The new American Ultra series is proves it's value as soon as you pick it up, sporting features that cater to a wide-range of players and styles. They may have Fender’s golden era in their DNA, but these high-performance instruments have been built for contemporary players who want to make music on their own terms. The Fender America Ultra Stratocaster keeps its traditional vibes while adding modern features for the new-age player! The neck is also toned to give it a more vintage look, and has a smooth Satin finish. Fender American Ultra Series Stratocaster and Telecaster review Fender has refreshed and renamed its American Elite series for 2020, but do the Californian guitar giant's new flagship electrics raise the standard? Try the Fender American Ultra Stratocaster, featuring a Ultra Double Tap humbucker that'll get you a well-defined Rock guitar tone we all yearn for, plus the snappy single-coil tones in the bridge once the S-1 switch is engaged to split the humbucker. July 21, 2020 February 28, 2020 by Beginner Guitar HQ Staff. On the higher register of the neck(or, the dusty end for those with an aversion to lead playing), there is a welcome continuation from the Elite series. This is the first time in decades Fender has changed its iconic body contours. The Ultra retains its classic Strat look, but now has subtle new body contours for the modern player, including the new heel shape. 2005 Martin JC Buddy Guy Acoustic-Electric Natural, Fender Custom Shop Globe Grain Elevator Stratocaster Masterbuilt Yuriy Shishkov, Gibson Memphis ES-335 Figured Natural 2017, Master Volume (with S-1™ switch), Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickups, 2-Point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo with Pop-In Arm. The Elite series were a definite step up from the Deluxe, adding a new neck profile, noiseless pickups, S-1 switching, ‘soft-touch’ knobs, and locking tuners. The S-1 switch works by offering an additional set of wiring configurations, thereby giving the player a larger variety of tonal options. Among the new revamped features is the modern D neck shape, which was previously a ‘C-to-D’ on the Elite series. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is available in Ultraburst, Aged Natural, Plasma Red Burst, Arctic Pearl, Mocha Burst, Texas Tea, & Cobra Blue. The neck pickup can be used alone, alongside middle, alongside just the bridge for a more tele sound, or with both middle and bridge. From the front, it looks like a traditional strat, but the back has become more ergonomic and comfortable on the body. The American Ultra Stratocaster's “Modern D” neck profile and Ultra rolled fingerboard edges makes for a completely uninhibited playing for hours of playing comfort, and the tapered neck heel allows easy access to the highest register. We will send you an email to reset your password. Along with cosmetic aspects like new colours and a gold logo, there are a few other noticeable changes bound to get Strat players itching to play one. ... Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS: 8/10. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster features Ultra Noiseless Vintage pickups offering players that true classic Fender tone without ever having to worry about any hum. Get up-close and personal with this guitar in our in-depth review! We dig this feature, showcasing the American Ultra's superior versatility. By Dave Burrluck 09 January 2020 It’s a guitar that is synonymous with the very idea of what an electric guitar should be. Released over 70 years ago, it is still as versatile and as unique as the day it came out. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a powerful, advanced, super-versatile axe for the modern player! Not only are the contours comfortable, but they give the body a sleek and attractive look as well! It’s a guitar that is synonymous with the very idea of what an electric guitar should be. Pricing subject to change. The Fender America Ultra Stratocaster keeps its traditional vibes while adding modern features for the new-age player! Ultraburst, Aged Natural, Plasma Red Burst, Arctic Pearl, Mocha Burst, Texas Tea, & Cobra Blue. So with a back catalog so inspired and legendary, and with very few failures along the way, what else is there for Fender to pursue when it comes to the Stratocaster? It improves on the Elite series not by introducing new revolutionary features, but instead by improving on the already astounding accomplishment the Elite paved the way for. Fender American Ultra Stratocaster review "This feels like that old familiar friend from Leo Fender’s brilliant mind, given a very well considered modern overhaul" £1,859; $1,899; By … It is the best of both worlds, not compromising on the classic Fender Stratocaster we know and love, whilst remaining contemporary and technologically appealing. It’s a subtle taper, which makes it still feel smooth and comfortable to play. It has a 10”-14” neck radius, which means it gradually gets fatter as you move up the neck. The Ultra series consists of four models: a standard SSS strat, an HSS strat, a Telecaster and a Jazzmaster. Fender American Ultra Stratocaster Review! The Elite series replaced the American Deluxe in 2016, and although this latest name change and upgrade are comparatively relatively minor, it still has some noticeable differences. The Ultra comes in a variety of colours, both modern and vintage traditional: The American Ultra is what all modern players desire; a look that sticks to traditional sensibilities, with all the modern bells and whistles that cater to players who wish to move with the times. Available on checkout. A speedy 10”-14” compound-radius fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets means effortless and accurate soloing. There are very few guitars in the world that elicit such palpable responses as the Fender Stratocaster. With the addition of the S-1 switch, you also have the ability to add the neck pickup in to any switch position, while the treble bleed circuit maintains your highs at any volume. Many of their models already feature these “modern” specifications. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. $1,899.99 Retail at the time of this post. Scroll below to see some hi-res photos of the new model from Fender as well! This latest configuration from Fender does not boast the same leap in features, however builds upon and refines what the Elite series began. Like its predecessor, it still remains among the three most advanced series of Fenders, along with Vintage-inspired, and Contemporary. Review: Fender American Ultra Telecaster & Stratocaster HSS. Some of these links are affiliate links meaning we may earn commissions on purchases. Countless other manufactures have attempted to copy it, to model it, and to come close to its legendary and look and feel. Need a little more power in the bridge position? How to keep such a classic, timeless, and culturally ingrained instrument true to its heritage, whilst not isolating die-hard vintage-purist fans, yet still pursuing innovation and growth? We may link to products if we deem helpful to the reader. The Elite had a rounded heel and matching modern look heel plate, and the Ultra improves on this with even more champfereing, and adding a palm contour on the cutaway, giving free and easier access to higher registers. Painful playing positions and limited fretboard access are a thing of the past thanks to Fender's tapered neck heel and sculpted rear body contours. Because the switch is discreetly housed within the volume knob, the appearance of your strat does not drastically change, giving a classic look combined with modern pickup options. You'll be able to get to notes you didn't even know existed with this guitar, and do it all without fatigue during long gigs. Here’s a detailed rundown of how it works: Ultra fretboards are available in both maple and rosewood, a slight change from the Elites which used Ebony. Players who know and love the Elite series will be enamoured by the small yet practical improvements, whilst players new to the advanced series of stratocaster will be utterly blown away by the improvements on a classic, timeless design. Fender-American-Stratocaster-Ultraburst-Fingerboard, Behringer Super Fuzz Review: SF300 Super Fuzz Pedal, Yamaha APX500III Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review, MXL 990 Review – Affordable Condenser Microphone, Master Volume (with S-1™ switch), Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickups, Deluxe Sealed Locking Tuners and Chrome Hardware, two: bridge and middle pickups wired in parallel, Position four: middle and neck pickups wired in parallel, Position one: all three pickups wired in series, Position two: bridge and middle pickups wired in series, Position three: middle and neck pickups wired in series, Position four: bridge and neck pickups wired out of phase, with a special tone capacitor, Position five: bridge and middle pickups wired in series and out of phase, in parallel with neck pickup.