Fender American Vintage II Strat vs. American Ultra Strat | Pure Vintage vs. Ultra Modern

[@ShamanicSavant]

You could use either for any kind of music, the Ultra is just way more user friendly. If mine wasn't an Ultra, I wouldn't even own a strat. So comfortable to play, flawless fit and finish, and sounds amazing thru a good PB and tube amp :)

[@ayidn.h]

I love both but The sound control and also maneuver on Ultra is amazing!! Magnificent instrument

[@Chrispy_tV]

The AVRI II's are outstanding guitars. I was able to get my hands on a fiesta red one and it is top tier. Stays in tune all night and just wails. Fiesta red, 7.25" radius, and a slab board has been so difficult to get without going to the Custom Shop until now.

[@tonyn1926]

Hendrix passed in 1970, so he could hardly have been playing the 70's!!

[@NDFlyFisher]

I picked up on that too.

[@chrisegg7936]

he was playing a 1970 strat before he died

[@tonyn1926]

@@chrisegg7936 What do you base that on? The larger head stock? Even though the CBS era headstocks are referred to as 70's Strats, they were actually introduced in 1966/67. The last Strat Hendrix bought was a 68 Strat, which he played exclusively, as far as his Strats were concerned, right through his last live performance in Sept 1970, a few days or a week before he died. this did have the larger headstock, as did a few other Strats he played previous to this, but he never owned any 70's Strats, not even a 1969.

[@falcongunner33]

Give me the vintage all day. I see the appeal of the ultra but if I want a modern guitar, I would prefer one that’s more of a modern design, like a schecter or music man. For a Strat type I want the vintage tones. Even something like the silver sky isn’t really a modern s-type to me.

[@mikec3454]

The Silver Sky isn’t trying to be modern. Mayer prefers vintage Strats, hence why the Silver Sky has a 7.25” radius and the pickups are voiced to be similar to the same pickups found in ‘63/‘64, hence why they’re named “635” (i.e, 63.5).

[@hanskung3278]

What is a "vintage tone"?

[@hanskung3278]

It's hard to shred on a "vintage" 7.25 radius.

[@MeatSnax]

@@hanskung3278 believe it or not, there's more to guitar than really fast soloing.

[@hanskung3278]

@@MeatSnax Right but fast is what we strive for.

[@hanskung3278]

It doesn't matter if Hendrix played a 70's strat, he could be playing a 50's ukulele and it would be a transcendent experience.

[@russellandrewbennett7849]

Hendrix didn’t even live in the 70’s . I guess if you were to consider the decade 1970-1979, he did live nine months of the 70’s but technically that’s not how we count decades. 1971-1980 is the 70’s.

[@hanskung3278]

@@russellandrewbennett7849 I think you missed my point.

[@ernielamprell4532]

Dont really understand your point?

[@joestahl9102]

Hendrix was murdered in 70 he played a 65 strat pre CBS strats and teles sound better than anything cbs

[@fluffkiller]

That’s just a lame comment. He played a guitar. And transcendent is a bit much.

[@jonarchambault8344]

“…I always remind people the 70’s Strats are what you saw Hendrix playing.” You should probably stop saying that. Hendrix died in 1970.

[@CB19655]

Great comparison. Love my Ultra Cobra Blue HSS with the modern, versatile and noiseless „HiFi“ tones and the fantastic playability. But the red AV II ´61 is THE reference point of a Strat look and sound for my eyes and ears. No doubts - both ❤

[@gettafeelofthis]

I’ve ordered the ‘61 in white. I can not wait to actually get it. It is everything that I want in a Stratocaster, classic tone & feel. Great demo guys!

[@howietianjamz6649]

hooray! just ordered mine fiesta red

[@echoheadband]

Think I’m about to do the same thing!

[@lefebvrefrancky]

Guys on what website ?

[@johnwashburn3793]

Well for $20.99 I'll take both and in every color and option.

[@dieg000n]

Tone is subjective, and I get the vintage thing. But the Ultra perfect the playability game, the neck, the contour heel, the fretboard... All amazing

[@andybown68]

Ultra for me. I bought an Ultra Luxe Strat last year and it plays like a dream.

[@czechplastik]

Sweet demo. Just picked up the '57, great guitar. Look forward to the Tele and JM comparison. Would also be interesting to compare these to the Vintera equivalents.

[@spirithealth7322]

I just bought a 57 and I am a singer songwriter, and my mind is blown

[@czechplastik]

@@spirithealth7322 enjoy every moment.

[@Arifguitar]

ultra has compound radius beautiful neck, locking tuners, s switch plus you don’t need to remove the neck for truss road adjustment. Go get custom shop if you want vintage specs it is more expensive but least it will come with quarter-sawn neck.

[@twlowe19]

That Ultra, much like my Clapton, is an extremely well made guitar. I came to hate the noiseless pickups as to me they sound sterile, even on the Clapton. Having said that, they're .... noiseless, clean, precise and a few other adjectives. I can see the appeal, but if I was going to keep the Clapton, which I didn't, I was going to swap the pickups out on it. Considering it was a custom shop, I opted to sell it instead. I'm a geezer GenX person, I've gone from loving Ibanez RG guitars to being in love with the vintage sounding stuff. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the style of music you like either, I'm no die-hard classic rock fan, although I do really enjoy that stuff. I just like the sounds, which is why I guess I have 2, soon to be 3, of these AVRI II guitars. I'm missing this '61 and based on how much I love the '57 and that '51 Tele, I'm going to buy this thing too.

[@bobkrause0103]

Great job guys…. As always. 61 is my choice

[@guitargrandpa282]

One more comment. I find I love the Ultra neck. I am older and creakier and the Ultra neck makes it easier to play. Not that I am remotely in his category but like Tim Pierce says, the older you get the more you appreciate guitars that are easier to play. The Ultra and my PRS are far and away the easiest of my guitars to play.

[@mikem668]

Agree. I have an Ultra Tele and just bought the 63 Vintage II Tele. Both are great. I'm buying an Ultra Strat in a month and in the spring picking up a 61 Vintage II Strat. I love the Ultra neck.

[@bmrbca3658]

@Guitar Grandpa Just curious, what is it about a Ultra neck that makes it easier for you to play? Larger radius? Would a Les Paul be even easier for you? I have a PRS SE and it's neck feels thinner to me than some of the other guitars I have. Not sure what the spec on it is

[@mikem668]

@@bmrbca3658 I can't answer for the original poster. But I have both an Silver Sky and the SS SR and an Ultra. A couple things come to mind. The Ultra Fretboard gets wider towards the bridge, 10" to 14". The claim is it makes it easier to bend string up the neck, while allowing for open chords near the nut. It also has a rolled fingerboard. The 7.25 of the Silver Sky, or any vintage instruments, often have issues at the high E edge of the neck. It seems the Ultra gives you more room for your fingers. The Silver Sky SE is 9.5 IIRC. I find it easier to play than the more expensive one. I really like the Ultra Satin finish on the neck. I also like the Modern D profile on the neck, but I couldn't tell you why. My comments on the Ultra are about the Tele. The Ultra Strats have the same specs, but I haven't played one yet.

[@guitargrandpa282]

@@bmrbca3658 The quick answer is that it is designed to set up with slightly lower action because it is a bit thinner but does not feel that way because of the D shape instead of the C shape which gives it bigger shoulders. It is also a compound radius so it is flatter higher up which makes bending without fretting out a bit easier, again with lower action. I am 69 years old with some mild arthritis in my fingers so anything that let's me use lower pressure is helpful, thus my preference for lower action. (Though I am a bit too heavy handed in general, something I am always working on. Some people prefer thicker necks and higher action. But the Ultra neck works for me. I have an Epiphone Les Paul and while the shorter scale length makes bending a bit easier overall I prefer the Ultra and my PRS Custom 24 (pattern thin) necks, though again some people really dislike that PRS neck. As always, your mileage may vary.

[@ShamanicSavant]

@@bmrbca3658 Everything, it's just one of those necks where at first feel you're thinking... "wow, that's nice". Fender bent over backwards to make it the most comfortable, playable neck yet on a strat... and it is for my money :)

[@MichaelSalmons-h8m]

Hendrix did not okay 70s strats lol he died in 1970 lol

[@samprimavera6482]

Nice demo, nice playing, I have the Vintage II in White, it is now my go to guitar, being an older guy it reminds me of Fender guitars of days gone by and it just feels right, not a fan of the modern take on it, but that's just my opinion, may be right for a younger guy

[@cgb1394]

Neither sounds better or worse. Just different. The Ultra sounds like a humbucker that is tuned to sound like a strat. It is it's own thing. It's like that fake vegan meat you see and try for the first time. It's not the same, but if you see it as it's own thing, it's tasty in its own right. I actually went to the store and A/B these two. Ended up buying the Ultra. Even though I went in thinking I would buy the 61 because I had a vintage reissue 62 that I loved and missed (sold it 10 years ago). The ultra was significantly brighter and sensitive to the touch, with more complex harmonic structures that seemed to bloom when you held a note. and that surprised me. The 61 was a bit more bass and boomy bass heavy and more of a clear direct sound. If you are in an environment with lots of 60 cycle hum, I guess you would probably grab the ultra if you had a choice. And if you need the morder ergonomics, I would also pick the ultra. The neck is unbelievably good. It's so good I'm thinking of ordering a custom shop with that neck profile.

[@MrTkeddo]

It’s hard to get a new guitar with rosewood fingerboard’s now so I got a 1992 MIJ Squire Stratocaster in Dakota red and it’s got a great vintage look and sounds for under 400 dollars

[@f3uibeghardt522]

Just make the American Standard again and stop trying to be cute.

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

I just got mine in, a '61 in fiesta red just like yours there, and I'm shocked. I regret taking people at their word that 7.25" is bad. I love the way my pro2 strat feels, but this was my first vintage neck radius and I absolutely love it.

[@dylanhighwood7458]

How the fuck would Hendrix have played a 70s start if most of his work was done pre 1970 🤣, and then he died in 1970. The math would make that claim impossible

[@Stachu_Tropiciel]

Ultra neck with vintage pickups :)

[@jackblack2321]

Cooper has very strong shoulders in that sweet button down. Very sharp, he must workout.

[@MarbsMusic]

I have that exact Ultra and it's one of the few I would never part with, just got an HSS pro 2 and loving it as well... can't do the 7.25 or at least not willing to drop 2K to find out if I like it. Amazing demo as always though!!!

[@metalmover]

Thanks for this video. I own 3 ultra models, and several reissues made over the years. If I could choose, I’d pick the ultras. If I could have it my way, I’d want the vintage with the ultra’s neck....or an ultra wired vintage.....it’s fun to play the reissues, but it is tiring too....they have a sound and I get it. To Cooper: I get why you might want to go vintage II for the jazz master ....it’s kinda in a different category than a tele or strat, that you may already have a model from. All in all it’s the neck.

[@CrenSpirit]

Picked up the burst 61 strat....love it!

[@garethbissell3933]

Nice review/ demo. Small Hendrix detail.. he died in September 1970. He had many strats ranging from early to late 60s. The last ones he had I think were built in 1968.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

The Ultra is for people that don’t mind the modern features like noiseless pickups, 2 point bridge and 22 jumbo frets. All horrible dealbreakers for me. I’ve ordered the red AV2 as it’s my dream guitar.

[@ShamanicSavant]

Enjoy :) Everything that was a deal breaker for you was a deal maker for me. Love my SSS Ultra :)

[@mrroye]

I am now old enough to admit that fenders are all parts casters. Neck and pick up can be purchased separately. Treble bleed or not, sup to you.. I personally am a big fan of rosewood fingerboards. And that nitro finish deal for me is ALL B.S. as far as its effect on sound. Not a fan of sunburst at all. I wouldn't like the noise of original pickups. I also do not prescribed to the one guitar do-it-all thing while at the same time, I love the s-1 switching system on my 2006 deluxe.

[@Sloozer45]

Fantastic job guys. I can't imagine a better done vid on these guitars; the entire vid was interesting and compelling. Wow, I want both! I guess the ultra line has much larger frets as well. What a guitar! But, wow, these year-specific v2 models are time-capsule historic experiences and that is so cool. I need a higher-paying job and quick!

[@1958CaddyMan]

Cooper shows every kind of sound available from each Strat. He always gives the players perspective on them to make an informed choice. As for me, Cooper made it clear if I was performing professionally, I would want one of each. Thanks' Cooper!

[@alfredh5022]

I have a 4-bolt 1970 Stratocaster and the original 1990 Strat Ultra with Lace Sensors and ebony fingerboard. The 1970 has old school low output Alnico V pickups, similar to the CS '69 type, with a rosewood fingerboard. The thing is they should've picked an Ultra with a rosewood board for comparison. The HSS Ultra is a beast with more output from the pickups and rosewood fingerboard. I love both, but jumbo frets on the Ultra took 3 years to get worn a bit and didn't hurt to play. I had to refret the 1970 to medium jumbo frets because the vintage frets were worn out; the neck is a 60's big shouldered vintage C neck, which I prefer over the modern C neck, which may give me hand cramps.

[@briankierans2926]

If you want the best of both worlds and a bigger bang for your buck, just buy a player strat and install vintage 65 pickups.

[@vyvynylification]

Those reissue guitars are killer and lovely but... If you don't necessarily chase that specific tone I just think the ultra is the better guitar. In nearly every way... That said, the idea of an 50s or 60s instrument being more pure or special is nice. I own an ultra strat and american original 60s tele. I always feel like swapping my ultra for an american original or avII strat but I don't even know WHY. I think forum purists are just getting to me. I own that AO60 tele because I loved it but both my pro II and ultra tele before that were alot more of ´the full package´. I think if I ever need a different a tone I'll either ADD a vintage instrument OR change my ultra pick ups. I don't think I'd ever sell my ultra unless a white blonde Mary Kaye strat shows up :')

[@aaronlnk2062]

how was Hendrix playing 70s strats, if he died in 1970?

[@jcesare1]

Remember guys, Hendrix never played anything later than a 1970, obviously. No three bolts.

[@victorrasconaldana9173]

What amp is being used for the demo?

[@transfiguration8865]

I was coming in expecting to think the Vintage would sound better, but I actually think the Ultra is better all around. But of course, that's just me.

[@lolwithme36dd]

That 61 demo that fella played sounded fantastic. Sweet riff man

[@stevestalock3200]

You gotta stop making these videos. All you do is make me buy more guitars. Keep up the good work!

[@guitargrandpa282]

Great post. I own both the American Ultra and a custom shop amalgamation like you were discussing, though I will say I can get perfectly fine tones for blues out of the Ultra. One nit, Jimi Hendrix died in 1969 so we can safely assume he did not play a 73 Strat. It would be worth noting that later 60's Strats bear more resemblance to the 73 than to say it is the same guitar he played. I am easily old enough to have seen Hendrix live (and did) so I felt I should point that out.

[@AlamoMusic]

I know for sure that Chris knows Hendrix died before 73- I think he was just referring to the CBS era strats like Hendrix played. Also very jealous that you saw Hendrix live.

[@guitargrandpa282]

@@AlamoMusic I didn't believe Chris would not know that. But, I have learned that there are a lot of youngsters (pretty much most of the audience compared to me) out there that watch your show and they might not know that. Bad habit of mine is to be a stickler for detail. Saw Hendrix twice, quite an experience (so to speak). He and Clapton (and The Beatles, of course) are why I started to play guitar. Still trying to get better at age 69. Not that I was ever that good, sadly.

[@tomaskin9970]

Hendrix died in late 1970 I think?

[@guitargrandpa282]

@@tomaskin9970 You are right. He died in September of 1970.

[@buddybeetle]

September 18th, 1970

[@CameraLaw]

My head says the Ultra (for all of Chris’ great reasons) but my ears say the ‘61 (for all of Cooper’s great playing).

[@jamesmcgrath6938]

As a gigging musician, I’d love a combo of both. Maybe an Ultra with a nitro lacquer finish with noiseless pups and more of vintage feel. Fender need to bring back the Hot Rod models but noiseless pups instead of the 57/62 they had. I’m sure I’m gonna get flamed hardcore for this idea lol😅

[@geoffreycarter3981]

Yeah the ultra is more attractive to me just because it's more comfortable and such, but if I'm dropping this kind of money, i'd like a Nitro finish because I want to keep it forever and wear out the finish as much as possible when I gig it.

[@mhauser9457]

Hendrix isn't known for playing 70's Strat guitars as he died in 1970, dude. smh

[@GoldTop57]

“70s strats are what we saw Hendrix playing.” Huh? 😂. Dude was dead in 1970

[@voiceofexperience]

He really was ahead of his time...

[@BrianVallotton]

Nice playing! I have the Ultra in Sunburst and it is my favorite guitar. BUT I was born in 61 and love the red one too!

[@huntingtonhayes]

Would love to see a video like this for the jazzmaster too.

[@azizaziz7007]

i got the ultra and really looking to get vintage so this is perfect 😊

[@Nmh2el]

Is that a huge dent in the body at 17:45?

[@foxxygearreviews7754]

I’d take the vintage but with locking tuners if they made it.

[@sleepbelts]

there’s gotoh vintage locking tuners that are drop in replacements that look vintage

[@rigorhead01]

I'm primarily a strat player, and I like aspects of both vintage and modern. I like Vintage-style pickups, but I like a modern neck, compound radius fretboard, and I like the better performing 2-point tremelo. My #1 guitar is a Fender American Deluxe strat in Sunset Metallic with Lindy Fralin Blues Special single coil pickups and an Andy Timmons AT-1 humbucker in the bridge. It's the one in my thumbnail

[@flurkin]

I love my mochaburst ultra strat, but i may just get a vintage II as well... beautiful

[@jross68052]

I just traded the ultra for a Les paul. The neck was awesome. I thought the noiseless pickups are aweful. At least to my ears

[@johncooper16]

Why not swap out the pickups if the rest of the guitar was great?

[@jross68052]

@@johncooper16 I hated the color too

[@johncooper16]

@@jross68052 fair enough

[@jross68052]

@@johncooper16 I really love the American performer series and the the new vintage series

[@johncooper16]

@@jross68052 I have an American Original 60s Stratocaster in Olympic White. It's a fine guitar. My only niggle is that it's a wee bit heavy. I'm torn between an AVRI2 and a custom shop for my next Strat.

[@tpbulle]

This is kinda like ....I really like the iPhone 6 vs the iPhone 14 or I wish I had a 1970 Dodge Challenger vs a 2022 Challenger. Technologically and ergonomically, the American Ultra is a superior instrument. I have an Ultra Tele and I can tell you, it's a beast. Better than I expected and leaves me desiring no vintage models. I have played them since the '70's and the Ultra series is a phenominal upgrade. But, to each their own I guess.

[@ShamanicSavant]

Yup... If mine weren't an Ultra I wouldn't even own a strat :)

[@jimwhite8891]

Going for the '61 in White, '61 would be a birth year guitar for me and there's no way I could afford a real 1961!

[@SoulfulJim1]

I went from a 60’s tele to an Am. Ultra tele and didn’t like the noiseless pickups. I thought they didn’t sound as “real” if that makes sense. I’m wondering if anyone else feels the same way.

[@MographVideo]

I made my choice 2 years ago with the Ultra, but would have liked to have this option. I immediately ripped out the noiseless pickups as I thought they were horrible. Playing lead through a vintage Fender amp, they sound anemic. And I have never run into a situation that “required” noiseless. So hopefully this is the best of both for me, but I don’t have to other to test! 😂

[@goopaf3952]

The noiseless was what drove me to get rid of the damn thing myself !

[@robbrooks5263]

I completely agree. I'm in the market for my first Tele and I love the idea of the Ultra but it just sounds 'dead'.

[@xF1revolution]

61 Fiesta Red is just so hot. Good lord what a beautiful instrument

[@ShamanicSavant]

A Les Paul is a beautiful instrument, these are still just slab guitars :)

[@dobster5819]

The Ultra is a studio tool, the 61 is a wonderful player’s guitar. The 61 sounds realistic. Lovely playing many thanks

[@jan_07]

More like the other way around. Ultra is good for performance with the hum-free but not so ideal pickups, but vintage is for studio to get that vintage real strat tone but performance is sacrificed…

[@smollande]

I feel like if u have the time to fiddle with mics noise gates eq placement of gear ... yea who wouldn't want an av2. But if u gig or record in a studio that charges per minute and u just have to deliver at a snap of someones fingers u better get the ultra like it or not.the chances of not screwing up is reduced with ultras.. u could also get a am deluxe or something that's top of the line from a few years back as well. Those are noiseless and probably cheaper. Just my humble opinion. I dont like worrying about gear or fiddling with it. Lol

[@jan_07]

@@smollande nah, in professional studios those problematic building wiring and noisy electrical currents are all but fixed. There’s no need for that experimentation with positioning, and mics. Only noisegates. What most producers want is that vintage strat tone, so having the AV2 will be a very useful professional studio equipment (note I said professional studio, and not home DIY studio). AV2 is far from a modern player’s guitar, that 7.25 radius is such a pain to bend on and those real single coils will be very unpredictable per concert venue plus that thin nitro finish will get battered from tour to tour, and that neck pocket truss rod nut will be a pain for the guitar tech. While the Ultra is called Ultra because it’s top-of-the-line playability geared towards a live player’s specifications.

[@smollande]

@@jan_07 in some backward godforsaken towns the studios are far from ideal. But I agree that someone in your situation would find the vintage model more attractive of an option. It's just that for a tiny guitar bit in some ad jingle or a simple lead in a karaoke backing track, tones not that big of a deal . That's why there are options I guess. Something for everyone

[@jan_07]

@@smollande yup, it’s why I mentioned “professional studios”, like those big ones in Nashville, etc. kinda thing haha. I prefer the Ultra though as I’m a player and I just don’t like to “work hard” while playing. But if I’m invested heavy in music production and have a recording studio as a business, I would most likely pick AV2. But I agree, for smaller artist and smaller music projects, the tonal differences is not a deal breaker, cheers! 😄

[@nedludd3641]

I just bought a brand new Ultra (not from Alamo). I waited six months for it. It was so scratched up. V disappointing.

[@luvanariff]

AV ii ❤️

[@ransombaggins9301]

Go get yourself a Lincoln Brewster Signature Strat. Much better noiseless pups, great vintage vibe including an Aztec Gold nitro finish.... such a fantastic mix of old and new. Between these two, I just LOVE the playability of the Ultra and that Cobra blue is so freaking gorgeous.

[@bear5141]

The fender ultra is a amazing guitar the neck on these guitars are amazing I know I love mine and they sound great and with the body cut on them they fit you like a glove

[@ryan_raus]

Both awesome. I just bought an Ultra Tele. It’s perfect.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

The PRS Silver Sky is a modern vintage guitar. The sound of the 63 Strat but with newer and improved features including a non ice pick back pickup, better bridge and workmanship

[@lassesuurmunne8340]

The Silver Sky is a great guitar no question, and PRS is super consistent. With Fender and especially I think even more so with Gibson, you have to find a good one. But to me it’s still also about personal preference as well and also about the sound you’re personally chasing. And we have have different hands and fingers too and wrists so we find a guitar that works for us. I’ve tried four Silver Skies and I liked them all, and it was one of the rare times I really liked the bridge pickup (on the silver sky it’s the same pickup in every position just like on the old pre cbs Fenders). And every time I think I want a 60s era strat but I always seem to end up preferring the 50s era pickups and I don’t know why that is, I like that they’re a bit brighter but low output. The Silver Sky is very dark and warm and not very bright at all, it’s warmer. The younger me would’ve preferred that sound, I used to prefer warm and I hated mids in amps so I’d turn up tremble and bass and mids off. Anyway, long story short my taste has changed probably due to players like Greg Koch and Jim Campilongo and stuff. And I’d say that PRS are more consistent but if you go out and search for a good Fender it’ll be every bit as good as the PRS and I prefer Fender necks, they just feel more comfortable for me. If I only played a Silver Sky for a few months that would probably change. That’s also something I’ve noticed along my journey, that my preference is often just whatever I’m used to. I played Fender Mustangs almost exclusively for a few years and I was so used to those necks that everything else felt clumsy and difficult to play. But now that I’ve mostly played on my 54 custom shop strat my 64 Mustang feels less familiar again but once I spend time on the Mustang again because I know I will, quickly the opposite will happen again. So I don’t always feel like modern features are necessarily better, most of the time they just make a guitar feel different. I do think taller frets are important but depending on the guitar sometimes it’s better that they are tall but narrow and sometimes jumbos feel great. I’ve even gone through a phase when I only liked vintage small frets because they feel super comfortable for chords and slides, and jumbos after being used to small frets feel terrible to play on at first lol but once you get used to em you can bend as much as you want and control your vibrato and be all aggressive. So Silver Sky is a fine fine guitar but it might not be everyone’s preference, I like the 50s Strats. And if money was no object I would take a real 62 or 63 strat over anything built now, but a good one because from owning a real 1964 Fender Mustang and trying a friend’s real 63 strat I really love how the real pre cbs era Fenders felt to play the most. Nothing from the custom shop or anything else quite feels the same. You can feel that it was a different company that made the original ones, there was a style of crafting, something signature about them that’s sadly lost forever. And Fender Mustangs especially get a very unfair rap, those originals were extremely good intstruments with extremely nice pickups and necks. If you want something that is close, you gotta go through a master builder or something.best production models are the Japanese ones

[@ShamanicSavant]

I'm a PRS fan and own a 594 WL, but I'd take my Ultra over the SS any day. Part of that is because the SS is just a money grab, not a better strat :)

[@GoodmanRecordingsTokyo]

Excellent performance. I really liked the 61. Ultra didn't do anything for me. Too bad my color palette is limited to surf green, seafoam, LPB, OTC and Daphne.

[@whwh7339]

Gotta add sonic blue to that

[@mikec3454]

I just went through this process somewhat. Walked in to my local shop looking to buy an American Pro II until the guy recommended I try the AO 1960s Strat after I told him the shell pink caught my eye. No brainer to go with the AO 1960s for the extra ~$400 CAD after taxes. The Pro II is a great guitar but sounded a lot more modern and bright. I prefer the warmer tones, thicker neck, and lack of hidden switches.

[@josephliptak]

Hope Fender makes period correct years for each year from every decade up to the 80s. Love the nitro finish on the 50s and 60s Fenders. Wish Fender would use nitro on all their guitars.

[@lindyloulie80]

Love the Ultra - especially the clean neck pup. Sounds like you can almost get a nice jazz tone on that neck pickup. Sweeeettt!! Overall the Ultra is wonderful. I have one, and the neck is to die for. Absolutely a dream to play.

[@precbsfender]

Love the 61 Slabboards..

[@dadadadave100]

They both sound great

[@somebodyelseuk]

I've got an Ultra, and I've got a few old and reissue Strats... It's like asking whether you would rather drive a DB5 or a DB9.

[@howietianjamz6649]

preach to that

[@BeantownToBigD]

ha ha and I'll have a glass of Screaming Eagle Cab

[@TheLochs]

I have the ultra, my best friend did the design. Good guy.

[@01chickenpickin]

I have both, the ultra in Texas tea and the avII in fiesta red and I choose the av over all my strats except my 06 Mark Knopfler

[@douglasdejager8450]

Hendrix died in 1970! Can hardly be said to be playing lots of 70s Strats! 4:24 bs!

[@paulfitz6614]

The vintage has a fatter sound, but I guess if you are playing crazy modern music the Ultra is good

[@rzh3443]

I have the Ultra Tele. I love the compound radius neck and the locking tuners. I t also has six adjustable saddles in brass.The pickups can be in series or parallel which, I believe, the reissues don't have that control option. I suspect Hendrix would have have bought the Ultra ? No? I saw him as well in '67. I think he was on something but he put on a hell of a show ! The player casters are nice too for half the money.

[@fettuccinealraver]

I’ve had my Ultra for about a year now and it’s deleted the need for any other Strat. My one gripe is the neck is pretty slim. I prefer the deep C to the D neck profile but that can be changed out someday.

[@thomascaudill1569]

This guy doesn't need tremolo or effects. His technique covers it.

[@EdelmanKleemaker]

they e all the same...just different names. they want to sell more but the result it the same

[@jeffrey7663]

Cooper always plays the same riff...too bad. It would be cool to hear something else.

[@Mtsh196]

Там еще в струнах разница. На Винтадже стоят 0.10, а на Ультра 0.09.

[@MarkMonolithOfficial]

I have a Telecaster Ultra in Arctic Pearl and have yet to find another guitar with the combination of such an incredible neck and tone. The Vintage are nice too tho

[@skullmelodies]

I'd like a modern strat BUT the vintage sound ? What is the best choice under 2200$? Maybe Fender 75th anniversary is an option or... ?

[@vyvynylification]

The pro II model is supposed to be a modern-vintage mixture. It's even what the names of their pick ups stand for (even though they don't sound like an AVII). Or used american standards? The American Originals are alot like the AVII but feature a more modern 9.5 radius fretboard. I personally looked for a deal on a used ultra. Found a texas tea strat used that was literally in brand new condition but paid considerably less than I would for a new pro II strat. If you do that you can definitly put in some 57-62 pick ups in there with the spare cash. An ultra with vintage PU's will sound vintage.

[@LJB9798]

Apparently the nitro on the vintage is just a thin layer over urethane or something from what ive been seeing

[@fozzgretsch]

I have an HSS Strat in Texas tea but mine doesn't sound anywhere near as good as this :D

[@ManaPie]

Is it just me or does the Vintage sound way better than the Ultra?

[@safaksen2611]

but ultra have a maple vintage rosewood

[@nicolaii90]

Vintage sounds way better.. warmer

[@TonyRundleMusic]

I have the HSS Strat. It just felt so right when I played it. More so than the Vintage, which is also a great instrument. Sounds classy too.

[@colinrobinson9674]

Same here, HSS Ultra and it's a keeper

[@ShamanicSavant]

@@colinrobinson9674 SSS Ultra and it's a keeper :)

[@vonbleak101]

I love classic instruments as much as the next guy but i also really like alot the more modern features - I have an Ultra Strat SSS and its amazing, i think because i was not chasing a specific tone or era of a certain Strat - i just wanted a nice Strat - It sounds amazing to me especially through a nice Marshall :) (I also have a Core PRS Custom 22 which is my 'LP style' guitar, and the quality of the Ultra is right up there with the PRS)

[@ShamanicSavant]

Same here, I wasn't chasing anything except a nice comfortable strat with modern hardware and features. The Gen 5 noiseless in the SSS sound great... chimey, articulate, and quiet. Sounds phenomenal thru an Orange Rocker 15, especially clean :)

[@RonaldoNoschang]

Ultra modern sound like plastic

[@josephbecerra9211]

This is the video I've been waiting for!!!! Thank you!!

[@MusicAnirban]

My Ultra cobra blue is on its way. Always wanted an SSS strat. Looking forward to it. The vintage here looks like a Mark Knopfler signature series. Sad they discontinued it. The MK strat sounds really bad ass.

[@edgarmcbee2474]

Vintage 2 is awesome

[@paulwally9007]

As much as your video was great, I don't think I'd buy either. I'd save a bit more and get a Custom Shop for the vintage sound, and a Suhr for the modern.

[@ShamanicSavant]

I looked at Suhr when I got my Ultra. The Ultra just had more of what I wanted at a better price. Quality, fit, and finish is equal to any Suhr :)

[@paulwally9007]

@@ShamanicSavant I disagree about the quality. Suhr are top notch when it comes to quality -Fender tends to be far more variable, all the way from Squires to Custom Shops. If I had reasons for choosing Fender over Suhr they would primarily be price and sound -the Suhr misses some of that Fender Strat chime and sparkle.

[@isaacmontes5903]

The demo is incredible what are the chords!?

[@LepiGiska]

Yes, what song is this?

[@sbtvbd2]

আল্লাহর সন্তুষ্টি ও আখিরাতের মুক্তিই মুমিন জীবনের কাম্য।