Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS In-depth Review | Examining All The Details!

The new Fender American Ultra Series represents Fender's most advanced series of guitars and basses to date. Built for discerning player who demands precision, performance and tone, the American Ultra Series focuses on modern refinements while still staying true to the original Fender formula. That formula, established by Leo Fender, has always been to provide musicians with the very best tools for their craft.
The New Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS is, as one would expect, a huge hit and selling out nationwide. This example, in Cobra Blue features a striking color named after the famous Shelby Cobra sports car. It is appropriate since these new models are like the sports cars of the electric guitar world. The metallic finishes on these new guitars provide a depth of color not often seen on electric guitars. With the new neck profiles, rolled edges, neck heel, color and new pickups there is a lot to like in the new Fender American Ultra Series Stratocaster. The HSS model provides the best of both worlds, providing a thick lead tone from the humbucker that is well matched to the hot single coil pickups and a true single coil sound when activating the S-1 switch. Stick around as we dig into the details.
JUMP TO DEMO 8:44
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[@jmacc9876]

Nice guitar & Great playing... But... I have had a hard time finding any demos of anyone just crunching some riffs out with some gain on the humbucker. Most demo players on strats (this hss ultra included) only seem to noodle around and solo and play some nice bluesy and funky stuff to showcase the typical stratty lead sounds. What is sorely lacking and what I think everyone is wondering is what the humbucker sounds like through a nice crunchy amp, "whole lotta love" type stuff, Malcom and Angus type stuff. Just my 2 cents worth of constructive criticism. Thanks though.

[@Zero56416]

The first riff I played when I got mine was the intro to Thunderstruck (well, my best attempt anyway). Was not disappointed. So I would say for hard rock, it does the trick, but if you want to shred some Slayer, it may not be suitable, IMO

[@BookClubDisaster]

Yep ALL Strat demos seem to be bluesy stuff as if that's all they can do. Like Martins--everyone plays bluegrass.

[@francescomariabonaccorsi1584]

Quote

[@williamweiss3620]

I bought the Cobra blue hss with the rosewood. I love this guitar. The feel is incredible and the tone sounds amazing. So glad I have one. Love you all.

[@LeeGee]

Great demo - clean sounds, straight talk, lovely varied playing and dynamic range. Thanks, dudes

[@JoeSzilagy]

Bought one (Ultraburst) a few weeks ago and at first, had a bit of trouble bending the strings. I finally took off all the Fender strings and put on a set of Ernie Ball, and what a difference!! Now it feels absolutely amazing!

[@FreeDingus]

What gauge strings do the ultras ship with?

[@BookClubDisaster]

@@FreeDingus .9's I think.

[@David-xp4hk]

Great job with the analogy of the mustang and the guitar guys. Love the video! 🔥

[@eaglewindrider7700]

Gorgeous guitar Cooper’s playing right on 👍🔥🎸🦅

[@TheGamermouse]

Chris' information and Cooper's playing, i love it! Also like that you have a piano channel too for the people who are interested, even though I'm a guitar person. Keep it up, love from Germany. ♥

[@madcap2003]

I Love this Guitar So SO Much!!! Nice Video!!

[@timmotel5804]

2022: I recently received my Ultra HSS in Ultraburst, maple fingerboard (which looks beautiful) from Fender. Absolutely beautiful guitar and plays superbly. I've owned 2 Strats previously but this one is the best. The added flexibility of having a humbucker makes this the ultimate Strat, in my opinion. I couldn't be more satisfied. Note: It came off the same "standard" type factory assembly line as the early Strats, that people now pay so much money for or pay large money to Fender to make "New" Strats to be like the old ones. Nothing wrong with history though. Excellent presentation. Thank You

[@pentagramclown]

i received the american ultra HSS in Ultraburst rosewood fretboard, what a awesome guitar and nice looking :) makes fun to play. i thought maybe to buy in maple im still not able to decide whats better rosewood or maple

[@timmotel5804]

@@pentagramclown Congratulations. I love mine and I'm sure you will love your's too. Stunning instrument. Honestly, I think that it's just personal preference. More "mental" than any actual difference. Entirely "visual". I've had both fretboards. But, people will believe whatever they decide to... Happy New Year

[@pentagramclown]

@@timmotel5804 yes, well its my first rosewood guitar and its very cool. the only one difference is that maple doesnt need lemon oil . wishing you much fun with your strat. keep having fun and thank you for the reply happy new year JT

[@joshs3905]

Bought this exact guitar and color last year in march. Pair it with a RAT 2 pedal and this thing can chug very nicely. It's without a doubt the most versatile guitar as a 1 and done. Plays extremely easy too, with the action dropped low sometimes I forget my fingers are pressing down

[@rickshearer]

Gorgeously clean tones and playing!

[@jmpOut]

Really great demo, you help me to confirm my choice which I did at store when tried AM Pro-II SSS and AM Ultra HSS, Cobra Blue color + Rosewood is the best option from Ultra series!)

[@van_mod1]

I love love love that Strat!

[@macabre1132]

I own that exact model and color and absolutely love it!!

[@ronnieball3456]

Superb guitar I have 2 of them H S S and 3 single coils . Brilliant 👏

[@davidkastin4240]

Great video guys. This is possibly the best Strat Fender has ever made 🎸 😈 My dream Strat

[@davidkastin4240]

@@TML0677 Big deal. Go cry me a river!

[@paulfitz6614]

Amazing playing dude. Wow.

[@plindsey3]

I just saw this video today. You keep saying these are “noiseless single coil pickups.” The video on Fender’s site clearly shows these are stacked humbuckers. I will say they sound closer to a single coil tone than my Dimarzio Area series pickups which replaced the original single coils in my Tele. That was 15 years ago so the tech has evolved somewhat, and in a good way. Kudos to Fender.

[@jay2xtremefy]

Dream guitar

[@levitescruz]

Sir is the trem bar has flutter effects sound? Is it recess ?

[@Zero56416]

This video pushed me over the edge. Just ordered mine!

[@Zero56416]

@@Anthonyxmmx I did get it and it is awesome! That's a really good question though. I'll be honest, I'm not sure. I just recently got into guitar building and have only messed with single coil. That being said, I'm not about to take this one apart lol. I'll see if I can find out though

[@AKASHSHARMA-uo4dj]

@@Zero56416 I am thinking of buying one any updates on the playing and feel after 5 months and how is the humbucker pickup.. would appreciate your help

[@Zero56416]

@@AKASHSHARMA-uo4dj I still love it. Possibly more than I did. The humbucker does a great job of reducing hum without sacrificing the strat sound. I mostly keep it active, but to be honest, I play a lot of blues so I am usually using the neck p/u. But if I want to just thrash and jam, it does the job. I still highly recommend it.

[@AKASHSHARMA-uo4dj]

@@Zero56416 ordering mine thank you for the input :)

[@lance_the_avocado9492]

I love the muscle car/sports car analogy, and funnily enough I own a 67 Mustang, it’s my PFP. The only thing that is sorta restomod not really is the 347 swap.

[@nsilveira7622]

Can you put the ultra neck on an American pro ii strat?

[@phenixreturns]

no pure bypass switch no boost no tbx no Beck's trem but coil split for the hb? but what about the sustain?

[@DDE_ADDICT]

it is amazing

[@ShawnShipstad]

I was born in 1961 i Los Angeles.To the best of my knowledge, if it was new, we thought we were the first to hear about it. Possibly yes, maybe no. I do not recall seeing the HSS when I was a teenager. I do not recall when the first time these were a "New Standard". The first one I bought was a Fender Stratocaster "Lonestar", which was a limited run. It is still around (Used) I love mine 1999 model. The real breakthrough was th pickups. The bridge & center were Texas specials, a bit hotter and the rear pickup, a Seymore Duncan-Pearly Gates Humbucker. This is a great pickup for all types of heavy stuff. There were a handful MIM, mostly in the California Corona factory. I recomend if you have a chance, play one if possible. I have not tried the "Ultra. They look great. The Fender HSS, well you can put any humbucker you want-from Bare Nuckles to a mellow PAF. Great video. Thank you.

[@VdeVengamin]

I love how Cooper sounds. Cool guy.

[@TRADER-PRO]

Bonjour, j'hésite entre une avec Floyd rose ou sans. J'ai peur d'être ennuyé avec le Floyd rose, merci de votre avis.

[@BookClubDisaster]

This or PRS Custom 24 CE? Similar prices.

[@GibsonFender]

I really Needed a distortion demo on that humbucker

[@RJManeri1]

Great guitar but can you give us a demonstration that is not just a jazz, country sound? Let's hear this thing rip with some distortion and some clean sounds with delays, etc.You didn't show us what the guitar is capable of.

[@driley775]

Would have been nice if you put some distortion to that humbucker!

[@kaiyarizero9141]

Hard to get one of this.

[@donaldholman9070]

Put a little blue in everything you do.

[@dudeman-nathan]

I’m new to the fender world, but I love this “stereotypical”? fender style music that is played in the video. Where do I start learning this style of playing? And hearing it??

[@comment_below]

the humbucker and single coils are paired perfect in the lonestar 🤷‍♂ js

[@phenixreturns]

this or the ultra hss? hot noiseless vs v mod .?

[@andreilesiuk9538]

I don’t know about ultra, but I got AP2 with Vmod 2 and I can’t put guitar down. Sound very juicy and stratty. I doubt that any noiseless p/u can beat real single coils. Just my opinion.

[@Yumemaru.]

I wish this guitar came in seafoam green or turquoise.

[@EvanShermanMusic]

Sweetwater just added a "surf green". It's exclusive to them and it costs a little more

[@mjwontstop]

Does this have stainless frets?

[@vibranttrout]

it does not

[@paulhendershott667]

I love the Cobalt Blue, but think it would be epic with a roasted maple neck!

[@danabiondo9243]

Agreed! Love to See that.

[@gclaytony]

Got one in Texas Tea at the Babcock location last month. I was comparing it to a professional HSS, but there was really no comparison. While I love my Aerodyne SSS, this Ultra HSS is in another class altogether. Chris makes these video’s work. Cooper’s playing is great, but he needs to open up and become knowledgeable about the guitar he is playing (not just an issue in this vid). Right now he couldn’t sell water in a desert. Chris needs to mentor him on how to present.

[@LeeGee]

True but his playing is beautiful so I may buy from him based on that!

[@sid5156]

Dp you still love the strat now that you've had time with it?

[@tonynunez7147]

I’m in the market for an ultra

[@jeffnduran]

I just bought one on Sweetwater bro, Ultra in Ultraburst w/maple fretboard. Right now they have a promotion where if you buy it there, the specific HSS one, and a few select others, you get a 400 DOLLAR GIFT CARD for sweetwater good for the next buy! I couldn't have been happier lol...as soon as the guitar ships they'll credit my account and i already have a Martin acoustin in the cart lol. Also, it came with a free 2 year warranty and free shipping...hard to beat that man, and i dont work for them or anything. Im just an excited dude wanting to help out another player in any way. Cheers! - From Los Angeles

[@scottanderson4175]

I would love to have this before but I can’t afford it will they be offering a Mexican made version ?

[@jasonkennedy2348]

I just literally seen this video. Late response but Fender has the Mexican Player Series in HSS which I do have btw. It doesn’t have the same pickups as the MIM. Most importantly, it doesn’t have the same switch functions or harnesses as this one. Can easily upgrade the MIM to have the same or similar functions or maybe even better harness/switches depending on your likes and playing style.

[@davidmurray9193]

I'm stuck between getting the pro II start of the ultra nnnnnngggggg hurting my Brian lol

[@williamcharlesschneider4825]

Same here! I have the Pro II right now but I’m thinking of getting the ultra 🤔 I like thinner necks and Pro II feels on the thicker end of medium territory. I’ll have to play an ultra and see if I like the neck better

[@davidmurray9193]

@@williamcharlesschneider4825 let me know how you go, having trouble being able to try out the guitars in the UK as most of the shops are shut and only selling via internet

[@Randystites66207]

I just bought the same guitar but it is not the HSS. Mine does not have the Humbucker. Let know what you all think about the Humbuckers. like or not like?

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Every fender that I have ever owned I ended up ripping out all of the pick ups, this I will not. I have the HSS Version in white and the humbuckers are amazing basically you have the best of both worlds because it goes to a true single coil using the S1 switch And with no volume drop

[@Randystites66207]

@@tonymarinelli7304 I switched to the HSS Cobra Blue and I absolutely love it. I really like the Double Tap Humbucker. Thanks Fender!!!

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Randy Stites I am glad to hear you are digging it. With this HSS configuration you have the best of both worlds since the humbucker can be tapped to single coil. I played quite a huge array of types of music a hamburger is a must for me in the bridge position. I love this guitar so much I may end up getting a backup in your color or the Texas tea that’s offered

[@grahamcharlton9704]

Why no use of a whammy bar? Why no demo of an overdrive sound on the humbucker? F. still using that godawful input jack - PUT A BARREL JACK ON IT!

[@harry_mair]

Input jack?

[@alpersungur6979]

Please let the long hair guy talk, that's why im here. Cheers

[@donaldholman9070]

Ebony!

[@otaviofenderstrat4220]

Bla bla bla bla and go to 8:45

[@wjdavey3]

❤️🎵🎶🎸🎵🎶👍🎵🎶🙏❤️😎

[@barryjoslin432]

Good grief. So. Much. Talking. Almost 9 minutes before some playing. And i agree with other comments here-the humbucker is there to crunch! Why the heck not show us how it sounds with a little OD? Can’t tell what it will do from this video. Rock is why you’d want this guitar. It has hotter pickups-so why not show us? So disappointing. SO. MUCH. TALKING.

[@charlesbranch4120]

At least they post "Jump to 8:44 for the demo..."

[@BookClubDisaster]

"Modern auto colors". Then why is every car on the road black, gray, or white?

[@Yumemaru.]

Modern sports car.

[@seanmckee_18]

First comment

[@davidhumphries853]

If my girlfriend had hair like that, I would have stayed with her

[@venturaVlogger]

Player plus is cheaper

[@otaviofenderstrat4220]

No High Gain song on a HSS guitar review, describe as a "Muscle Car" guitar by the host guy ?....really ? Dumb review ever.

[@BOUZOUKISIGNIS]

It has been made years before with the American deluxe. Nothing special for someone who wants a really good strat. Too modern sounding guitar. Sterile pickups nothing similar to custom shop 69,fat 50s,54 or 57/62. I had an American deluxe with noiseless pickups and was nothing special... Just a modern guitar like all the others. . Same story here. It will follow the success of its predecessor....

[@jerry12601]

boring

[@wjdavey3]

❤️🎵🎶🎸🎵🎶👍🎵🎶🙏❤️😎