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Fender American Professional series discontinued?

#144
selowitch said:
Please forgive me for correcting you, but it’s spelled “truss rod,” not “trust rod.” I personally like the spoke wheel on my Ernie Ball Music Man basses and I’m not sure what went wrong with the ones on the Fender Elites.

I don’t think you can categorically dismiss any possible benefit of those two features. When you say “ambiguous,” I think you mean “dubious.” Regarding string-through bridges, I tend to agree with you—they don’t really help with sustain or tone or anything except maybe causing certain types of flatwound strings to undergo undue strain. So it could be said in a tongue-in-check way that string-through bridges reduce string life better than top-load bridges, truly a dubious benefit.

Regarding graphite rods, it sure seems like adding them would help make a neck stiffer and perhaps therefore less likely to warp over time. Whether there is any empirical data to support this contention I do not know. Graphite rods have been installed in many Fenders since at least the mid-90s, I think, and Warmoth has offered them for years as well. Perhaps they are a gimmick or they help a little but not enough to justify the increased cost. I admit I don’t know.
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Yea got me on 'trust' but I meant Ambiguous [open to more than one interpretation] but dubious is better choice :)

The quality of the neck [wood] seems to override truss rod type with many top Bass Luthiers/Designers. Ambiguous pops up again as some say graphite rods are detrimental to tone but may need to hear from Fender why the change from Elite and I doubt their reason was to make an extra buck or purposely lower the quality and appeal of their new 2k bass.[and much higher selling guitars for that matter]

I am biased since I own one but never have been swayed by string through, truss rod type and adjustment etc. mainly just playability, functionality and tone.

FYI neck hasn't moved in 9 months [has been in and out of all type weather] and no dead spots; had 1975 and 2001 American P's no annoying problems with either on neck front also [guess I have been lucky] but Ultra is much better overall Bass both Playability/feel and Sound/tone. Also 8.5lbs and comfortable to wear.
 
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#145
Nebadon2000 said:
Fender had problems with trust wheel on many Elites may be reason they stopped for now with Ultra. Standard has worked great for decades and has never been difficult.

Any claimed Benefits of string through and graphite rods are ambiguous at best
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The American Standard and the Pro series both have/had reinforced necks. Having owned/own both as well as “regular” reinforced necks. I can safely say that both had/have the best necks in the business.
 
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#151
Ross McLochness said:
Let’s see.....I’m thinking the new series will be named something like:
  • American Workhorse
  • American Bell-Cow
  • American Session
  • American Flagship
  • American Classic
I’m sure they have been reviewing their thesaurus looking for the next name ;)
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Let's make it memorable - unmask the the all-new Fender COVID Series. The perfect bass for playing alone wishing you had a gig somewhere.
 
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#157
HI Folks,

Fender support says a new series to replace the American Professional series will be introduced next month.
Not sure if introduced means available for purchase but I'll wait and see. Almost pilled the trigger on an AmPro Pbass but willing to hold off for a look at the "revamp"
Kyle Foot (Fender)

Sep 27, 2020, 11:52 MST

Good Morning,

Yes, The "American Professional series" has been discontinued but the series revamp will be introduced next month. Stay tuned!

Regards,

Kyle Foot -

Consumer Relations /U.S. Direct Sales
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Telephone: 480-845-5103
Fax: 480-367-5262
 
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#158
Well, I suppose thats the 'official' word. It was stated earlier in this thread that the date was October 13th. I for one am very interested in seeing what is going to be offered. And what will the price increase be? Its gonna be a lot I bet. But if the colors suck, then who cares. Unless they come up with a pickup that blows everyone away, which I doubt. But, we'll see. Im just anxious to see the offering.
 
#159
Slaphound said:
Well, I suppose thats the 'official' word. It was stated earlier in this thread that the date was October 13th. I for one am very interested in seeing what is going to be offered. And what will the price increase be? Its gonna be a lot I bet. But if the colors suck, then who cares. Unless they come up with a pickup that blows everyone away, which I doubt. But, we'll see. Im just anxious to see the offering.
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What makes you think there will be any price increase?
 

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