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Fender American Ultra II Review – How Does It Compare to the Ultra I?

by Elliot /
17/12/2024

Fender’s Ultra II series showcases some of the best guitar manufacturing around, combining sleek aesthetics with innovative hardware and electronics. A slight step up from the original Ultra line, the new array of Ultra IIs is a collection of comfortable yet extremely technologically advanced guitars, all with that stamp of prestigious Fender quality.   

In this Fender Ultra II review, I’ll give you the low-down on the Ultra II series. From Strats and Teles to Meteoras, you’ll get to know the guitars that make the Fender Ultra series and how the Ultra I and II compare.  

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In a hurry? Here’s our verdict 

The Ultra II series introduces several updates, building on the stellar features of the Ultra I. Most notably, the S1 switching system has been refined, and the new Ultra II noiseless pickups have been incorporated for improved performance.

A quartersawn maple neck now replaces the standard-cut maple neck found in the Ultra I. Additionally, the series features new colour options, and rosewood fretboards have been swapped out for ebony.

We’re still seeing those classic Fender shapes with some of the most cutting-edge hardware money can buy. Despite that, the line-up of bold new colours might not be to everyone’s taste. What is for certain, however, is that these axes can be used for some of the most demanding performances.

ProsCons
Quartersawn maple neck provides a luxuriously smooth feelNoiseless Vintage pickups remove the charm of traditional single-coil hum
Great tonal versatility thanks to an easy split-switching systemNo Jazzmaster!
Premium Select alder body for light handling
Sculpted contours provide comfortable playability
Luminlay dots add a nice touch

Specification comparison

Ultra IIUltra I
Body woodSelect AlderAlder/Ash (depending on colour)
PickupsUltra II Noiseless VintageUltra Noiseless Vintage
Neck materialQuartersawn mapleMaple
FingerboardEbony or mapleRosewood or maple
Nut materialGraph TecBone
Side dotsLuminlayWhite/regular
Pickguard1-ply Anodised Aluminium3-ply
Bridge (Stratocaster)2-Point American Ultra Synchronized Tremolo with Polished Stainless Steel Block Saddles and Cold Rolled Steel Block2-Point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo
Bridge (Telecaster)6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail with Chromed Brass Saddles6-Saddle American Tele with Chromed Brass Saddles

Fender American Ultra II review

Build quality and design  

Fender American Ultra IIThe build quality of the Ultra II series really sets it apart from others out there, using premium materials in the most player-friendly fashion possible. Fender can confidently say they’re using “Ultra” modern guitar appointments. 

Guitars in the Ultra II series are made in the USA with a top-tier build process that combines the best of machine technology with 150 hand processes. That US serial number sure is a sweet sight to behold on any Fender model!

With a select alder body, you know you’re getting the best Fender has to offer. It’s nice and lightweight, making for easy handling which is enhanced by other ergonomic features, such as the quartersawn maple neck which provides a smooth, seamless finish and reduces the chance of the wood warping.

The Ultra I uses standard-cut maple necks. While this is all fine, quartersawn gives you that edge and enhances playability.  

The advanced design of the Ultra II series truly stands out, particularly with its sleek carves and refined body contours. Notably, even the Telecaster now features a Strat-style arm contour on the front of its body – a long-awaited feature for Tele players.

It’s worth mentioning that the Jazzmaster isn’t included in the Ultra II series. Fender have swapped it with the Meteora, which strikes me as the marmite of guitars – you’ll either love it or hate it. While I do miss the Jazzmaster, the Meteora fits Fender’s future-oriented direction well with its other-worldly design.  

The contours across the back of Ultra II models make for super comfortable playing, as the guitar rests perfectly against your body while you play. Creative design features such as this add a futuristic feel, solidifying Fender’s place as innovators of the guitar world in every generation.  

Finally, I’d be a fool to overlook the neck heel. It gives you free rein over the upper frets, so you can really let loose without hindrance. A little can change a lot in this respect; you’ll certainly feel a major difference between this and your average electric guitar.


Playing comfort

Fender American Ultra II neck plateWith such an innovative design and premium build quality, the guitars in the Ultra II series feel amazing to play. Like the Ultra I, the Ultra II uses a modern D-shaped neck. This simple yet effective measure makes for a silky-smooth neck navigation.  

While the D-shaped neck isn’t mind-blowing, with all the other minute details, it works its manoeuvrability magic. Super rolled edges and the ultra-satin neck only add to the smooth playing feel. You can glide across the fretboard, achieving a playing experience that matches the sleek race car design of the Ultras themselves.  

Rosewood fretboards have been replaced with ebony. As a matter of personal preference, ebony not only looks much prettier but also plays much more smoothly, so this swap is a welcome improvement.

The Ultra II also introduces four new car-inspired colours – Ultraburst, Noble Blue, Sinister Red, and Solar Flare – bringing more significant aesthetic updates to the series.

Luminlay side dots have been added to the guitars of the Ultra II series, letting you play in dark settings. While this is geared towards guitarists who’ll be playing on dark stages, I think it’s super cool, grungy feature for all players. 

Incremental improvements are the way forward for Fender this time around, keeping the features we love while making changes that give you a super modern playing experience. 


Pickups and sound  

Fender American Ultra II StratocasterNow, onto the main event: the pickups. The Ultra I Noiseless Vintage pickups of the original series have been replaced with the new Ultra II Noiseless Vintage pickups.

These represent Fender’s latest effort to eliminate the notorious 60-cycle hum of single-coil pickups while preserving their signature sparkle. They do an excellent job of delivering that classic single-coil brightness without the unwanted noise.

Personally, I enjoy the hum of authentic single-coil pickups. Silencing the single-coil hum just doesn’t feel right to me, it makes a Strat playing session eerily quiet. This is a personal gripe.

Objectively speaking, these pickups are a fantastic forward-thinking feature, so it’s purely a matter of personal preference. Besides, you can always swap the pickups with authentic single coils if you prefer!  

Another change in the Ultra II series is the replacement of the Double Tap humbucking pickup with the Haymaker. You’ll find it on the Meteora and the H-S-S Stratocaster. This is essentially a name change, a cool one at that. 

The S1 split switching system from the Ultra I series remains in place, allowing you to activate two individual single-coil pickups instead of a single humbucking output. In essence, it provides exceptional tonal versatility.

On the single-coil Ultra II variations, the split switch operates differently. The Tele has an Ultra II Noiseless Vintage Tele pickup at the neck and one at the bridge, with a split switch that puts you straight into series mode. This instant boost adds a subtle uplift to your playing. With the Strat S-S-S configuration, split switching lets you add the neck pickup to positions one and two, giving you seven tones to explore.  

As with the original Ultra series, the treble-bleed circuit allows you to retain your tonal highs even when lowering the volume – a crucial feature for Strat players. Additionally, pushing the tone controls just beyond their maximum effectively removes them from the signal. This detail highlights that the Ultra II series is designed with professional-grade performance in mind.


Hardware

Fender American Ultra II TelecasterThe Ultra II series showcases some minor hardware changes. Firstly, the three-ply plastic pickguard of the Ultra I has been given a more luxurious feel, with single-ply anodised aluminium taking its place. This really adds to the sleek race car-inspired aesthetics.

Deluxe cast locking tuners are still used for all guitars, they’re easy to use and keep you securely in key. The Tele’s control knob adjustment, upgraded from knurled to heavy-knurled, improves grip, which is great if you deliver intense performances and need to make accurate tone adjustments on the fly.

The switch tip is also angled, making pickup switching feel slightly smoother.  

Another small but notable change is the use of a Graph Tech TUSQ nut rather than bone. The self-lubrication of Graph Tech nuts keeps your tone and tuning consistent.  

A cold-rolled steel block has been added to the Strat’s two-point Deluxe synchronised tremolo, giving you a more tonally defined response thanks to better vibration transfers. The Teles use the same six-saddle American Tele bridge with chromed brass saddles as before. 

FAQs  

What is the most sought-after Fender guitar?  

The most sought-after Fender guitars are Vintage Fender Stratocasters from the ‘50s and ‘60s. These decades saw the Strat take off and gain mass popularity, played by legends such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.  


Who is famous for using Fender guitars?  

Many musicians are famous for using Fender guitars. Most notable is Jimi Hendrix, who played a conventional right-handed Fender Stratocaster, only flipped upside down to meet his lefty needs. He’s largely responsible for the increase in Strat popularity throughout the ‘60s.  


Where is the Fender American Vintage II made?  

Guitars in the American Vintage II series are made in Corona, California. They’re designed to give you a taste of Fender’s historical legacy. The Ultra series guitars are also made in Corona, California, which is typically a sign of a higher quality Fender instrument.  

Final thoughts  

Hopefully, this Fender Ultra II review has helped you decide on the right guitar for you from the series! The guitars in this collection have something for everyone, whether you prefer the trusty Tele and Strat models or the more extravagant Meteora. With stunning aesthetics and super modern features, you can’t go wrong with the Ultra II! 

“Tele” and “Strat” have been thrown around a lot in this article. To find out more about Teles, check out our guide to the best Fender Telecasters. For more info on Strats, read our guide to the best Stratocasters.

Already have a beloved Fender and need an innovative piece of tech to help you practise in silence? The Fender Mustang Micro Plus is ideal; see how it compares to the original Mustang Micro.  

 

Elliot is Gear4music's Content Writer for Guitars. He currently plays a Fender Jag American Professional and dabbles in a bit of bass here and there! Aside from his love for music and guitars, Elliot enjoys skateboarding.

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