Fender Debuts New American Professional II Series

Fender Musical ­­Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has released the all-new American Professional II series, the second generation of its flagship electric guitars and basses.

In late 2016, Fender introduced the American Professional series, and since its debut, American Professional has become the most widely adopted instruments by players and working guitarists in the world with over 60% of Fender artists across all genres.

It’s continued to play an integral role in the diverse and expansive nature of how guitar is used across genres by thousands of artists including Michael Kiwanuka, Courtney Barnett, Noel Gallagher, Jon Pardi, Blink 182, HAIM, Hillsong United, Daniel Caesar, Deftones, and Clairo to name a few.

The American Professional II series has now evolved, with adjustments inspired by feedback from artists across multiple genres. As the platform of live music continues to evolve – from live streams to drive in concerts – artists are also changing how they create music and are seeking versatile tools like the American Professional II series to support them night after night, and in any format.

After four years of listening, watching and collaborating with countless professional musicians, Fender has evolved this series with key new features to make its sound, feel and style better than ever.

Made by hand, the American Professional II series is a stage-ready lineup of electric guitars and basses that feature a Deep ‘C’ neck profile, rolled fingerboards for comfort, as well as a sculpted neck heel that offers more accessibility to the guitar’s upper register.

“Over the past few years we have refined and elevated the American Professional series as a result of ongoing conversations with our artist partners,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Fender Products.

“With their feedback and innovation, a priority, we reviewed every element across the series, incorporating new specs like a new sculpted neck heel, new pickups, supernatural neck finish, and various aesthetic refinements including bold colourways, tonewoods like Roasted Pine and Tortoise shell guards on select models.

“We stand behind all artists by providing them with the tools they need, no matter where they are creating or performing, and remain committed to making every great instrument even better through thoughtful innovation. Music has a special unifying power and guitar – and the artists wielding the instrument – play a big role in that.

"As always, our creators and artists came first as we refined The American Professional II series to push the boundaries of guitar forward, deliver epic sound and offer reliability to artists across every genre of music, when the world – and our artists – need it most.”

The models also feature push-push switching, new V-Mod II pickups and voicings, staggered tuners and polyurethane finishes. Select models are also available in new colour ways including Miami Blue (Stratocaster), Dark Knight (Telecaster), 3-Colour Burst (Jazzmaster), Mercury (Precision Bass) and Mystic Surf Green (Jazz Bass).

“The American Professional II plays beautifully,” added Orville Peck. “Everything you’d expect out of a classic Telecaster with a couple changes that make it super comfortable to play. I love the feel of the neck and the twang of the new pickups."

“The American Professional II series is the connective tissue that both artists and music fans are seeking now more than any other time in our nearly 75-year history,” commented Evan Jones, CMO of Fender.

“In addition to making the best tools possible for artists, it’s also very important for us to use the Fender platform to amplify and spotlight how their music is positively impacting the world. The ‘The One. For All.’ campaign celebrates how guitar today is expanding both musically and culturally, which is why we’ve featured more artists in our marketing creative than any other Fender campaign to date.

“We are honoured to have collaborated with diverse, talented artists to showcase how the American Professional is a versatile tool that supports their ability to create music that brings people together as music and creativity hasn’t stopped. Our creative partners both in-house and at Wieden+Kennedy Portland meticulously crafted a visual narrative that captures the essence of what guitar is capable of and how it continues to inspire, uplift and encourages us to keep moving forward.”

The American Professional II series electric guitars and basses feature 10 new models available at local dealers and on www.fender.com.

Fender discusses the all-new American Professional II series specs and all details in an episode of Fender’s serialised social video series, Fender Demos.