Fender Got These RIGHT! | 70th Stratocaster Ultra Amethyst Review

[@norythmguitar]

Oh thank god, I orderd one of these at my local guitar shop in Sweden some month ago, won't get here until September and I was real thirsty for a proper video about this guitar, much appreciated!

[@blastofo]

How much did it cost in Sweden?

[@norythmguitar]

@@blastofo I paid 33000 sek for it, google tells me it's just over 3000 usd at the time of writing

[@bluestar953]

Lucky dude…worth it man a classic.

[@norythmguitar]

@@bluestar953 🤞

[@chrisgentry7242]

I'm a gibson enthusiast but I'm going nuts over this finish. Fender done an amazing job. I'm impressed.

[@jamesjeager129]

I’m so glad Trogly finally documented one of the 70th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster. Especially that new finish on the Ultra Strat & looks beautiful.

[@martin-1965]

Yup this is a sweet looking and sounding guitar. Can't find fault in it from the review. If I had the spare cash I would be ordering one today as even the price seems fair enough for what you get. However, already have 2 strats I have bonded with so just pleased for anyone buying this great anniversary model :)

[@jamesjeager129]

@@martin-1965the only problem I’m disappointed about the 70th Anniversary Ultra Stratocaster is they should’ve feature stainless steel frets (like they did to the 60th anniversary Ultra Lux Jaguar [2022]). Also I can’t play it because I’m left handed.

[@hkguitar1984]

Thank You William, Congrats on the new guitar, very nice indeed. As for the cost, to put the $2500 price into perspective, back in 2000 I purchased a Guitar Center Designer Series Deluxe American Stratocaster that came with a 3/4" thick 5A Quilt Maple Top, new that Stratocaster cost me $2100, a lot of money for an American Strat back then. However, that 2000MY Deluxe Strat has been one of the most rock-solid guitars I've ever owned! I still own it and my only complaint is the poly finish, other than that the active quilt top combined with the transparent Crimson Red color adds up to a beautiful guitar, even 24 years later. I still get a big smile every time I open the case. Nice review, thanks for the content Austin.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@geoffreycarter3981 I agree with you. Also, it seems that Fender has remained more flexible in their guitar designs in that they don't seem to be held to the traditional/vintage designs like Gibson. It could be that Gibson's set-neck construction doesn't lend itself to as easily change designs and lower cost as Fender's bolt on neck. As an example, a Fender Strat could be made out of almost any wood and I'd be personally OK with that if a lower price reflects said change, whereas, make a Les Paul out of anything other than Mahogany and Maple and its blasphemy! Also, Leo Fender was all about ease of manufacture to lower costs, Gibson is steeped in the traditional aura of old-world construction methods and quality. I think both philosophies are great/valid and I'm glad we have both Gibson and Fender to chose from and play. That is my $.02 Cents

[@bradleyyounger8499]

The cool thing about strats is you just swap the pick guard so you can stick it back to original easily

[@eamonnparsons3155]

A colourful rainbowed anodized pickguard would look so cool on that finish.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

That would be gaudy haha

[@stoneglad]

I was actually just thinking to myself that this is the only Strat that would look great with the expensive chromed brass pick guard they’re selling on their website (it’s also standard on the Niles Rodger’s signature Strat).

[@stuballingerart]

I'm gonna try mine with a white pearloid :)

[@czechplastik]

@@stuballingerart I was thinking this too. I don't like black guards at all.

[@hoilst265]

Well, there is a rainbow colouration on it... ...int the wiring.

[@acatwiththreenames3658]

For a guitar player just starting out, a HSS strat can cover a lot of ground. When I'm heading out to just jam with friends and don't want to drag all the gear, I almost always grab a lightweight amp, my 5 place pedal board, and my HSS Strat.

[@tat2zz68]

For a guitar player just starting out a $2500 guitar is insane.

[@tat2zz68]

A new guitar player can buy any number of less than $1000 guitars with stainless steel frets that will last a lifetime and spend $1500+ on a nice combo amp and 20+ lessons.

[@jmdyt3626]

@@tat2zz68don’t think he’s talking about this guitar in particular

[@pdbordelon]

The oil /satin finish neck of a Fender is so far superior to the sticky gloss of a Les Paul. When gigging, for most working class musicians the Fenders are more comfortable, stay in tune, lighter, etc. BUT if you can afford the more expensive Gibsons, the Custom Shops, and get them plex'd and set up they are amazing!

[@wiseguy9202]

Whaaa? I have zero problem gigging my Les Paul.

[@Forest_Fifer]

Why on earth should you need to get a Gibson custom shop and have it Plek'd? If I dropped several k on a guitar I'd expect it to be setup perfectly

[@ajlsrv5490]

You speak for most working class musicians? I play in a rock cover band. I wouldn’t be caught dead with a strat with floating bridge at a gig. Nightmare

[@harrymanilow]

@@ajlsrv5490 literally add 2 springs and problem solved.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

Every single Gibson is already Pleked from the factory.

[@mikecarbone828]

Salutations Austin! I think this is the first 70th anniversary Stratocaster review I have seen on KZbin. Really nice Stratocaster Ultra, and I think the Amethyst finish looks fantastic! In some ways it reminds me of the H.E.R. Signature Stratocaster, except it has a different set of pickups and a black pick guard instead of the aluminium one. The pickup set certainly offers a wide variety of sound options. Thanks for sharing! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🎸

[@deylanshiva6407]

Always a good day with a Fender review. That position 2 sounds so good, with the split, hot and even normal voicing.

[@stuballingerart]

I hope these stay in production long enough for me to afford one because my GOD this finish is scientificly designed to activate all my neurons.

[@stuballingerart]

Update: got one ;)

[@aureliusandthespiral]

Im waiting for the vintera II. I love antigua. Sweetwater says early to mid May. Preordered in March

[@Trog]

Send me a message if you want one quicker!

[@morkcrispy]

What about the squier Antigua bass vi that just got announced for the UK? Can you get me one of those quicker? 😅

[@carlosmagana5672]

Just imagine this one in the texas tea finish 🥺

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

Maybe a relatively minor gripe, and tbh this is a collector guitar anyway...but, the 3 screw humbucker mount means invasive mods or a new pickguard if you want a different bridge bucker. Fixing unbroken things, as we do. Also, cool paint, but the black guard and brown neck/headstock really don't add up to that appealing of a visual package. Even the pickup cover doesn't come off right. White plastics & a matching headstock imho would be better looking, but maybe too much like similar Silver Sky.

[@LiteralApe]

Needs a white perloid guard. Matching headstock, uncovered bridge pup. I HATE HATE HATE covered pickups unless they're cream pickup rings

[@LiteralApe]

Im so sorry i literally didnt read your comment fully

[@LiteralApe]

Abalone inlays would be nice. Those always look good on maple

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

@@LiteralApe yeah, I'm sure it's a good strat and the roasted neck is a good touch etc, but I immediately just wrinkled my nose at the whole package. Seems like there's buyers in the comments, so someone likes it.

[@joermnyc]

I’ve seen conversion plates that you can attach to any humbucker to make it fit the Fender 3-screw setup. No need to mess up the pickguard.

[@user-er4xo2zl4r]

Fender is leaving Gibson in the dust when it comes to innovation. The range of tones in a Stratocaster is superior these days

[@jabarbors]

yeah but burst

[@ajlsrv5490]

There is nothing innovative about this guitar.

[@voyager1568]

As someone who LOVES Fender, it has a lot to do with the fact that they’re easier to buy. Yes, I love teles. May be my favorite guitar, and I’m getting my rom Delonge Starcaster today. But that’s only because I don’t just have the money for a Murphy lab 59 lying around

[@jmdyt3626]

@Mars-mr3omI disagree I have played and owned gibson’s and have always preferred the fender tones and gone back to fenders

[@jmdyt3626]

@Mars-mr3om guess it depends, imo fender is the biggest guitar company because they promote for a younger Audience while Gibson promote to the older audience

[@EdHeinzelman]

picked up the first 70th Ann Professional II with the maple cap that hit town. It's a great guitar but took it in for a full set up and better strings. Really looking forward to getting it back tomorrow and put it through all of the paces. But it feels awesome.

[@PiratePrincessYuki]

Kinda liking it. I have a bunch of pink strats and only a couple of Gibson’s and I prefer my strats for my playing style. And I can definitely work with this.

[@thehark6247]

okay, that finish is cool, cant believe it took so long to start using those paint concoctions that are so active.

[@FUBAR896]

Love the flip flop paint..

[@Jagermeistery]

Pearl white pickup cover would be awesome

[@orionv.13]

Thank you William!!! Great video my good sir

[@Daddy53751]

I love this thing for a number of different reasons!🥰

[@humanbass]

It would be cool to have a sixth position to combine bridge+neck, that would give 4 extra tones (normal, split, hot, split+hot).

[@baronoflivonia.3512]

Great Video Review. I just received a 2000's hard tail strat in Red Metallic, but only in SSS configuration, Loved the Mother riff.

[@shadowzoneX]

just got a new esp usa, damn I wish had more money for this one as well. I guess i’ll just have to wait to see what they’ll do for the anniversary of the Jazzmaster

[@guitarman6632]

Sweet 👍

[@ralphwest8156]

Wow that colour will catch the stage lights in performance ' and the variety of tone will keep you going without a guitar swap ' ...you'd still need your Paul as well though '

[@artadrians]

I have a 60th anniversary in my collection...looks like I might be adding this ONE...😊

[@AlphaAchilles]

good luck finding one

[@sagittated]

I'm really interested to see if you get to review one of the yet to be released thinline American Professional II Stratocasters and/or Telecasters. I think they're due May 7. Limited editions. Same 4 transparent colors in each model.

[@rudiyantohalim736]

This colours is my fav bright colours from the series and Texas Tea for the Dark colours

[@billthepainter5106]

I can't wait for this one to arrive so I can see it in person! I appreciate your NGD service! The process was so easy!

[@HAL900032]

that finish is absolutely fantastic

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

Love these videos. Something nobody mentions is Trogly's voice is so soothing. Feel like I could nod off to his chill voice 👍

[@sagittated]

GuitarSMR

[@James-ec4eb]

Yeah if you like Mr.Magoo sounds like a 60s show dad nerdville for real couldn't sleep to that I hardly can take the whole video however I like him

[@noel0004]

im in love with this guitar holy shit

[@christopher-miles]

use the flipping tone knobs

[@sporez]

I always love the funk riffage when testing Strat clean tones, todays was more fun than usual👍

[@THE-CRT]

Fender mustang turns 60 this year, however it's nowhere near as popular as the strat, even in 2034 we'd be lucky to get some good reissues.

[@michaelandrews8944]

I never knew you needed more than 2 humbuckers even though most fenders have 3..I do like the different tones..my man has talent 😮

[@Photognick521]

I’m on time for the upload tonight!

[@chrisghiardi117]

Reminds of Kramer's flip flop paint 40 years ago. I guess the days of the strap and cable with the Fender guitar are long gone. And springs.

[@chrisb3976]

I had a Gibson Les Paul years ago that had a color changing finish. Went from green to blue.

[@kaikuangyngwie3882]

All fender neck joint should be like that

[@Job.Well.Done_01]

This is my fave strat since the Bruno Mars sig they released last year!

[@stoneglad]

I LOVE my Bruno Mars! Most people don’t seem to get the value or how amazing all the specs and the great looks are and just get hung up on the fact it’s got Bruno Mars name attached to it and it’s expensive.

[@richardcranium8500]

You flip the pick guard up on that thing and its a laptop! I like the 40th anniversary 1954 strat they are good ones.

[@denverrandy7143]

That is Awesome!!!👍

[@johnbillson3767]

!Might be me but you can really play dude!! Love the variety. I understand why you do generic stuff for your reviews because it makes sense but this video was great!

[@presmasterflash7555]

Thank you, William!

[@rogeliogonzalez3093]

Finally a Fender Review lol

[@LiteralApe]

Nice icon, man

[@EarthAltar]

Very nice, Austin. Very similar to my 60th anniversary American Deluxe with some modern appointments.

[@aravindvinayakan]

This is very easily one of my top 5 favorite Fender finishes ever

[@86HAWK1]

Fender should've went with an Ebony Fretboard on this.

[@ethanhitchcock5431]

Aint a fan of the Amethyst finish , I love the neck with the black pearl inlays , Ide prefer the Antigua finish , Ive got a Jeff Beck Strat in the Surf Green , Love Strats !...Thanks Trogly !

[@themostswood4709]

I really like all the sounds with the hot humbucker. Wish Fender humbuckers normally sounded like that. But I understand that a majority of Fender players don’t want a hot humbucker

[@drzecelectric4302]

I’ve got the HER blue marlin. Fender is killing it in the paint department these days. However, noiseless pups are nothing like custom shop pickups. Less Strat vibe for sure

[@jimmyjames2022]

I don't know about you but I'd say this awesome 70th Ultra Strat actual colour is not 'amethyst' it's 'opalescent'. Amethyst is purple, opal has iridescent shimmers. But only OCD and rock hounds would care.

[@bored4428]

The grain on that neck is insanely good.

[@MaxPowerHouse23]

Just preordered this today, wont get it for a while but loving that finish. Will sit nicely with my GC exclusive quilted dark purples Les Paul. Also a beautiful guitar but not as reflective or fancy looking as this one. Nice video Trogly! Been looking out for videos on this model for the hardware and the finish; doesn’t appear to disappoint. Really looking forward on getting mine. 🤘🙏.

[@bluwng]

I played one at guitar center it does not feel like a Strat it is its own beast in a really , really good way.

[@daverobbe6560]

I really appreciate your show. Thank you for the content.

[@Kahuna54]

Maybe it’s the sound through the internet but not impressed with the sound so I’m surprised how much Trogly likes it.

[@Trog]

Sounded great in the room!

[@jimmyoandrhondalee7431]

Couldn't agree more.. Every Demo sounds bad on you Tube.. I tried the Ultra HSS and the thing is so dull. I'm not gonna spend almost 3K on a guitar and then swap out the pickups...

[@jimmyoandrhondalee7431]

@@Trog LOLOLO I'm sorry but this is too funny I love your videos and the time you take to highlight the features but come on man Where's the sparkle, where's the sustain... Just bad pickups

[@huncysound]

“10 years gone” now I know the correct way to play it. Thanks for the great videos

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Between that finish and that one BIG pick-up in the rear, the overall design falls in to that "iffy" range. That neck is wonderful...just for the looks. I was thinking that it would sound a bit more "different."

[@misternobody4786]

Looks like opal

[@vincentrandles8105]

My only gripe with it is still that volume knob placement...they should have started there. Other than that, even I must admit that it's a very nice fender. Right down to the small stuff. (Like the fact that Schallers are already on without ME having to install em.) Now there's an idea Gibson!

[@davidkelter8379]

A real beauty for sure. But I'm more than happy with my MIM Strats.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Nice looking guitar! Reminds me of those late 80s early 90s Krammers with the holographic foil finish

[@johnkuykendall467]

I got the 70th 54 strat. I’m thinking maybe I should have got this one. Love the 54…but this one has ALL the tones.

[@WendigoSotomonte]

Amazing

[@WilliamHaisch]

Wake me when Fender has _“Octo-Tap”_ humbuckers! 😂

[@jimmyoandrhondalee7431]

I know What marketing bad sounding BS

[@ThePonDePon]

2:53 you can see the wood grain under the finish!!!

[@RolandSpecialSauce]

No you can't.

[@lyric.kayden]

Might wanna get your eyes checked out.

[@warbound91]

Hey trogly what amps do you play through? The strat sounded amazing

[@tonedowne]

Love it. Don’t know why they put a skinny trem block in it though

[@JasonBowenGuitarista]

This guitar is amazing, got mine a week ago and cant stop playing it. Great review

[@secretagent4610]

Pretty cool. Love that finish.

[@user-qe9fr8ft6d]

Hello. May I ask you a question concerning the Ultra Quadra Tap pickup? I ordered the guitar but I'm very surprised that the pickup is noisy in humbucker mode (i.e. with the S1 vol switch not pressed) - more so in the hot voicing mode (with the tone switch pressed). Surprisingly, the hum/noise goes away when I coil-tap it into the single-coil mode (i.e. press the S1 button)- which is the exact opposite to what I would expect. Normally, humbuckers cancel hum and vise versa. So I wonder if this is the design of the Quadra Tap or if I have a faulty piece? Thanks in andvance.

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Nice paint job. It does remind me of a Player Plus though.

[@kyanche]

Seeing this one makes me want to put a black pickguard on my cobra blue ultra lol. And yes I LOVE that finish!

[@MuscleCarLover]

I picked up one of the 54s, but I gotta admit that Antigua Burst looks fun

[@benrios7902]

Noiseless pickups still suck wow

[@vaske244]

Man I would be thrilled if you could do jim root strat review

[@weedian710]

That fretwork does look great, as it should.

[@martinclayton7260]

It looks beautiful, i wish it was mine! Id stick some Bare Knuckle pickups in it, that would make it sound a million times better!

[@michaelandrews8944]

Definitely got a little pearl white with some kind of blue awesome..but I'm a prs man but did have a 30th anniversary I sold to a guy in a band who had to have it but I'm digging the p/up hidden buttons 🎉

[@Jeterax]

Great as always! Love when you do reviews outside of Gibson world.

[@DavidMorales008]

H.E.R. Ultra

[@garyj6006]

Might consider buying just to stare at it.

[@julianmetcalfe1070]

Beautiful craftsmanship ,love the paint job ,sounds great

[@elflakeador09]

Looks and sounds fantastic

[@charleswallace5818]

If you want to play a strat, the hum is part of the strat, or build a better pickup with less hum, but that is just my opinion. Thanks for sharing

[@TheBenwaugh69]

What I don’t understand is why it took fender so long to add a comfort cut to the heal of the body . I’ve got a 2020 ultra Strat it shreds . I have since modified my warmoth parts caster and tele to have the same heal slope . In reality I don’t even know why they still make the bulky models they do .

[@jeffcookdotau]

It always disappoints me that a top-end instrument like that has a mountain of buffing compound in the cavities. It would be a nice touch if they could actually clean it out. If that's the only bad thing that I have to say about it, then they've obviously done a good job otherwise (although I couldn't help noticing the marks on the frets while you were saying how shiny they were). I'm thinking that I might need to sell some stuff to get one because she-who-must-be-obeyed isn't a fan of new guitars finding their way into our home.

[@MikeE-]

I like the fretboard and neck

[@mboyer68]

I sense a disturbance in the force. It sure seems Trogly is starting to like Fender guitars a bit more. All i can say is, yay!! What did you start to play at 13:54? I like it!!

[@anavnaj]

Trogly, why did you stop using a neck profile gauge in your videos? It was really useful! 7:24

[@dropsonic]

Pickups are indeed different. The data from the official service manuals: 70th Anniversary Ultra: 8.28-8.79K neck, 8.93-9.48K middle, bridge 5.69-6.04K split, 7.72-8.20K vintage voicing, 11.41-12.11K hot voicing. HSS Ultra: 12.3-12.9K neck/middle, 13.9-14.5K bridge. SSS Ultra: 7.9-8.7K neck/middle, 9.2-10.0k bridge.

[@jimmyoandrhondalee7431]

Yes and they sound HORRIBLE Fender PLEEEEEZE Stop this craziness with these new guitars.. Just horrible tones

[@dropsonic]

@@jimmyoandrhondalee7431 Why? Are they worse than the previous Noiseless pickups on the American Deluxe series? Or do you mean that the stock pickups on regular Ultras are better?

[@czechplastik]

The pickups are one of the best features. They really got those right.

[@joshuatidy-bl9ue]

I need one now

[@youwotmate8248]

I personally prefer the og colors, like 3 colors sunburst and fiesta red

[@johndaugherty4127]

I want the Antigua.

[@youremostwelcome]

I still prefer the holoflake colour from the '90s Custom Shop Strats

[@ereimul1444]

The new Fender MIJ Hybird ii new spec is sound good too