FENDER AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II STRATOCASTER & TELECASTER

Although Fender’s American Professional series was introduced in January 2017, earlier this year the Californian giant decided it was already time for a refresh. How do you launch a new guitar line in a world without trade shows? You harness the power of social media. Next-gen American Professional models surfed their way into view in October on a wave of enthusiasm from artists and influencers, and it was almost impossible to scroll through Instagram without stumbling over someone extolling the virtues of Am Pro II and its rainbow of new hues.

Made in Fender’s Corona facility, the original American Professional models were created to supersede the American Standard line. The raison d’être for Am Pro 2.0 is to occupy the mainstream sweet spot between the vintage reissues in the American Original series and the modernistic feature set of the American Ultras. Along with the more traditionally configured Strat and Tele, the new range features a HSS Strat, Tele Deluxe, Jazzmaster, four and five-string Precision and Jazz basses, and even a fretless Jazz.

One big change this time