All-New Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster - Demo & Review

Join James G as he explores the cutting edge of Fender's guitar innovation with the American Ultra II series, their most advanced line of instruments. Built for players who push boundaries, these guitars and basses combine premium materials, expert craftsmanship, and forward-thinking design, ensuring they not only elevate your performance but also stand the test of time.

The Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster features a sleek, select alder body with sculpted contours for enhanced comfort. Its quartersawn maple neck, with a Modern D profile and smooth Ultra Satin finish, offers effortless playability, while the fingerboard, available in ebony or quartersawn maple, features a 10"-14" compound radius, Ultra rolled edges, medium-jumbo frets, Luminlay side dots, and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut. The tapered neck heel and contoured body provide exceptional access to the highest frets.

Under the hood, the Ultra II Noiseless Vintage Strat pickups deliver everything from sparkling cleans to powerful leads, all without the hum. The S-1 switch unlocks additional pickup configurations, offering even more tonal possibilities. Other pro-level features include a 2-Point American Ultra synchronized tremolo with a pop-in arm, polished stainless steel block saddles, a cold rolled steel block, deluxe locking tuners, soft-touch control knobs, and a 1-ply anodized aluminum pickguard.

Designed for musicians who crave unmatched tone, versatility, and performance, the American Ultra II Stratocaster blends iconic style with modern innovations to elevate your playing to new heights.

📱 Socialize with Us:

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🎬 Credits:
• Host, Writer, Audio Engineer: James Gilliland
• Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor: Brad Tarpley

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🎥 Gear We Use:
• Cameras: Sony FX3
• Lenes: Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM, Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 GM
• Lens Filter: PolarPro Shortstache Filter
• Recording Computer: Apple M1 iMac (2022)
• Editing Computer: Apple M2 Max 14” MacBook Pro (2023)
• Audio Interface: Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre
• Shotgun Microphone: Sennheiser MKH416-P48U3
• Dynamic Microphone: Sennheiser e 906
• Ribbon Microphone: sE Electronics RNR1
• Small Diaphragm Microphone: sE Electronics RN17
• Recording Software: PreSonus Studio One
• Video Editing Software: Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve
• Audio Monitors: PreSonus Studio 5
• Controller: PreSonus Faderport
• Power Conditioner: FURMAN M-8LX
• Lights: Apurture 120d II
• Accent Lights: Phillips Hue Play Light Bar
• Guitar Amplifier: Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb (Blonde)
• Guitar Amplifier: Blackstar St. James 50 6L6 Combo

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Tarpley Music (Amarillo, TX)
3800 I-40 West
Amarillo, TX 79102
Call/Text: 806-352-5293

Tarpley Music (Burleson, TX)
628 SW Wilshire Blvd
Burleson, TX 76028
Call/Text: 817-736-1633

Tarpley Music (Clovis, NM)
1713 W 21st St
Clovis, NM 88101
Call/Text: 575-763-1993

Tarpley Music (Lubbock, TX)
3737 50th St
Lubbock, TX 79413
Call/Text: 806-797-5833

Tarpley Music (Plano, TX)
624 Krona Dr Suite 120
Plano, TX 75074
Call/Text: 469-685-1110

Tarpley Music (San Angelo, TX)
2200 W Beauregard Ave
San Angelo, TX 76901
Call/Text: 325-655-7381

Tarpley Music (Waco, TX)
1300 Lake Air Dr #1
Waco, TX 76710
Call/Text: 254-235-1127

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Overview 00:00
Demo (Clean) 02:47
Demo (OD) 12:05
In the Mix 21:08
Takeaways 22:26

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#fender #ultra #stratocaster

[bikersoncall]

00:49 I've played Strats for over
50 years, I see they've finally figured
out how to 'fix' the neck inset area,
via a slightly thinned and tapered heel.
This should have been fixed decades
ago. I wish they would figure out
that while some of us love having the
volume knob up against the strings,
many of us move them out of the way
the first week we get a 'new' strat..

[craigthomson]

I think the Texas Tea would look great with the gold anodised pick guard (and pickup covers / knobs), plus maybe a Texas Tea headstock. I also wonder what it would look like with a black pickguard and knobs/pickup covers. I would be tempted to add some different wiring options to make use of the three “spare” S1 switch positions. I have a Strat with an Ebony board and I think it suits the guitar well (I also love Maple and Rosewood, but not pro ferro nor laurel).

[abghg]

Great color with the black fretboard and black body or blue body .
And great warm full sound .

[Brati]

I think Texas Tea is simular color to the old Montego black.
Cream pickguard with black knobs and pickups looks great.

[petersouthwell]

I mean from what I see on the specs.. They just took Fender Ultra Luxe and renamed it to Ultra II? Confused. Or how it's different better then Ultra, or Ultra Luxe.

The Ultras, and the Luxes.. I can't honestly really see what needed to be improved. The guitars were the flagship of fender outside the custom shops.

I like Fenders.. but they're Tier strategies of late have been off kilter.

[djhoneylove]

Great playing, well built instrument. The color doesn't work for me with a white pickguard.

[Em_Dee_Aitch]

A board like that is pretty rare. They usually use that unevenly striped garbage.

[gsnqrsl]

Satisfy my curiosity how much are these guitars

[robert-wrmd]

What a surprise another Fender Ultra ll review.

[bikersoncall]

Stainless jumbo frets?
Ebony Fretboard and 22 frets is nice.

[ThisMoth]

Saved your video to learn your clean riffs later ;D

[dividedbytimestudios]

Nothing really jumped out as being worthy of a new model, same Ultra guitar!! 🤷🏻
I will say I have a Texas tea Tele and I hate those metal pick guards, I put a standard mint green one, the metal ones eat up your nails, 😂

[jimmyoandrhondalee]

Why does it seem like all demos I see on strats that no one ever really hits that hi E string. Maybe because they can't get it right at the factory without that annoying buzz and hi tone