Did You Get Wrong Pickups in Your Ultra Strat? | 2019 American Ultra Stratocaster Texas Tea | Review

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Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links In Description!
0:20 - Should You Upgrade?
3:33 - 90s Strat Ultra
4:35 - First Impressions
6:43 - A Precursor to Texas Tea?
8:01 - Inside Look/Specs
8:45 - The Wrong Pickups?
16:33 - Tone Talk - Regular
18:04 - Tone Talk - S1
20:35 - Dirty Demo
22:34 - Final Thoughts
24:09 - Condition
25:23 - Blacklight Test
25:44 - Case + Candy
Today we are talking an in depth look at the new for 2019 Fender American Ultra Series Stratocaster in the gorgeous Texas Tea finish. This guitar gave me quite the shock when I opened it up. Did Fender Put the Wrong Pickups in my brand new Strat? These look like Generation 4 Fender Noiseless Pickups - however, after talking with both Musician's Friend and Fender directly, they let me in on a secret. The EARLIEST Ultras used the same PCB as the old Gen 4s, but had updated staggering to the polepieces. They also marked these pickups with sharpie to get them another source of ID. As a consumer, I feel this was a very confusing way of doing things, but I thought I'd let everyone know! I'm sure this will cause someone issues somewhere down the road when they eventually sell theirs as used.
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[@Trog]

I'm sure this will cause someone grief when they eventually sell their early Ultra Strat on the used market and get called out for having the wrong pickups in it. Apparently, these early Ultras will use the same PCB as the old Gen 4s. Fun trivia to know - though I feel these should've come with special paperwork explaining it! Reverb: reverb.com/item/29922745-video-2019-fender-american-ultra-stratocaster-sss-texas-tea?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 0:20 - Should You Upgrade? 3:33 - 90s Strat Ultra 4:35 - First Impressions 6:43 - A Precursor to Texas Tea? 8:01 - Inside Look/Specs 8:45 - The Wrong Pickups? 16:33 - Tone Talk - Regular 18:04 - Tone Talk - S1 20:35 - Dirty Demo 22:34 - Final Thoughts 24:09 - Condition 25:23 - Blacklight Test 25:44 - Case + Candy

[@fanoboss]

I always thought that you were a Strat guy

[@nobodyspecial6881]

Not sure but I was thinking I read somewhere that the old HM Strat Ultras from the late 80s to early 90s had a 25 inch scale. Or at least some did. Not sure though I just remember reading that. Have a good day.

[@miserychannel666]

Wicked kool strat, Austin .. I'm partial to ebony boards, if that had the board of that older Ultra I'd rock it for shure ;) Cheers

[@QuoVadis88]

I am glad you are there watching out for us. However, Fender's explanation was logical. The part that was substituted did work. Your appraisal of the workmanship was far more detailed than I have ever seen. But you should wear a mask like Batman. I remember seeing a movie called Trog back in the late 1960's, with Joan Crawford. Come to think of it, Fender got back to you pretty quick. I guess they felt they had better answer you and not let you speculate to the world. Looking forward to more reviews. How about the 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb Hand Wired amp. The Fender Tre-Verb vs the Strymon Flint. The Fender MTG: LA tube 80's style distortion vs the Boss OD 200.

[@Lean6]

Hmm...so I wonder what qualifies as an "early Ultra Strat." How many of these old PCBs in inventory did those cheap bastards have to burn down? I've got an Ultra Strat arriving tomorrow. Now, i'm wondering whether i'm getting what was advertised. If they had 4th gen noiseless PCB inventory to burn down, they should have made more guitars that used them.

[@Hexspa]

These actually come with four silica packets so we know you ate one.

[@jacobbrown1690]

theu actually taste good in barley soup. lol. although u need go to poison control right after...

[@nine9whitepony526]

😂😂😂

[@edgargonzalez110]

I can’t get over how good this fender looks ! Probably my all time fav

[@ErielShredzz]

I can tell you’ve been practicing. Your playing is getting so much better/cleaner!

[@gp85hkg]

QC is everything... especially in that price range.

[@bubbie3533]

Love the in-depth review on this beautiful Fender guitar.

[@keithaxtman2663]

Excellent review and great attention to detail! Helps me decide on purchasing and what to look for. Thanks!

[@patrickbrown8540]

This thing sounds amazing!! Nice playing Trogly!

[@stevenpotter69]

Love that Stratocaster finish and pickguard. Off subject, but I find myself laughing when you do,after saying something funny. Lol,thank you so much for all you do. I don't comment much but I'm a big fan of your channel. Take care

[@edwardkennedy5500]

Austin that was an amazing strat and I loved the flamed too. I appreciate your channel and I have learned a lot.

[@johnbaab7728]

Thank you for your in depth review! I've been wanting to get the arctic white Ultra Strat with a rosewood fingerboard

[@agy04022761]

like always done with love to detail & huge knowledge of instrument history. i am with you trogly. Thanx a lot !

[@PsychedelicMind67]

I'm so glad that you're into Fender now!

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Nice demo Austin! I always learn a lot from your videos! I checked out one of these but in the Cobra Blue... great to learn I can switch out that bridge pup to a humbucker! That would be my perfect Ultra...though this Texas Tea finish is a really growing on me...I love to mod one of these with a set of Humbuckers in both the neck and bridge. Can't help but wonder what it would look like with a black mother of pearl pick-guard and all gold part's! Oh baby! Thanks for sharing! YOU ROCK! 😎🎸🐦🤘

[@gazparker6972]

Excellent review you always do the best reviews ✌🏼❤️🎸😎

[@314jrock]

I can't wait until Fender release more colors for the Ultra series.

[@waynecrowe9790]

The addition of the option to run all 3 and bridge+neck is something that G&L guitars have been doing for a one while now. But it's cool that fender is finally doing some upgrades

[@dingusfuzzklonnkt2755]

Anyone with $20 and soldering skills have been doing it since the 70s on their Fenders

[@TheNewenglandboys]

I love the ultraburst color. So I just bought the Tele Ultra in ultraburst with the rosewood fret board. Love it

[@adiseshkr]

Hi there ! Nice observations , another reason why the Texas tea finish seems so familiar - check out the Fender American Deluxe Montego Black finish .(2004-2010 models ). It’s exactly the same Color ,except they’ve just used white knobs and pick up covers on the ultra (Instead of black ). It’s just a branding thing of calling it “ Texas tea “. I own the same finish , but it’s 2008 American Deluxe , Montego Bay .;) Loved the review ! Cheers !

[@dogypup]

I have a little more than 24 hrs until my fender American ultra mocha burst with a rosewood fretboard will arrive. I was ok until you started playing. Now I'm excited. Man that strat sounds so good.

[@johnnyrandom100]

You know Trog, I've been subbed quite a while now and listening to your playing, you have improved quite a bit. The chords you play that are your own (you know the ones I mean) they sound like their becoming part of a song now. Are we gonna get some bass and drums to go with it? Well played in this vid as well. I hope you keep improving until you are satisfied you can play as well as you want to. Ha Ha. That's what we all want.

[@joshuadevries3459]

Those locking tuners are actually one of my favorites. You don't need to pull the string that tight... Might be operator trouble.

[@robertclarkguitar]

I'm happy I am in love with my MIM FSR Gilmour vibe. As is , stock it slams for the price.

[@Mexxx65]

Lol, looking to buy a used one of these today (Oct 2023). Yet never really noticed the Oversized new control knobs...........now that Austin has brought it to my attention.....I can't UNSEE it!!!!!!!

[@d.j.3568]

Just placed an order this exact model and color. 5-7 days I can't wait!

[@brocrash2687]

Same. How do u like it. Does the pick guard bother u?

[@zeeeOgre]

Love this channel. Many thanks.

[@floydloonie4880]

Happy to see more Fenders on The Trogley Show!!!

[@richardcramp2850]

New strings are pulling more on the springs ,only needs some adjustment ,great video austin

[@darrellmcdonald7883]

I have two guitars with the fender locking tuners and haven't had any problems at all with them. You do have to make sure you tighten up the locking part. The S1 switch works like the neck addition button on the fender Performer series guitars

[@eljison]

Great job literally taking this guitar apart and going through the craftsmanship and setup. I think the other two positions with the S1 change the way the pickups are wired in the circuit. Without S1 engaged in position 4 the neck and middle pickup are in parallel, with it engaged they are wired in series (I might have it backwards), but that's the idea.

[@julioguerrero8849]

Clarification: according to the Fender's service manual, all pickups are parallel when combined. If you activate the S1 switch, the neck pickup will be "always-on." So, for positions 4 and 5 the switch is redundant. Position 3 will turn into a duplicate of position 4.

[@SynoJi]

I work at a Guitar store and we received an Ultra strat that had a non functioning bridge pick-up, Reminded me of this video

[@egoandy1188]

I picked up two of these I made sure that Both have serial numbers that begin with “20” meaning made during at least this year . And yes inside these are gen 5 noiseless , so they did update the pickup situation. I have “ Cobra Blue with maple fretboard SSS” & also “ 3 tone Sunburst with Rosewood fretboard SSS “ .

[@chrisfelix7257]

I have the texas tea sss i love this guitar. Best strat ever made 🤟🙂

[@KonwTheTrut]

The comfort cuts make these fenders a must have for me.

[@Spaceboy1243]

(@ 10:00) FYI - not a treble bleed, just a ceramic tone cap. Treble bleeds are tone cap/resister pairs that are wired in parallel to the middle and one of the outer lugs of a volume pot. This is just the tone cap soldered to both tone pots.

[@lomba1974]

There are some SMD components on the PCB attached to the volume switch, probably that's the treeble bleed

[@blakecurtis7809]

I never liked strats. Love Telecasters and all the bass guitars. However between your recent Fender videos and Ola Englund showing his new Stratocaster, I have been more receptive and honestly, like the clean and distorted tones both of you have done. Love the videos, channel and you doing what you love as well. Thanks for changing my mind on the classic Stratocaster!

[@QuoVadis88]

Biggest difference for me between Strat and Tele, look at what fret the neck strap button is at.

[@eljison]

Fun Fact: Eric Clapton, a well-known Strat player did a commercial for Michelob in the 90s. Maybe they are planning a "reunion tour" sponsored by Michelob Ultra and the Fender Ultra Strat?

[@ascentiall]

Doesn’t Eric Clapton have peripheral neuropathy? It’s real difficult for him to play now

[@DoppelgangerShockwave]

That color reminds me of my 2008 MIM Strat I used to have. It was a 3-tone burst, but it had sparkles in it so it looked kind of rootbeer-esque. Wish I still had my Strat. Had to sell it, sadly, to pay bills. If I could find another one for the price I had paid I'd never let it go. Played really nice, and sounded great too.

[@samiam5557]

Can't complain with a Texas Tea strat! That Jazz bass Texas Tea is over the top on good looks I think! (its awesome)

[@RackwitzG]

The finish looks very good. I once had a '99 US Strat that had a painted maple fretboard. The paint was up on the side of the frets in higher positions and broke/peeled off in larger flakes while playing, displaying raw wood of the fretboard. When I sold it online the buyer wanted to give it back. I was done with Fender after that until I bought a Squire Tele two years ago, which had the satin PU finish like yours. Worlds apart.

[@deanallen9660]

My '95 had finish so thick it was refretted without removing it. Giant SS frets, hip deep in finish - they feel like medium jumbo. If I could pry it away from my daughter - I gave it to her - I'd strip it and oil finish it.

[@arn999]

I'm not a huge fan of noiseless pickups in general, but the Texas Tea color on these Is probably my favorite Fender color. It's just awesome, especially with that gold pickguard.

[@brocrash2687]

They sound perfect Its a good trade off with the v5 vs v4 IMO Try one if u get the chance

[@patrickbrown8540]

That is me beautiful Strat! I do t quite get the big deal about the cutout at the neck though. I have played the same Fender Strat since 2003 and have never had a issue reaching the high frets.

[@M139NG]

4:36 That is a cool reflection. It looked like a different shaped guitar for a second or two:)

[@GregTalksGuitars]

Very nice. I'm a simple guitarist so I like the simplified S switching. Very cool.

[@destroso]

That Texas tea color is amazing

[@kathisterimata]

Hey dude really nice demonstration. There are tons of videos that focus on the tone of these ultras but i am glad you went into all this trouble to show the workmanship (and minor flaws) of the instruments. I am torn between this and the HSS version. Is it possible that you could do a tonal comparison between the 2 in all positions but especially i want to see what is the difference in the single coil bridge setting for both (HSS and SSS). Thanx again

[@trevorhardy3544]

Single coils have their own distinct sound whereas the sound of humbuckers require external sources to be coloured to your liking (eqs, pedals, amps). Single coils aren't noisey like they used to be, so the purpose of humbuckers are almost pointless. You want Strat sound? Go single coil.

[@JoelWetzel]

I've never wanted a green guitar but a Texas Green Tea finish would be awesome.

[@sassycat]

Can't wait to see the Jazzmaster review.

[@NordArt1991]

That Strat with gold hardware... Perfection! 🤌🙌✌️

[@nalukeko]

I like the vmod generation best. Even the fat50s gen but prefer neck on vmod. No need for Ultra. Buying a new one I’d also prefer nice bright maple and letting it age on its own.

[@leoarjuncrasto]

The PCB at the Volume control is the treble bleed and the Capacitor at the tone control is the Tone Capacitor.

[@Sabrinathefishinggirl]

Ooh. That 90s ultra is pretty awesome. Drool. I like them both. But the older the berry the sweeter the juice.

[@HeiTheDarkReaper]

Jeremy Jones its the blacker the berry but i get what you mean hahaha

[@EDDYMAT]

The best review in the net, (not for playing) but for a close look, and for the only S1 diagram explaining that confusing (stupid) thing. Even for germans , who count different (:-) Don't forget to have a look inside, Fender looks horrible, EMG DG20 looks perfect. Thanks

[@thomasandolf7365]

i have ordered one, with sunburst and rosewood and i like it

[@stkbkr1]

Austin, thanks again for all you do, I LOVE YOUR VIDS MY BROTHER!!!

[@FirearmsGunGear]

I just bought an ultra in mocha burst, great guitar and the S1 switch is a good addition and adds to the versatility.

[@musikus7092]

I like the mocca burst the most

[@newspapertaxi-fredrodgers96]

How are you liking the ultra noiseless pickups, now that you’ve had it a couple of years?

[@FirearmsGunGear]

@@newspapertaxi-fredrodgers96 sold it a while back, loved the guitar but something else came up

[@Pierrestrata]

I Think this looks awesome :) love color on guitar with that pickguard :)

[@leftymadrid]

Love the channel, ALWAYS excited to seeing the content... On the Ultras, well I have the Elite, and I just do not like the S-1 switch sounds, on the other hand, the playability, and feel is great, but expensive in my opinion. The fender Standard sounds like heaven and the price is ok. Even so, I still don't use them much... But I have tried other so called Stratocasters and I won't mention any names (for fear of being iced) lol, but nowadays it blows me away how good the build, playability and tone/sound of some of these!!!!! AND the price you can only wonder how they can even build a guitar for those prices... Grant that in some cases one may up grade a couple things, but in the end it can sound INCREDIBLE. I personally use one of these for stage/live, and studio work, and believe it or not, it's my go to guitar!!!! I do get strange looks from other musicians at first, knowing what guitars I have, but when they hear the tone/sound they understand why I'm actually using the damn thing lol So, it goes to show that if you don't pay too much attention to the brand name...and for not a lot of money you can get a nice guitar... Having said that, I will admit that FENDER is an excellent builder of Stratocaster guitars but still quite expensive... Also the fact is that (at least in my case) and some very well known artists they tend to have a ton of guitars but only REALLY play their favorite #1-#2 guitars till the very end...

[@laflammechristophe4548]

What is your guitar please!:). I have a peve strat had it’s not bad at all

[@leftymadrid]

@@laflammechristophe4548 hi there, if ypu look on the "Thomann site" you will find many types of guitars AND brands to choose from, AND if you are not completely satisfied, you have 30 days to return item, I have bought from them and never had to return because I loved both guitars that I asked for! But if you're happy with the sound of your guitar, keep it and maybe upgrade certain things that you think may need changing... Happy playing :-) :-) :-) Remember it's REALLY not the type of guitar you have, it's how much you play it...

[@laflammechristophe4548]

@@leftymadrid thank man

[@davidholmer6099]

Seems a bit cheap for Fender to repurpose old parts in a guitar that retails for that much money.

[@richardb8317]

I agree with Dave...Top of line production...with last years parts....sorta...lol

[@QuoVadis88]

@@richardb8317 The pickups are new. The PCB board does not affect sound. Watch the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4qTYXdnoLGLjcU

[@onnostomp7138]

So Fender is fucking their customers, with generation 4 pickups instead of 5. Shame on them, thanks for such a high price.

[@Barbarapape]

I agree, fender just do a few subtle changes, raid the parts bin, then charge way too much for a few changes, as the prices keep going up the less they will sell.

[@gordahl2181]

My Ultra is 5th Generation. High E and D string pole pieces are same height. My 4th Generation Elite E & D different heights. 5th Generation pcb are Red for HSS hot pickups. Blue for SSS pcb. 4th Generation tan color. Maybe 100 or so Ultras had the 4th Generation PCB.

[@derekdlick2516]

2005 they did a montego black american deluxe with a gold pock guard. I loved that guitar. Lsr rolling nut.

[@jakemixd]

What a gorgeous guitar 😍

[@canertogan6462]

excellent review, thanks!

[@ScottJamesHicks]

If someone prefers the feel and look of this model, it would make an excellent mod platform for a single bridge humbucker pickup with only a volume knob. (Btw, the nut problem is kind of a bummer.)

[@EdgarHernandez-xj5mx]

The bridge and neck one sounds so good

[@bishop2284]

Great thourough Review, Thanks!!!

[@joeykelly5642]

Very cool color - but it's clear that Fender wouldn't be competitive in the high-end market if it weren't for the name on the headstock. Not sure what the issue is with modernizing their designs for players while keeping reissue-type guitars in the lineup for the collectors.

[@disturbed157]

They make charvel. Just get one of those. There's a reason every high end brand rips their designs off

[@93greenstrat]

It's funny how little has changed from the American Standard (especially post 2000) to the current Ultra series. With regards to the S-1 switch, they have really dumbed it down. I personally am more than happy with the regular 5 tones, but the S-1 was highly touted as a "must-have" feature. When Fender updated the Mexican made Deluxe Strats, they underutilized it IMO and this has now carried over the top-of-the-line production American Elite.

[@thevoxofreason8468]

These are pretty nice, though I do have to admit that I prefer a Tele, a classic spec Tele at that. One thing, I've only ever taken the necks off of my Fenders when I absolutely had to, like switching a body in one case. I personally don't like to do it. Anyway, this one sounded good, as it should.

[@michaelheaton9503]

I played a few of the Jorgensen Hellecasters when they came out and still wish i had picked one up, they were a really cool guitar

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

“The nut is made of bone...” Sounds like an old blues lyric.

[@josed5584]

JohnnyArt Pavlou sounds like skeletons having sex to me

[@fatmatrow]

@@josed5584 the bones are their dollars

[@ayoutubeaccount864]

It’s like a kidney stone but instead of to much sugar, it’s cannibalism Or dead person sex

[@QuoVadis88]

Hey hey hey, I checked my 4th Gen Elite vs my 5th Gen Ultra and my Ultra is legit. Comparing high E string pole piece and D string pole piece same height to be legit. Checked yes. Then Checked Elite and poles pieces are definitely different. Must see up close but definitely different. My Ultra vs my Elite are different pickups. Can tell by color of PCB board too. Current Ultras will have a red (HSS) or blue (SSS) color depending on the model and will also say "Ultra" on the silkscreen. Also get a Certificate of Authenticity. I got well over 500 on the serial number. So the first few or the first few hundred were mixed. After that they are pure Ultra. Checked S1 switch settings and which tone control controls which pickup combo.

[@bear5141]

I just got mine and it's beautiful

[@garryhudson6945]

Staggering of pickup magnets is only a matter of gently pushing in or out whilst bobbin is removed from base, then reasemble.

[@r3d5ive33]

I wouldn't have been surprised. I ordered a 2019 American Original 60's P Bass and it showed up with the WRONG PICKUPS in it. I contacted Fender, confirmed they were wrong. Talked to the company I purchased from and they said it would take 3-4 months to get the replacements from Fender... I returned it and bought a Music Man.

[@avielkharrat5788]

Sounds awesome, looks awesome.

[@bobbywhitlock6841]

Love the Ultras! Great guitars! Had one on the workbench for a client that had terrible fret sprout! Those stainless frets are awesome but they will chew up a diamond file pretty fast if you do have to round them over. I havent had one of the Ultras or Elites with maple that didnt have fret issues from the Factory.

[@jeffmcelroy5437]

Is there any chance of you acquiring & documenting the Page Dragon Telecaster? Really enjoy your channel. Thanks.

[@LIITAHC]

finally they decided to add in strats gilmourish "the seven-way switch"

[@rafaelconstanzovicens9094]

That bridge+neck position I used to have it in my strat with an extra 2 way toggle switch xd also I had another switch that made the bridge and middle pickup being in series and, when you put the 3 pickups working, you can use them all in series xD

[@clarkbabin9799]

That color was an option on some of the higher end Chryslers from the 90s and early 2000s. I'm thinking the double stickers are QC and final QC. What would be cool is if Fender could have a circuit ind the middle position whoth the switch on that would double or add some other effects to it. Think what I'd change about this guitar I'd have the whole neck and fretboard in a baked look. Good they changed th case or at least the latches. The one I have also can be used with strat or tele but the latches have to be checked to make sure the caught the lid part of the latch. Thought I had mine closed up when I went to move it the lid popped open and the guitar flopped over on to the lid yanking loose the straps that hold the lid from opening further. I was able to fix that with a little gorilla glue but now I double check the latches.

[@nathanglass512]

There should be a discount for the ones using old parts. Dirty on Fender's part. Great catching that!

[@minnesotahawk4090]

Hey trogley the yellow iridite finish on the aluminum pickguard will wear through if you scratch it deep enough. It's like stained aluminum.

[@MrBrymstond]

The volume knob is way to close to the bridge when strumming and dampening when your hand has to rest on or near the bridge and the center pickup gets in the way when picking for me so I would put a new pick guard and two humbuckers, relocate the new 500 ohm pots or not drill any holes and wire them directly and hear how that would sound, no variable resisters to alter the sound if I had one and maybe add volume pedal, but that's why I love Ibanez for aggressive playability without turning the guitar down and a slim ripping neck instead of that half moon design and I know Ibanez has the rounded necks as well, but they at least provide a choice.

[@emptypromises2962]

Oh man, there was a John Jorgensen Hellecaster hangin' in a small music store in my hometown about 10 years ago. I believe they wanted about 1000$ for it. I shunned it because of the unorthodox look with the split pickups and all. Man how little did I know back then? I was such a young fool. God damn I would have wanted that sweet Hellecaster so bad now.

[@fcariani]

I heard you say the thing about the increased price a couple times, but it should be noted that actually the Elite series used to be $1,899 (that’s what I paid for mine). It dropped in price to $1699 towards the end of its cycle.

[@ISaudio]

A couple years later and the Ultras actually went up in price. Currently $2100 usd

[@dingusfuzzklonnkt2755]

@@ISaudio just bought a mocha burst strat in unplayed condition for $1599 plus tax from my local mom and pop, great guitar. My butterscotch ash body elite tele is still my love though. The necks are nearly identical on paper but the elite is butter.

[@Podcastforthewin]

They are now 2,969.99 in Canada at Long & Mcquade

[@vladzubac5360]

what amazes me is that the bodies are different between Ultra Plus (old one) and Ultra (new one). Also...few people notice that even from former Elite strats...the Ultra bodies feel a little bit slinky-er. If you would look closely, the edges are a bit rounder..and the horns feel smaller on the new Ultra-s...great guitars for the price!

[@GettingEasyMoney]

Have 3 sets of Fender locking tuners, never had a problem with unwinding.

[@jamesmcgrath6938]

I miss the wheel adjustment- made the Elite look more versatile and a modern fender. Might as well just mould a contoured heal into my American Professional Strat 🤘

[@throwingshapes6490]

Wow that was thorough.

[@ukutiki]

Hey, you didn't use the tremolo bar! Just kidding. I'm revisiting. I just ordered the 2023 version with gen 5 vintage noiseless single coil pickups in surf green with roasted maple neck, a Sweetwater exclusive. Thank you for your review of the earlier Ultra iteration!

[@EBMAJ9]

Just ordered one its a 2022 should be in my hands in a few days..

[@JG-ux7of]

That S1 switch option is a feature I've had and used for several years on My G&L S-500 Tribute. I paid $350 for it and prefer it to any Strat that I've ever played.

[@robertclinger7351]

I, too, have an '05 clear red S-500 Tribute in great shape. I added Sperzel locking tuners, and graphite nut, cleaned up the fret ends, added copper shielding, and this baby rocks! Plays great! I bought it used from GC. It basically just needed a set up.

[@QuoVadis88]

Fender American Ultra is different. Especially the HSS Strat.

[@JG-ux7of]

@@robertclinger7351 They are great guitars, my S-500 and Fallout Tributes have better fretwork than my American Standard Telecaster or my American Professional Jazzmaster. G&L put out amazing low cost imports that come stock with great pickups and bridges/trems. The nut and tuners are ok but like you I replaced them with locking tuners and Graphtech nuts. I replaced the pickups, pots, switch and jack in my Fallout to a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a Bareknuckle True Grit P90 in the neck but honestly I didn't even need to. The only thing that was necessary was the jack because the stock jack was a little noisy. I have no need to buy a Strat because my S-500 gets me close enough and I love it. I loved that I could the ability to use all pickups at once and the neck and bridge pickup together. I also prefer the master treble and bass bleed over the traditional tone knobs and I prefer G&L trem and saddles over Fender's.

[@dingusfuzzklonnkt2755]

@@JG-ux7of the imports are not G&Ls. If you ever own one and get use to the necks you'll never be able bond with a tribute. G&L pays the factories $40 per box, they don't have anything to do with the construction of the instrument. The only thing american on any tribute are the mfds, the trem, saddles, wiring is all indo. They are great guitars, you love your guitar even with it falling way short of the us standards. Go find a used s500 and you'll have a guitar that Jake from Umphreeys plays every night when he could easily buy any guitar he wants. G&Ls also use a Passive treble bass system.

[@vapporiesat3125]

yo trebble bleeds go on the volume pot. this guitar has the normal caps on the tone pots, found in almost every guitar

[@julioguerrero8849]

Yep. And the PCB on the volume pot is basically Fender's Tone Saver 250k (the treble bleed circuit) optimized for space.

[@TheTacdriver]

Now I can see why I like my $50 Squier standard strat!

[@forevernow9459]

Why

[@KapnKregg]

I had a Fender Ultra Jazz bass for a bit. I discovered that it actually had the wrong neck installed from the factory, along with the wrong bridge. Fenders QC is really all over the place.

[@mikepj1025]

Hey great video as always. I noticed your bridge was very high off the body. It wasn’t flush. Do you prefer it to be so lifted? And if so why?

[@QuoVadis88]

Ever heard of Strat players like Jeff Beck? Tremolo bridge floats 3/16 off the body, and gives a whole step raise if he pulls it all the way up...and yes, three springs is all he uses.

[@ziggylayneable]

I prefer those larger knobs.. especially the ones with the white rubber around them gives you a little bit more grip....

[@biglutherie]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a Wilkinson nut on the 90's Strat Plus Ultra you showed? It doesn't look like an LSR but I couldn't really see it that well. They did switch to an LSR at some point before those went out of production, I'm pretty sure.

[@horacebond9394]

Lewis A. I know you weren’t asking me, but yes you are correct Wilkinson nut

[@littlefish_tvlftv6025]

Neck and bridge would be more of a tele sound or should be. Not sure how Gibson is involved if you had P90s I suppose. Great job thanks for the review, love the channel

[@wulfboy01]

Got to love a Stratocaster!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

A little card reads : This guitar subject to specification change without warning