Fender American Professional II Telecaster Review (Pros & Cons)

This is my review of the Fender American Professional II Telecaster in Butterscotch.
🛒 Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/AomMex
🛒 Thomann - bit.ly/3fXcd5u
🛒 Guitar Center - guitar-center.pxf.io/b31NBm
🛒 Sky Music - bit.ly/3SuJD0k
This is a pros and cons review. Thanks to Sky Music for the loan of this electric guitar.
0:00 - Unboxing
0:38 - About
0:50 - Telecaster Jam Track
2:21 - Fender American Pro II Tele Specs
4:43 - Clean Tones
6:53 - Dirty Tones
9:54 - My Review
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Please note: I do not take a cash payment from guitar companies, nor have I been paid by Fender or Sky Music to produce this video. If you want to help support the channel, please use the affiliate links to Sweetwater or Thomann. Many thanks!
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#guitar #intheblues

[@intheblues]

Thanks for watching, links and timestamps below. ►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/AomMex ►Thomann - bit.ly/3fXcd5u ►Sky Music - alnk.to/aLCK0au 0:00 - Unboxing 0:38 - About 0:50 - Telecaster Jam Track 2:21 - Fender American Pro II Tele Specs 4:43 - Clean Tones 6:53 - Dirty Tones 9:54 - My Review

[@keyboodenthoosist6876]

do you know what other pickups would sound closest to the v-mod ii's? trying to put together a parts caster

[@landonbailey]

These are kick ass guitars. Shane convinced me to check one out earlier this year and I bought it on the spot. It's my #1 Tele now, in Dark Night finish.

[@christophervincent8420]

I really like the way your tele looks Landon. It also sounds great. I remember your review on it. I am just having to wait though. I have gotten the wife threat.

[@lukaslmguitarcorner]

And I bought the Tele Deluxe. Fantastic sounding, extremely versatile and sooo beautiful in dark night

[@landonbailey]

@@lukaslmguitarcorner how's the split coil sound on that?

[@lukaslmguitarcorner]

@@landonbailey I'd say it's a good single coil sound, not as weak as other guitars with split coil or coil tap because of the way the humbuckers are built (one side is stronger, i.e. has more winds). But it doesn't sound like a classical Tele with SS configuration.

[@LMGuitarCorner]

@@landonbailey just realized I didn't comment with the channel user. If you're interested, we have video called "does it Twang" where we compare the single coil sound with a Baja Tele. Cheers, Lukas

[@bmdsmith]

Just got this exact guitar. It’s shockingly good. Love everything about it. Thanks for the great video. Helped me make the decision.

[@Paul-fb1em]

This is the most professional music channel I've ever seen. Dude you are Awesome!

[@paullanglois3768]

Super helpful rundown. Thanks Shane!

[@507ECC]

Great review! Looking forward to your followup /comparison video to your other telecasters!

[@billboatman78]

I’ve had mine for 9 months now. I have a 40 watt Marshall dsl also. Absolutely love it. The neck is amazing. Can’t put it down!!!!

[@RomainBigeardGuitar]

I love mine (bought 3 months ago). The pickups are great and the 4th position (in series) is really usable.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

It’s a beaut! You’re playing continues to improve, really nice and the sound quality on this vid is outstanding. Just ordered a Contemporary Squier Tele which FINALLY has the ‘ease of play’ features I like. Take care Shane \m/

[@mikehickey6256]

Great demo. I've been a strat guy for 30 years. Just couldn't find a tele I that worked for me. Test drive one the other day and was blown away by how good it was.The pro is 2 is by far the best tele I've ever played. Gonna by one as soon as the color I want comes in. My strats might be collecting dust when I get it. BTW, really enjoy your channel. Great demos! Thank you

[@gergemall]

Same here

[@pinkiewerewolf]

After watching this numerous times, because Shane is an awesome guitar guy, I ordered the Pro II Tele from Wildwood here in the States. 3-color sunburst with the cool 75 year decal on the back of the headstock. As a total newbie (I'm in my mid-late 50's) I'll be practicing on it when I watch intheblues videos once it arrives.

[@back2thapast]

mad respect for starting playing guitar at that age, whats your experience with the guitar? i'm planning to buy one aswell

[@marcreno893]

I got the same exact one a few weeks ago. I absolutely love it

[@dionst.michael1482]

You must be older than dirt huh?

[@troyspencer712]

great review, look forward to the comparison.

[@LewWelchThePoet]

Another great demo.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Beautiful tone, just ordered one in the Mystic Surf green and RW FB, can’t wait for it to arrive. These Pro II are sooooo versatile it is AMAZING.

[@roberttosa2560]

Really nice guitar and great review. Thanks.

[@mike70s]

Great sounds and guitar

[@gergemall]

Great review

[@martyc4906]

Great review and guitar.

[@intheblues]

Thank you kindly!

[@chrishartley8867]

Great review Shane I like the players and pro ll

[@maccaholmes4854]

Great review Shane...I bought the roasted pine tele...wonderful guitars

[@star1child109]

Excellent video demonstration that’s given me a better insight to the sounds of the Tele Pro II than most videos. I’m actually liking that series pickup mode sound a lot and of course the single coil pickups sound great as usual. I’m just stuck deciding between the Professional II and 75th Anniversary Commemorative edition. If you were able to do a similar video with the 75th Anniversary Commemorative edition, that could be great, or a Pro II vs 75th Anniversary Commemorative comparison - either way would be very interesting. Fender’s custom twisted pair pickups on the Commemorative edition should make an interesting sound variation.

[@ArA12459]

The cinematography is getting better every video!

[@intheblues]

Thank you! :)

[@camilo1455]

@@intheblues why did I get notification for a private video (the live one)? Probably rather not know I'm missing something.

[@camilo1455]

What is FAT position? Approaches a Gibson sound, best i can guess.

[@intheblues]

@@camilo1455 I did a late night live stream but it went live at the same time this video did so I closed it off. :)

[@pAnTs86100]

Hey I bought one in Dark Night as well. Phenomenal guitar. Outstanding tones and playability. Bridge pickup my favourite. I can't put it down.

[@jmwise80]

I thought I would be bridge but can’t get off the neck pickup.

[@SeabeeBuckeye]

My Dark Night American Professional II in Dark Night is my #1 from day 1. Really dig the tone difference and ease of string bends from stringing the guitar through the back of the bridge in lieu of through the body.

[@jamescarter8699]

Great sound ! Versatile everything.

[@rwhit79L]

Great sounding Tele!

[@hutchfromba]

Thank You SKY MUSIC !

[@OhBHayes]

That series mode sounds great!

[@craig.encinitas]

I also took ownership of the Dark Night, recently. My first Tele! 🎸 🤘🏻

[@matthewchunk3689]

Nice editing and demonstration! I was torn between the Pro Tele and the Ibanez AZS2209H but went with the Ibi for its feal and versatility. If you can get your hands on one, I'd love to see a comparison.

[@peternorris5119]

So informative. Thanks for your great playing and balanced opinions. So helpful in weighing whether I should get one of these Telecasters, or not. Who am I kidding? I've got to get one of these!. Thanks much. I'm sure my wife thanks you too :)

[@Dannys.channel]

Great intro!

[@gb-bp1me]

Love the Telecaster jam track.

[@coolmyair]

Man I gotta say that sounds pretty damn good. I'm impressed. I think I found the new one. Love the sound and know they play great.

[@robjohnson4725]

Hey man! Do you think you could do a video over viewing your favorite presets / IR’s on the Captor X? You always get awesome tones. I have a Captor X as well and would love to know what you are using.

[@craigthomson3621]

Nice - I had a Jazzmaster that I wasn’t playing much, so I traded it towards a lefty American Pro II Tele in Blue with a Rosewood neck (I have other Teles with Maple necks). I have fitted 2 long post and 4 short post locking tuners and D’Addario NYXL 09-42 strings.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

😟 I'm sad for the Jazzy! Especially since you've already got TelecasterS! I wants a jazzy..I needs a Jazzy....I can never justify a Jazzy when guitar funds avail themselves to me 😞 They are always "fancier" fish to fry..

[@pd-kx4qw]

Sounds excellent. Thank you for the demo. The push push is prob more useful on a fender style amp, sale with the tone knob. At least to roll it back a teeny teeny bit. That butter is gonna pop off nice and bright on something like a DR.

[@DaddyWarbucksunlimited]

Just got Miami blue tele American pro ll. I love it's sharp yet warm and kind too. Also got an Epiphone TV yellow lp special. Great affordable.

[@gorlagOv]

Got an American pro 2 jazzmaster fantastic guitars. All of the American pro 2’s

[@johnforsyth9008]

Great player , great reviewer ! Any chance of a review on Ultra Telecaster ?

[@travismccartney]

Sounds good. I'd prefer a 4th position on the switch to the push/push pot because of how the pot sticks up and looks a bit off.

[@lawrenceparasick5740]

I got one in natural for father's day:) I absolutely love it :)

[@jayp.2313]

Where did you get the cool signs on your wall? I want to get some. I just ordered the Pro Telcaster 2 in dark night can't wait. A also got a Pro Stratocaster 2 in Mercury a 2 months ago love it

[@eddiesidorov8635]

So I did not know this when I ordered the guitar and here I am now. I already had a AP2 strat (alder) and when my AP2 tele came in I was confused why it’s lighter than the strat. Strat was around 8lb, tele 7lb. Turns out the AP2 Blonde Teles specifically all come in Roasted Pine not alder. That’s why when you pointed that out in the video I went on a massive rabbit hole to find that out. If you get other colors they come in alder but Blondes are Pine. IDK why they did that but now you guys know too. Still love my tele, the lightweight is actually nice to me now that i’m used to it.

[@gertzpalma]

THANKS!

[@robbaskerville253]

It's ridiculous just how many different sounds you can get out of a Tele. That is a particularly nice example.

[@calbrockocat8728]

What was that song again? Oh, yeah. If I were a rich man... Another great review of a heeluva Tele. The comparison video will be interesting.

[@hutchfromba]

Awesome Telecaster Shane ! Great playing. Blues On....💙 PS. I also wish it had stainless steel frets sir. Come on Fender !

[@rotepillenfresser4544]

What, no steel on this Pro 2? In Europe we have to spend around 2000 EUR for this guitar in 2023, just for history, and you got a piece of wood and no steel frets?

[@MrRlltide]

I ordered mine Saturday from Reverb. Did the burst with maple neck. It’s my first single coil pup guitar and I’m excited to get that gnarly Bakersfield twang. I have the Marshall 40 dscl amp as well as a 30w fender champion that will make her sparkle with the delay pedal. Time to get my Marty Stuart / Kenny Vaughn vibe going lol

[@SavageBambi]

sounds perfect

[@DMSProduktions]

Beautiful Tele Shane! Sounds lovely! Has ALL the sparkle you would EXPECT from a 2 sc pick up Tele! The series mod can be useful, but WILL amplify noise. IF you don't like it, you could always rewire it to give a phase reversal instead, & get a honkier kind of combined sound!

[@BladeDoomer86]

Amazing tones.. I love my Squier 50s blonde, not as good as this, but definitely great value

[@simonsmith2642]

Thank you for this review I have one coming tomorrow, and was curiouse about the pickups, and they sound quite similar to my broadcaster. Much tele love here. Esquire broadcaster tele… Love. Peace

[@jimmyjimmy951]

Timely review. Looking for Tele..👍🇦🇺

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

How’s the intonation? Great video as always.

[@reginaldjohnsonrocks]

I have the Marshall dsl 40 already and my tele is on its way in the mail!

[@Alfonzo862]

@Shane you could buy some scales and include the weight of guitars you reviews which would be great because some people buy guitars by weight. Just sold my professional 2 strat 3.7kg what was fender thinking😞?

[@vyvynylification]

The 4th position is effectively a wide range humbucker so it makes sense for it to be somewhat muffled right? That said, Having tried it on both the ultra and pro II tele, the effect was definitly more dramatic on the pro II.

[@charlesrense5199]

Can't justify this, but only because I already have the Ampro II strat (glorious instrument!) I wholeheartedly recommend the line based on my experience with that.

[@eddiecuellar7457]

What are your clean channel settings for this? I have the same Amp too

[@peteralbertthomas]

I have one and I have bonded. This guitar is the best.

[@reginaldjohnsonrocks]

Wish I knew what settings your amp was on when you did the distortion at the end

[@jamalabdul2009]

Love that crazy intro music 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣!!!! Really cool Tele but the only thing I wish was different is if it had vintage tuners instead of the modern ones. Other than that, it is a great guitar! 🎸🎸🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾

[@ianklauss4235]

You're the reason I've bought one of these. 😉

[@billhannum4117]

Shane is the roasted pine body excessively soft .?

[@jman5596]

Nice peice of kit that Tele. How are you taming the dsl40 to play in room with an attenuator?

[@intheblues]

It's going into the Captor X but I have the speaker connected in the lowest mode so I can get a good vibe of how it sounds in the amp itself. :)

[@Dannys.channel]

What did you do to each knob in your amp? I really like that tone. Bass treble mid presence reverb gain volume in red mode.

[@intheblues]

I am not too sure from memory. I just set it up so it sounds good on the day.

[@matthewderosby713]

Really wish Fender would do the American Ultra Tele as a lefty. I have the American Ultra Strat and LOVE the modern D neck and noiseless pickups

[@timwalls7944]

Agreed. I’ve asked several stores if they could do a run for lefty, CME etc

[@MrBluesilverred]

Thank you Shane for a great demo! I definitely will buy one of these. The only thing I have not warmed up to yet after lots of demos, is the fat position on the push push knob. I’m sure a lot of players will dig it though….

[@teodelnorte]

Is it hetter than the Baja Classic? It also had a series mode!

[@Lowtech14]

The push push button sounded great in the push position. [ed. both of them]

[@matthewfeatherston8982]

I had a Squire Telecaster and well after it went hill (poor build quality coming from China), I have all ways missed playing it... Definitely considering getting a used one of these thanks for your review

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

Just got mine in, a couple weeks ago and used it for my last video, a Ween cover. Sounds and plays amazing.

[@voiceofexperience]

Off-topic, but Marshall clean tones are really underrated imo. Love the USA Tele btw. One day...

[@chrismorgan7494]

I do like the Deep C neck on the AP2 better than the Modern C on my AP. The Modern is fine, but I like the feel of a bigger neck.

[@StillLivinTheBlues]

No doubt about it... They are beautiful guitars. A bit pricey IMO, but then again, about everything is.

[@VulcanReaper72]

If I had the money it would be an instant buy

[@nostro1001]

Lots of great guitars out there, but few better than an excellent Tele in butterscotch. Not sold on that 'fat mod' hearing it here...seemed like a fancy way of saying treble cut/mudiness. Perhaps I'd need to hear it first hand, but I guess having extra tone options can't hurt. Thanks for the review. 😎

[@christophervincent8420]

Maaaan! That's what I need

[@chrismosquad1056]

The face at 5:26 tells you all you need to know. 😎👍🏻

[@danielgregory7200]

This Tele sounds great. Huge fan of the Telecaster. Would have bought a pro2 if they had stayed with the ash body. Instead I bought a Pro.I absolutely love it.

[@davea9946]

I prefer the pro1

[@Milestone74]

Same here. I bought a 2017 Butterscotch Am Pro 1 with an ash body. I love it. It’s my #1 now. I have a Strat, 2 Les Pauls, an SG and a Gretsch in the closet now. My Tele is in the living room.

[@silentwhisperstudios7808]

Nice demo.. I'd like to get one , strat or tele... Or , both would be great.... The pickups on the strat , are a Tim Shaw pickup...Are they By Tim Shaw for the Tele also...?

[@craigthomson3621]

Yes - V-Mod II single coil Telecaster pickups.

[@BrunoOrsini]

Which overdrive pedal are you using, pls? Thanks!

[@MisterBlue03]

It’s the amp’s natural overdrive. He controls it with the volume and pickups.

[@bluesman2001]

Hey Shane, I know you don't focus much on some of the downsides of playing guitar lefty, but Fender has typically over the years wired there lefty guitars using right handed pots wired backwards which limits the taper of the pot. However, this guitar uses left handed pots (reverse taper) so that the pots turn counter clockwise to increase with full taper. Thjat's a big deal for lefties. I believe it's worth mentioning. In my case, it's not great as I like my pots to turn clockwise to increase, so I ended up replacing the pots in this guitar with regular audio taper pots. I'm not sure who decided that lefties want a guitar where the pots turn counter clockwise to increase, but it seems counter intuitive to me.

[@verruckterwissenschaftler]

Shane is the Maple Neck on that beauty a one piece rift or quarter sawn neck or is it a maple capped fingerboard on a flat sawn. In either case capped or not, is it rift/quarter or flat sawed. Thank you much. I think I am getting one!!! Why do you have to do videos on guitars I will buy? Its like a Dr. Ric getting a custom shop. I will spend the money is the problem here, :)

[@Dannys.channel]

You have a Marshall DSL40? The vintage model twin is so annoying with the fuses. Keeps blowing them. Great tone though. So sad.

[@intheblues]

The new CR is very reliable I have used it to death and it's still going strong :)

[@lueysixty-six7300]

I got real close last year to getting this in black (it must be black!)..but I ended up getting the Gibson SG Special as seen in that thar circle 👈👈👈👈, instead. I got a snarling, ripsnorting guitar...but I still grieve the Tele I DIDN'T get...!

[@nodakjohnsful]

Exact same one i have. Even left handed !

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

All hail the butterscotch Tele! Close in 2nd is sunburst.

[@ipuya]

It's gorgeous. I have a Baja that i think is the best guitar in the world but this here is almost as good 😜

[@Ri-Ci]

I have the pro 2 Tele, I like the Baja’s pickups more. They retain clarity better with the tone knob rolled back. If you like the neck feel on the Baja and the pickups, no good reason to get this one.

[@ipuya]

@@Ri-Ci yeah the custom shop twisted tele pickups in the neck are very straty and i love them!

[@ipuya]

@@Ri-Ci oh and the neck profile is a soft V which is perfect for me. These soft v shapes are rarely offered on anything but the super high end American teles. So if you like them and don't wanna spend over 1.5k it's either the baja/vintera or nothing... it seems.

[@bramswinkels4961]

I really like the tone of the Marshall, if I play mostly at home, should I go for 20 or 40 watt? I personaly think 40 watt would be to loud

[@BladeDoomer86]

Both are way too loud for home use without an attenuator.. Except if you plan on playing clean only.

[@mendamp1715]

I have the DSL20 combo and it works well enough at bedroom levels. Too bad that the reverb broke and is permanently on! Ugh…

[@BladeDoomer86]

@@mendamp1715 last time i tried the 20w, i thought it was impossible to get natural breakup at bedroom level.. Without blowing up the windows.. Anyways, you should have your amp checked out, it's probably not a costly repair

[@MisterBlue03]

20w with an attenuator

[@Mr.D34]

Lovely intro Shane, yes you definitely have a thing for butterscotch teles 😀 the neck pickup sounded close to a strat in the intro. The pickups in these series sound to bright for me but that's just me, i always prefer darker and fatter sounding pickups. I really dig the "series mod" sound. Lately i re-discovered my love for telecasters and installed Seymour Duncan Vintage Stack in mine. Amazing pickups. Also i noticed you didn't review the Noventa series, i know you like the P90's so it would be great to hear your input. The Tele with P90 sounds amazing

[@craigthomson3621]

No lefty Noventas unfortunately.

[@Mr.D34]

@@craigthomson3621 really, i didn't know that. Such a big company and with all that money that they put in marketing and starting a new line of guitars, you would expect a lefty version from them. Weird.

[@NothingNowhereNoOne]

Is the butterscotch color same as mark 1? Seems dull .. more browns …

[@Alfonzo862]

Love the sound of a tele however that square uncomfortable body stops me every time I try one from buying it and I walk away with another strat. Wish Fender would make a modern one with belly cut and a Jeff Beck job where they shape the top corner a bit like a strat😉

[@johnwriterpoet1783]

I don't understand when people find a Telecaster uncomfortable to play because it might dig into their ribs. What!

[@Creaulx]

They do have the American Pro II Deluxe with a belly cut.

[@Alfonzo862]

@@Creaulx yes I do know that! However the deluxe has a different neck profile that is a compound radius which is different to the pro 2 but neither have the Jeff Beck upper edge modernization like the shape of a strat and what I am talking about is the square edge your forearm is resting on which still stuck back in the 50's! Why not make an ultra modern telecaster like that? It's not rocket science a tele even loved by strat players😉

[@gergemall]

Same here on Strat to tele

[@nikfish1]

This or LP Special?

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Pros - 👍 Cons - I don't have mine yet ❗️

[@verruckterwissenschaftler]

Such a beauty in Butterscotch! Please help me, maybe wiith a piece on one our your awesome videos; what is Fenders fascination with taking such a fine instrument and not using a modern saddle, with such way better intonation performance? I watch you and Dr. Ric loving these Telecasters and really want to get one too, but I jast can not understand the "VINTAGE" ideas pushed so far that possible performace is a problem with these vintage saddles. With three recent Ultra Strats returned, and a Custom Shop strat purchased and kept, I also have found severe quality control problems with Fender, even the Custom shop with the nut being the only problem there that can be redone the way I prefer anyway. Any thoughts on the vintage saddles? Am I being to specific picky, etc...? I am an intonation perfectionist. I can not stand the G even out a cent. The B out at all is also terrible, in my opinion. When I hit the two strings (EA, DG, BE) together barred if they are not in absolute perfect intonation together, it is very easy to tell, as they sound like mud and out of phase with one another.

[@mendamp1715]

Go for the individual saddles, they are easier to tune in perfectly.

[@michaelogden5093]

"I'm going to miss the "modern C neck"... said the guy with baby mitts.

[@Squall6575]

I like modern C because a) i do have small hands and i shred lol, and b) I have tried the fatter necks and i simply dont want to give myself carpal tunnel down the line just to be cool. I think modern C is good, and I love regular C shape but hell no to D shapes haha

[@leoh1885]

I got a hefty tax return and this is the series I'm looking at, though I might opt for a strat with a rosewood fretboard