We pit the brand new Fender Ultra Stratocaster against it's predecessor, the Elite to see just what the new model has to offer. Playing at 4:08 Fender American Ultra Stratocaster - bit.ly/3rEOI7k
As a guitar shop owner and a gigging musician who loves strats I have to say the Elites are spot on. The Ultra sounds a cracking strat too but the Elites when professionally set up are also cracking strats. I also play various custom shop strats. A brilliant strat is a brilliant strat.....
Dean Lunn Today I watched in a shop the price of some Fenders Stratocaster. They were selling a Fender Stratocaster Deluxe Blue Sapphire by 825 dolars, and a Fender Professional by 1500 dolars. So, I was wondering why such difference of price.
Exactly what I was wanting to see and hear! Totally focused with comparison guitar licks and no added effects; also detailed by others' comments. So spot on, I decided to Subscribe to astringsuk
The S1 switching on the Ultra is not nearly as dynamic as the elite, I’m so glad I got my elite b4 they changed it to the Ultra. The only thing I like better on the Ultra is the body scalping. Other than that I think the elite sounds better and has the better features
Having played both, I prefer the Ultra but probably wouldn’t upgrade if I recently bought the Elite. Silenced pups are noticeably improved. I love the contours. Also, I really prefer the new neck, in clouding the beautiful tint. Of course, most of that is personal preference. :) Would love to see a comparison between the Ultra and Original 60’s Strats and Teles.
Always preferred Gibson to Fender, with my Les Paul being my dream guitar and prized possession since 13 years old. However, since going to Chuck Levins in MD and noodling around on an elite strat, I’ve been amazed at what I was missing. It has intangible qualities to it that make it such a joy to play and even look at.I can’t say enough good things about the newer high end American Stratocaster. I’m not sure that the differences between the elite and the ultra are profound, but between studio work, constant gigging, and playing around at hone, I’ve never loved a guitar more than my elite. It’s a special instrument. Rant over
I too play a Gibson LP (Deluxe Gold top) and absolutely love the tone and its wide flat fretboard. I love the feel of my Fender Elite and it's playability. The tone of the Elite though is not close to the LP and my preference of HH sound. I'm torn, because my Elite plays great, feels great, and well... looks great too! Ocean Turquoise that is hard to find on the internet now.
@@j.b.phillips6400 What year is your goldtop deluxe if you dont mind me asking? I've got a a 1971 and a 1972. Love them both and its fascinating how different they are. 72 is much heavier with a thicker profile neck and much thicker tone. The 71 is lighter with a thinner neck and brighter tone. Also have a 96 fender strat plus which I love. Its incredible. I've got a 08 American standard too. The standard is very nice. But its not a patch on the plus. That guitar is a dream. I really fancy adding this new Ultra to my line up. I need to go and play one. The strat plus is so good I'm wondering if it can top it? Or if it is different enough tonally and to play to justify buying one.
@@j.b.phillips6400 I also ultimately prefer the humbucker sound for live or recording work. But I love to play my strats for my own fun. My for my bands "sound " I always felt the humbuckers cut and punch sat better in the mix tonally. 72 goldtop deluxe my fave and most played live.
The Elite sounds warmer while the Ultra is actually brighter and somehow strat-ier to my ears. S1 switches on the elite sound more like humbuckers while the ultra S1's sound more stratish. Good stuff for both of em, but I do dig the new vintage ultra pickups too.
I am so very glad I got my Elites before they are all gone. The New Ultra sounds like it's playing through mud and the 'S' switch on the Elite offers more tonal effects than the Ultra. The neck is far more playable for me but I've got fairly small hands so the 9.5 works better for me. Very happy with what I've got, thank you. I also have the Elite Tele as well but I cant speak to what the Tele Ultra is like.
I have the Ultra Tele. And it is a fantastic playing and sounding guitar. I play thru a Blues Jr. And it is just killer. I couldn't put the guitar down for less then 10 to 15 minutes other then to eat for about 9 hours.
The real gem was the Elite HSS with ebony fretboard. I, too, got it right after they introduced the Ultra. I came to try the latter, but I compared both and it was no contest in sound, tonal variations, comfort, features and pretty much everything else and all of this for about $500 less than Ultra.
Mark Carey me too man I grabbed a 2019 elite Strat in a beautiful jade green. It’s my favorite guitar I’ve owned. I prefer it over the ultra by a long shot.
We need "brightness" on single-coil based strats (and "darkness" on humbuckers based instruments). The new noiseless pickups achieve better the "Strat sounding" than its predecessor's generation. Fender is reacting to Suhr's evolution (noticiable on radius for instance). The SSS Ultra Strat replicates ALL CustomShop's David Gilmour BlackStrat signature without hums... Point for Fender! But on this comparison, the new Ultra is equipped with rosewood fretboard that brings up less mids and highs and the Elite is equipped with maple fretboard...
Late to the party - thanks for a really thoughtful comparison! I tried both back to back last week (rosewood SSS versions) and the Ultra seemed to be a little 'glassier' in a good way, clearer on 2 & 4, in particular and the Bridge / Neck duo with the S1 was more balanced on the Ultra, had a lovely 'fullness' . . . the Elite actually seemed a little muffled. Been wanting a rosewood neck Strat for a few years now and altho it's a bit dearer it would be the Ultra for me.
In the beginning of the video, you said you would talk about the neck differences / feel, did I miss it? You talked about the measurements and radius, but not the feel- Does the Ultra feel thicker? Thinner? Faster? Slower?
I have an Elite and it just sounds great and equally important it plays great in quality it is equal to my Les Paul both offer unique sounds and playablitity
Both are great guitars and most people would be happy with either! I actually bought an elite strat just before the ultras were released as i loved the neck on the elite...and because the ultras were about to be released i got my Elite for a really good price (over £500 cheaper then what the ultras are selling for) :-)
ive bough the elite model in 2017 same colour and really good guitar but sometimes not sure about noiseless pickups tho ,apart from that amazing guitar ,
Ultra plus points are the Gen 5 noiseless pickups and the improved neck access carve. Elite plus points are Ebony fretboard, Truss Rod adjustment wheel and more varied S1 switching. The different neck shapes are a matter of personal choice. I have an Elite and have swapped out the pickups for a set of Abigail Ybarra. I also have an Ultra and I will retain the noiseless pickups but will visit a luthier to rewire the Ultra S1 switching to match that of the Elite.
My satin ice blue metallic sss elite with striped ebony fretboard is way better then any of the ultra offerings. What is Fender thinking? The elite’s neck is also one of the best necks I have ever played let alone having the truss rod wheel adjuster. Why change the neck to basically a USA standard neck?
Not exactly a daylight and dark difference and considering this drove the price of the Elite down i think the Elite is the better buy, the sound of the gen 4 and gen 5 pickups are just way to similar for it to matter and they both are nice quality guitars!
Great Video! The Elite though is Alder and Maple while the Ultra is Ash and Rosewood... that could be at least a small part of the tonal difference right?
@Fretboard Burner they all make a difference. I have 3 guitars, same strings, same pickups, same body style, same term with different woods for necks and bodies all sound different. I agree they all play a part. And as far as opening it up, something to think about.
Great video concept! This is exactly what I was looking for, a direct comparison between these (especially regarding sound/new pickups). New noiseless pickups sound a lot more like a 'single-coil'.
Nice video. Some inherent sonic differences will be there just because of the rosewood vs. maple fingerboards. Nice comparison though. Based on this I prefer the Ultra. I would get the Ultra with a maple fingerboard any day over rosewood.
Hello, Congratulations on the tests. I would have to choose between a new STATOCASTER VINTERA 50 MAPLE NECK and a STATOCASTER AMERICAN ELITE MAPLE NECK ex demo (with guarantees) at the same price. Music genre: CLAPTON - GILMOUR - KNOFLER. I'll proceed to the tests anyway. Which would you choose? Thanks. I always follow you
With the Ultra I can hear the dynamics of your attack much more clearly, can literally hear the pick striking the strings. Its almost like playing with a lighter volume through a compressor. Not that it is any better or worse just the most obvious sonic difference to my ears.
I am not sure whether the comparison makes that much sense... as both have different wood on the neck... But I like the way you play. I own the same elite model in that blue finish.
I have an elite and it’s the best strat I ever played. Love the sound and the neck. I tried the ultra, and in my opinion it was a step backwards. But, as they say, different strokes for different folks.
These 2 models have the most dramatic differences in sound than what I've heard between any other comparisons of the entire line of straps. I clearly would choose the ultra over an elite for sound. Though you didn't compare the tele's, I find the opposite opinión there. I like the sound of the elite over the ultra and definitely like the neck on the elite better. The big thing on them all that makes them worth the money to me is the compound radius which I absolutely love. I've never liked fender necks until I played an elite which to me slightly edges out the ultra.
The New Ultra Noiseless have a little more Zing on the Top-end, making them closer to Real Single Coils. These are The Best Noiseless that I have heard (thus far) compared to: Kinman, Zexcoil and Mojotone. The new Ultra Sounds more Stratty. Great Comparison. Clear, concise, Fair and Informative. This is the way - you do it folks !!!
Thanks for demo. So far, I didn't like the tones of noiseless pick up of the Elite, too warm and modern, missing some sparkle. This ultra has noiseless pus that sound as I like, more sparkle as well as more bass. For me, the ultra sounds like my American Vintage 62 reissue. About all those combinations of pus through the S1 switch, I don't need them, do you ? So a battle between this Ultra and an Original 60s would be of interest, tonewise.
J'ai essayé les 2,et je possède une élite touche palissandre, micros hss, et je tr que le switch s1 de l'élite est plus pechu que sur la ultra. La élite sonne plus brillant,. . Le commutateur sur le potard de volume de l'élite permet d'associer et de mettre les micros en parallèle ou en série. Le réglage du truss rod est très pratique sur la élite également. Ma préférence va nettement à la élite (que j'ai eu en promo à 1400 euros au lieu de 1900 à 1 euro près à l'époque.) Mais si j'avais l'opportunité de faire une super affaire sur une ultra, comme sur mon élite, je pense que je ferais banco sur un modèle sss touche palissandre, sur laquelle je mettrai un set micro David gilmour, emg D20. Les manches de l'élite et de l'ultra ont tous les 2 un radius compound de 9"5 à 14 pour l'élite et pareil ou presque pour la ultra, alors le. Confort et la jouabilité sont pour moi identiques. Après c'est une affaire de goût et d'opportunités.Et pour trouver une élite à présent, ce n'est pas simple. Il en reste très peu en vente, et en occasion elles ne sont pas légion non plus,pour dire qu'elles sont appréciées de leurs propriétaires.
Yes, the Elite has much more tonal variations. Ultra is basically a downgrade in that department. The S-1 on Ultra only adds the neck pickup at any switch position.
the rosewood board always eliminates some tonal spectrum..I saw a nice vid Of EVH talking about this...some of his best sounds were his maple board guitars
Owned my Elite for over 3 years. I suspect the new pickups on the Ultra sound a little different, not better or worse just a little different, but certainly doesn't seem to be anything about the Ultra which would merit changing. Most important, seems like the Elite likely has the better neck for me, the C to D compound radius really works.
Yes its all personnel taste. I tried both and I'm the opposite when it comes to the neck. The neck on the Elite is why I didn't buy it or an older strat. The thinner D neck on the Ultra is much more modern and feels fantastic. Now I can finally but a strat that feels super smooth and good to play. The contour on the back of the Ultra makes access to higher frets easier to play, better s1 switching, darker tint on the neck, much better rolled finger edges and in my opinion the pickups definitely sound better and fresh. The Elite is a good choice to save a little bit of money and still a quality instrument if you like the feel but I would try both before purchasing.
@@noodler2979 Yep. The Elite neck really suits me. Never got on with older LPs (haven't tried a modern one) because the neck were too thick, and the Elite neck suits me better than some more modern brands which have slimmer necks. Personal taste, also maybe string weight, hand size, a touch of arthritis etc. etc. I think Fender should have kept the Elite neck as an option / variant. Enjoy the Ultra, Fender don't make the very best or best value guitars but it's always nice to own an icon.
I have a 2016 Elite same except with a Rosewood fretboard and I LOVE 9.5 to 12. Is this just a little smoke and ashes with hotter pickups? I already got my next strat and it's a Nash S-63. Beautiful. Fender needs to bring back a lighter, nitro like the Highway One (which I also have). Nice demo gents!
Follow up 2 years later... Since then, I've bought 2 CS strats, both are great but definitely more specific and very vintage oriented... The woods used are crazy good and the pickups are perfect. I swapped the N3 noiseless from the Elite with Fender CS 68 (or 69?...) pickups... WAAAAW.... 😍😍😍 Now, the Elite plays better AND sounds better than the 2 custom shop... Want the best strat? Buy Elite or Ultra and get some decent pickups, you're set for life! Save yourself thousands of $$$...
Being an Elite owner and having played the Ultra, for me at least, the changes are exactly the changes I wanted. My favorite part of the Elite was the neck but my favorite part of the neck was the D end, now I get the D shape for the whole guitar? Yes please.
Le son de la Fender Ultra est plus métallique que celui de la Fender Elite, quelle que soit la position, en canal clair ou saturé. Après, c'est affaire de goûts. A titre personnel, je préfère le son de la Fender Elite.
ive got exacly same model and i feel a bit uncomfortable to play it ,maybe neck c ti d but if i change the ultra model neck is much thicker i think ,my son have 80£ fender squire and i play much confortable on that one lol
I wanted to purchase an 'Elite" but to me the pickups just sounded sterile . It felt great to play but i just couldn't really justify the expense. I figured it was better to go for a pro and change the pickups . Tried an ultra the first day it came out . To me, it sounded better. It had the Mojo the elite didn't . There was a noticeably thicker and resonant sound . The pickups were more dynamic and expressive . I wasn't 100% sure about the neck profile but in terms of a more natural authentic sound that's modern its definitely an improvement .
Figures... I JUST bought the Elite 20 days ago, but these new pickups do sound like they are better. Love the color of my Elite, maybe I can convince Fender to send me the new pickups....
Thanks! Sweetwater offered to do a swap but the new colors just don't do it for me. My elite is the Ice Blue Metallic and I love the color. Except for the pickups, the truss rod and additional scalping change don't much matter to me.
Got my Elite 2 months ago. Really love the Sky Burst Metallic. Hard to tell what the new colours are like as they usually look way better in person than online. Very comfy to play as well 😎
The elite is a better guitar in my opinion. The thumbwheel truss rod adjustment alone makes it better. Why fender got rod of it is ridiculous. They think it will sell better. They don't realize the elite market is smaller and price is the reason. But, good buy for you, especially if you just got the elite on sale because this new one I replacing it. All the elite sales have me looking at getting one too. Amd yes, you can always get new pickups, but the elites series 4 noiseless at the very best noiseless I've ever played. Many of these vids make the new one sound better in post production. Be careful, I bet in real life they sound more similar than were lead to believe.
NONE of these videos talk about the ultra LACKING the thumbwheel adjustment. Oh yeah, because it doesn't add any value to the Ultra. So, take value and options away, raise the price, and call it the Ultra. Way to go Gibson, uh, I mean Fender!
Good lord, I could change a bit of eq either pre or post mix or live and no one could tell the difference in a million years....its a strat for Christ sakes, cut my musical teeth on them 45 years ago. Feel and comfort I’ll give you that but u can find that in other guitars much cheaper...not ragging on fender, love them and their amps but let’s get real.....
Exactly. 99% Marketing BS from a sound perspective. The additional neck joint contour & lower horn scoop might make it a fraction more comfortable to play but that's about it..
I can’t afford either the elite or the ultra I also cannot afford a John page Ashburne while we’re on the subject I can’t afford aPaul Reed Smith Silver sky but thank you for your comparison🤷🏻♀️
I got an Elite . in 2days ,found issues then I sent it back to the shop then to Fender factory . It s back in 3 and half months then still not fixed. sent it back again. even I got an offer of Ultra as the same price as my Elite . I still look for Elite now . XD
@@northof50now hi. that was neck joint. it was wobble and when I push a finger board down(even not force ), it moved. so always intonation was strange to my ears.. it was shame that I even mentioned those problems to the shop where I bought. but they didnt pass the words to the factory. and Fender factory couldnt see it at all,,,,
@@RX93akhrouk Unfortunately, they call these "bolt-on" necks. But, in reality, it's simply a wood screw. These will strip easily if the neck is removed. If it ever happens again, remove the neck, use some wood glue and a wooden toothpick in each of wood screw holes in the body, then screw the neck back on. It will be as tight as new. This is a woodworkers trick from many years back. I asked because I went through 3 loaded pick guards before I got one in which all the pickups worked correctly with the S1 switch. I'm convinced, even some of the videos published, the S1 was not working correctly. They've changed the wiring of that switch so many times, I don't believe the assemblers don't know exactly what to do.
@@northof50now oh, yes Bolt-on neck. I tried to tighten the screw up, but was so hard even neck was still moved. I needed a bigger driver or electric one. this time I decided to send it back then I will get another Elite..XD thanks for the tips for setting bolt-on neck. I keep it in my mind for when I have the same issues. thanx
reffoelcnu alouncelal I saw a video somewhere of Josh Smith and Kirk Fletcher playing Ibanez Strat style guitars and they were brilliant sounding -the AndyTimmons model is expensive but sounds amazing. I have an 85 Ibanez Roadstar and it would stand up pretty well against these two Fenders .
@@daviddalziel884 prestige won't have strat "mojo" though. If you want a real Fender strat, you have to get a Fender strat. Not Suhr, not Ibanez, but Fender.
Kelster Von Shredster I have a 2000 HSS Deluxe Strat and it’s a great guitar it my 80 s Ibanez Strat style Roadstar 2 stands tall against it . I’d been looking for a Strat off and on for years and tried some custom ones eg Mark Knopfler one comes to mind but hadn’t played anything substantially better or different from the Ibanez . The HSS is great as I said but would like a SSS for completion but it doesn’t have to be a Fender to have “ mojo “
For left-handed players there is no comparison as there was a lefty Elite Strat but there are no lefty options in the Ultra range. Fender ignoring 10% of their potential market.
It's around 3% on avg, and companies have found that lefty players are very proud in asking for Lefty's, then when they make them, they don't sell, unfortunately. My wife is a lefty, and we talked to a few companies about making a custom guitar for her. All makers said the same thing. They've all made the mistake of making too many lefties and losing money. Too many people online asking for them, that aren't actually going to buy them, and it ruins it for people that actually would buy one.
I love my PRS 594, but I'd take an Ultra over the Silver Sky any day. I think it's probably got more to do with Suhr, the Silver Sky marketing is more successful than the actual guitar. I chose an Ultra SSS in Arctic Pearl and rosewood board over both Suhr and the SS and I'm really happy with it :)
