expirediconian | Staff posted Dec 03, 2022 12:18 AM
Item 1 of 4
Item 1 of 4
expirediconian | Staff posted Dec 03, 2022 12:18 AM
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Various Colors)
+ Free Shippingfrom $1249
$1,700
Adorama
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That being said, this is the 5th Fender guitar I have bought from Adorama and 4 out of the 5 have been in a similar condition when they arrived. They are always in boxes that have been opened and re-sealed. They always have the tags and accessories included but often show light wear. No more than you would get if you bought a guitar that had been on display in a store but very different than when you buy from a normal online retailer. I have always wondered exactly what the nature of Adorama's deal with Fender is. This next part is only speculation on my part, but I have always wondered if these are guitars that come back to Fender from the retail channel and then are sold to Adorama.
Either way, not a huge deal but something to be aware of if you are picky about such things.
Other than that, the guitar is great. I am not sure I love the v-mod pickups but that is just a matter of personal preference.
It did come with the trem arm tip broken off. I messaged Adorama but they have not gotten back to me about that yet.
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I think that I must have kinked/bent the G string while replacing strings the first time given how much better it is now with only very minor adjustments during the setup, now the fretted notes are great. Once I move the pickups back to playing height, the G string sustain dies a lot faster and the tone is off a bit even when in tune, which I think is because of the vintage pickups that have a super high pole piece on the G, which were designed for wound G strings that were the norm back in the day. Those magnet are pretty strong.
It seems that to fix this, I either need to 1) replace the pickups (nope, I like these), 2) modify the pickups by lowering the G pole piece (maybe, but not yet, will try #3 first, I think Darrel Braun did a video on this?), or 3) get some wound G strings. Just ordered a 3 pack of 18Ws, hoping that a wound string fixes the G sustain and slight buzzing issues, from what I have read/learned, that makes sense.
So... it plays GREAT now, thanks for the advice!!
Even if you were recording or gigging I am not sure you would *need* this upgrade. Many people perform and record with less expensive instruments.
It is more about what you want and what inspires you.
That being said, if you really felt you needed an upgrade an interesting option would be to grab a loaded pickguard from Fender using their 30% deal today.
I think that I must have kinked/bent the G string while replacing strings the first time given how much better it is now with only very minor adjustments during the setup, now the fretted notes are great. Once I move the pickups back to playing height, the G string sustain dies a lot faster and the tone is off a bit even when in tune, which I think is because of the vintage pickups that have a super high pole piece on the G, which were designed for wound G strings that were the norm back in the day. Those magnet are pretty strong.
It seems that to fix this, I either need to 1) replace the pickups (nope, I like these), 2) modify the pickups by lowering the G pole piece (maybe, but not yet, will try #3 first, I think Darrel Braun did a video on this?), or 3) get some wound G strings. Just ordered a 3 pack of 18Ws, hoping that a wound string fixes the G sustain and slight buzzing issues, from what I have read/learned, that makes sense.
So... it plays GREAT now, thanks for the advice!!
For $1300, I was expecting a little higher quality finish work. I'll be asking for a replacement (or a return if they don't grant one); I've got several mim's that are just about as good for 1/3 of the price.
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It has been sitting for two years though based on the box it came in. It arrived at Adorama from California dec 2020.
super happY!
It has been sitting for two years though based on the box it came in. It arrived at Adorama from California dec 2020.
I think that I must have kinked/bent the G string while replacing strings the first time given how much better it is now with only very minor adjustments during the setup, now the fretted notes are great. Once I move the pickups back to playing height, the G string sustain dies a lot faster and the tone is off a bit even when in tune, which I think is because of the vintage pickups that have a super high pole piece on the G, which were designed for wound G strings that were the norm back in the day. Those magnet are pretty strong.
It seems that to fix this, I either need to 1) replace the pickups (nope, I like these), 2) modify the pickups by lowering the G pole piece (maybe, but not yet, will try #3 first, I think Darrel Braun did a video on this?), or 3) get some wound G strings. Just ordered a 3 pack of 18Ws, hoping that a wound string fixes the G sustain and slight buzzing issues, from what I have read/learned, that makes sense.
So... it plays GREAT now, thanks for the advice!!
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