Fender American Ultra Stratocaster in Sweet Texas Tea - A Blues Machine?

This is a review of the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster in Texas-Tea! How good is the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster? Here's my full deep-dive review.
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0:00 - About (loaner)
0:18 - Jam Track
3:29 - Guitar Specs and Overview
4:47 - Isolated Guitar Tones
9:53 - My Review (Pros and Cons)
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#stratocaster #fenderstratocaster #fender

[@fredmuloin1545]

The intro is one of the best solo you ever play. For my taste. And great guitar. Thank you for the review 😊👌

[@trojanhman8136]

I am just about to start to learn but I have been watching these videos for too long now. I can't tell a difference between any sounds, at least over these KZbin videos but I wanted to comment and say, that I think you playing here Shane, is the best I have heard. I can't help thinking that 2022 is going to be a big year for you.

[@ipuya]

Love your playing. You're one of only two youtubers reviewing guitars where i get excited when the playing starts. That guitar is simply gorgeous 😍

[@Slushpuppie55]

I LOVE THIS GUITARRR!!!!!! Fantastic Demo and Review and some of your sharpest playing on show here too. Thanks Shane. 🎸

[@user-ff9hz9ir2u]

I bought one three months ago. Ultra Burst/Rosewood fingerboard. Love this guitar, and have a hard time picking up my other guitars. I find the difference in the noiseless is that they have made me more creative in that I give more thought to my tone. The S1 switch I find makes more of a difference when playing clean, although the bridge/neck combination with a medium overdrive sounds fantastic. I’m probably going to buy one more, that being the model Shane used. Thank you.

[@GRBAquatics]

Love this color combination. Awesome Playing Demo/Review as always. Thankyou

[@kbcarroll]

I went to the guitar store because I wanted to finally get a great tele. I had my heart set on the American pro 2 in mystic surf pearl. But I saw the ultra tele in Texas tea and I knew there was no way I was leaving without it. It's hard to overstate just how gorgeous the finish is. Under stage lights it just shimmers and shows different hues from every angle without looking cheesey.

[@artamussumatra6286]

I feel the same way about my Lake Placid Blue Srat. Love the way it subtly alters with hints of Royal Blue to Ocean Turquoise to Mystic Seafoam Green in the lights.

[@raytorvalds3699]

@@artamussumatra6286 I second that (I have a lake placid blue Strat too).

[@CheddarKungPao]

Great color. This one and Miami Blue are my favorite current Fender colors.

[@TheLostSquadron]

I don't need any more guitars, but just the fact they've made this in lefty has my wallet tingling. The fretboard/headstock finish on these is so beautiful.

[@Aniki82]

yes those ultra stratocaster are one of the best new addition in YEARS, in my opinion Ps ; Shane Face at begining says it all ahahah

[@JJ-nq3ll]

Wow ...... That beautiful blues sound most definitely made my morning! What a Beauty! The guitar that is. Never the less, great play. 🎸🎸

[@robertcarey3383]

Your playing continues to improve, that sounded GR8!!!

[@wfm210]

Great playing Shane... that is a beautiful looking guitar. Excellent review

[@timmotel5804]

Very nice review and it's nice that you were able to properly show the Texas Tea colour. I bought a 40th Anniversary Strat in 1995 and have since sold it. I'm a drummer since 1965 but I want to learn to play guitar again and stick with it. I just ordered an Ultra HSS Strat in Texas Tea finish from Sweetwater. Personally in my opinion, for the most part the only difference that I really can hear is that the the noiseless pick ups are, "noiseless". Thanks for the review.

[@robertsguitarsandgear]

That really does sound great, thanks for the review.

[@itsdisko]

I have this same exact guitar. I also have Seymour duncan antiquities in my custom shop strat deluxe and I prefer these noiseless pick ups with this fast neck. Im over sounding exactly like my heroes. Also its So much easier to dial new clean tones with the S1 switch. Big fan of playing this while walking around the garden with a fender mustang micro. No noise in headphones and you get the bells and whistles of a fender guitar. Awesome review!

[@cowhidemusic8904]

That is the best combo of finish and pickguard I have seen.

[@jeffroq]

2 minutes in - clearly you are loving it. Some awesome options out for us lefties at long last.

[@matthewderosby713]

I bought this in the Ultraburst color with Rosewood fretboard, lefty, at Manchester Music Mill in Manchester New Hampshire. I love it!!

[@pavXX]

Def sounds good. And LOVE how the Royal Flush pedal adds to it. Yep the exact word that came to mind with all 3 pickups: MUD. Actually like the middle pickup sound too.

[@overvieweffect9034]

if you still can, I think it'd be really cool to do a short video comparing these noiseless pickups with the single coils on your am original, I think that's the best way to "visualize" their difference. and I really dig these ultra

[@ChienandKun]

Hot damn! That intro is exactly why I subscribed. The sweet guitars are a side bonus. Thanks man.

[@chiman360]

Some of your best playing I’ve seen. Lovely!

[@jamalabdul2009]

I absolutely love that color! I really want the American Ultra Telecaster in this color but I haven’t seen it in a lefty. This might be my first Lefy Stratocaster!😲😲😲😲😲🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@julioguerrero8849]

I don't know if you noticed Shane, but the tone pot for the bridge pickup is a no-load pot, and to me it has a very noticeable effect on the pickup when you turn it to 10. The middle pot controls middle and neck pickups tone at the same time. The Ultra (and Luxe) Strats have a lot of range to control guitar tone without touching your amp at all. Some people don't like this configuration, but I enjoy it a lot.

[@vonkalason]

Wow I actually loved that sound of the S1 switch in position 2, great review as always 👍

[@gregmican]

I have this exact guitar in a lefty. I love it. The noiseless pickups are great in this for what I play. Playing at home with my usually buzzy wiring in the house makes this guitar the one I play the most. Mine weighs right at 8 lbs, I noticed all the Utra’s weigh about the same. Good review Shane, thanks for what you do!

[@j.a.s.1416]

Hey Greg ran across your comment. I chose the absolute noisest room in my house to use as my man cave. Bought a fishman power conditioner and the noise is gone! Highly suggest one and protects your gear Incase of surges etc if you didn't know. I wouldn't buy anything originally priced under $100 they don't have the needed components to ground that EMI. 🎸

[@gregmican]

@@j.a.s.1416 Thanks for the tip! Going to definitely look into one now!

[@fly69doc]

Hey, i just bought a lefty ultra. Does yours have The F on tue locking tuners? Mine doesnt...

[@nanideckard]

Amazing playing mate as usual.

[@ralphy6526]

Just picked one up yesterday, love the color and necks feels good. I agree all 3 pickups together not so great, all the other combinations I like.

[@ericwarrington6650]

One of the best tones of any demo I've ever heard...tens of thousands...your playing is just outa this world man

[@stevewinnall3631]

Please do the Ultra Tele soon

[@adylp7818]

That guitar looks and sounds great. I’ve just put a gold anodised pick guard on my 50s Classic Player Strat and think it looks very classy.

[@jerryodom7358]

Wow..Fender really stepped up to the plate on that Strat..sounded great.

[@stevebadachmusic]

I've only ever seen one of those in real life. A bit expensive for my blood, but it was one of the nicest feeling strats I've ever played.

[@Flipper1974nz]

I want this strat so bad !!!! that Texas Tea paint job is gorgeous !

[@lancegibson9317]

I have this very guitar. Never a disappointment!

[@landonbailey]

that finish looks awesome!

[@scottreynolds6317]

That Texas Tea finish is gorgeous!!!!

[@MichaelThomasOflaherty]

I don't normally enjoy strat videos but this video was awesome and the guitar too

[@lostreb]

The "only" reason I would buy the ultra version is because of the Texas Tea color!!! That's it!!! While I love the S1 switch (I have 2 American Professional II Strats with the S1 Switch) I am not a fan of noiseless pickups, which means, I will not pay extra for noiseless pickups. The noiseless pickups are the only reason I see for the difference in price between the American Professional II. Soooooooooo...No Ultra for me. Great Video and Review, Shane!!! Please keep them coming!!!

[@mattisaario9936]

Awesome playing👍

[@jmvmike]

All three pickups sounded great to me but you’re hearing something different in your studio from what I’m hearing through my Sony earbuds. Keep up the great work sir. Happy Holidays

[@jmacc9876]

The Texas Tea is an awesome alternative to black.

[@gobodega5226]

Happy New Year. What I always wanted to tell you, the great thing about your reviews is that you always play in a real amp and then only use classic pedals. Many reviews today actually only show programs from Helix or Kemper. It has nothing to do with guitar reviews. Please continue Shane, thanks a lot 🙂🎸

[@Gary_28]

Great video! I personally prefer it finished in mocha burst its a great colour 👌

[@janzahalka9096]

Great intro! As always, but somewhat better this time! But when you began the pickup demonstration and hit Old love... Man...

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

You are an amazing, expressive guitarist. Gonna go as far as saying you are the best i've seen on YT

[@jorgemiro1613]

Excellent move by Fender and now to order mine. This is an intoxicating Chanel but in a good way. Good video 😮

[@atanastsvetkov1530]

Shane as a fellow leftie I have been watching your videos for a while now. I find the gear reviews useful but man is your playing on point! Keep it up, mate! : )

[@leftygtrplr6184]

Damn Shane, the smoke alarms must have been going off in your house with this jam 🔥🧯🚒 Sounds great!!

[@CentaurusRelax314]

Yeah, was all set to say I’m not interested in noiseless pickups, and then you switched to the neck and out came some pretty spectacular tone. Just weld that switch to the 5 position. And now I have to look into that pedal….

[@shanewalton8888]

Now I know what to ask Shane and Sky Music for Christmas.

[@DSeN7]

That intro jam was uniquely tasty!

[@stilljustaguy]

Nice playing Sir.

[@jeremyjohnston592]

Great clip as always Shane. Excellent sounding guitar. Noiseless pickups are a little rounder than regular single coils, a tone I prefer. Very keen on the Ultra but the HSS is more my bag. Be great if you could get your hands on one of them.....

[@timmotel5804]

I just ordered the HSS Ultra Strat from Sweetwater in Texas Tea finish.

[@Kdog123123]

I'm eyeing this guitar right now (at sweetwater) lefty. Thinking on it...

[@thadlogan51]

Great review. I bought the ultra telecaster vs the strat. I've had five teles... including three USA models... performer, pro II, and now an ultra. I love the look and feel of the Ulta significantly more than the others. I don't think any of the three sound better than the other... just slightly different. In playing these guitars side by side for hours... and next to my American standard strat too I think the new Ultra pickups sounds just as good and organic as the others. The only thing I notice is that the neck pickup sounds good on the ultra but muddier when using the neck pickup alone or using the "s" switch as compared to on the pro II or my performer using my performer added freeway switch. That's my only gripe with the ultra... otherwise it's the perfect guitar...sleek and beautiful...my others looked like canoe paddles in comparison... the ultra looks and feels like a Ferrari vs a VW beetle...

[@REBELSCL]

I’ve got one in aged natural ash and love it.

[@samuelbutler5371]

Wish these came in the dark night colour. That colour is amazing.

[@idanramos1942]

Sounds great, What dyn ir cab or IR did you use in the captor X for the clean sounds?

[@czechplastik]

That sounded fantastic Shane. I have the Ultra Tele and Jazzmaster, this video is a problem for me...

[@emosucks31]

I'm here for just the music, nice playing.

[@justingrant1799]

Saving up for one of these. Maybe one day I’ll sound like you lol.

[@arsalino1116]

If you had to pick one, this or gibson les paul modern. Which one would you pick? and which one would you say is easier to play?

[@thejoshbtv]

Very nice jam. This is one of the best colors that Fender has come out with. Its hard to see how amazing it actually looks on camera but your lighting has done the best job thus far. I would love for it to be offered with a rosewood board and anything but noiseless pickups. They are hands down the worst Fender pickups out there. I wish they would stop pushing them.

[@davidmeadows105]

I also have a left handed Ultra but cant get on with the inverted controls (1 is high, 10 is low) how did you find it?

[@jimmyjimmy951]

This look with the traditional no fuss pickup and wiring option would be a no brainer buy for me. Still something flat about the tones at my end.. Have a great new year..

[@judodadof3]

some nice tone's !

[@RajaGSD]

How do you think it compares w the American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster?

[@ericwarrington6650]

Wow man... STUNNING GUITAR

[@rodmorgan7041]

Oh my god. Isn't it true that Blues are played with your face! This definitely keeps me a Stratocaster man. Great demo. Thanks

[@alanwalker1698]

Like the Texas Tea, not so much the anodized guard. Maybe a vintage pearl guard. Sounds really good.

[@thomasnonsense]

I'm not sure if I like the Ultra or not. I have four of them at the moment. I wonder if I'll get away with buying another one to help me decide...

[@BrentAdams]

This is sounding better.... but I've not yet heard the Fender Noiseless Pickups that I've ever thought were "good". I Do like the old Seymour Duncan "Cool Rails" pickups much better personally....if I had to choose (I do own one guitar that does have them, and I don't feel any need to change them out...or get a different guitar! In fact it was the first 3 single coil style guitars that I ended up keeping for any length of time. This is a Hamer Mirage.) Give me some lower output vintage style true single coil pickups...and I'm usually much happier.

[@audiomurphy]

So why not put a noisy single coil in the middle position and have the best of both worlds ? By the way I do own this very guitar and looking to swap out the pick guard. Cheers and great playing !

[@ParaBellum2024]

The two-pickup sounds don't appear to have the Strat quack (which is a shame). Neck & bridge together gives a pleasing Tele-like sound.

[@michaeldelisle3100]

Damn, that was a sweet solo, especially the first time around. Play on.

[@tonepilot]

Best tones in a while. Coolest colour too.

[@mattmanley7118]

Great guitar indeed

[@FeralPlumber]

Dumb question, but does the plastic over the pickups inhibit the tone/sound?? Maybe those should have been peeled off??

[@SM-xs3gf]

I have the ultra, mine’s the mocha colour. Gorgeous guitar. I’m a leftie too.

[@thinuse3590]

The most underrated colour. Love mine too.

[@michaelogden5093]

Impressive intro.

[@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??

[@texanfournow]

Being a Texan, I gotta love Texas Tea!

[@hankjohnson3902]

Great playing Shane! The guitar sounds great. Is it worth the extra $ over the American Professional II?

[@intheblues]

It's a different sort of guitar. I think the Pro II feels a bit better overall but this is a modern style guitar.

[@adhaskym.a9536]

Best color ever

[@GibsonFender]

I got the HSS versionof this

[@hlcotten6587]

SHANE! SHANE! THAT INTRO WOULD HAVE BUDDY GUY SMILING AT YOU FROM EAR TO EAR!✨💎💎💎✨

[@slopiecki]

Well, what kind of amp did u used for this jam? thx

[@intheblues]

Fender blues deluxe and my overdrive pedal

[@mattdavies7809]

Great playin shane,how much better would it have sounded on a tele 😁

[@voiceofexperience]

...or a REAL Strat for that matter.

[@DavidSmith-sy2bp]

Finally come across a fellow lefty KZbinr

[@jakegerovac]

Song at 4:48?

[@shartne]

It probably sounds a little different without the plastic protectors on the pickups.

[@AlWellensMusic]

Strange but on the intro you’re really sounding like another strat guy with noiseless pickups, his name is Eric I think ;) Amazing playing and tone

[@peterjones4621]

Hey! You're playing it backwards!! Haha, just kidding. You're an excellent guitar player, I'm a rank rookie beginner, I just bought the American Ultra Luxe in mystic black. After listening to you I've come to realize I want to learn to play the blues, didn't know it until now. Thanks for the excellent playing and review!

[@StrumVogel]

Bought the Mocha Burst one, kinda feels like I should have bought the Texas tea one.

[@simonsmith2642]

Sorry this is long but worth reading: If used to 1.65 nut the 1.685 on these is quite noticeable, if you are not used to a compound radius you will absolutely notice it and with either love or hate it. Being a Gibson guy, Im used to 12” radius so it doesnt bother me, but my tele is 1.65 nut and 9.5 no compound radius and soft V neck, the difference will absolutely be noticed.. If you are expecting nitro. Dont its not nitro.. It was, but its not anymore. My personal opinion, as a player of 37yrs now.. Is have a look at the JV Modified. I am a big supporter of buying American made when I can, and if you’re Australian, buy Australian when possible, support your country and its manufacturing base. But honestly, play a JV Modified. Yes the body is basswood which you can ot tell the difference between Alder other than its not as heavy. Made in Japan they are precise, and the QC is outstanding. You get locking tuners, 50’s V chunky but not 10/56 chunky, and nut is 1.65 and the pickups are great, the mods are great, the radius is 9.5 not compound. You will love it for 1k less USD. Satin poly on the neck gloss poly on body and headstock. Have a look. Fender way over priced these IMO had an ultralux and that neck suuuucked returned it, returned this one and got the JV and kept that one. Seriously have a look.

[@650thunderbird5]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@dustinglass]

Which do you prefer between the Ultra and your American Original?

[@intheblues]

The American Original but this guitar is great if you prefer a modern guitar.

[@pads-zr9ln]

I'm torn, that neck is gorgeous to play, i think I love the colour but when I'm about to buy I think the player plus is half price

[@thseed7]

🤘🎸