5 Badass things you missed about the 2020 American Professional II Stratocaster from

[@michaelolz]

I just got one in Mercury burst color. It’s the most amazing guitar I’ve ever laid my hands on. Or seen. Believe it or not, besides the amazing finish, the first thing that caught my eye was the string tree. I couldn’t get over how simple and well-crafted it is. Nothing about this guitar will be changed by me. It’s the easiest playing guitar probably ever. I played it last night and went to bed. I got up the following morning with my coffee and played it again and it was still in tune. Guys, get it. You’ll love it.

[@JeremySheppard]

Yes!! Totally agree and love mine! I play it all the time.

[@6StringStories]

That color is ridiculously awesome. Loving these guitars! Kudos to Fender for making something fresh.

[@shawnpelley4129]

I got the dark night color. Fucken love it

[@sixslinger9951]

@@shawnpelley4129 that's my choice or the olympic white. maybe both ;)

[@roxyroo7042]

Well, I’m a convert. 25 yrs with only my Les Paul, finally...bought a Silver Sky, which made me...have to try a Strat (American Pro ii) . The end, Strat wins me over. Holy cow. I never knew what I was missing. And, that bridge pickup with the neck engaged is incredible. That Silver Sky can’t do that. I like them all, but I am overjoyed with the Strat. It’s my first choice now. Ok, and I bought a tele. I’m on a roll! Where the heck I’ve been for 25 yrs? This is fun. Don’t worry Les, if you read this, we are still best friends.

[@danabiondo9243]

Yea Roxy! The Les is Classic Ya Know Jimmy, Slash, on, on, on. However I Agree I've always had a Strat And My Pro 2 is in the Mail! Anticipation, Ahhh!

[@-Wreckanize-]

Really? Strat over silver sky?

[@coaldoubt2879]

Now try a Tele.

[@roxyroo7042]

@@-Wreckanize- Well, now I am not so sure. That Silver Sky is like a super strat. The neck is definitely chunkier on the SS, not sure if I care, it just is... But, now, hmmm..not sure which I like more. But, I will say this.... I do grab the SS when I want to play. That may say it all.

[@Mujcanal]

Ha ha, sucha class comment ! You have made my day, thanks

[@michaelfandetti]

Just got mine a few days ago and loved it then. Thanks to the things you've pointed out, I love it even more now which I didn't think was possible. Thanks so much Jeremy, cheers

[@jasonedmonson5610]

I agree 100%! I've been playing my AP II Strat for almost two years and it feels better every time I pick it up.

[@robertw1871]

They really are great instruments, I bought one after just holding it for a minute or two, they just feel different, still definitely a strat just way more refined, fender really stepped up their game, and did it without any gimmicks, all the changes are actually improvements and don’t take away from anything else. They kept the price reasonable as well... Kudos to Fender the thing is just an all around winner... the stock pickups to me are the best sounding they have ever made. Really clear, still have that strat bell tone and have high output... there isn’t anything I’ve tried that they couldn’t do extremely well... the volume and tone knobs have great range, there are no useless settings, the bridge pickup isn’t harsh but still cuts hard and being able to fatten that up with the neck too... man it’s just killer... 2 point trem with snap in bar they has zero play... yeah, no more hard tail locked down down bridge, thing keeps perfect tune... it’s amazing, truly... very happy with mine...

[@jambajoby32]

1: the string tree 🌳 2: the nut 🌰 3: finger board 4: strap buttons 5: bridge

[@traviscurlutu7723]

I just bought a Mystic Surf Pro 2, absolutely love it! Great vid!

[@danabiondo9243]

Right On Travis!

[@Andy123Harris1]

I went for the mystic surf metallic. This may sound weird, but every now and then I flip the guitar round and look at the gorgeous juxtaposition of colors around the back of the neck joint - the vintage wood look of the neck, the iridescent sparkle of the seafoam green metallic, and the shiny chrome steel of the neck plate. The combination is just gorgeous… I’ll also say that the headstock is pretty much perfect. Again the aged maple look, with the distinctive strat shape but quite compact (like a tele). And, IMO, rosewood really complements the whole look (I prefer the feel to that of maple anyway). Finally, that supra-natural finish on the neck - how did they do that? It’s like a played-in guitar from the get-go…

[@darrenhunt7838]

I just got a mystic surf green fat strat pro 2 and I can’t believe how awesome this guitar plays and sounds. It leaves my 2012 American Standard for dead in every respect. Fender has really lifted the bar with this series of guitars.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

The neck and fingerboard feel like a Cadillac after having a series of Mex strats, and wanting a promotion. Yes very smooth. Love it, and sounds amazing.

[@the92project]

Watched 2 dozens videos on this guitar but I just bought it after watching your video. Your tone is exactly what I wanted to hear this guitar do. Now I know this is the one.

[@newgunguy4176]

Lube the string tree, newbies! You're welcome.

[@FAIRWEATHER_MUSIC]

some of the more recent Fender colors are to die for... I just ordered the Miami Blue after feeling stuck between this Blue, the Vintage Sea Foam Green and the Custom Shop Lilac... I haven't been so excited to get a new axe in a while. The perfect guitar can only get so much better. Groovy colors are the way to go!

[@osmeltorres07]

I got mine a few days ago. Funny how 95% of the videos on KZbin don't properly capture the Miami Blue color. In person it's even better! Enjoy it

[@donmunson4802]

I'm discovering that if you leave the pickups set as they come from the factory, that push-push switch only hurts the tones it's supposed to be adding. Until I realized that, I thought the switch mechanism was broken.

[@elliotgoodine954]

I'm a fan of the push-push pot on these! Nice to get an extra sound, with the bridge+neck option.

[@JeremySheppard]

I didn't know about that feature when I filmed this, haha *facepalm* but I love it. Very tele middle position sounding.

[@outsiderdf]

Don't forget about the 4th position, which is all 3 pickups...

[@robhirschfeld9888]

How different is the push-push to the s1 switch sounds? Thanks

[@outsiderdf]

@@robhirschfeld9888 The sounds aren't different, only the mechanism to get to them...

[@robhirschfeld9888]

@@outsiderdf interesting.. do you think the normal pickup sounds are more traditional sounding than the deluxe pickups as I have a Strat deluxe which I love and this might so not be different enough

[@paulsguitarchannel1810]

The ultimate fender Stratocaster . Beautiful

[@e.paradigm7415]

Just ordered the American Pro2 Strat in Olympic White but now I want to buy the Tele in Miami Blue! 😍 If only I had the funds 😓

[@NJackDunkley]

Thanks for a unique review. I used to have a strat with skinny tall frets but I found that fretting chords between frets 1 and 7 would result in some notes going sharp. I could hear this in your playing on this video too. It’s a shame for me (perhaps not others) because the spec is their wise great. For me I want to be able to dig in with a strat and I don’t want to have to be over delicate with fretting

[@billhannum4117]

Been playing along time and have played many fenders through the decades .The pro2 is the best production strat I have ever played .bought 2 of them and I think I want another. Also have american original and a players series strat which is surprisingly good at its price but the pro 2 is soooooo good man . I don't think I would even look at a custom shop strat at this point the pro2 really does check all the boxes for me

[@LorSTApunk07]

That color is very “Blue album”.

[@Ian_sheridanuk]

It's goin' surfin'!

[@chrisowens3817]

I was gonna add locking tuners but it holds tune so damn well

[@karlschmidt4376]

Got an Olympic white , great guitar

[@andriebayuajie7801]

Nice video and great sound from the guitar

[@billyb4u812]

Just pick one up and man this thing is hard to put down! The only thing I may change out is the standard tuners for Fender locking tuners to keep it from going out here and there.

[@Mrschillijones]

I’m not a pro but I neeeeeed one of these guitars lol

[@danielreyes3638]

That’s a badass guitar and a badass tone ! And a very analytical review ! Thanks man ! Congrats for the very good content !

[@chrissolum8323]

I saw a few reviewers claim that it’s not enough of an upgrade over the Player series for the extra money. Even as a beginner, all I can say is ‘you’ve got to be joking!’. I played both back to back on default fender setup and the difference in Playability, versatility, sustain and tuning stability was huge. The player series had no life, no personality and being a lefty, came with non functioning tone pots as standard. The step up to the AM Pro 2 gets you working tone pots, but also that beautiful genuine rosewood neck and rolled fretboard, much better nut, better bridge, a treble bleed circuit, the push push that has great usable tones like bridge and neck together (basically a Tele tone), better strap button, better colours (subjective) and contoured heel.

[@JeremySheppard]

The players strats are wonderful but the Am Pro II's are the best production strats ever made. I still play this one every day.

[@chrissolum8323]

@@JeremySheppard yep, and I forgot to mention that the v-mod 2 pickups are fantastic.

[@russellives6069]

Nice video. Good job doing something different than everyone else.

[@fredd036]

How about the push/pull feature on the tone knob that enables the bridge/neck pickups to play together?

[@JeremySheppard]

It's awesome. I didn't know about it when this video came out. Whoops 😬

[@fredd036]

@@JeremySheppard I was wondering if you didn't know. I watched two other videos after yours and they mentioned that, and it confused me 😄

[@vittogol]

I have a new one but a couple of trouble. 1 the tremolo stick is hard to remove. How can I take it off? 2 last 2 strings when played opern don't sound crisp... What gauge strings you suggest?

[@cmkilcullen8176]

What do you think of the rosewood fret board? I am thinking of getting a replacement neck for one of my other strats. Since I already have a maple fret board on my black APS ii, I was wondering about the smoothness of the rosewood. Any thoughts?

[@PaoloC.]

I would definitely add the snap-in whammy bar!!

[@sixgunslingin]

Can you store the American Pro 2 in the case with the whammy bar installed?

[@JeremySheppard]

No. It wont close properly with the trem arm installed. I always removed it and put it in the storage compartment.

[@sixgunslingin]

@JeremySheppard thanks

[@bluegreensubmarine]

Excellent review thanks 🙏

[@decidedfob]

Hello my friend. Nice video. Can i ask you what os the amp you are using. Thanks

[@JeremySheppard]

Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb

[@drewzendra6851]

Sick video. Mine arrives tomorrow 😃😃😃

[@JeremySheppard]

What color? Maple or Rosewood? So excited for you!

[@drewzendra6851]

Sunburst rosewood SSS - can’t wait! I was out yesterday when they tried to deliver it 🤬🤬

[@XciteMike]

Which amp is that back there? Great tone.

[@franzkafka916]

guitar for professional musicians that looks towards the future with amazing cool features... oh but not a locking tuner... we do have a push-push tho.....

[@BrewReview]

Don’t remember a time in the 70’s where gigging musicians REQUIRED locking tuners to play a show.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

The string tree is on the Ultra series as well

[@urgidover]

Both of them share many characteristics, I think just the pick ups are different.. and the price...

[@Znew07]

@@urgidover yeah, a lot of pro’s are actually choosing the am. Prof. 2 instead of the ultra because the pickups are “noiseless” on the ultra and it deadens the sound while the pro 2 uses the vmod 2 which are some of the best pickups for a modern strat. They add clarity but also keep that vintage strat sound. Supposedly the magnets are different for each string and the coil is wound a specific way to make sure the output for each string is equal. So you don’t drown out your lows or highs or have something that’s too bright or too compressed.

[@Znew07]

I just bought a 3 color sunburst with the HSS setup. Waiting on it to be made. Might be a month or so.

[@urgidover]

@@Znew07 thanks for the info. I thought that the noiseless were better

[@hanyzaky3284]

Thanks jermy for vedio I really missed feature #3 fretboard rounded edge and its great feel all over my guitars specially my hand is little small . I maked it by myself in nashville tele with no coated maple neck and it working great but I am affraid to make it in rose wood and coated maple .

[@JonathanBrooker]

I wasn't even thinking about buying this guitar (I was thinking about the new 2020 Gibson J-50 ) but for some strange reason I am now wanting that start!

[@danabiondo9243]

Strat! :)

[@danwilson9530]

I bought one. No regrets.

[@DooblesGoDoobles]

I know it's an old video but I wanna ask how you feel about the neck? I come from the Player series strats so the neck will feel fatter, but is it comfortable? Does it get in the way of playing chords near the nut at all?

[@JeremySheppard]

I love it. I've kept this guitar and it's a super comfortable C shape. Nothing crazy but super playable. The rolled edges are amazing too.

[@DooblesGoDoobles]

@@JeremySheppard good to hear, I'm buying the neck off of Thomann and having it installed on my player strat to replace the old neck, but I don't like the like... 70's style super fat neck, so I wanted to hear

[@ambientnstuff5456]

When do the 2021 models come out..?

[@igavehimadollar3354]

i got one and its effing beautiful

[@j_music_8779]

Great guitar!! 🙌🏻

[@danabiondo9243]

Great Vid Jeremy! Thank you for those Hot tips. My Pro Will be in the Mail Any Day Now! Tell S.W. to Keep The Sugar! I Will Pass. Keep On Rocking!

[@penoyer79]

They're really nice guitars. I highly recommend them if that's your thing. You'll be hard pressed to find a nicer and better built guitar for the money. I only sent mine back because I'm a humbucker player and single coils are just a mismatch for me.

[@ctbarker321]

There are several things you mention that were already on the Am Strat Pro I. For instance, the rounded bone nut. Yep on the Am Strat Pro I. Strap buttons also are "deep channel" on Am Strat Pro I. The fretboard is also rounded. String tree is roller type and works well. It also has rolled bridge steel standoffs. So, I bought a olive green Am Strat Pro I a few weeks before the release of the Pro II models for $999. While there are some nice additions in Pro II (i.e. push pickup tap), I don't feel bad about saving $500 for 90% the same guitar.

[@JeremySheppard]

Wow! Good deal. I didn't know the pro 1 very well.

[@soofitnsexy]

chris does yours have the treble bleed rolloff when u drop the volume?

[@jimmyjimmy951]

Nice but it’s not the latest Strat and that kind of sucks a bit... I did the same thing with my US Standard Tele a few years back and a little piece of me still has to justify the long since spent savings. My new dilemma is what colour should I buy in the Pro II ? Got to love guitars and what they do to your soul. Love the Olive Green by the way.. 👍🇦🇺

[@pablo9364]

It’s not 90% of the new one. It’s it’s own thing . In Other words they’re both great and sort of as good as each other . Overpriced yes but you have to pay for the fender name . Good deal. The deal has to be good

[@HeliBenj]

Is the tremolo arm pop in?

[@JeremySheppard]

Yes

[@musicspeaks8872]

Only thing i dislike is the frets. It shud be medium jumbo stainless steel.

[@JeremySheppard]

I think the elites have stainless. Takes many miles to wear out frets.

[@hanskung3278]

A bone nut? A squire for $360 has those.

[@ptrisonic]

Does this range have locking tuners? Pete.

[@JeremySheppard]

No. You can easily add them but locking tuners don't actually help with tuning stability.

[@BrickWilliamsGuitar]

@@JeremySheppard locking tuners don’t help with tuning stability huh? Ok then.....wow.

[@Alan_Chapman]

@@BrickWilliamsGuitar I thought they just make it much faster and convenient to change strings because you don’t have to use wrapping techniques and pinching to hold it in place while winding it up? A locking tuner can still have the string slip out of tune, right? A locking nut however, like a Floyd Rose system should help with tuning stability.

[@BrickWilliamsGuitar]

@@Alan_Chapman locking tuners do indeed provide a little more stability to tuning imo. They absolutely do not impact stability as much as a locking nut, but they help prevent string slippage at the posts. When you bend strings or use a whammy bar the entire length of the string is being loosened or tightened. So if you have a tuner that is pinching the string in place at the post it is preventing any slippage from happening there, thus improving tuning stability. You can still have issues with binding in the nut or string movement at the saddles, or even issues at the bridge posts, but the more stable you make the entire length of the strings the better. And they absolutely help make string changes easier and faster. So yes, they don't have a massive impact, but in my experience they do help, and the more in tune I can stay, all the better.

[@Alan_Chapman]

@@BrickWilliamsGuitar That makes sense. I’m still a relatively new guitarist. My first few string changes I had issues with the high E or the B slipping out because I didn’t use enough slack to wind properly. Tried a few different methods and the one that seems to work best is the once over then under which provides some clamping force. Eventually, I might get some locking tuners for my American Pro. Also, I followed advice I saw from a lot of people about putting some graphite in the nut slots, but I honestly don’t understand how that helps. Seems to me that would actually facilitate even more movement at the nut.

[@scottmorley2971]

Sayyyyyy it aintttttt soooooOOooooOOOoooo

[@donmunson4802]

Do you realize that they stole that string tree from a sixties Silvertone Jaguar copy? And they replaced a much more efficient tree to boot. Fortunately it's an easily upgradable component.

[@shawnadams1693]

Comment for the algorithm. 🤘🏻

[@StratBurst92]

Sweetwater is great, been a customer of theirs for years.

[@craigbranscum4041]

Every video mentions the two point bridge that's been on there for 25 years lol.

[@JeremySheppard]

I'm pretty sure I'm the first to notice it...

[@craigbranscum4041]

@@JeremySheppard Just ball busting man, cool video . Every Fender promo says it and I'm like my 89 had a two point lol.

[@JeremySheppard]

Me too. Haha. I was talking about he rolled saddles and 2 post, which has been done but it's very well built on these.

[@bobdorothy9719]

Two bad you mentioned sweetwater. I’m a Zzounds guy.

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

Is it me or the frets feels like so tall that i cant even slide

[@JeremySheppard]

They are tall, I haven't noticed that but I don't play a ton of slide. I'll do some homework and get back to you

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

@@JeremySheppard thank you !!! To play mayer style not the best i think

[@Znew07]

Yeah, they use jumbo narrow frets. You can always raise your action to help if you want to play slide, just be sure to check your intonation afterwards.

[@smg1707]

Nice Pumpkin's tone going on there

[@JeremySheppard]

I thought so too. This thing is a monster.

[@gregmican]

@@JeremySheppard straight into the Tone Master to get that tone?

[@dezionlion]

If you turned your hat around, it would stay on better

[@jambajoby32]

Man that’s a goooooood lookin color tho!

[@dezionlion]

Yeah but you missed the fact that it has a two point term! Lame! And the original string tree was the best! Honestly though it should have no string tree and staggered tuners.

[@Ian_sheridanuk]

I've never played a 2 point trem. What's up with them?

[@robertw1871]

You should go play one, they are really good, far better than previous strats, the pro II plays like a custom shop to me, I own three others and immediately bought the new one after just holding it for a couple minutes.... and the Vmod-2 pickups are great, higher output than my Texas specials but are balanced and have extreme clarity... they really are amazing instruments, I think Fender really stepped up their game and did it with no gimmicks, on top of the price didn’t change... the two point trem is a crazy good feature, means I don’t have to turn it into a hard tail to keep perfect tuning, it’s really good, far superior to my other strats with the vintage 6 screws, I’ll probably be converting them all to the 2 point bridge.

[@jamesnortonofficial1566]

That colour is so mint

[@gutenbird]

The person deserves a kiss on the mouth? As a treat or as punishment?

[@CliffRay13]

That chicken 😂

[@JustIce-u9w]

😂 He gave it away that he’s just trying to sell you one of these guitars as he doesn’t even own one🤦 Admits that he’d change the buttons for strap locks - if he owned one. Clearly went for the Ultra or better.

[@JeremySheppard]

I still own this guitar and haven't changed anything. I like it a lot. But...I have shilled and I may shill again.

[@hanskung3278]

I thought a Trem was a gimmick.

[@ralex3697]

I collect nice guitars, I’m not much of a player No crime in that

[@chickenlickin3820]

the strap buttons have been used before soooooo next..

[@milankotevski1663]

A strat is a strat. Nothing new and exciting here.

[@hanskung3278]

Really? A string tree?

[@JeremySheppard]

Really...

[@hanskung3278]

@@JeremySheppard Ok, I'll check it out, also I apologize for being overly critical, you know more about the guitar than I do and you also play much better.

[@gkathmandu]

dude tune your guitar

[@JeremySheppard]

You're not my dad...

[@chickenlickin3820]

the string tree on it is not new sooooo..... next..

[@mikes51501]

I love mine. Best strat I have ever played by miles. I’ve owed quite a few and none come close. Even Jeff Beck model was awful.