Vibrant new finishes, V-Mod II pickups, pine bodies and fresh switching options headline new features
(Image credit: Fender)
Rumors of a sequel to Fender’s American Professional Series – which first launched in 2017 – have been circulating as far back as August, and now that day has finally arrived: meet the American Professional II Series.
As the name suggests, the American Professional II line-up is an evolution of the series rather than a revolution, with new features designed with input from Fender’s artist roster.
Chief among the new specs are the addition of push-push tone knobs, which switch in an additional voice on each model.
The Strat, for example, adds the neck pickup to any position (as per the American Performer series), while the same switch on the Tele runs its pickups in series. These models use new V-Mod II single-coil pickups, which promise increased articulation while retaining chime.
Humbucker models, meanwhile, utilize Fender’s smart Double Tap format – which retains volume when coil-splitting via the push-push tone knob – but upgraded to V-Mod II specs.
Playability tweaks include deep C neck profiles with ‘Super-Natural’ satin finishes and rolled fingerboard edges, the return of sculpted neck heels, as well as the addition of staggered tuners.
And, as Fender hinted to GW earlier this year, roasted pine has replaced ash as a body wood option on several models in the line-up – alder, of course, returns as an option for the entire series.
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There are a number of model-specific bridge/tremolo adjustments, too: an upgraded two-point Strat tremolo with cold-rolled steel block; top-load/string-through Tele bridges; and an intriguing new ‘Panorama’ Jazzmaster tremolo system, which promises Strat-style dives as well as classic Jazz wobble.
On that note, the Jazzmaster is perhaps the most electrically enticing of the new line-up, with the addition of a tappable bridge pickup for more vintage or modern tonalities, while the rhythm circuit now puts both pickups in series for a higher-output tone.
Oh, and, of course, there are those new finishes, some of which are model-specific: Miami Blue; black-gives-way-to-blue Dark Knight; 3-Color Burst; Silverburst-esque Mercury; and Mystic Surf Green.
Models in the line-up include the Stratocaster, Stratocaster HSS, Telecaster, Telecaster Deluxe, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass, Precision Bass V, Jazz Bass, Jazz Bass V and Jazz Bass Fretless, and each one includes a deluxe molded-style case.
Lefties shouldn’t panic, by the way: American Professional II Left-Handed Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass models are set to launch in early 2021, which is also the estimated arrival of the range’s five-string and fretless basses.
For a closer look at the specs for each model – and those fresh colors – scroll on down, and visit Fender for even more info.
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster – $1,499.99 - $1,599.99
(Image credit: Fender)
Deep “C” maple neck
22 narrow tall frets
V-Mod II Stratocaster® single-coil pickups
Push-push tone control adds neck pickup
2-Point synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles, pop-in tremolo arm and cold-rolled steel block
Alder or roasted pine body
3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Mystic Surf Green, Miami Blue, Dark Night, Sienna Sunburst or Roasted Pine finishes
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster HSS – $1,549.99 - $1,649.99
(Image credit: Fender)
Deep “C” maple neck
22 narrow tall frets
2-Point synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles, pop-in tremolo arm and cold-rolled steel block
V-Mod II Stratocaster single-coil pickups
Double Tap bridge pickup
Alder or roasted pine body
3-Color Sunburst, Mercury, Olympic White, Mystic Surf Green, Miami Blue, Dark Night, Sienna Sunburst or Roasted Pine finishes
Fender American Professional II Telecaster – $1,499.99 - $1,599.99
(Image credit: Fender)
Deep “C” maple neck
“Super-Natural” satin finish
V-Mod II Telecaster single-coil pickups
Push-push tone control activates series mode
Top-load/string-through bridge with “bullet” saddles
Alder or roasted pine body
3-Color Sunburst, Mercury, Olympic White, Mystic Surf Green, Miami Blue, Dark Night, Sienna Sunburst or Roasted Pine finishes
Fender American Professional II Telecaster Deluxe – $1,549.99
(Image credit: Fender)
Deep “C” maple neck
“Super-Natural” satin finish
V-Mod II Double Tap pickups
Push-push tone control activates Double Tap function
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
