NGD: Fender American Professional II Strat - Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst

AlbertA

Roadie
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I got this from a local guitar shop, new for about $1.5K.

Great fretwork, no high spots anywhere (according to my stewmac rocker).
The neck relief was already set at a perfect 0.005".
It came with medium action - about 1.75mm on the bass side, 1.5mm on the high E.
I don't know if it was setup like that straight out of the box or by the local shop.

Only flaw I could see (looks like sharpie leftover?) - Otherwise, no complaints, fit, finish all great.

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Sweet! Congrats! :cheers

Seeing a LOT of deals on Fender and FMIC gear at the moment. 20% Off!
 
Best standard Strat ever.
Are you talking American Pro II generally or did OP really manage to land the best standard Stratocaster ever built?

I do really like the American Pro series and felt it’s a step up from the previous standards, but I’m not an expert.
 
I do wish it came with locking tuners standard. I just ordered some from Fender.

Are you talking American Pro II generally or did OP really manage to land the best standard Stratocaster ever built?
I think he means the line - not my specific one :)
 
Are you talking American Pro II generally or did OP really manage to land the best standard Stratocaster ever built?

I do really like the American Pro series and felt it’s a step up from the previous standards, but I’m not an expert.
I mean of all the standard USA ( not deluxe or custom ultra elite bollocks) Strat incarnations including professional this is the best. An excellent workhorse.
 
The tuning stability after using the tremolo wasn't great. After lubing the bone nut and the string tree and do plenty of string stretching - it was...ok'ish.

After installing the locking tuners though - all is good now.
 
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Great fretwork, no high spots anywhere (according to my stewmac rocker).

Well I lied - Upon closer scrutiny, I actually did find some high spots at the 13th, 19th and 21st frets. In any case, I was able to set the action to 1.5mm for both (had to stick to 1.5mm on the high E to avoid fretting out on full bend).

I also had to loosen the bridge springs, as I prefer a slightly floating bridge for arm vibrato. I had to do the same to my Ibanez Andy Timmons.
 
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Well I lied - Upon closer scrutiny, I actually did find some high spots at the 13th, 19th and 21st frets. In any case, I was able to set the action to 1.5mm for both (had to stick to 1.5mm on the high E to avoid fretting out on full bend).

I also had to loosen the bridge springs, as I prefer a slightly floating bridge for arm vibrato.
FWIW 2 of the 3 American Fenders I own needed a frets dress straight from the factory. Slightly different beast as they are American Vintage and not the Professional series, but you get the point.
 
Well I lied - Upon closer scrutiny, I actually did find some high spots at the 13th, 19th and 21st frets.
All fixed up over the weekend with a Fret kisser, a crowning file and micro-mesh sheets.

And since I was already polishing some frets, I did all of them. The frets were pretty polished from the factory - but the micro-mesh sheets just take it to that next level.

I did notice that frets 19-22 had some slight file marks on the higher string side from the factory though but all gone now.
 
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