Fender American Professional II vs. American Professional Stratocaster Comparison

[@TrevBec]

Playing starts at 8:39

[@melvinsfan]

I recently (2023) found a late 2016 Strat Pro 1 at Guitar Center of all places, in unplayed condition with the plastic still on it. Someone must have bought it to learn to play and then, in the closet it sat until they sold it off to Guitar Center. I got incredibly lucky. It’s my first American Strat and it is an amazing guitar.

[@cassandrahuskey8866]

Does it have noiseless frets?

[@arn999]

The v-mod 2s seemed a bit brighter, but besides that they sound very similar, which is expected I guess. When doing a comparison like this, it's much better to do one pickup in each guitar and then switch positions, instead of going through the whole range of positions before changing guitars. They're way too similar to be able to compare them easily this way. But anyway, they both sound very solid.

[@jimkostan9932]

Yes they are way too bright for me. Its almost a tinty sound, but you can change that.I was a fan of pro 2 until I compared it with my 62FSRVRI. Pro2 is Lounder but not as tone worthy as the vintage '62 pups or '57 pups.So I retured it: like they say, guitar players are picky people!

[@jimkostan9932]

The neck doesn't stick like Some strats do.No stick neck. Pups I am not a fan of either. The guy is wrong the Pro 2 it has no vintage tone. It almost scratches your nerves it's so bright sounding compared to my 62 and 63 vintage reissues made in 1984. Fender is re-releasing vintage reissues: after the Namm show is the word that I heard; having a family member in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame help's to get sime inside information. I am waiting for another vintage re- issue, when they come back for a short time, which Guitar magazine said, The fender 62 vintage reissue are the most sought-after and the most desirable strat for strat enthusiasts. I agree 100%!

[@jimkostan9932]

That carved edge doesn't make much of a difference. To A good player that neck carve wont matter.at all.

[@michaelolz]

If you’re starting out...and if you can afford it at the same time...get an expensive Stratocaster. I’m totally serious. It gives you a sense of accountability to learn on those days you don’t feel like it. They’re comfortable. They sound great out of the box with minimal setup nonsense. They’re reliable. If you want to be a player/luthier, get a cheap guitar. You’ll have fun and end up with a great instrument. But get the expensive one first. That’s my advice. And get the Pro II. Just trust me. It’s worth it. Every dime and more.

[@jsauce311]

absolutely agree with this

[@Stoffendous]

Shouldnt you start with an Ultra?

[@scottyscott1898]

@@Stoffendous I think these Pro II model pickups sound much better than the noiseless pickups that come in the Ultra, although they’re gorgeous as well.

[@spl1011]

I am learning this lesson the hard way. I've got 3 Squier models and my old 90's MiM strat and have spent hours and hours and hours researching, repairing and upgrading them. Time I could spend practicing. I picked up a performer and a professional 2 and those are ready to go out of the box. I practice with those far more lately. I'm grateful for that.

[@carlitobrigante330]

True. Nothing puts off a new or still-learning player faster than a poor instrument. That said, for a beginner at least, there should still be nothing with learning on an older American Standard or even a newer (Mexican) Player series.

[@izotopz]

My attention was somewhere else when he switched from the Pro 1 to the Pro 2. I immediately turned and thought "now this sounds crazy good!" They both sound great of course. I find that the Pro 2 sounds brighter, punchier. Looks like I'm entering the Strat market just at the right time!

[@CharlesBegin-it5sp]

Been fooled by the pickups position tho.. ( 1 vs 5 ) when he switched

[@ahmetayaz41]

Why always comparing rosewood to maple freatboard? İnstead of comparing their match

[@doktordice9219]

Great point ! Never thought about it

[@benink5690]

They didn't have any others. They sold out

[@glassslide]

I thought the pickups on the American Professional sounded more like a traditional Strat than the Pro II but they are both definitely in the same ballpark.

[@carlitobrigante330]

I recently bought an American Professional I with maple fretboard and love the pickups & tone. (That said, I didn't get an opportunity to do any side-by-side comparisons.)

[@SpaceJunkie12]

I was under the impression that Fender American guitars, such as the Standard and Professional both had rolled edges? I know my 2012 American Standard did, and my 2019 American Pro sure felt like it had them.

[@MelodyMaker]

Mighty fine playin' Coop.

[@donmunson4802]

So now it's 2024 and I have been playing the Pro1 and the Pro2 long enough to properly evaluate the pair. And personally, I'm waiting for the Pro3 to come out. And it's really a matter of seeing what they do with the pickups. At this point I prefer the Pro1 version of the V-mods. The Pro2 version are too bright for my taste. I consider that the V-mod2 a step down from the original V-mods on my Pro1. Might just be me, but none of the V-mods can compare to the Fat50's on the last American Standard.

[@jhowson3748]

I don't know about that Cooper, I gig with a Mexico standard strat made in 1998.

[@arpee915]

Fender American Pro takes the cake in my honest opinion.

[@soofitnsexy]

sounds more fender!!!

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

Fender should start using stainless steel frets on their American made guitars.

[@kbcarroll]

they did on the Ultra series and apparently people whined about it

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

@@kbcarroll On the 2021 Ultra series, right? Are they even available yet? Fender has been using them for awhile on the Eric Johnson signature model and it's a good seller. People complain when something is new. I have a guitar with stainless steel frets and they are nice and slick for bending and sound the same as nickel silver frets to me.

[@kbcarroll]

@@DesertScorpionKSA i think even on the last years ultra they were SS. I could be wrong. I have no problem with them and think the upgrade seems obvious as I'm currently facing a $600 refret at Glaser when a $3 price increase when it was new would have resulted in never needing a refret.

[@ATX0705]

@@DesertScorpionKSA Fender has never used stainless steel frets on any of the Eric Johnson signature models.

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

@@ATX0705 Ok, my mistake.

[@seanmckee_18]

Wait beard oil: I’ll take your Entire stock

[@artholding7735]

Thank you for the beautiful playing and great review!

[@dsholt]

4:16 It is hilarious that Fender is trying to pass off that neck joint as if it is "carved" like the Ultra series. They barely rolled off that edge and then slapped Ultra's chrome plate on it. There is so much wood that peaks up above that plate. They would have been better off not bothering.

[@bonedale]

I HATE the ultra carve. Those stupid body carves also like the silver sky etc don’t help higher fret access unless you hold your guitar in a very weird way. This little corner rounding is all you need.

[@sixbladeknife44]

They both look and sound great, hard to say one sounds better than the other, just different. I have a great Ame. Pro Strat that I’ll never part with (also have a Hot Rod ‘62, Ame. Original and a few others- can’t ever have enough Strats! 😅), but I’ll be picking up a II anyway, can’t resist that blue and I think the added features are very cool additions to an already fine instrument. Thanks for the comparison, always good stuff on this channel! ✌️😎

[@kdrake777]

You guys need a looper and to do opening jams together like Pete and the Captain!

[@mysticsailor9]

yeah..but i don't need an hour long video...lol

[@craigthomson3621]

Agree that Ebony and Maple fretboards do sound similar. I have an Elite Strat with an Ebony board, and a couple of Strats with Maple Boards (and one with Rosewood).

[@jasonshrestha]

bro, what do you use for your hair? Diet, hair products, I need answers!!

[@benink5690]

I feel like the new bolt on plate might cause issues decades down the road unlike the square one. Thoughts?

[@cisco680]

I bought a used American Pro with YJM Seymours already installed for half the price of the pro ii.

[@randallgarrison9298]

How do these compare to the player series?

[@Truszn]

The Player series is Mexican, and the Professional is American- both sound good but the Pro is a huge step up, step up in price aswell

[@kirby1083]

I really can't pick. Need you guys to tell me which one to get and which one is better.

[@peterklein5861]

If you can afford either, just go with looks. They sound so similar and the Am Pro 2 upgrades are so minimal that it's down to whatever will make you want to pick it up.

[@guitarprepnplus1]

Just bought a lefty dark night Coming in Thurs. 🎸👍

[@metalmover]

Thank you for all you guys do. Entertaining and talented. You sold me last year on the ultras....and I’m still happy.... Cool that they are modernizing the 9.5 radius neck as well.

[@jimkostan9932]

Professional 2 have the modern C shape necks.

[@DieStimmeVomDach]

@@jimkostan9932 Wrong.

[@seanhallahan14]

Love the Beard Oil, great with a Jack Daniels chaser.

[@jacobcheeseburgerplays59]

Very odd comparison. Seemed like it was American pro they had remaining in store Vs Pro 2. At least get the fretboard the same ? Both look very good models yet that wasn't really said. Maybe due to the stock availability? Having said that his channel normally has good videos. The FSR looks way cooler.

[@davidthomas3725]

Great review...thanks!

[@zanzur1]

First time I've heard the pro1 has a compound . Thought they were 9.5

[@jtwrc]

They are a straight 9.5" radius. Cooper has a limited edition which apparently has a compound radius.

[@RegieFilho]

I am not a pro, but my guitar is. Deal with it.

[@jimkostan9932]

I had the pro2 and yep there very bright kinda tinty sounding compared to my '62 usa Stratocaster which has much more strat tone:Pro 2 is louder brighter & I guess I'm a picky player, not impressed with the tone of pro 2 so it was retured. Fender is supposed to b re-releasing the 62 through 1965 vintage reissues, specifications accurate to the date, waiting for those to hit after the NAMM show. I'm afraid to think of what the prices will be? The world has gone insane with overpricing!

[@benink5690]

OPINIONS please: 1997-98 American Standard Telcaster vs American Pro vs American Pro 2. Also would like estimates on re-sale value of a 1997-98 am std compared to am pro and am pro 2

[@jojojojojojojojojojojojob]

getting the dark night hss probably

[@kyleyork6041]

Bro me too! Mine is on layaway. Pick it up next Friday :)

[@davet9387]

Yeah, I'm thinking I'll get one too. That is the most beautiful color I've seen in some time.

[@WHALEx3]

8:40 For people who just want to hear the play test

[@paulsmith6381]

Really great review! The new version sounds much better Happy Holidays!

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

Isn't the AmPro2 body made of pine versus alder or ash on the AmPro1?

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

Most colors are alder, but there’s a sunburst version that comes in pine

[@AlamoMusic]

Models that would previously have been ash are now pine. Those that would have been alder are still alder.

[@donmunson4802]

The roasted pine body is an option that you have. It's available in natural or with a sienna burst. as of 2024.

[@DanielJimenezUCDJ]

does anyone know what amp they are using in this video

[@t_mck0328]

Ok whoever was playing the pro 1 played the most groovy song ever 🥵

[@kuyakoi3469]

So if i change my AMpro1 to brass block, how much % of sustain would it provide compared to the old oneo?

[@MrSprintcat]

More

[@scottyscott1898]

Yes

[@Lexie_T]

It's not really a full comparison if one is rosewood and the other is maple!

[@MrSprintcat]

It's not Rosewood it's ebony

[@Lexie_T]

@@MrSprintcat The point stands

[@mysticsailor9]

you lost me at "at some point you have enough strats"....

[@donmunson4802]

That is something nobody wants to hear, and from a dealer nonetheless.

[@joelopez9779]

Guys,, it sounds great!!!!!!!! I love it,!! I need to buy one before Christmas!@@

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

Awesome guitars

[@venturaVlogger]

Fender usa strats are miles better than fender player strats

[@GerardoServinmx]

Really? Comparing maple with kind of rosewood? That's not fair. I compare a pro II with a pro, both with rosewood Fretboard and I picked the pro II, sound fuller, warmer, and more vintage than I, also the neck and the frets feel better in the Pro II

[@joeabstractjoe]

Fender will do anything to stay relevant and sell guitars. The Professional is a great guitar. 🎸 Next year will it be Professional III? 😵‍💫

[@jordanpratt3821]

stay relevant,and sell guitars??? Man what a crazy ass thing to want to do. Especially for a company in the business of selling guitars.

[@thephysicsguy181]

Dude that was a sick improv, well played. I wish I had hair like that.

[@belo1971]

Différences...the price , once again !

[@alfalders3020]

I prefer the 2. Spewing I got a 1.

[@larryalexander900]

I'll take that Am Pro over the Pro 2 by a long way.

[@chang912]

people always prefer the old one, when pro came out, lots of people are hating on them. This is really a social phenomenon.

[@GilangRamadhan53]

The guy on the left is so uninterested and not excited at all 😂

[@chadcooke5910]

Lol exactly what I thought too!

[@electricgypsyblues4761]

Booshee on the Block

[@DC180]

Sound is so same.. ahh its just the fancy' click in' button..

[@donmunson4802]

Which I have never found a use for.

[@pataleno]

I'm buying a used 2018 American pro. Half the price of the American pro 2.

[@kuyakoi3469]

You cant get that on a half price US made fender only depreciates 25% of its original price. Unless cosmetically beaten down.

[@carlitobrigante330]

I just purchased a 2018 model American Professional I Strat (new, unused). No complaints.

[@m.h.3761]

Fender needs to leave well enough alone! The're trying to over-improve. The first version KILLED the second one.

[@SpaceJunkie12]

Lol get out of here, man. Go buy some vintage reissues or vintage spec guitars if you want stuff to stay the same.

[@darinparker3399]

@@SpaceJunkie12 shut up kid lol you don’t know what your talking about

[@SpaceJunkie12]

@@darinparker3399 You’re* I do actually, I’ve had both. I liked both and I didn’t go on the internet to bitch about the things I didn’t like.

[@reverendknox]

Wrong. The AP ii is a much better model. Getting a bunch of ultra features at the AP price. Much more comfortable guitar and more tones.

[@patrickmeaney6743]

Cooper, ditch the beard Dude-p

[@crisevens7238]

Maple just sounds different than rosewood ! ...so what is the point of this comparison ;

[@soofitnsexy]

exactly

[@soofitnsexy]

@stirange it all really depends ash maple alder rose....sometimes I agree with you 100!! but othertimes there is a huge difference....Just my 50 years experience

[@edmartinez613]

verbose

[@dwightlowes]

🍒🔥🔥💯🎸