Great review Leon - Picked up an Ultra-1 in blue last year ... wanted to get a rosewood fingerboard and the finishes were limited for that . Love it so much that I picked up a matching Tele in all white with rosewood ... Fender really stepped up there game with this line up . I agree with all you mentioned .
I liked the cream colored Strat, as it sounded the most authentic and it's clarity was great for the Hendrix tunes. The Ultra was too dark for that use in my opinion.
That was a very nice look at that guitar. I have three straps now all different configurations, which I’m quite happy with, but not one of them ever really thrills me if you kinda get what I mean. I have completely swapped out all the electronics on one which made me a bit happier. But I am gonna have to go play one of those, appreciate it, Leon. As always, killer chops, brother.
I have the HSS Ultra 1, in the cobra blue finish. Might get this as an addition, after seeing your review, which honestly is the only one on TH-cam that really showcases the guitar. Playing is amazing as always!
Fender finally made a great playing axe, again, finally !! But the ML pickups are sweeter and ad that clarity with vibe effect for the Hendrix stuff, Ultra ll single coils sounded a shade duller...IMHO 😉
I have these ML in a strat and a Classic S. They’re rad pickups. I don’t think Suhr get enough kudos for their pickups. They’re right up there with the very best in the biz imo.
It looks fantastic, sounds great with loads of mods I've done to my Strats already there. I saw this one IRL and would have to get used to the matt scratch plate..
Perfect 🪓 for yourself and hair metal .. i have a heavy metal 80s cream squire Floyd that is quite heavy...love the vibe and looks better than a real strat to me.
Leon, love your videos! I love the look of the new Fender Ultra II (reminds me of my 80s Kramer Pacer) and it sounds great to me. King’s X & George Lynch… You’re speaking my language! 💪🏼
Sounds great man. It seems like a great guitar 🎸. Now I don't know if I should get an amp or one of these Fender ultra's? I would really like one of these though.
Nice to have the comparison. Sometimes reviews can feel like a lot of gushing and while I love the guitar in the store, I'm always interested in the side by side stack up. Killer guitar, though I may try to get a used Ultra or Deluxe or even an Am Pro... the choices 😂, I love strats though!
Really dig the Ultra line. I prefer the darker tone to be honest. I dont own one but I'd love to, especially after having a crack on one! But I must say, in your lead work on the Ultra I definitely get a Steve Lukather vibe....
Ultra is more of a shred guitar, 22 frets and high frets access is there. I was suprised that the sound is very refined and balanced while the other two sounds all over the place/messy specially the blonde strat. Must be the pups on the ultra are much better
It sounds really bright to me. Is that how you have your amp dialed in or would you say it's a really bright guitar? I have an American Professional HSS that's not that bright and I've played the Player Series HSS which were a little on the dark side.
The Suhr ML Pickups on the 77 Strat are killing it sound wise! They have so much more character than the newer Fender Pickups without overperforming. Just my opinion….😎
Finally Fender learned how to make electric guitars. I have changed 7-8 Fender Strats trying to find the one. I ended up keeping a 54 Reuse Eric Clapton Signature which I had to modify in order to bring it to my liking. I installed 3 mini humbuckers and made a pretty complicated wiring between them. With 5 position switch and 3 pull-push potentiometers, I have now around 30 different sounds including out of phase wiring which sound quite extreme. I like this Ultra ll model. I wish I had a chance to try it with my wiring.
Yo LT you said it had a locking trem so no pull back on the bar if so that’s my style like EVH where it’s top mounted.🤟🏻I would love to have the exact same one you have it’s a sick looking Fender but that price tag is steep!😳The player 2 regardless was impressive and held its own on the Ghungus part and cleans were good as well but those ML PUPS are special 🤟🏻
I'm not a Fender guy. I do like super strat style guitars from Ibanez, Jackson and ESP. Ibanez does the best job at that with the wizard neck and edge vibratos but a hardtail super strat is the way to go.
Nice run-down man. It's a shame they're so expensive here in Australia. On that topic, as an Australia TH-camr, why no Australian affiliate links, or even just a link to an Australian store to buy this from?
Thanks man. Regarding Aus affiliates, I'm actually not aware of who offers programs at this point. Australian viewers make up around 4% of my audience compared to 33% from the US and around 30% from the UK & EU. Weird hey.
In my experience, modern Fender pickups are starting to sound the same in all positions, a sort of one size fits no one. The test for me to determine if I jive with the pickups is playing the solo from Time by Pink Floyd. Half way through you switch from bridge to neck pickup and it really changes the character of the sound. From pristine clear to woody, but not fuzzy. I don't know, it either sings or it doesn't. How is that on this Ultra? p.s. I once described to a friend with a pickup winder what I look for in a neck pickup with all the buzz words you can think of. He wound me a scatterwound 6k8 neck pickup with a blend of alnico 5 and 2 magnets. That's the sauce! Inspired by the Seymour Duncan SSL 52. Ever tried those?
I have HSS strat, which is not Fender, it's partstrat, but it is collected from a better parts then average Fender. By my opinion/taste, bridge pickup on a Strat never delivers, so it must be a humbucker to fit my need. On the other side, noiseless middle and neck pickup never sound as good as single coils. The only exception is Dimarzio HS3 neck pickup, which I really like. Your new guitar is beautifull and sounds good. I would like to have that strat, but it is way to expensive. There are a lot of strats with a better specs (roasted maple neck, stainles steel frets), like Sire, for fraction of the price.
A lot of people are saying, when you should pay so much for this guitar when a Charvel SoCal is pretty much de same Guitar and you pay way less...so a good comparison between the two would be very interesting
I really like how Fender voiced that humbucker. Clarity even with distortion and a healthy meatiness. Looks like a lot of fun to play.
Great review Leon - Picked up an Ultra-1 in blue last year ... wanted to get a rosewood fingerboard and the finishes were limited for that . Love it so much that I picked up a matching Tele in all white with rosewood ... Fender really stepped up there game with this line up . I agree with all you mentioned .
Best thing I've eever heard you play, starting at 9:05. Really great playing and tone.
:D
Dude! Looks like a killer gig! You rock brother 🤘🙏🎸
I have the Ultra 1 HSS in Texas Tea. Fantastic guitar. Really like the red finish on the new model.👍
That Texas Tea is gorgeous too ;)
That Strat rocks! Love the colour, vibe, tone - all good. Looks like Noosa was lots of fun. What a awesome place to have a guitar Festival
Gotta get you out for it next year!
@ I’d love to!
I liked the cream colored Strat, as it sounded the most authentic and it's clarity was great for the Hendrix tunes. The Ultra was too dark for that use in my opinion.
That was a very nice look at that guitar. I have three straps now all different configurations, which I’m quite happy with, but not one of them ever really thrills me if you kinda get what I mean. I have completely swapped out all the electronics on one which made me a bit happier. But I am gonna have to go play one of those, appreciate it, Leon. As always, killer chops, brother.
Great insight and stunning playing :)
Cheers mate :)
Nice improv over Georgy Porgy !! ... Also great tone (as always). I have a Fender Elite, but I'm seriously thinking about buying a Fender Ultra 2.
I'm glad they finally thinned out the neck plate mounting area, I'll give them that. Just so expensive
I have the HSS Ultra 1, in the cobra blue finish. Might get this as an addition, after seeing your review, which honestly is the only one on TH-cam that really showcases the guitar. Playing is amazing as always!
That cobra blue is awesome. Two of my students have the same guitar
Beautiful Fender. Makes me anxious to look on the 'Verb for some 80s Fender Japan stuff.
I wanted one of these before watching this. Your old strat sounds way better to my ears.
Fender finally made a great playing axe, again, finally !! But the ML pickups are sweeter and ad that clarity with vibe effect for the Hendrix stuff, Ultra ll single coils sounded a shade duller...IMHO 😉
That black strat sounds phenomenal.
I have these ML in a strat and a Classic S. They’re rad pickups.
I don’t think Suhr get enough kudos for their pickups. They’re right up there with the very best in the biz imo.
Absolutely. Quality stuff
It looks fantastic, sounds great with loads of mods I've done to my Strats already there. I saw this one IRL and would have to get used to the matt scratch plate..
Perfect 🪓 for yourself and hair metal .. i have a heavy metal 80s cream squire Floyd that is quite heavy...love the vibe and looks better than a real strat to me.
My kinda strat love it ❤ Awesome playing
That black Strat sounded amazing
The cheapest one! New player II, awesome guitar
Leon, love your videos! I love the look of the new Fender Ultra II (reminds me of my 80s Kramer Pacer) and it sounds great to me. King’s X & George Lynch… You’re speaking my language! 💪🏼
That's the vibe for sure!
Well done. Don't have a Strat...might just pick one of these up.
Sounds great man. It seems like a great guitar 🎸. Now I don't know if I should get an amp or one of these Fender ultra's? I would really like one of these though.
I have the version I. Fantastic on gigs and very useful in the studio.
It's a great guitar for both!
Nice to have the comparison. Sometimes reviews can feel like a lot of gushing and while I love the guitar in the store, I'm always interested in the side by side stack up. Killer guitar, though I may try to get a used Ultra or Deluxe or even an Am Pro... the choices 😂, I love strats though!
Really dig the Ultra line. I prefer the darker tone to be honest. I dont own one but I'd love to, especially after having a crack on one! But I must say, in your lead work on the Ultra I definitely get a Steve Lukather vibe....
Yeah it's PERFECT for that late 80's Luke thing. Plays like butter.
I’m going to get one of the Ultra 2 telecasters. The forearm contour puts it over the top for me
Yep I replaced the humbucker with the JB & its good to go!
Ultra is more of a shred guitar, 22 frets and high frets access is there. I was suprised that the sound is very refined and balanced while the other two sounds all over the place/messy specially the blonde strat. Must be the pups on the ultra are much better
It sounds really bright to me. Is that how you have your amp dialed in or would you say it's a really bright guitar? I have an American Professional HSS that's not that bright and I've played the Player Series HSS which were a little on the dark side.
I mean, anytime you want to get your Hendrix thing on is fine by me!
Definitely useful comparison.
What pickups on '77 strat? They really have thin air clarity
Suhr ML
The Suhr ML Pickups on the 77 Strat are killing it sound wise! They have so much more character than the newer Fender Pickups without overperforming. Just my opinion….😎
They're pretty special hey
Love the KingsX! Surprised at how dull the Ultra sounded in the neck clean example.
Finally Fender learned how to make electric guitars. I have changed 7-8 Fender Strats trying to find the one. I ended up keeping a 54 Reuse Eric Clapton Signature which I had to modify in order to bring it to my liking. I installed 3 mini humbuckers and made a pretty complicated wiring between them. With 5 position switch and 3 pull-push potentiometers, I have now around 30 different sounds including out of phase wiring which sound quite extreme. I like this Ultra ll model. I wish I had a chance to try it with my wiring.
Strat was allways a beauty, but sound was weak.
yeah they've never known how to make good electric guitars for the past 75 years..
You said Ty's name, you have my full attention. Holy crap you pulled off his tone! Was it Queensland? Or maybe...😏 SUMMERLAND!
Leon is dedicated to the 80s. He puts headbands on all his guitars. 😂
🤣
@@Rummy73 Everyone knows tone is in (Mark Knopfler's) headband
Yo LT you said it had a locking trem so no pull back on the bar if so that’s my style like EVH where it’s top mounted.🤟🏻I would love to have the exact same one you have it’s a sick looking Fender but that price tag is steep!😳The player 2 regardless was impressive and held its own on the Ghungus part and cleans were good as well but those ML PUPS are special 🤟🏻
Sounds great to me!
9:00 that's a tasty jam. great phrasing. It's improvising over a backing track?
I pretty much prefer the Pickups and sound of your other strats
I'm not a Fender guy. I do like super strat style guitars from Ibanez, Jackson and ESP. Ibanez does the best job at that with the wizard neck and edge vibratos but a hardtail super strat is the way to go.
Nice run-down man. It's a shame they're so expensive here in Australia. On that topic, as an Australia TH-camr, why no Australian affiliate links, or even just a link to an Australian store to buy this from?
Thanks man. Regarding Aus affiliates, I'm actually not aware of who offers programs at this point. Australian viewers make up around 4% of my audience compared to 33% from the US and around 30% from the UK & EU. Weird hey.
Rosewood board and I'm game!
Simmon Gardiner 🤔🤔
Did he play in the hey hey band or was that Patrick??
I remember they had a shredder and I can never recall the name 😅
That was Simon Patterson
@nathanleonardmusic
Bingo 👏
Thank you 👍
In my experience, modern Fender pickups are starting to sound the same in all positions, a sort of one size fits no one. The test for me to determine if I jive with the pickups is playing the solo from Time by Pink Floyd. Half way through you switch from bridge to neck pickup and it really changes the character of the sound. From pristine clear to woody, but not fuzzy. I don't know, it either sings or it doesn't. How is that on this Ultra?
p.s. I once described to a friend with a pickup winder what I look for in a neck pickup with all the buzz words you can think of. He wound me a scatterwound 6k8 neck pickup with a blend of alnico 5 and 2 magnets. That's the sauce! Inspired by the Seymour Duncan SSL 52. Ever tried those?
Those Duncan's have that slightly scooped "quack" a classic Strat should have. That "thunk" on the neck pickup!
I have HSS strat, which is not Fender, it's partstrat, but it is collected from a better parts then average Fender. By my opinion/taste, bridge pickup on a Strat never delivers, so it must be a humbucker to fit my need. On the other side, noiseless middle and neck pickup never sound as good as single coils. The only exception is Dimarzio HS3 neck pickup, which I really like. Your new guitar is beautifull and sounds good. I would like to have that strat, but it is way to expensive. There are a lot of strats with a better specs (roasted maple neck, stainles steel frets), like Sire, for fraction of the price.
@@VanjaSpirin What I find mind boggling is that the new Ultra is more expensive than my custom shop from 10 years ago.
A lot of people are saying, when you should pay so much for this guitar when a Charvel SoCal is pretty much de same Guitar and you pay way less...so a good comparison between the two would be very interesting
Would love to do that comparison!
Can't hear you at all.