New Strat…Last Strat…

[PTony]

Hello friends! Happy Friday. Many of you have been a part of my musical journey for some time. Many guitars, amps, and pedals have come and gone. As of late I’ve really refined and honed in on the long term. Adding some great guitars along the way. Unfortunately, I’ve never located “THE” Strat to help round out my Stable. And I’ve owned a few. Recently, while working at my local shop this gal made her way into my hands. American Pro II NOS. The neck was fuller than I was used to (not as chunky as my LP 50’s Traditional…which I LOVE), but really felt very natural and comfortable. The build quality is excellent. Truly great. Huge resonance unplugged. Massive sustain. Rolled fingerboard. Treble bleed. V-Mod pickups that sound phenomenal. Not to mention a push-push which gives you the neck and bridge in position one (think Tele), and all 3 pickups in position 2. Factor in the TSA hard-shell and it’s a home run. The mint guard is the cherry on top. Forgive the poor picture. The mb limit here is brutal. I think she might be…the one.

[joeappel]

It's a beauty! Congrats!

[Glennwillow]

Wonderful Strat! Congratulations! I have a Strat Pro II and think it's terrific -- great sounding pickups, great playability! Good for you!

- Glenn

[rmp]

Strats are one of those things that we must have least one, but more is gooder.

[guitararmy]

That is one classy Strat!
Congratulations! Needs a floral fabric strap…

[Puddleglum]

That's all the guitar a player would ever need.

[GoPappy]

Congrats on finding a great guitar. I had an Am. Pro II Tele, and it was all the guitar a guy would ever need. The Am Pro II series is really well built, and I thought the neck and rolled fingerboard on mine were great.

I really like the push-push coil splitting versus the push-pull type. When you're in the middle of a song, it's much easier (in my experience) to do a quick push than trying to grasp the knob and do a pull.

[PTony]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Wonderful Strat! Congratulations! I have a Strat Pro II and think it's terrific -- great sounding pickups, great playability! Good for you!

- Glenn

Thank you, Glenn. I am very pleased with the addition. The V-mod pickups really took me by surprise. Although, I did lower mine to the guard or right around there. Very smooth and buttery in the neck and great bite on the bridge. I like position 1 with the push-push engaged. Tele(esque) tones on tap. I also put .010’s on it and dialed it in to play superbly. I believe it is the best fit I’ve had…Strat wise.

Originally Posted by rmp

Strats are one of those things that we must have least one, but more is gooder.

Agreed. A great tool in the aresenal. And yea…More is gooder!

Originally Posted by guitararmy

That is one classy Strat!
Congratulations! Needs a floral fabric strap…

I actually have a teal, purple, black, and white floral strap. I’ll try to get a pic of it but the picture posting process here is frustrating to say the least.

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

That's all the guitar a player would ever need.

Prob so Puddleglum. I’m sure it would get it done. Although, as rpm said, “more is gooder”.

Originally Posted by GoPappy

Congrats on finding a great guitar. I had an Am. Pro II Tele, and it was all the guitar a guy would ever need. The Am Pro II series is really well built, and I thought the neck and rolled fingerboard on mine were great.

I really like the push-push coil splitting versus the push-pull type. When you're in the middle of a song, it's much easier (in my experience) to do a quick push than trying to grasp the knob and do a pull.

I love the neck too! At first I was put off by it. But the more I played it, the more I dug it. Like my 50’s Traditional LP. Full, but not baseball bat. The push-push is actually pretty great. As is the treble bleed. I find myself loving the Tele tones in position 1 with the push-push engaged. I would concur that it’s quick… and seems less noisy. Which is important to me.

I’m VERY pleased. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[PTony]

Originally Posted by joeappel

It's a beauty! Congrats!

Thank you, Joe. Classic Strat. Although I’m not usually a fan of white or pearloid pick-guards…the mint is subtle enough, I really like it. I considered “black-guarding” it with matching pickup covers, switch tip, knobs, etc.

Maybe someday I’ll switch it up a bit. But as of now I’m favoring the mint.

[abn556]

I have had Strats since in the mid 80s. When you’re in the mood for that Strat thing, nothing else will do.

[rmp]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

That's all the guitar a player would ever need.

well, not everything, like what about a Marshall? hmmm???

[RussL30]

Congrats, That's nice!


The black and maple is such a classic color combo. I didn't plug them in, but I picked up and noodled on both an American pro strat and tele when I was visiting Gruhn's last spring and they both had one of the best feeling necks I've ever felt.

[ghostnote]

If you find the right Strat, it’ll be your friend for life. The guitar I’ve owned the longest is an American Standard Strat that I bought new in 1989. It’s just a great guitar - hope yours works out as well. Enjoy.

[PTony]

Originally Posted by abn556

I have had Strats since in the mid 80s. When you’re in the mood for that Strat thing, nothing else will do.

Agreed 100%. As much as I love my others it was definitely a missing piece in the arsenal.

Originally Posted by RussL30

Congrats, That's nice!


The black and maple is such a classic color combo. I didn't plug them in, but I picked up and noodled on both an American pro strat and tele when I was visiting Gruhn's last spring and they both had one of the best feeling necks I've ever felt.

Thank you, friend. I certainly can’t deny its “classic” appeal. The neck is outstanding. I was a bit apprehensive at first as it’s a different profile than I’m used to. But it’s certainly very comfortable and inviting to play. The V-mod pickups are stellar! I like them a LOT better than the 57/62’s in my previous Strat.

Originally Posted by ghostnote

If you find the right Strat, it’ll be your friend for life. The guitar I’ve owned the longest is an American Standard Strat that I bought new in 1989. It’s just a great guitar - hope yours works out as well. Enjoy.

Thank you. I’m LOVING it. In fact, the rest of my guitars have seen little playing time. I’ve owned quite a few Strats over the years. This is the first one to REALLY capture me. Fender got it right with this series. I’ve not played the Teles (I will when I’m in the shop next), but I’ve heard they’re phenomenal as well. Although, my Tele is pretty great and I have no need for one….really. Or, do I?

[Charlie Bernstein]

All Strats are not created equal. Looks like you're there. Congrats!