The American Professional range of guitars and basses has become a top seller in the Fender catalog since its introduction in 2017. After sifting through years of customer and artist feedback, the company decided to update the design specs once more. The Fender American Professional II series represents another step forward in the evolution of electric guitar and bass design. While paying homage to the classic Fender sound, each instrument in the range has gotten a few upgrades to fit the needs of today’s player. A new Super-Natural satin neck finish, reimagined Fender V-Mod II pickups, versatile electronics packages, and three new colors make these instruments a must-have for collectors, Fender fans, and gigging musicians alike.
Meet the Lineup
The American Professional II lineup includes some of the most well-loved models in Fender history. On the guitar side, the American Professional II series consists of the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Jazzmaster. There are also classic variants, including the Telecaster Deluxe and HSS Stratocaster. Each model is available with either a maple or a rosewood fingerboard.
For bassists, Fender has included both the Precision and Jazz Basses. Each model is available with rosewood or maple as the fingerboard wood. There are also 5-string versions of both basses along with a fretless iteration of the Jazz Bass.
Left-handed models are available for the American Professional II Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass.
A Host of Player-Centered Upgrades
For the last seven decades, Fender instruments have always played well and sounded even better. We’re proud to announce that the American Professional II line continues this tradition. Each instrument features comfortable upgrades, including Fender’s never-before-seen Super-Natural satin neck finish with gloss on the headstock’s front. Rolled fingerboard edges add extra comfort and facilitate smooth playing. Finally, each American Professional II guitar and bass has a sculpted neck heel for extra comfort when you’re playing in the upper register.
For playing comfort, the American Professional II solidbody guitars have classic maple necks carved into Fender’s “Deep C” neck profile. The “Deep C” sits between the “U” and “Modern C” in terms of shape and feel. It feels reliable and stable in your hands without making you feel like you’re playing a baseball bat with frets on it. Whether you’re performing soaring solos or strumming cowboy chords, you’ll feel at home on this neck.
The American Professional II Precision Bass’s neck is laid out in the ’63 P Bass profile, which some players claim to be the best among Fender’s neck profiles. The American Professional II Jazz Bass comes with a “Slim C” neck profile for slick performance.
V-Mod II Pickups Refine the Classic Fender Sound
Tim Shaw, Fender’s pickup prodigy, has a penchant for experimentation that’s led him to redesign his V-Mod series of pickups. Christened V-Mod II, these pickups have the timeless Fender chime with the clarity and response that modern players need. Each model in the lineup has redesigned pickups that bring out the best tone possible. Whether you’re going for ultra-clean, gritty, or downright dirty, your American Professional II axe will handle it with ease.
The American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe and HSS Stratocaster are loaded with Double Tap humbuckers — a definitive upgrade from the previous iteration’s ShawBuckers. Double Tap humbuckers have gained notoriety among players for their sonic versatility. In the humbucking configuration, they create a full-throttle sound with excellent note definition. Switch a Double Tap into its split single-coil mode, and you’ll get a nicely balanced tone without any volume loss.
A Range of Finishes to Choose From
Instruments under the American Professional II umbrella are available in a range of crowd-pleasing colors. There are three all-new colors in the range: Miami Blue, Mercury, and Dark Night. Of the classic Fender colors on offer, players can choose from Olympic White, 3-color Sunburst, Mystic Surf Green, and Black.
Those aren’t all the finish options you can explore! Some finishes are only available over a lightweight and comfortable roasted pine body. Those finishes are Roasted Pine, Sienna Sunburst, and Butterscotch Blonde. If you’ve never played a pine guitar before, have no fear! Roasted pine is a top-notch tonewood for solidbody guitars. In fact, pine was the wood used for Fender bodies before they switched over to alder and ash! A pine-bodied American Professional II will have a unique blend of snappy treble and warm midrange for a solid tonal foundation.
