150” intro riff 😎….once again you’ve inspired me to get my Strat out on Straturday ! 🎸
They are the V-MOD II pickups. I love 'em! Straturday!!!! WOOHOOO!!!
I went for the roasted pine body with a rosewood neck. I've only had it for a month and I'm still playing with pickup elevations and slants. As of right now it looks like yours are pretty close to mine. I have a dozen Strats, primarily AVRI models, a couple Standards and a Pro1. and I've never had a problem getting the pickup set to my taste, so this is a little surprise. But I'm enjoying the experience.
I know a lot of players love PRS and of course esch to their own. I'm a Fender Strat and Tele guy and Gibson 335 and Les Paul guy. But nothing cones close to a strat tone to me. Love your playing! Nice Axe!
Thanks so much. I'm with you on guitar tastes!
That Amp sounds great! Been looking at one of these and trying to make a decision. Great video, thank you.
Thanks! Good luck, I highly recommend them. Super amazing guitars. 🙌
Wow, thank you! I just ordered a (lefty) in Dark Night. Im hearing nothing but good about these bad boys. 🎸
Congrats man!! Great guitars for sure!!
Yeah I’ve had mine for a while now and same, no regrets. I will say though, the narrow/tall frets may not vibe with everybody and it’s a good idea to play before you buy. I like them a lot but it can be a little different feel under the fingers for some folks. For me it’s a keeper.
Marty please level those saddles please its driving my OCD crazy LOL! I have the sienna sunburst maple neck really really like the guitar.
It came this way and play great! Lol. However I get what you're sayin. 😎🥂
Is it silly for a beginner player to purchase a guitar like this? I mean I want something that I can keep long-term and grow with that will keep me engaged and I just really love the look of the dark night color. Thank you.
Not silly at all. You will be inspired by it and play more. It will retain its value. These play great too so starting in a nice instrument is always a plus.
Maybe it’s late for my answer - but definitely is! Started with a Harley-Benton - put it down after a week. After some years bought a Vintera 50s road worn, played it for a year but still - it wasn’t “it”. After that I bought the Blackie Am Pro II - literally did not put it down, before my mother threw it and shattered the lacquer. Bought an 1994 Standard - the same story. Then bought an AVII ‘61 which got its rod damaged. Today I got a refund for the AVII and am currently on a hunt for the Pro II or 80s/90s Standard.
Hope it helps!
Lovely playing , sounds great!
Very nice review and demo. Liked and subscribed and may just buy the roasted pine with rosewood neck today from American Muscial Supply as it is Strataday. (And: they have 12-month no-interest payment plan!)
Thanks!
I have been binging Am Pro II videos for 2 days looking for reasons not to buy one. Can’t find one.
🙏🏽✌🏽💙 from Minnesota
Great sounding strat. The neck pickup sounds awesome. Is this the 2021 model, then?
Thanks, the neck pickup is my favorite! Yeh I got this mid 2021.
Man that sounds heavenly!!! Butta I tell ya butta!!! Awesome Marty thx man.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks so much!! 😎🤟🏻
Oh man, that is a great-looking guitar
Thanks! ☮️
I just got one of these on sale. Never had a strat that wasnt a total knock off. Is there anything i should know particular to these as far as care/maintenance that you would recommend?
Gonna need to reteach myself how to play an electric, an acoustic has been my only guitar for a few years.
Now that's a Strat 👍
She’s a beauty!!! Thanks ❤️
Just watched the intro and the like is there immedately :)))
Thanks so much man. 😁🎵
Absolutely no problem with mine
What are your thoughts on the "narrow tall" frets. Is it something you like vs dislike, or is it not even something you really notice?
Sounds awesome. I'm looking at getting an HSS of that same colour.
Hi! Very good sound! What strings/gauge ?
I use 9's on my Strats and super Strats. Thanks man!
I’m terrible with band names and names of songs, what is the name of the song you played in the intro. Just picked this guitar up a few days ago.
Thanks.
The intro is my own song. But I put the Panama riff at the very end. 😎🎵
I want the Miami Blue one color way solid guitar
Great and warm sound you will find at the vintera 2 70s
I have it in HSS silver!!
Love it!
Great, btw how do you set the pick up heights? Mine has stratitis or warble on the g string 12-14fret
Sounds like you need to raise the individual saddle a little on that G. Crank it up a little bit and it should go away. My pickups are set the way they came from fender and are slightly angled.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker thnks man
great sound.
how much does it weigh?
Thanks so much! Not sure if weight. It’s about normal for a strat. I’d say about 7 pounds. Guessing.
do you find the glossy fretboard gets sticky, maybe playing live and sweating?
Not really, never has been an issue. But I don't sweat a lot when I play so that could be why?
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I was asking because I have an old Eric Johnson strat with MN that is always been very sticky, especially when playing long sessions live. So being after your same AMII guitar I was afraid to have the same problem, but eventually I bought it and I think it's better on the neck, higher frets also helps.
SSS strat will be my next guitar. Leaning towards the performer for oversize headstock. Gonna put a dimarzio hs3 in the bridge and neck position
Sounds like a solid plan! They’re so easy to customize and personalize, make it right for you. 🤟🏻
Performers are beautiful. I still think about the one I tried at my local store in Lake placid blue. I ultimately went for the pro ii because I liked the gloss on the neck and rolled edges, but performer works just as well imo. The yosemite pickups are great
Man those are slick guitars and they are pricey though I've seen them and them cases man you can't beat them cases but that's slick man how you slid your channel theme song there in the demo wonder how many other people will figure that out LOL
They are a bit pricey. The player series are excellent too and half the cost or less. I was wondering if anyone would catch that I put my theme song in there. 😂😂. Nice job man! 🤟🏻
3:40 nec
4:37 nec&mid
4:53 mid
5:04 bri&mid
5:22 bri
5:32 bri&nec
5:52 nec
6:27 nec&mid
6:46 mid
6:54 bri&mid
7:12 7:54 bri
7:41 bri&nec
Ya marty what year is that I really want a strat just haven't found one u like not a huge fender fan want to be
It’s a 2021. I love the Strat feel but could never play them easily. This model is totally different. 🙌
Thx
Still got the powder blue strat with the fat 50s? How do you find the pickups, compared?
(nice sound on this demo btw)
I do have it! It’s a bit brighter sounding but very comparable. My best of both worlds lesson video showcases it, if you want to hear it. It’s a really nice guitar. The roasted maple neck is sweet. 👍
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker ooh, I'll check it out.
Thanks!
@@johndemko4051 here ya go!
th-cam.com/video/EIyx1Lxpv9U/w-d-xo.html
hmm...
Both are good Kool & The Gang/EVH magnets
really good
What I had to do to mine:
- File nut down from harp height (.060" factory height at 1st fret--wtf?!)
- File nut at highest string because of deadness when played open
- Remove aggressive treble bleed PCB (wtf?) and replace with milder cap+resistor
Awesome strat
Thanks! I really think Fender did a superb job with this series!
Can you notice a difference from the feeling from mim
Did you find the top strings had lower volume due to the staggered pots?
not at all
hi marty, may i ask if its gd for beginner?
Most definitely it is. It’s a pricing guitar, but a great start! The player Strats made in Mexico are 650-850 and are excellent options as well. 👍👍
Does it have the roasted pine body?
That I could tell ya'. But it sure is sweet. I would assume it is poplar or alder.
Does it have a satin neck finished? Or is it glossy?
Satin
\o/ killer sounds \o/
Thanks Dave! 🥂
Dire straits nice thx marty
You’re welcome man! ☮️
Does the whammy bar pop in and pop out simply? I had a series 1 . It had a massive issue there.
It's quite firm but I'm ok with it.
Nice Strat. I put that same tremolo on my old tex/mex with the locking tuners just to have a little project
Like it
I have this guitar and it's great but has the usual crappy fret job with about 6 high frets. If you buy any Fender 99% of the time you need to level the frets and fix the sprout so I really recommend getting it plekked if you have that available when purchasing or take it to a tech to level even though you shouldn't have to on a $17000 guitar.
That's too bad man. I Haven't had that experience with them thankfully. 😎☮️
Meh they are okay lolz
After more than 2 years of abstinence, I went to the Music Station again and played 3 Fender American Professional II Strats, and again I noticed that the woods had little vibrancy, the maple necks were not very dense and responsive, there was little twang, little crunch , wiry-glassy, few overtones, sustain, attack, everything you associate with Fender guitars, everything is less than on my ESP 400 Series Strats and less than on my BLADE Texas models. This can be tested objectively and I can only say that I am extremely disappointed with this price-performance ratio. No, I can no longer objectively understand this adulation regarding Fender Strats. My first Stratocaster was a Fender American Standard Stratocaster and that was my worst guitar of all, a Fender Mexico Standard followed after that, but after I played the ESPs and the BLADEs everything was clear to me, and that proves itself again, every time, when I compare, the same result always comes out - what else can I say, it is true! The ESP-400-Series Strats and the BLADEs have objectively, noticeably and audibly better tonewood, the BLADEs even have a flattened neck-body-joint and covered fret slots and therefore much better playability!!! So, I'm done with Fender, I'm playing something clever, and at a much cheaper price. I don't want to talk anyone out of their love of Fender, I have nothing against you buying the (usually) worse guitars for a far too exorbitant price, you're welcome to do that. Then there will be more BLADEs for me, very simple! Thanks for listening!
Agreed. Fender these days b kinda weak yo
Cold and not interesting sound
😢