THE NEW FENDER ULTRA GUITARS

Since the introduction of the American Deluxe series of guitars in 1995, Fender has produced a high-end production guitar that has modern bells and whistles. The Fender American Deluxe had features such as noiseless pickups, rolled fretboard edges and shiny chrome headstock logos. 

The American Deluxe line was replaced, just a few years ago, with the American Elite series of guitars and basses, including a Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazz Bass and P-Bass. 

Recently Fender introduced the all-new American Ultra series of guitars to replace the American Deluxe line, bringing to the table a more refined, forward-thinking instrument for a player that likes a more modern instrument. 

The other exciting news is the addition of and Jazzmaster to the lineup, adding a P-90 pickup option to the Ultra series.  

While this article will not be going in-depth on each model, we just wanted to give you a quick overview of what the Fender Ultra guitars are offering. 

WHAT MAKES A FENDER ULTRA, ULTRA?

When looking at the guitars in the Ultra series (Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Jazzmaster), the common features that separate an Ultra from an American Professional are:

• Ultra Noiseless Pickups
• Modern "D" Neck Shape with Compound Radius (10"-14")
• Upgraded Electronics (New S-1 Switching in the Stratocaster and Telecaster)
• Sculpted Rear Contours for easy upper fret access
• Limited colors only available on a Fender Ultra (including the amazing Mocha Burst)

American Ultra is our most advanced series of guitars and basses for discerning players who demand the ultimate in precision, performance and tone. -Fender.com

IS THE FENDER ULTRA WORTH IT?

One of the great things about the Fender Ultra line of guitars is that they are only a few hundred bucks more than an American professional model, making them very attainable for a working musician. At the time of the writing of this article, an American Professional Telecaster starts at $1399, and the Fender Ultra Telecaster starts at $1899. 

This leads us to the question, is it worth the extra $500, and the answer is, it depends. If you like a modern feel (and look) to your instrument, then the Fender Ultra is well worth the extra money. The noiseless pickups alone will save some players from pulling their hair out. If you like a current feel but want to throwback to a more traditional instrument, the American Professional may be a better way for you to go. 

Overall, the Fender Ultra line of guitars sits at a very nice price point for the features you get. If you are looking for a new Fender guitar, and like the idea of noiseless pickups and buttery smooth playability, the Ultra is a great choice.