Within the guitar community, there has always been a divide between players, some continuously striving for innovation and development, while others are firmly grounded in the roots of tradition.
Arguably, the biggest innovation and change to the 6-string guitar is the near-instant success of the Fender Telecaster in 1950. The first commercially available solid-body electric guitar. But even after this gargantuan change to guitar, music and even society following this invention, Fender has always had to maintain the balance of keeping one eye pressed forward while the other firmly back.
For many, finding the perfect middle ground between new and old has always been the objective with electric guitar design. Like fashion, art and automotives, most people, new and old, have a particular soft spot for these old and ‘retro’ designs as well as a deep appreciation for the unmistakable tone and vibe that they offer. It is, however, commonly accepted that change does happen for a reason, and there is a solid and just argument that guitars have actually never felt or performed better than they do today. The sleek ergonomic neck profiles and fingerboard radius provide unquestionably better access up and down the fingerboard, as well as offering a more supportive and performance-focused feel. It’s actually more common than most people think to find vintage guitars, which have at some point been modified in their many years of service to provide a more modern and versatile playing experience. From the introduction of 5-way switches to even having the fingerboard sanded down to a more usable 9.5” radius. It’s also more common than people may think to find very modern guitars, including modern Fenders, which have been modified after purchase to provide a more retro look and sound. From vintage-styled hardware and pickups all the way to full-on vintage-inspired paint jobs. This hybrid fusion between vintage and modern has, for a long time, been one of the biggest selling points of many of the instruments to come out of the famed Fender Custom Shop.
Fusing classic looks with modern playability, the Fender American Professional Classic series is the perfect choice for those seeking classic tone and styling partnered with the high-functioning playability of modern instruments. Perfect for technical playing and providing unmatched versatility. The vintage-inspired, higher-output Coastline pickups provide vintage tones with even more flexibility and the stunning classic and faded finishes offer the quintessential retro Fender look. Partnered with a modern C-shaped neck, finished in satin and paired with a fast-feeling 9.5” radius and medium jumbo frets, the American Pro Classic feels effortless.
Shop the Fender American Professional Classic Range
Key Features
- Vintage style hardware with staggard tuners (guitars only)
- Fender Coastline pickups
- Vintage-inspired colours
- Greasbucket Tone System
- Satin finished, Modern C neck with 9.5” radius
Fender Coastline Pickups
For years, Fender’s Pure Vintage pickups have paved the way for authentic vintage Fender tone. Since 2014, these painfully accurate recreations have put the genuine tone and vibe of Fender’s golden era back into the hands of players via the American Vintage and Vintage II series, as well as the Ultra Luxe Vintage range. Although regarded as the ultimate pickup choice for vintage purists, many, however, have requested a fusion pickup from Fender that offers the same tone, vibe and dynamics as the vintage recreations, but with just a little bit more.
Introducing Fender Coastline pickups… Based on the Pure Vintage designs, these pickups are slightly overwound to deliver a more enhanced, higher defined tone that just pushes your rig a little bit further. It’s the perfect choice for those seeking the clarity, volume and punch found in modern pickup sets but who still want the sound and dynamics of the original.
Fender American Professional Classic Stratocaster
The Fender American Professional Classic Stratocaster is offered with either Maple and Rosewood fingerboards and in a classic SSS as well as a more contemporary HSS variant. On both the SSS and HSS models, the single-coil pickups are Fender’s Coastline ’57 Stratocaster pickups, providing the quintessential glassy Strat tone that put these double-cut workhorses on the map. The HSS version comes with a Coastline Humbucker in the bridge offering an articulate and clear humbucking option that excels at high-gain.
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Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster
Like the Strat, the Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster is offered with 2 pickup configurations. Option 1 is the traditional SS configuration featuring a duo of Fender Coastline ’63 Telecaster pickups. These pickups provide the perfect Tele twang full of uncompromised articulation and singing sustain. The 2nd pickup configuration is a HotShot Tele, which has a ’57 Strat pickup in the middle position as well as a S Style-inspired 5-way pickup selector switch. This allows you to not only get the classic T Style bridge and neck pickup sounds but also something very similar to the in-between position sounds that helped make Strats famous.
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Fender American Professional Classic Jaguar
The American Professional Classic Jaguar features a duo of Fender Coastline ’65 Jaguar pickups for the unmistakable jangle that helped define surf in the ‘60s. Staying true to the originals, this Jag also features an on/off ‘Strangle Circuit’ located on the upper horn, which provides a low-end cut for an even more cutting tone.
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Fender American Professional Classic Jazzmaster
With its instantly recognisable offset body and duo of Coastline ’65 Jazzmaster pickups, the Fender American Professional Classic Jazzmaster perfectly demonstrates why these guitars are regarded as a cult-classic. Featuring a look and sound that helped shape alternative culture, this offset workhorse is built for expression thanks to its seamless floating Jazzmaster bridge and chimey pickups.
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Fender American Professional Classic Precision Bass
The Fender American Professional Classic Precision Bass is the perfect modern, vintage-inspired tribute to the bass that started it all… the Fender Precision Bass. Featuring a ’60s-inspired Fender Coastline ‘60s P-Bass pickup, this bass roars with thunderous low end and brilliant high-end clarity.
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Fender American Professional Classic Jazz Bass
Featuring a duo of Fender Coastline ’62 Jazz Bass pickups, the Fender American Professional Classic Jazz Bass provides the famed midrange growl that put J-Basses on the map but turned up to 11.
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Fender American Professional Classic Mustang Bass
The Fender American Professional Classic Mustang features a ’70s-inspired, split coil Costline ‘70s Mustang bass pickup, which helps to provide the classic punchy mids and highs that are found in the retro-looking originals but with even more wallop. Its short-scale design makes this bass for perfect option for a guitarist seeking a low-end companion that feels around the same size as a typical electric guitar. Its string-through body design ensures powerful and resonant lows, even with its shorter scale length.
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Fender American Professional Classic Side-by-Side Comparison
| American Professional Classic | American Professional II | American Vintage II | American Ultra Luxe Vintage | |
| Body Contours | Original (model-dependent) | Original (model-dependent) with sculpted neck heel | Original (model-dependent) | ‘Ultra’ Sculpted Contours |
| Body Finish | Gloss Urethane | Gloss Urethane | Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Nitrocellulose Heirloom Lacquer |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane | Satin Urethane with gloss top | Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Satin Lacquer |
| Hardware | Vintage Style | Modern | Vintage | Modern |
| Pickups | Coastline | V-Mod II | Pure Vintage | Pure Vintage |
| Special Electronics | Greasebucket | Treble bleed | n/a | S-1 |
| Neck Shape | Modern C | Deep C | Vintage Accurate | Modern D |
| Fingerboard Radius | 9.5” | 9.5” | 7.25” | Compound 10”-14” |
| Frets | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 |
| Fret Wire | Medium Jumbo | Narrow Tall | Vintage Tall | Medium Jumbo Stainless |
| Case | Gig Bag | Deluxe Moulded | Deluxe hardshell | Deluxe hardshell |
FAQ
Where are Fender American Professional guitars and basses made?
The Fender American Professional Classic Series is proudly made in Corona, California, in the same factory that makes the American Performer, American Professional II, American Ultra II, American Ultra Luxe Vintage and American Vintage II ranges.
Does the Fender American Professional Classic series come with a case?
Yes, they come with a Fender Deluxe Gig bag case offering superior protection at home or on the road.