Which is The STRAT for You? EVERY USA Fender Strat Model Explained!

So, if you’re in the market for a new USA Fender, chances are you’ll be asking yourself a few questions. Not content with convention, Fender recently tapped in to the contemporary vein with their brand new Ultra Luxe series, satisfying many guitarists with a taste for more sleek and modern designs and not-so-retro features, who will now be proud to finally adopt an instrument bearing the Fender name. For others, this is heresy, and nothing but the original designs should ever be tampered with, let alone released by the Big F. And, perhaps for most, there’s always the demand for something “in the middle” - a touch of retro home comfort, with a healthy dash of 70+ years worth of player-focused innovation.

Today, we’re going to attempt to answer as many of those questions as we can for you, by way of a full, in-depth USA Stratocaster range comparison. We’ve covered every model, from the entry-level Performer, to the latest Ultra Luxe, with the Original, Performer II & regular Ultra guitars taking the middle slots.

Every guitar you see featured in today’s video is available through our website, linked below. You will also have the luxury of picking the EXACT guitar you’d like to order.

So, let us know in the comments below which guitar resonates with you the most. Are you a dyed-in-the-wool Original player? Or do you like a taste of the hot-rodded Ultra life? Whichever way you stand, drop us a comment below!

Be sure to leave us a like if you’ve enjoyed this and, if you’re new here, remember to hit subscribe and ring the bell, so you’re notified whenever we post new content.

Thanks as always for watching, take care and we’ll see you next time.

Check out the Strats here:

0:00 - Introduction
1:51 - Tone Comparison
3:45 - American Performer Overview
6:27 - American Performer Clean
7:51 - American Performer Driven
9:09 - American Professional II Overview
12:02 - American Pro II Clean
13:43 - American Pro II Driven
15:37 - American Original 50s Overview
18:29 - American Original Clean
19:58 - American Original Driven
21:21 - American Ultra Overview
24:05 - American Ultra Clean
25:50 - American Ultra Driven
27:04 - American Ultra LUXE Overview
29:26 - American Ultra LUXE Clean
30:58 - American Ultra LUXE Driven
32:56 - Conclusion
(With thanks to, Zijing Cheng)

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[llwonder]

I don’t need a new guitar. I need guitar lessons from Jack

[zijingcheng]

0:00 - Introduction
1:51 - Tone Comparison
3:45 - American Performer Overview
6:27 - American Performer Clean
7:51 - American Performer Driven
9:09 - American Professional II Overview
12:02 - American Pro II Clean
13:43 - American Pro II Driven
15:37 - American Original 50s Overview
18:29 - American Original Clean
19:58 - American Original Driven
21:21 - American Ultra Overview
24:05 - American Ultra Clean
25:50 - American Ultra Driven
27:04 - American Ultra LUXE Overview
29:26 - American Ultra LUXE Clean
30:58 - American Ultra LUXE Driven
32:56 - Conclusion

[James-vrwh]

Last year I set out to buy the most versatile Strat without going custom shop. I wanted something that could do it all and last just about a lifetime. I settled on the American Pro II HSS. Played all the ones mentioned here except the Ultra Luxe. It was just something about the neck and the V Mod single coils. The double tap humbucker in the bridge is pretty decent too.

[luisvergarafernandez]

The American Original ’50s sounds… Majestic!

[orsmagyari]

The best Strat for me was a Squire Sonic series Hard Tail. Did a fret leveling job on it, changed the nut, tone pot, 2 pickups, screening of the cavities, spent 10 or so hours working on it. It plays like crazy, it has sweet tones with the True velvet pickups. And the total cost is the same as a Squire Classic Vibe and it's better than the out of the box Fender Mexican Starts.

[frankiedrocks]

Jack, the American Originals are 9.5 radius not 7.25. It's the one thing Fender changed when they discontinued the AVRI and went to the American Original.

[antonionaddeo]

What a pleasure this video! I have really enjoyed your proficiency in taking us trough the entire American range. Thank you!

[jeffreysurette]

Thanks for that.❤ Ive settled on the American pro ll strat . It is ... After all the standard, yes?😮

[williamhurrelbrink]

I just bought the luxe, exact color and neck as the one in this video and as far as I’m concerned. It’s perfect. I love everything about it. Great video.

[SkipRides]

I also love the 70s styling! I just received an American Performer and I'm awaiting it's arrival via the post. Definitely my favorite sound of the bunch besides the super luxe but that's way out of the budget.

[soljawaiian]

Thanks a lot Jack🤣! You just made me sell my once favorite Ultra Strat and buy the Original 50's without even blinking. After playing them side by side for a tone and feel test, it was no contest. The 50's won hands down. Tonewise, I had no idea how dull the noisless pick-ups sounded in comparison to the vintage. I'm a month into the guitar change and have no regrets at all.

Thanks for thr very comprehensive review!!!

[voiceofexperience]

The Performer has a lovely, natural sound to it. Quite a contrast to the synthetic, "tricked-up" sound of the Pro ll.

[TheBogfather]

I love these videos, from a guitar obsession POV but also with huge enjoyment at Jack's playing; he also comes over very well as a presenter. Splendid stuff thank you.

[frederickdefraeye]

All I can say is 'wow'. And I'm not talking about any of the guitars here, but about Jack's sublime playing here. Jack, I take my hat off to you.
We don't need another guitar, we need to play the heck out of the one(s) we've got and try to get as near as we can to this level of playing.

[vladzubac]

The ultra SSS sounds fantastic! those noiseless sound very warm and smooth! I have the HSS ultra in cobra blue..it's a wonderful guitar

[michaelsteven]

Robin Trower swears by the 70's headstock..Blackmore too..I must try one!

[jasonyltan]

Had the Performer for past 2 years - it was frankly the best thing at the price range. Those pickups are really something special, creamy and juicy with enough treble and bass which I can't get it anywhere else. The push pull thing is nonsense but this series maybe on its last legs given the new Player Plus encroaching into this price point.

[kevinwalters]

Great explanation of the American Strat models! I had not seen a review such as this before. A few days before I had already ordered a Ultra Luxe strat …don’t have it yet…and not regretting it either! Thanks for the great explanations and history of this great guitar!

[alexfeser]

Thanks 👍👍👍
That's a great comparison. Super natural sound, good information and great acting.

[yarrokon]

I've purchased a Performer, it was great but I ended up taking it back and getting the Ultra Version of it's little brother and L O V E it! One of the BETTER video's I've seen in comparing this round of Fender Strat Lineup!