Guitar Center | 2 weeks ago

Grab a Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS from Guitar Center:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/American-Ultra-II-Stratocaster-HSS-Maple-Fingerboard-Electric-Guitar-Sinister-Red-1500000433614.gc?source=4GOA4LOBA

Check out the rest of the Fender American Ultra II line up:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-American-Ultra-II.gc?source=4GOA4LOBA

The Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS effortlessly zooms you into “Super Strat” territory with its Haymaker humbucker and two Ultra II Noiseless Hot Strat single-coils. Tonal flexibility is further enhanced with a Fender S-1 switch that can be used to split the Haymaker. Shred-approved playability is on tap with a quartersawn maple neck with modern D profile, compound radius (10" to 14") fingerboard with rolled edges, Ultra Satin finish, 2-Point American Ultra Synchronized Tremolo and Luminlay side dots.

“The feel of the American Ultra II is super-duper amazing,” says guitarist Ari O’Neal, who has worked with Beyoncé, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, SZA, Fantasia and others. “First, I love maple necks, because it’s so easy and fun to play around on them, and the Ultra II’s rolled edges are incredible. My hands are small, this neck feels like butter. I use the neck-and-middle-pickup selection a lot for pop and R&B—it was the setting for 80 percent of the set when I was touring with Beyoncé, Fantasia and Lizzo. It cuts through without being quacky or quirky. The American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS also works great with effects, because you’re starting with such a good clean tone. No matter how many effects you layer, you can always say, ‘Yes—that’s a Strat.’”

Follow Ari O’Neal at https://www.instagram.com/_arioneal

Learn more about the entire Fender American Ultra II series in our exclusive interview with Joey Brasler, Fender's Vice President of Product (Electric Guitars, Amps):
https://www.guitarcenter.com/riffs/product-demos/guitars/fender-american-ultra-ii-guitars-and-basses-product-demo?source=4GOA4LOBA

Check out Mason Stoops' demo of the Fender American Ultra II Telecaster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NQPGYd8J5Y

Watch Jonny Goood demo the Fender American Ultra II Jazz Bass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UpTdG9fuRQ

Take a look at Tim Stewart's demo of the Fender American Ultra II Meteora:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK8kWQLBY7Y

Chapters
00:00 - Intro with Ari O’Neal
00:55 - Ari O’Neal’s First Impressions of the Fender American Ultra II HSS Stratocaster
01:32 - Pickup Position #5 (Neck Pickup) on the Ultra II HSS Strat
03:12 - Pickup Position #4 (Neck and Middle Pickups) on the Ultra II HSS Strat
05:47 - Pickup Position #3 (Middle Pickup) on the Ultra II Strat
07:37 - Pickup Position #2 (Middle and Bridge Pickups) on the Ultra II Strat
08:11 - A Look at the American Ultra II’s S1 Switching
10:45 - Pickup Position #1 (Bridge Pickup) Haymaker Humbucker vs. Single-Coil
13:15 - Ari’s Final Thoughts on the Fender American Ultra II HSS Stratocaster
13:51 - Outro