A Modern Take on the World's Most Iconic Guitar
If you've been waiting for a Stratocaster that sounds vintage but plays like it's from the future, the American Professional II delivers exactly that. Built in Fender's Corona, California facility, this Strat takes everything players have loved about the model for over sixty years and refines it with thoughtful upgrades that actually matter when you're playing. The roasted pine body gives this guitar a distinctive voice — lighter in weight and with a punchy, resonant character that's brighter and more articulate than the typical alder or ash. It's the same wood Leo Fender used in the early days, now enhanced with a heat-treating process that improves stability and tonal response.
Three V-Mod II single-coil pickups deliver that classic Strat chime with better clarity and definition than ever before. The Deep C neck profile fills out gradually as it moves toward the body, offering comfort whether you're forming chords or running scales. Rolled fingerboard edges and a Super-Natural satin finish on the back of the neck mean your hand glides effortlessly up and down the fretboard. And the sculpted neck heel joint gives you easy access to the upper register without any awkward hand positions. This is a Strat built for players who gig regularly, record often, and need an instrument that keeps up with their ideas.
Whether you're a longtime Strat player looking to upgrade or stepping into your first American-made Fender, the American Professional II strikes a sweet spot between tradition and innovation. It's approachable enough for intermediate players and refined enough to satisfy professionals who depend on their gear night after night.
Roasted Pine Body: Lightweight and Responsive
The body on this American Pro II is made from roasted pine — a tonewood that gets overlooked but offers something genuinely different. Pine was used on early Fender guitars, including some of the snakehead Telecasters, and players who know it appreciate its lighter weight and bright, articulate voice. Fender's roasting process slowly heat-treats the wood to reduce moisture content, which increases resonance and dimensional stability. The result is a body that responds quickly to your playing, with a lively top end and clear low end that sits nicely in a mix without sounding harsh.
The roasted pine finish shows off the natural grain of the wood under a gloss urethane coating, giving each guitar its own unique look. Because pine is less dense than alder or ash, this Strat is noticeably lighter on your shoulder during long sessions. You get the full-size Stratocaster feel and tone, just with less fatigue after a few hours of playing. The classic double-cutaway contoured body remains as comfortable as ever, designed to fit naturally against your body whether you're sitting or standing.
V-Mod II Pickups and Expanded Switching Options
Fender's V-Mod II single-coil pickups are voiced specifically for each position, balancing vintage warmth with modern clarity. The bridge pickup delivers snap and bite without sounding thin or brittle. The middle pickup offers that signature Strat quack in the two and four positions on the five-way selector. The neck pickup provides smooth, rounded tones that are great for lead work and rhythm playing alike. All three pickups work together to give you the full range of Stratocaster sounds — from glassy cleans to chunky rhythm tones to singing leads.
The push-push switch on the second tone control is a smart addition that expands your tonal palette without adding visual clutter. When you engage it, the neck pickup activates in switch positions one and two, giving you two combinations you don't normally get on a Strat: bridge and neck together in position one, and all three pickups in parallel in position two. These options open up thicker, fuller tones that work great for certain styles and song sections. The switching is intuitive once you get used to it, and the extra sounds are genuinely useful rather than gimmicky.
Upgraded Hardware and Playability Features
The two-point synchronized tremolo bridge on the American Pro II uses bent steel saddles and a cold-rolled steel block, which adds sustain, clarity, and high-end sparkle compared to earlier designs. The pop-in tremolo arm stays where you put it and offers smooth, responsive vibrato action. If you prefer a hardtail setup, the bridge can be decked against the body with additional springs for increased tuning stability and sustain.
The Deep C neck profile is slim at the nut (1.685 inches) and gradually fills out as it approaches the body, creating a comfortable grip for both rhythm and lead playing. The 9.5-inch radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 narrow tall frets feels modern and fast, while the rolled edges and Super-Natural satin finish on the back of the neck eliminate any sticky spots. A bone nut contributes to the guitar's clear, resonant tone and helps with tuning stability. Fender Standard cast/sealed staggered tuning machines keep the guitar in tune reliably, even with moderate tremolo use.
Product Features:
- Roasted pine solidbody construction for lightweight feel and punchy, articulate tone
- Three V-Mod II single-coil Stratocaster pickups voiced for each position
- Push-push tone control activates neck pickup in positions 1 and 2 for expanded tonal options
- Deep C neck profile with 25.5-inch scale length and 9.5-inch radius rosewood fingerboard
- 22 narrow tall frets with rolled fingerboard edges and Super-Natural satin neck finish
- Upgraded 2-point synchronized tremolo with cold-rolled steel block for enhanced sustain
- Bone nut (1.685-inch width) and Fender Standard staggered tuning machines
- Sculpted neck heel joint for comfortable upper-register access
- Nickel/chrome hardware with 3-ply black pickguard and aged white knobs
- Made in USA at Fender's Corona, California facility
Brand: Fender
Model: American Professional II Stratocaster
SKU: 0113900763
Condition: New
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