Fender American Ultra II Guitars - What's New?

[@grishukov_t]

For me the binding made the look more premium on the telecaster. I would have preferred it to be left in place instead of a arm rest. Anyway, it's nice generation.

[@johnparker2636]

yes I agree - however got to say if your coming from a strat the carve on the II is reassuringly comfortable

[@adriansperling5012]

Why can’t we have both? There are a number of brands that offer arm carves with binding. Many of them at much lower price points.

[@eliwellsmusic]

@@adriansperling5012 always wondered that

[@EdibleDeodorant]

I am very thankful for the arm contour, it allows me to play for longer. The binding looked nice but the sharp edges around the entire top was not a great trade-off IMO.

[@grishukov_t]

@ It really can be convenient for someone. For example, I saw on tele-custom owned by John Frusciante that it has something like a soft pad under the black tape along the upper edge of the guitar body. It seems that it’s always a compromise between how it looks and comfort

[@ToddTheJoker]

I still watch your videos everyday, its great, feels like we can hang out with you guys and hear some great looking guitars! Thanks guys and good luck on getting to 1 Million subscribers!

[@Bat_Dad_116]

The ultra I tele with the binding in Texas tea looks amazing.

[@plasmaBrain]

I sold my Ultra 1 Tele, which I did really like, because the sharp binding cut into my arm. I love the arm carve of Ultra 2. I am looking seriously at them.

[@NavneetKash]

I see no real reason for an Upgrade from Ultra to Ultra II unless you got not Ultra at all. I came here just because I love Strats

[@kkrsnn5632]

I guess Ultra III could be worth it 😉

[@gdawgs101]

Even if you don't currently have an Ultra, why would you pay the extra $ for an Ultra 2? The Ultra 1 is almost exactly the same and now you can prolly find a barely used one on Reverb for $200-300 under retail

[@MrAjCalderon]

Ya wait for the ultra 3 and it might finally have stainless steel frets.

[@ALAN67107]

@@gdawgs101 not exactly the ultra 1 is better authentic sounding!!!

[@Superdelphinus]

I dunno if it’s just because I’m listening to it through an iPad, but they sound so shrill? The 2 sounds slightly less but still as trebly af

[@neilfordan]

When Lee asked the fender executive if they have stainless steel and said no only for the ultra luxe. I really can’t believe how he maintained a straight face. 🤦‍♂️

[@gdawgs101]

It's honestly mindblowing that Fender bothered to update the Ultra range without SS frets. Like that was the one huge feature everybody wanted in the original ultras. Such a massive ball drop from Fender Why would anyone pay full price for an Ultra 2 vs just getting an Ultra 1 at a huge discount?

[@stoneysdead689]

SS frets are a silly fad- I've played longer than most of the ppl who watch this channel have been alive- haven't ever needed to re-fret a single guitar. Guitars typically go through multiple owners before needing the frets replaced. So, all it would do is make an already too bright guitar even brighter- no thank you. Oh, and give them yet another excuse for why they need to raise the price. Paying someone to install, level, crown, and polish SS frets costs way more than paying someone to do the same thing with nickel silver frets, for obvious reasons.

[@rdog6402]

@@stoneysdead689 nah, SS frets save having to get frets levelled. I get too much wear in areas of the neck so it gets harder to maintain intonation. Once you polish the SS frets up they keep a nice crown for years.

[@mrcoatsworth429]

​​@@rdog6402also deadspots. I have an Ibanez that I played heavily for a good 10 years and it started to buzz and notes started to die. The tops of some of the frets were totally flat. Bought a whole new neck.

[@gdawgs101]

@@stoneysdead689 Maybe you don't play a single guitar as hard or as long as the rest of us, but I literally need a refret on my #1 guitar (a 2012 Roadhouse strat) right now. I got it brand new and I've been playing/gigging it heavy ever since. You can literally see what keys I play in most based on how flat the frets are in those areas of the neck lmao. No major buzzing issues yet, with the exception of the 2nd fret right under the G string. It's nearly fretless wonder levels of flat in between the 12th and 15th frets though

[@kevinmorris7722]

It's the dark red orange paint. That's what sounds so good.

[@PlagueKing_LordFalix]

Lot of attitude in the comments for people who have absolutely nothing invested in any of this, lol. I'm just here because guitars are cool and Pete plays like a dream. I'll watch him play anything, anytime. Cheers from Kansas City boys.

[@emmettw123]

I purchased a Fender Ultra, and right away they come out with the Ultra 2. I purchased a Spark amp, and right away they come out with the Spark 2. 😂

[@McAdamstry]

Did the same.

[@bldallas]

Last night, I picked up an Ultra II Tele in Texas Tea and Ebony fingerboard, from the Dallas, TX Guitar Center. It’s amazing. Seriously. Over the past 30+ years I’ve owned 7 or 8 Teles, 3 of which were American made, and the Ultra II is noticeably better feeling, playing and sounding. I didn’t think that was possible, because I have some really nice guitars, but I can’t get over the exceptional quality of my new ax. Greatness.

[@humanbeing9340]

"Greed and substandards never rests."

[@Jimijaz]

FWIW, Rhett Shull already did the hard work testing out maple, rosewood and roasted maple necks. The tonal difference is very noticeable.

[@btecww]

Not real upgrades just slightly different stuff. I would be happy with either 1 or 2. I know we are selling guitars here. As a professional that wear out guitars every 4-5 years, I focus on sound quality, durability and value. Both sound so similar a older stock 1 really still works

[@dasninjastix]

The new pick-ups are preferable to my ear but maybe you could accomplish the same thing on the U1 by just rolling off the treble. Doesn't seem like a necessary upgrade if you have an U1 but and if you don't have either it may just make sense to get a discounted U1. The new blue and red are money though.

[@Squall6575]

I do prefer the lacquered headstock on the ultra 1. But the slightly rolled edge on ultra 2 are also attractive

[@MrAjCalderon]

You should have compared the Amethyst ULTRA 1 Strat to the the ULTRA 2 as I’d like to see how the Quadratap humbucker in that one compared to the Haymaker

[@rkreisig]

I have two Ultra I. A Cobra Blue Telecaster and a Plasma Red Stratocaster. Lovely guitars!

[@JyrkiVar]

The pickups in the HSS comparison were way deeper set in the Ultra. Of course the Ultra II Sounds way thicker in that way.

[@Goldesgold]

ultra I tele texas tea is the most gorgeous thing, the cobra blue tele is another gorgeous, I find it hard to beat, whatever is new,such as those glowing dots will not beat those 2 , i'll go with the solar strat or the blue precision

[@craigthomson3621]

D’Addario NYXL 09-42 strings sound great on the Ultra and Professional (much better than the stock Fender strings). I am sure Elixir / Stringjoy / Pyramid strings would also be an upgrade to the stock strings. The Vintage 50s and 60s are better with 10-46 in my opinion (especially when the stock Fender strings are changed to something better).

[@lesliwells5433]

GREAT VIDEO GUYS❤❤,CAN WE COMPARE LARRY CARLTON/SIRE ,TO FENDER HSS😊😊

[@walterppk1989]

I bought an ultra hss Gen 1 last week. Can't get along with the new colors or the lack of a maple fretboard on the ultraburst one.

[@jimwoodard64]

I've had my Ultra Strat since a couple months after introduction (waited for the mocha burst locally), and I have no complaints. I like what they've done, but I wouldn't trade in for this new model. I think it's great, but I spent months playing them in the store and went through about 20 until I found the one I really liked visually, feel, and most of all, sound. Great guitars. The II model looks like a nice intro for those who didn't like the first. I was not fond of the initial Ultra Telecaster, so hopefully I will find a good Ultra II. For now, I'll stick with my '64 reissue.

[@navid20]

You guys are such a champion for Fender guitars yet you haven't done a Captain meets the Iron Maiden Trio 😢...... WHY???????!!!!!!!! The whole guitar community is waiting for you to do a 3 hour long interview with Dave Murray, Adrian Smith & Janick Gers!!! Oh yes and also Steve Harris.

[@MarkHarrop]

Yes Totally agree!

[@moparbryan]

To be fair the guys in IM don’t do a lot of interviews at all

[@navid20]

@@moparbryan yup, that's why Lee's the man who can get them together hopefully!!

[@barakeylam]

The Ultra just looks better than the Ultra II

[@Pantalooj]

Lee you alluded to it during the video, but could you actually do a comparison that includes EQ tweaks (amp and/or guitar) that shows how close the two guitars can sound to each other? The 'Tube is full of videos that demonstrate how guitar/pickup A sounds different to B. The reality is, different guitars need different EQ. I have 2 S-types. One single coil and the other is an Ultra V1 SSS Strat. If I change between them I ALWAYS dial back treble and presence on the single coils to get the balanced tone I am after ... but that doesn't mean there is anything wrong or right, or better or worse, with either guitar or pickup.

😂

[@Pantalooj]

??

[@sjarman]

I really hate that they removed the binding on the Telecaster.

[@charlesflint9048]

It’s all about the neck. How it feels under your fingers is what matters. The electronic stuff is secondary; you can get any sound you want from modern emulation.

[@MatthewSearles-un4qo]

Nice colours on the new ones

[@neilfordan]

I personally much prefer rosewood over ebony. Looks better imo.

[@rakewawrz5200]

I believe it's called knurling or jimping?

[@arielista]

I like the look of the Ultra 1 better, I swapped the pickups on my tele ultra

[@Stutterin-Bob]

We need a blindfold challenge to see if Pete or Lee and tell the difference in tone between Ebony, Rosewood, Maple

[@jankowalski6338]

why? They won't be able to

[@Stutterin-Bob]

@jankowalski6338 Maybe that's the point. They say it makes a difference, so lets see if they can correctly choose which is which while blindfolded.

[@jankowalski6338]

@@Stutterin-Bob they say whatever will sell them more expensive gear

[@Stutterin-Bob]

@jankowalski6338 That's what running a business is all about, selling the product. Regardless, blindfold challenges are fun to watch.

[@hulldanfan]

Nah - Got to be Chappers - He'd probably be able to tell you how old the tree was, what country it came from and the name of the guy that chopped it down !!

[@charlesflint9048]

Regarding the brightness of tone: I always play my Baja Tele with the tone control at half.

[@gdawgs101]

Sounds like you have your amp set too bright, brother

[@MikeDavies621]

Without taking a side in the tonewood/body shape sound influence debate, I think it is worth pointing out that, technically, in order to determine whether microphonics pick up those influences, you'd need to hold the strings still while you speak into the pickup. As DP performed the test, the strings could vibrate in sympathy with the sound wave and the pickups would introduce the sound from that. Not quite the same thing as your video suggested.

[@tony-u5f]

Will you be stocking the new heritage affordable range of guitars?

[@ALAN67107]

HI dudes!!!I finally end up buying a cobra blue hss ultra 1, and i've never stop playing it since , it's a great guitar with a deluxe reverb 65 reissue and the dane overdrive and fulldrive too!!! it"s an incredible instrument more genuine strat sounding (for blues and rock)than this overpowered ultra 2 which gets away from the strat essence!!! progress is not always necessary

[@ALAN67107]

and moreover esthetically speaking , the ultra 2 coulours are ugly wheras the ultra one coulours were incredible!!!!

[@thadlogan51]

Very good video. Seems like a downgrade to me from ultra 1 to 2 though. The binding on version 1 was more premium and looked great. This appears to be a cost cutting thing for fender. It looks to plain without binding. Pickups don't sound much difference. I'm not sure anyone would take ebony over rosewood. I'd like for a used or new discounted version 1 hands down.

[@carpathus]

The more Fenders they release the more I like Squiers. ✌🎸

[@jimiernola8540]

ultra twos sound great. now the ultra 3 will be the looks of ultra I with the mics and improvements of ultra II

[@paulburton5150]

I love the look of anodised pick guards, but I own a tele with one and really don’t like the feel of it. It feels cold and scratchy under my fingers. I also think double binding looks classy on a tele. So I guess I’d prefer an Ultra over the Ultra II. Actually, i’d just put an Ultra II neck on an Ultra I. Sorted.

[@RobertoLillo]

How many people here waiting for the Captain and Peter video review of every new piece of equipment...?

[@zummazummabaccala]

to see how they try to sell imperceptible changes in every new run, yes

[@kudos4201]

​@@zummazummabaccala bro theyre a business. they have to sell products

[@zummazummabaccala]

​@@kudos4201that's why they're fun to Watch but not trustworthy

[@denisechetty4019]

Me ☺️

[@bushDid911]

What about the basses? Please have Lee and Cici do them soon!!!!!!

[@dominikruhrig7282]

Noiseless Pickups still sound a bit lifeless! Like Digital vs analog amps! Imho

[@respiromedia]

@andertons Can we expect a video on the Ultra II basses? It would be really helpful. Thanks!

[@nathanbouton6700]

I rewired the S1 switch last week on my ultra telecaster to work in every position. The tone knob resolves any pickup differences. It looks 100 times better than the Ultra II. No thanks, Fender.

[@EdibleDeodorant]

The pickups are different, too. I've owned both, handily prefer the Ultra II.

[@soogen]

I prefer the new tele, but I actually prefer the "shrillness" of the old strat

[@ListenToPowerViolence]

How many Casios does Pete the Danish have?

[@skullgamer727aka.nk2z]

I like that the ultra 2 tele pickups have a less compressed sustain to them. The ultra 1 a bit unpleasent in comparison.

[@gregmican]

Nice upgrade to the ebony fingerboard, but those frets should be stainless at that price. Oh and where is the Lefty Tele?

[@andyseal8134]

Great video guys. Thanks

[@TheNickLavender]

I would seriously love to see you all do a review of the Decibelics Golden Royale.

[@idonotcomplyrevolution]

I really wish Fender would do Evertune versions for those of us who hate trems or hate trying to tune a trem guitars for 4 hours when all you wanna do is play the damn thing!

[@Parallax-3D]

Tuning a guitar with a trem is hard? 🤨

[@MarkRothschild-f7f]

@@Parallax-3D For some apparently. Amazing how lazy and weak-minded people have got.

[@willhaylock3769]

Do the pickups have a different impedance (resistance ,inductance, capcitace) when comparing I and II? are the output levels different? Are the pots and capacitors the same value, could one be driving the amp harder than the other? Does adjusting the tone controls on the guitars and amplifier make them more similar? - without doing all of these things it is impossible to make a objective comparision. Oh and try doing a spectral analysis of the output signal of both guitars over all tone and volume settings - once you've done all that get your report sceintifically peer reviewed and then report back ;) Best Regards from and Electronics Engineer of 50+ years knowledge and experience :)

[@cheenu711]

Saving everyone's time; Nothing. There's nothing new just more money for the same guitar. Nice one 👍

[@voldemartrofimov4508]

Fantastical job . now Ultra 2 sounds like a cheap at $300 bucks guitar. Awesome .

[@Topher_ofthe_North]

Pete's killin it today !

[@TemplarGuitar]

Blindfold Fingerboard wood material test for Chappers?

[@whiskeymike8010]

Love The Channel and Videos!!! One of My Most Favorite T.V. Shows EVER!!!! WOOOOOOOOO ❤️ 🎈 LUV YOU ALL!!!

[@picksalot1]

I prefer the warmer, fuller sound of the Ultra II Pickups.

[@ghosthawk65]

FYI according to the Janka Index, rosewood is harder than hard maple 😮

[@larrydj549]

I wish you'd do something like this with the player vs the professional 2. I had a 2018 player maple lacquer neck and it's night and day between it and the current am pro 2 and I'm stumped as to exactly why

[@craigthomson3621]

It would be possible to wire positions 3, 4 and 5 with the S1 switch down (on) to get further pickup combinations - for example on an SSS Strat: your choice of three extra options from: (all 3 pickups in series) / (Neck and Middle pickups in series) / (Middle and Bridge pickups in series) / (Neck pickup in parallel with Middle and Bridge pickups in series) / (Bridge pickup in parallel with neck and middle pickups in series) / (Neck and Bridge pickups in series). One could also compile a further switching option list for the HSS. Perhaps a video with the Captain, Pete and Andertons tech demonstrating additional sounds possible after modding, with a competition to win a small prize to the first person to correctly identify which tone control (Tone 1 only / Tone 2 only / Tone 1 and 2) works with what wiring option! Alternatively, ditch the S1 and instead fit a Free-way 5B5-01 ten way switch.

[@ripw1]

Or, you could get an Elite strat which had that and more. I use the S1 a lot on my Elite

[@craigthomson3621]

@@ripw1 yes I have a lefty Elite with an Ebony fretboard. I managed to get a set of lefty “Abby” Abigail Ybarra pickups which I fitted in place of the original noiseless set.

[@ripw1]

​@craigthomson3621 i actually like the elite pick ups. Not traditional strat and, i wouldn't have it as my authentic strat but, I do like it. I bought an ultra but sold it as preferred elite

[@southernpanda33]

6:19 I didn’t realize Pete had such soft hands 😂

[@1978whitaker]

The top gear of guitars

[@gambetto]

Waiting for the triplecaster and pano verb amp review ☺️

[@gohamm8629]

What about the Ultra 70th anniversary amethyst?! It’s different from both and should be given a chance!!!😬

[@g-woonk]

I have a Strat Elite, Ultra and a Ultra 2...the Ultra 1 sounds more ''strat-y'' of the 3....the Elite and the Ultra 2 sound IDENTICAL!!!...more compressed than the Ultra 1...

[@MrAjCalderon]

Aren’t the knobs on the tele s1 switch knobs? Those aren’t the easiest to change.

[@basiltiffani8850]

re acoustics, notice how those claims are almost always made in an incredibly vague? lee said the pups obviously "pickup an element of the acoustics." i don't anyone denies that. the question is always what factors make a significant tonal difference. the answer, despite what you believe personally, clearly isn't obvious. if it was, there wouldn't be so much disagreement and it woldn't be hard to provide definitive evidence.

[@joshualessore7652]

Not-so plot twist: theyre basically the same guitar and do the same thing. The only reason to watch the video is Pete's playing.

[@AllanRinnegan]

fr i am not sure why they did this video

[@andybown68]

So all of a sudden the Ultra i pickups are shrill but were great before. This is a weird strat review. I have the Ultra noiseless vintage and hots and there is a huge difference between the two sets. Feel they have eq’d this to make the Ultra ii sound better. Similar to the Ultra v Elite comparison five years ago. Marketing 101.

[@McAdamstry]

Yeah I feel the same way. My ultra HSS is anything but shrill.

[@ErraticFaith]

Surely you are smart enough to understand a sales pitch by now.

[@andybown68]

Yeah, I also understand the function of the comment button for calling out stuff some of the bs.

[@highlyfe5054]

Chips without salt costs extra.

[@HarryFortyTwo]

ultra 2 definitely sounds less trebly - rounder and nicer.

[@McAdamstry]

I have an Ultra 1 HSS Texas tea and I find this video interesting as it is anything but shrill. The pickups much warmer than the standard strat. I’m glad they compared but I found it a little odd.

[@JoshuaCorin]

Yes same, the pickups have a LOT of bottom end in real life compared to what is being shown here.

[@jayteesgear]

Maple with Arm carve WINS🎉

[@crispyguitar7695]

The pickups sound hotter on the ultra 1. Are they higher output??

[@ALAN67107]

in fact they sound better tha the overpowered ultra 2 pups!!

[@josephbecerra9211]

Thank you for this!

[@alanhaenni]

If this is Ultra 1 and Ultra 2, what are the Fender Strat Ultras that came out around 1990?

[@RandomShites]

Ultra 0

[@adamfstewart81]

The tele Ultra 1 bridge sounds like an AM radio. The teles are lovely but the pickups are garbage.

[@robertlennox3607]

I don't like noiseless pickups period, they're tone suckers IMO

[@enakki]

I had the ultra I in texas tea finish. it was so beautiful guitar - pcikups were very good especially for the higher gain tones but swapped the guitar it for the american original 60's tele and I'm not looking back. Much better neck - as the modern D on ultra is ultra thin. did not like it. . Sound-wise the AO's pickups are just perferct. and has double binding - which is awesome and more rare.

[@tomriley_bike]

Did this series replace American Elite? I have one in skyburst metallic and it's the best guitar I've ever owned.

[@pepmasters-999]

Yes, I believe so. I think the timeline is American Elite running from 2016 to 2019, replaced by Ultra from 2019 to 2014, which in turn has now been replaced by Ultra II.

[@zitfril]

EB Music Man Cutlass is a better option.

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Noise aside, Squier alnico wreck these for tone. My fiesta red Squier Paranormal Nashville Strat appears to have quartersawn neck with tight grain and "pixelated" stripe.

[@jankowalski6338]

Nice. Almost jet and sire territory.

[@ayidn.h]

From 14:57... till... 23:54 My choice is The Fender Ultra Strat Version ONE\\ And... No thank you goes to Ultra Strat Version || To be honest Fender has failed based on few points with this brand new version of Ultra Strat!!

[@beatfrombrain]

I'd like you to compare these to Ultra Man

[@SBsoton]

They should offer more guitars with nitrocellcose finishes and bodies in less than three pieces👍🏻

[@yingnanwang9304]

16:18, what did Alan do to Pete, I feel like he get some PTSD

[@Mar33322]

There are guitars that cost half or even less than half of these with the same features . That said they dont say fender on the headstock though. IMO way over priced.

[@pads-zr9ln]

In short, not a lot

[@nathanleonardmusic]

These guitars really play great - the necks, radius, heel joint etc. ergonomic and awesome. I thought they sounded good too until I started picking up other Teles (Standards, Pros, CS) and the difference in the room was night and day. These noiseless pickups just sound so plinky and dull to my ears. Sorry Fender

[@mattevans060972]

I can barely hear the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul. Not much chance of me noticing the difference between these two!

[@scottanderson4175]

Ultra 2 clearly sounds better on my iPhone 💪

[@stephenturner8102]

Never mind the guitar's. Has Pete had a spray tan?

[@ripw1]

Remember the previous Elite had an ebony fretboard

[@paulparker8298]

What’s new ? The jacked up prices

[@kkrsnn5632]

Higher price is new?

[@steelcityhero1994]

The Ultra II looks cheap compared to the original, the binding and that finish make it look much more premium.

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

youd think theyd actually chnage something bigger....like make a new body contour, electronics style, neck attachment style, pickguard style, or 1000 other things that make their guitars different than the rest of the ones from the past 60 years....i cant believe people buy new Fenders when the market is flooded with the same boring old ones in great shape for much less

[@pumpkinheadjrb]

Fender American Ultra 1.1