Fender American Professional II Telecaster (Mystic Surf Green)

In which I review the lauded Fender American Professional II Telecaster - specifically in Mystic Surf Green.
I spend a bunch of time in this video telling you about my own journey to the Telecaster, so please skip that part if it doesn’t interest you.
Here are the chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:20 - My Journey to the Telecaster
08:40 - A Closer Look
16:37 - Sounds from a Tele
20:25 - Price & Conclusion
If you're in the US, buy the Fender American Professional II Telecaster here: geni.us/XIPMgxL
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#FenderTelecaster #FenderAmericanProfessionalII #FenderAmProII #MysticSurfGreen #MysticSurf #AmericanTelecaster #TeleGuitar #GuitarReview #TelecasterReview #VModII #AmericanFenderGuitar
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If you'd like to see more or less of anything in my examinations, let me know!

[@matteaston7115]

Man, I loved your tele story. As an 80s metalhead, i share your experience completely. Humbuckers all the way. Until now..Tele’s are blowing my mind lately. Cheers! Great vid

[@TheRecordist]

Oh thanks so much! I appreciate the comment! Amazing how this all happened, eh? We’ve gone to the dark side!

[@AlYeah73]

So many guitarists say that the Les Paul bridge pickup sounds like a Telecaster on steroids. But the Tele is a Les Paul that "cuts through". And then it has this wonderful neck pickup that does SO MUCH!

[@TheRecordist]

That’s well said! I agree!

[@polycube868]

Nothing sold more Les Pauls than Jimmy Page and his Telecaster!

[@TheRecordist]

@@polycube868 hahaha. You’re right! Zepplin I was all recorded on a tele!

[@reptilejesus829]

Genuinely, I've seen an embarrassing amount of reviews for poducts I don't plan to own over the years here on KZbin. Especially audio stuff. I stumbled upon this channel at random and have never once been so consistently captivated by a review. Awesome stuff. Thanks for making these.

[@TheRecordist]

Wow. Thanks so much for the wonderful comment! I really appreciate it! Cheers!

[@SeriouslyTechStuff]

We all come around to the tele. It took me 30+ years to get one. Now I want all of them.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Well said! I agree!

[@lazvt8469]

Played a righty, lefty in college in 80's...then it was mostly humbuckers through my 50's...now in my 60's....I have 20 guitars I've horse traded over the years...creme-de-la-creme...and suddenly about a year ago, I rediscovered the Tele and now half my arsenal are Tele's. Can't get enough. Even got a CS last month...got all price points...even modding them for kicks. Viva la Tele!! Oh, I have a Pro II in Mystic Surf Green...actually selling it on Reverb...want a Nash.

[@TheRecordist]

@@lazvt8469 nice! I want a blonde, I think. Hahaha. It’ll never end!

[@polycube868]

I LOVE that middle position clean! Gives that chiming "jangly" tone which I had chase for years and couldn't get out of Strats or Les Pauls.

[@TheRecordist]

I also love it! Just awesome!

[@michaelanderson5087]

I've always been a strat guy, in January I bought the roasted pine American professional 2, hands down the best guitar I've ever owned

[@TheRecordist]

Yes! Agreed! I can’t believe it!

[@miguelruiz8183]

I wanna buy one

[@jasonwisone]

This was FUN to watch! Love your humor, and the editing/shots were great. Very entertaining. I have a very similar story, and just got the same Tele…even the same color. Strat guy turned Les Paul, now Tele. Love it (but I didn’t name it). Great playing too!

[@TheRecordist]

Woo hoo! Tele-nerds unite! But you absolutely MUST name it. I’d sooner not name a human baby of mine than not name a guitar! Hahaha. Thanks so much for the great comment! Cheers!

[@kevinmchale333]

A very enjoyable video - but a dangerous one. I have a 'Player' Tele but now I want the one you have. Partly because of the beautiful sounds you made with with it, and partly just because your love of it and happiness with it came across so strongly. Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@TheRecordist]

Oh cool! Thanks so much! Yes. I friggin love this guitar more than I ever thought I would. And yes. Some of my videos are dangerous because they make GAS get much worse. Hahaha. Thanks for the great comment!

[@joibjalla]

Brilliant! 37 years 😂. I started playing at 43 years of age in 2018. I was into hard rock and heavy metal as a teenager but the Telecaster is my sound today. I suck at playing but I use electric guitars to play fill ins on my home studio recordings. Trying to learn to mix and master so I can publish my own songs all on my own in the not to distant future. Rock on 🤘

[@TheRecordist]

That’s great! Gotta love the Tele! Learning recording is so much fun. You’ll hear “use your ears” a million times from unhelpful tools, but eventually you’ll learn to trust them. Just keep making mistakes and soon they’ll get fewer and fewer! Cheers!

[@marcusmauldin731]

I feel this. I’m in the same boat. I started playing last year at 49. It’s been a fun journey.

[@joibjalla]

@@marcusmauldin731 it sure is. I had no background in music at all. Just found out I liked singing at 41 and thought it would be cool if I could strum a few chords on guitar. Started learning to play at 43 and to my surprise I found out I can write songs at 45. Now I love writing and recording songs (I call them demos) in my home studio. Hope I can publish my songs myself soon. Until then I'll keep going to the studio that recorded, mixed and mastered my first 2 songs on streaming platforms. So much fun!

[@marcusmauldin731]

@@joibjallathis is good stuff!

[@csharp57]

I didn’t even get into the rest of the video before I had to comment. Your journey to the telecaster was exactly like mine!!! Hated the guitar. The look and the country pickers who played them. Prince was the only allowed exception. I saw Raphael Saadiq with one too, but it wasn’t until Mike Scott played one during the WDR big band Tribute to Curtis Mayfield that I knew I had to own one. The sound haunted me so bad I couldn’t even finish the video. Funny enough I landed on the Professional II after watching some reviews. A guitar center the next state over had a used on for $1100 and I had to have it. Best purchase I made in 2023. It instantly became my number one guitar. My Les Paul hardly leaves the case and I gig with the tele every chance I get. So easy to play. Simple to dial in the sound I want. I’m fighting the urge to get another telecaster. I already know I’m going to lose that fight. (I want one with a trem)

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Yes! That’s awesome! Weird how it gets you in the end, isn’t it? Yours is a great story! I’m also itching for another tele. Haha. Thanks so much for the comment!

[@MARKLINMAN1]

I ordered this guitar and it played AWESOME, that green was HIDEOUS, I returned it and ordered the 1963 AMERICAN VINTAGE II IN SURF GREEN which is much nicer, i did get the American Pro II Strat 70th Anniversary in the COMET BURST. Great video here.

[@TheRecordist]

Hey thanks! The American Vintage II! I think I want that one next! How does it play?

[@readysetmoses]

I have this exact guitar and it is sublime!

[@TheRecordist]

Woo hoo! Agreed!

[@garrrbarr]

Really fun video, and a great sound

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks very much!

[@rickgrover8690]

I just bought one. A lot of good info. Thanks

[@TheRecordist]

Congrats! And no problem!

[@TonyCaseboldt]

I'm 2:30 into the video. I thought it would be safe to watch this because it was labeled 'Telecaster' and I don't play Telecasters, but you just now said that you'd never play one. Now I'm scared to finish the video. You see, every time I watch one of your videos I find myself buying something. I do love the sE4400 that I got after watching your review on it, but I had no need to buy that microphone; and the VoosteQ was such an amazing find here. Kudos to you. I'm waiting on my shipment of the BAIFEILI V5 to arrive now after recently watching your review of that mic. Again, why did I buy? I have no idea other than you saying that's what all the cool kids are doing. I'm going to be really upset at myself if I find myself playing on a Telecaster after this video. I will now proceed to watch. Great job on the channel and much love!

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahahah! So sorry! I’m feeding everyone’s GAS problem! Eeek! That’s so cool you bought the 4400. What a mic! Don’t buy again! That mic will work for everything! Well, maybe the V5. Gotta have something different! Hope you were ok with the rest of the video! Cheers, Tony!

[@valkimber3706]

Great review and great playing!

[@TheRecordist]

Oh thanks very much! I appreciate your wonderful comment! Cheers!

[@Cacaguitar]

Awesome video man that guitar sounds awesome keep it up

[@TheRecordist]

Hey thanks very much! Cheers!

[@888jimm]

i am three days into my telecaster conversion....( recovering Strat/HSS, -/SSS, Les Paul ) ect ect . i bought a Squire offset tele and am amazed at the playability and the tones. All the teleisms are true it sits in the mix really well and slight adjustments to the two knobs attached to the plank of wood are astoundingly effective.....no more tone hunting and not being stratified. Also true ...there is no place to hide....:) gotta play cleaner. In short i wasted 50+ years in the tone desert needlessly. When I was a kid I was roadie for Carol King and the best tone I ever heard was from Danny Ks telecaster - but i was not smart enough to get one :)

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Well said! Thanks for sharing that story! Welcome to your inevitable tele conversion! Cheers!

[@888jimm]

@@TheRecordist - and just like you I am already plotting my next telacquisition .... And even with the lowley squire components I am not looking to mod it like you I always do that. Even my Clapton Strat gutted it and put Tone Hatch pus (check em out if haven't) cheap and hand wound. The neck on this is perfect,no high frets! Plays almost as good as the clapper. Great video BTW very enjoyable and informative. 🙏

[@TheRecordist]

@@888jimm thanks very much! Tone Hatch? I haven’t heard of them. I’m down to try them in some of my other guitars, though!

[@888jimm]

@@TheRecordist I have them in three of my strats. . Love em. You tube search tone hatch Adam the owner is a good guy... Rare there days....

[@TheRecordist]

@@888jimm will do!

[@danfos9053]

I'm late to playing guitar, but had a similar musical upbringing but more 90s, Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad sort of stuff. Somehow landed on All Them Witches, and Drive-By Truckers in the last 5 years or so. This led to subscribing to New West Records on Bandcamp. One of the best things I've ever done. I'm way into country and Americans now, despite those two gateway bands not really being either of those.

[@TheRecordist]

Haha. That’s awesome! You never know where one will end up in life. Stuff we never thought we’d ever like or be into eventually becomes our focus. So weird. But also it denotes character development and personal evolution. Thanks for the great comment!

[@chrisgeruxubug5884]

I have the exact same guitar. My N°1 by far! Mine is calles Suzie, and is the one I use for record, it throws unbelievable tones :) WATCH OUT FOR THE BAND 2004!!

[@TheRecordist]

Oh that’s awesome! I agree! And your band is named 2004? Thanks for the comment!

[@northcoaststudios]

Wait, that was over 24 minutes?? It felt like 11. I never played guitar, but I stayed for the story telling and entertainment. Your story telling of your journey to the telecaster was excellent. I didn't want to miss any of it. I think most all of us at our age have a story of something we swore was the devil.....only to learn later it's what we needed all along. Starting at 18:42, with the MXR Chorus/Stryman Big Sky....THIS is the sound I didn't know I needed. At that moment, time stopped, the visions started, and everything else slipped away. I might have to use that in a film sometime. "Deep C is more slim at the nuts and then fills out gradually as it approaches the neck joint." ----- Thankfully there are no "that's what she said" statements in this fine video. I am personally fascinated at my recent realization of the iconic music of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, which became the epitome of Western movie soundtracks, required a *surfer guitar* sound in order to make that happen. I had heard some music from Sergio Leone's movies all my life, but never identified the guitar sound as a surfer guitar until last year. We never stop learning, even in relation to the art we love.

[@TheRecordist]

What a fabulous comment! I couldn’t agree more, as usual! And that sound with the Big Sky is a reverb called Shimmer. It’s a beautiful sound that’s even better in stereo. That was just mono through my amp. That sound is killer. In another life, I used to compose for films and videos. I’ve used shimmer a lot for certain sounds. Hahaha. Slim at the nuts! Just love your thoughtful comments, man! Thank you!

[@northcoaststudios]

@@TheRecordist - That is good information to know. We need to talk about film composition. I am always looking for resources. And you know....shimmer.

[@TheRecordist]

@@northcoaststudios hahaha. No worries. I always want to talk composition! I composed for all kinds of stuff. Short films, award shows, corporate, etc. I did that for a long time!

[@northcoaststudios]

@@TheRecordist - Great to know. It's always nice to have resources on hand. We'll see what the future holds. I'm doing lighting on a feature right now, but I don't know what the Director has in mind for music. There could be a need for some music different than the predominant score. That could be an amount that you would have time for rather than scoring a whole movie. I know he has a couple composers that he usually uses, but this film is not like films he usually shoots. Yes, being vague on purpose for reason. You know why. Anyway, I'll talk with him and see what ideas he has in his head. It is a FUN project as well.

[@OrbitlynX]

I had Strat in this colour. I think it is the most beautiful colour that Fender have ever used. I think I will get this Tele. I also like better Nitro but these Poly are quite thin.

[@TheRecordist]

It’s a beautiful color! I agree! If you do end up getting the Tele, let me know what you think! Cheers!

[@nathanbouton6700]

So funny! I'm a wood guy, meaning I love wood grain above anything else. Telecaster were a punchline. Screw singlecoils. Then I fell in love with a tele. I have a mystic surf green Am II and a cobra blue Ultra among 6 others. Lol😅 turns out it's an adults guitar.

[@TheRecordist]

Wow. That’s very well said. It’s an adult’s guitar. Well done!

[@schreds8882]

I have the same Tele and I love it. I don't play much country though; primarily blues and rock and a bit of jazz. Yes, a Tele can play jazz. I'm not in love with the V-mod pickups. They sound fine but seem a bit low output to me when I compare them with the Lollar vintage pickups in my Palir Titan. But, I love the Fender Pro II Tele and that Mystic Surf Green is the business. It's the sort of color you can't look away from.

[@TheRecordist]

Hey thanks for the comment! Pickups are very subjective, I find. I didn’t think I’d like them but I do. Especially since I prefer Texas Specials in my Strats. But you’re right about the Mystic Surf Green! Really nice!

[@joeltunnah]

Julian Lage plays jazz (well, his version of jazz) on a Tele with a P90 in the neck position. Saw him live and his tone was phenomenal.

[@mikebauer6917]

Love my Tele; an 2017 American Professional natural in swamp ash. Love it. Absolutely love it. I hear your hate as a rocker from rural Montana in the 80s. The only radio stations were country, NPR and the CBC. Thank god for the CBC despite the Bryan Adams cycling 24/7.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahahaha. Really? That’s terrible but also cool. Hahaha. I wish I had the ash version. But I’ll totally settle for the Alder! The American Teles. What a guitar!

[@mikebauer6917]

@@TheRecordist swamp ash in natural is beautiful. I’d like the newer pickups and the serial/parallel switch though. Still, it’s way better than my playing so no complaints.

[@lakedaimoninc.3320]

Awesome review. I relate to this man. Born in -82 and my first electric was a cheap tele copy. For years and years I thought the Les Paul was my holy grail and Teles were boring. Now after owning almost every kind of guitar (Stratocasters volume knob is always in the way, Les Paul is too heavy, PRS is too dark sounding, metal guitars are one trick ponys, V-guitars are difficult to play sitting down, Explorer is too long, the SG is the closest of a perfect guitar but feels light and slim ) and searching for THE sound and THE feel, I just sold my last Gibson Les Paul standard and gonna buy a prof II tele because it's THE sound and THE guitar! 😅

[@TheRecordist]

Couldn’t have said it better myself! Thanks for sharing!

[@polycube868]

Being young is thinking Les Pauls are the end all electric guitar, growing up is realizing the Telecaster is actually better...I actually have this exact model Telecaster, a sunburst or butterscotch Tele definitely is a country guitar, but this beautiful finish is definitely not a country music guitar! I used to hate Strats instead of Teles until I discovered John Squire...now I love both plus hollow body Epiphones, don't even own a Les Paul anymore!

[@TheRecordist]

Well said! Couldn’t agree more!

[@MrTwangstaable]

I have a very similar story, luckily I got in to country more than a decade ago. I've since had a grosh EJVT, I realised it not exactly a tele, so then I got an Am Pro Tele, sold that and now looking at the Pro II tele. I do have a bitchin Lentz LP that covers tele territory very well, it's a beast, but do we ever stop looking :)

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Awesome! And no. We never stop looking! Well said!

[@joeltunnah]

Unfiltered cigarettes... ahhh... I still think about the many Lucky Strikes I smoked in my 20s.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Woo hoo!

[@fraserm3]

Cheers to the Misery reference! Most human Tele vid Ive seen too!

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@elecrocity]

Excellent review. You didn't mention anything about hum or noise. Has that been an issue?

[@TheRecordist]

Thanks! No. I don’t find the noise an issue with these pickups. They, of course, are single coil, so they naturally will be noisier than humbuckers, but honestly, they’ve been great, in my opinion.

[@joepapa9912]

I just picked one up. I had the same feeling, that this was the first guitar that I didn’t want to mod in some way. I picked up locking tuners but the stock set feels great so I think I’m gonna pass on swapping them out.

[@TheRecordist]

Agreed! I was going to do the same thing, but just kept it as is. What a great guitar!

[@aussiecue]

Turn a different corner hey? I started in 1987 too, But I started with the Tele. My most recent is a player plus Nashville in Sienna burst. I installed a new tusq nut and an extra tusq string tree on the D&G and I think I will upgrade the push pull pot. Other than that it's the best playing guitar I've ever played. I have prettier ones, But this one is better objectively.

[@TheRecordist]

Oh that’s awesome! I almost bought that exact guitar! When I was first going to buy a Tele, it was going to be a strat-like one. Haha. So I abandoned that idea and said “no! Buy a traditional one!” That’s awesome that you found the one!

[@derekclacton]

I always used to think Tele’s looked old-fashioned; they didn’t appeal at all - it was always Les Pauls and Strats for me. Then I turned 60 and suddenly Teles became an obsession. I will learn to cope.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. I know EXACTLY what you mean, Derek! I’m also newly obsessed. What gives??

[@derekclacton]

@@TheRecordist I gather there is no cure 😂👍

[@TheRecordist]

@@derekclacton none that scientists have ever found!

[@lazvt8469]

Haha...I'm 62 and made the same comment above. Playing since a young kid. I keep 20 guitars (lefty) at a time, buying/selling, etc......but recently, a year or so...I've sold off and bought Tele's. Half of my beauts are now Teles...all price ranges...countries of origin...pups....

[@enriquemendez1507]

Happened to me in my 30s. All of a sudden I didn't care about pedals and fancy sounds. Just tasteful guitar playing. That's when the tele came into my life

[@matlindell5022]

Have you also considered the America vintage 2 1963?

[@TheRecordist]

I have. I’m VERY interested in trying one!

[@dzines65]

I bought a Telecaster Customshop. The most expensive guitar I’ve ever bought. Yeah Telecasters rule. By the way I have a Godin Session too! I had to since I’m Canadian!

[@TheRecordist]

Whoa. A Custom Shop Tele? That’s what I wanted but holy smoked Gouda, too rich for my blood! And you have a Godin Session! Awesome! All Canadians need to own at least one Godin. It’s the law! Hahaha. Cheers, man!

[@dzines65]

@@TheRecordist Well it was something I was looking for, for years. Saw it at my local L&M, hummed and hawed about it for a week or 2 and then said what the hell! lol yikes.....

[@TheRecordist]

@@dzines65 no fears! Just jumped right in and said, “Eff it!” Hahaha. My kind of guy!

[@danielm2474]

I really love the Pro II. But,I can’t choose between the AV II and this. I really don’t know which one to buy.

[@TheRecordist]

I know the feeling! If you have the chance to go into a music store and try both, that might be your best option.

[@danielm2474]

@@TheRecordist Thank you for the advice. I did it a few weeks ago and liked both. The Pro II seemed to have a bit more volume. Guess, that is nothing you can’t adjust with amp settings.

[@rockers2rockers616]

Its ok mate, dont beat yourself up. The Fender Telecaster is the greatest guitar for good reason. It can do EVERYTHING. And do it well. Just ask Keith Richards or Joe Strummer, Muddy Waters.

[@TheRecordist]

Hahaha. It took me a long time to realize the tele was the one all along. Haha

[@SalmonFume]

Hey Nostradamus!

[@TheRecordist]

I knew centuries ago that you’d say that.

[@watermelon1147]

I guess fender necks are a preference. I’ll never understand why anyone would pay 2 racks for that neck.

[@TheRecordist]

Two racks? I love this neck. It’s perfect. The frets, on the other hand, are a love/hate thing.

[@user-hh9cu2px9g]

Fast forward 10 minutes to past the opening, irrelevant blather

[@TheRecordist]

That’s why I made chapters.