AMERICAN ULTRA TELECASTER & STRATOCASTER HSS
For 2020, Fender’s flagship American Elite line has been superseded by a new series: American Ultra. Although American Elite instruments were only introduced to the catalogue at Winter NAMM 2016, at the launch of Fender’s Songs learning app in New York back in October, Fender CEO Andy Mooney explained that the company had streamlined its product lifecycle from seven to four years. Leo would probably have approved – he was certainly not an individual keen on standing still.
With the Elites well and truly knocked off their perch, the Ultras now represent not only the most premium instruments made in Fender’s Corona facility outside of the Custom Shop, but also the most modernistic current production models. Like the Elite series, the Ultra series includes SSS and HSS Strats and a solidbody Telecaster, but the American Elite Telecaster Thinline exits stage left and is replaced by the American Ultra Jazzmaster. It’s a smart move given the current omnipresence of offset-body guitars. What’s less smart – if you are a leftie – is the lack of left-handed Ultra models at launch. Hopefully some will be announced soon.
“The goal with the Ultra series is to create an instrument of immediate and maximum inspiration, making the guitar not be in the way,” says Justin Norvell, EVP of Fender Products. It’s interesting to note that the Stratocaster’s curvaceous form
