I’ve had my honey burst performer for a year and a half now and it’s my favorite guitar. I bought mine when they were still $1199 and I found a brand new fender deluxe case for $150 so I have the guitar and hard case and paid less than what just the guitar is selling for. This thing will be with me until I’m dead and gone. Cheers
To these old ears, the "Yosemite" pups of the Performer just sound more natural, or to put it another way, less "synthetic" then those on the Pro ll. I also prefer the more traditional specs of the former, but that's purely subjective I guess.
Man, I'm like 1:40 into your video and usually I hate when creators don't just get to the point, but your sense of humor is exactly mine, and most people don't really get mine, so thanks for the laughs.
Wow! Thank you very much Landon. That was the best web gift I’ve ever received. Just 2 days ago I was asking you about that comparison and now i have it. I owe you a beer or a beer tour around Warsaw. Just please let me know whenever you will decide to take a trip to Poland. I will pick the pro II even if my heart is closer to the simplicity of the performer. Once again. Huge thanks!
The Performer has the same string trees. Roller type, USA. They also have a brass bridge saddle configuration that is pretty accurate as for intonation.
I was able to tell them apart pretty easily, but only because I own an Am Perf Tele, so I know it's sound well, especially through a 65 Princeton. Didn't prefer one over the other, but I could definitely hear which was which.
I preferred the sound of the Pro 2, and that aline with the addition of the hardcase makes it a better deal for me. But i do really like the look of that performer! 😍
Had to chuckle when I saw you were being offered a tour of Warsaw, while a quaint Ontario town near me it would have been a short tour,until I saw Poland.Thanks for the entertaining yet insightful tutorial. A friend has a 64 tele he bought at a pawn shop in Ottawa he is in his late 70s doesn't play it. I can't wait to see if he's going to leave it to me so you helped me with my choice...Cheers
Thanks for the interesting video. Amusing as always. I went with the American Performer in Honey burst. I bought it about a year ago when they were $1199. And then I found a brand new hard case just like the one that comes with the pro 2 for $150. A pretty good deal for $1350 if you ask me. Then I sold the gig bag for $25 so technically a $1325 package with that awesome hard case to boot. I like jumbo frets and I love the honey burst finish on the performer. I also prefer a rosewood fingerboard and the 3 similar colors in the pro 2 series all have maple fingerboards. I also preferred the vintage tuners over the fender standards on the pro 2. For once I feel I made a well thought through decision on a pricier purchase and I got the best guitar and case for me. It’s an awesome telecaster that can pretty much handle any genre. I’ll have this guitar until I’m dead and gone I’m sure. This is my first ever Fender by the way. Coming from $500 guitars to this was a real treat. I can definitely feel the difference in quality and craftsmanship. Probably the only $1000 plus guitar I’ll ever own. Lol Both great guitars but obviously my choice is the Performer. Take good care man.
I bought a Telecaster Ultra in Arctic Pearl at L&M The neck is incredible, contoured body, binding, chrome over brass saddles, locking tuners, etc Best Tele I've played
Thanks Landon. 1:40 am Monday morning, losing sleep over these exact two models. Great the way you did your point system and case vs bag math. A crazy good sense of humor with a logical helpful mind. For myself one who sold and repaired guitars professionally for more than 20 plus years, it's the Pro for sound and the Perf for looks. Both good
They both look great, would love either one. I prefer the color scheme of the Performer over the Pro2, but I'd love to have the Pro 2 in that natural look.
I have owned my honeyburst performer for 2 years now. I play it weekly for my church. The Yosemite pickups are a good fit for ambient tones. I love my performer more and more every time I play it.
Hey Landon! L&McQ FTW! A few years back (May 2019) they had the Gibson Month sale on and I'd dropped by the Bloor St store to get me an SG. Then I saw the Honeyburst Tele and forgot all about the SG (inferior, IMHO). Anyway, I love it. I play it literally every day. It sounds incredible, weighs like a real Tele should (the SG kept neck-diving and was super light like it was a toy guitar), the neck is great, full rosewood fingerboard (slightly rolled?), and it's a pretty good jazz guitar as well (not that too many ppl would care about this; neck pickup, tone at 50%). As far as $$$, it's 3yrs later and the guitar has appreciated a full $400 vs what I paid for it! It's >$2k with tax now ($1789 pre-tax). 🥶 Great video, keep it up!
I bought the Performer Tele with humbucker neck last year for CD$1400 at my local “mom&pop” music store. All I can say is that I love it. Coil tap gives it a variety of tones. Comfortable neck and weight. 😎🇨🇦🎸
I have a kinda hybrid tele that's an American Special body (precursor to the Am Performer) with an Am Std neck, plus locking tuners and Gotoh In-Tune saddles. Ticks all my telecaster boxes, so I don't need any more. Why am I watching this, then? Hmm... oh, and I'm in Bucharest, Romania, seeing as you asked :)
I bought a American Performer in butterscotch blonde last year for 1000 bucks new. It looked just like the 50s tele sitting next to it in the store for over twice the cost. Only real difference I could find was the performer didn’t have the fat neck and it had the Yosemite pickups. Slap some vintage pickups in the performer and you got almost the same guitar. So that’s what I did 👍🏻
Love your content man! Question: do you notice the finish on the neck being smoother on the pro? Supposedly it’s a “super satin” compared to the regular satin of the performer.
With teles the bridge pup was always their strength and their neck pup the weakness. The opposite of a strat. I've considered getting a strat with a tele bridge pup to have the best of both worlds and the strat form factor which I'm more used to. I need ergonomic contours. One thing about the tele is it can really rock in that bridge position. They can get very humbucker or P90 in tone, really cut and punch through a mix.
Thanks so much for the comparison. I am in the market for a telecaster and this definitely is super informative and fun to watch. Enjoyed your clean riff little jam on both guitars
Great video. Love this channel. Coming to you from Cumming, GA… north of Atlanta. I have an American performer raw ash Tele w satin finish. Really have taken a shine to the Jumbo frets, neck feels phenomenal. I also like the countersunk ferrules…among other things. Both are great guitars.
Thanks for this, great channel! These have both been on my radar and I went to test them at a store at the weekend. I preferred the pickups on the Performer and slightly preferred the neck on the Pro II, although the Pro II wouldn't stay in tune. They got a second Pro II off the wall (Butterscotch Blonde with Maple fingerboard, really nice) but I found the neck on that one a bit sticky! Ended up leaving with neither, but will probably head back for the Performer.
@@francescodefendi3201different person who you asked this question to... but I bought both of these same guitars and ended up keeping the performer and just adding a freeway switch that gave me more tone options than with the push push on the professional II. Both are fantastic instruments. I didn't really notice any difference in quality. I learned towards the performer pickup sound but that is personal preference... pickups on both are great really. I didn't notice any difference in the necks other than the color. I didn't notice any real difference in the runners either. My performer came with a hard case oddly... and I love the natural honey color on the performer... so didn't need a case... otherwise I may have gone with the professional... not sure again both about the same guitar really...
@@francescodefendi3201 honestly... I have several quite expensive guitars... PRS core custom 24, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG 61 reissue, American standard Stratocaster, etc... and I'd put my performer up against any of them. It sounds phenomenal...way better then my strat which I never touch anymore. I don't know how a telecaster can be any better than the performer. I know it's the entry USA made telecaster... but when it's a perfect guitar where do you really go from there other than throwing in a case, adding more colors, or having a different size neck. I added a freeway switch for $50... which gives you the same tone as the push push plus phase options. Oh my only complaint was the fret edges were sharper on my performer than on my professional... so I paid someone $50 to file them... but other than that it's perfect...
Thanks Landon. These are the very 2 teles I’m trying to decide on. I would have sworn pro 2 was Y because it’s slightly higher end electronics but now I see the cleans of the Yosemites on the performer are more vibrant and pleasing to the ear IMO. What are your thoughts of the performer single vs the hum version? Have you done a breakdown in those two?
I bought the performer in satin sonic blue in 2021. What sold me was the simplicity. It’s the closest to what you would have bought, buying a Tele in the 60s. No bells and whistles, fancy pots etc. square edges not the most comfortable… primitive. That’s part of the Tele charm. Leo truly got it right the first time!
These are the two lm trying to decide on.Have the Am Pro ll Tele Deluxe in Mercury love the dual humbuckers and rosewood neck l would like to have a traditional pkup layout with a maple neck also .The push pull selector is amazing and l cant put the Deluxe down l get up early to play before work .
I agree with your conclusion. The Pro ll is worth the additional $300 US over the Performer. The hard shell case is a must in helping manage the impact of humidity and in protecting the instrument. I also prefer the pickups and the new choice of colours. I agree the Pro ll’s saddle is better.
@@Ottophil If like me you live in a climate where it is extremely cold in the winter, where the house humidity drops to around 30% you have to house your guitar in a hard shell case with some type of humidity control (I use the Humidi Pacs). During the summer months I’m able to keep my guitars on stands as the humidity is in the 45 - 50% range, which is ideal for preventing humidity damage.
@@BeeRumblin13 Bee,if the climate where you preside is not challenging for a guitar’s humidity vulnerability then I agree that it didn’t make sense to invest in a hard case.
I have the pro 2 in Mercury. Amazing guitar. Can't put it down. Well, I can put it down. It's not glued to my hands or anything. But anyway, great guitar. Best one I own.
Here in Perth, considered my many the toilet of Australia, the difference in price can run anywhere between $500-700AUD. Depending on colour the Performer is about $2100 and the Pro 2 up to $2800. I reckon the Performer is more than enough to not worry about spending the extra cash. It sounds good and I don't need a hard case. I'll be sticking with Affinity Tele for now in any event.
Great video! I've been curious about Yosemite pickups, needed any comparison video. Thanks man! Oh BTW your hair gives some kinda Dr. Banner vibe 😅 (I always thought you little bit look like Mark Ruffalo.)
The Pro II is one of the best guitars I've ever owned or played. I may be a tad biased in this comparison. And where can I order the Hair and Teles novel?
Was trying to decide on maple or rosewood on the tele pro 2. I wouldnt of expected it but I liked the feel of Maple (never having played one before) on every Fender I tried. Amazing what happens when you actually spend a lil time with them.
IDK, both sound great! I would say I prefer some of the finish options on the Pro II though, so that would be my choice. The Tele I really want though, without having to pay the custom shop price to get it, is nitro finished butterscotch blonde, with a bunch of more modern features like stainless steel frets, 12", or maybe even compound radius, modern C neck, compensated brass saddles, locking tuners, and probably the V Mod II pickups from the Pro II. Nice choice on the STP cover too!
I have 2 Highway 1 Teles, I love them. I like the Vintera Teles too. It’s a pity the Performer has poor colour choices. I’d be up for one with rosewood in LPB or Sherwood green like the Specials.
Recently I acquired a Fender Performer Stratocaster. I went for the performer as I preferred the feel of the neck, just seemed more comfortable to me. Definitely the frets made a difference and we're a plus to preferring the performer for me. I love the large headstock look anyway so that was OK. Also a plus for me was the 6 point trem as I've more experience with them. Finally sound I thought the Yosemite pickups were a bit more chime to my ears.
The neck is different in my Strat to a pro2. From memory playing them side by side I'd say that the performer felt less deep. But I principally think the different feel comes from the frets with the performer having jumbo frets vs the tall skinny in the pro2
Watching from Montpelier, Vermont… on the toilet! I have a pro ii strat and it’s the best interment I own. The pro ii’s are def fenders most underrated line
Ottawa Ontario buddy… Lauzon’s got some killer stuff…. I was looking at an Am pro 2 for quite awhile, but couldn’t justify the $ for it, it’s an amazing guit box, but not for my first Tele. I’m just jamming out in the basement by myself while the wife & kidos are asleep, so not in my wheel house. I ended up going with a classic vibe Tele based on numerous reviews ( including yours). Getting it set up at Weston Instruments as we speak. Can’t wait to get her back! Enjoy the vids… subscribed.
Have honey burst performer and never tried pro2 before , the pro 2 is really very good but after this video I do not need for thinking to get new pro2 Thanks a lot
American Pro I in ash - butterscotch blonde - modern take on an iconic classic. It is clearly the most resonant unplugged guitar I’ve ever heard, 7 1/2 lbs too. I may experiment with the pups though, not that the stock are bad, but i think I can do better with aftermarket.
On my phone the fender website doesn't have prices, so I really appreciated you answering my question from the other day, Landon. Teles are also my favourite guitars, I have an E series MIJ Fender TL67-SPL70 and a 2018 Players series black guard butterscotch, I love them both. I'm also in the process of butchering a paranormal thinline to exchange the neck for a mid 90s MIJ and equip it with a bigsby b5 with jazzmaster bridge. But none of mine are as nice as yours! Ever played a MIJ tele?
You and I must have similar taste because I bought both of those same guitars with same two colors lol. I play clean 90 percent of the time a the clean tone in the performer was hands down better in my experience... the pro II pickups were dead clean. But in overdrive they both sound good. Either neck was fine for me. I prefer the honey finish more. The push push thing was a nice added option but for $50 I added a freeway switch to my performer and gave it the same effect plus reverse phase. My performer also oddly came with a hard case... so at the end of the day decided to sell my pro II. I think the pro two had less sharp fret ends... and I really liked it... just not enough to keep. But everyone had different taste in pickups, neck shape, etc depending on playing style. Again both great guitars though...I'd take either... but didn't want to keep two guitars that were almost the same thing...
I bought a squier Nashville paranormal Strat. I think I want a maple neck on it. Scalloped neck may be too far. I’ve never used one before. And I’m in western NY btw.
I got the blind tone test correct only because I could hear a very faint, "Say your prayers, varmint!'," emanating form the Performer's pickups. You need good headphones to pick it up. Thanks.
Something's wrong with your camera. It doesn't seem to want to focus. Also, I like the blue one better because it looks prettier to me, because blue is my favorite colo- *EXPLODES*
I have the Performer; I love the neck and the pickups. I purchased the black Fender case so that narrows the field between the two for me. I also have the Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster - Butterscotch Blonde, which is very nice. I can't see myself buying the Professional II although you mentioned the Vmod pickups, they are fantastic, I have them on my Pro Strat. Keep up the good work on the channel, I'm a big fan :)
Damn you Landon. Because of your great channel I ordered a Casino yesterday. But mine will be the vintage sunburst. The tone is way better than the natural. Lol hahaha. Kidding. Your humour. Back at cha. Fellow Ottawa valley geek.
Watching from the East Coast of Australia (mid way between Brisbane & Sydney). I'm starting to get that itch again for a Tele and came across the Pro 2. Now I'm seeing the Perf (is okay to abbreviate...I'm not sure as I'm not really in the club...YET!!!). My main problem is not which of these 2 amazing guitars deserves me as its now owner. But how can I sound anything like the guy that runs the guitar store or anyone on the internet doing these reviews? It hurts!!!
I've got 2 american teles. First, is a pro deluxe shawbucker in natural. Second, is a thinline, in light yellow, seymour duncan in bridge position. Usually, i play the thinline, cause its 1 lb. lighter. Easier to handle. However, the deluxe is in the bedroom, close to my 9mm
Preferred the Pro ll overall, for tone and look :) You could always swap some parts between them and make a perfect partscaster ;) Odd that they put a vintage-style string tree on the Professional and a modern (rock &) roller on the other - I’d definitely swap them around!
Love ´em both equally 🤫 The difference between the 2 are so minuscule. My questions are 1. Do want a gig bag or molded case? Or 2. Can I get both?? Thank you
Dark Night finish was a huge selling point for me. I love my American Pro 2. Agree with all Landon’s points. It’s an amazing guitar. Worth the extra money.
Liked the sound on the Performer more, but really the two are gonna be close enough when you show up to blues night. I'd still likely go with the Performer because I usually prefer a gig bag to a hard case but it's gotta be a really nice gig bag, and because vintage style tuners are the best style tuners. Honestly I'd probably just get whichever one my local guitar shop has in stock because they're both dang fine instruments
I thought the Performer sounded the best! I actually prefer the Performer over the Pro 2 overall. If they were both the same price, I would still choose the Performer. I love that Honey Burst! My minds made up! Thank you Landon 😀👍🏻
I wish I could get a nice mash-up of both. Give me the Performer’s pickups, color and headstock logo design, but with the body ergonomics, switching and neck of the Professional II
Just noticed - Performer necks cost $100 lesser than a Professional neck, that's a big component of the price difference apart from the Pro coming with a hard case; cheers from India
man, those pups on the pro 2 are indeed something else. sure, it's a personal preference thing, but they are great. however, if I were between the 2, to be honest I'd go with the one I could get the better deal on, but for the list price, yeah, I'd get the pro, and maybe sell the case
So, here is the deal. I live in the united states. North Carolina to be exact. Because of this channel, I decided to get on the world wide web and and check out Long and McQuade and order some stuff from them. Well, because of some stupide rule, they wouldn't ship to the states. Dumb!
I just bought a brand new Tele performer last week for $1199 at a local shop.. it is the honey burst and I can’t stop looking at it.
nice! congrats 🎸👍
I’ve had my honey burst performer for a year and a half now and it’s my favorite guitar. I bought mine when they were still $1199 and I found a brand new fender deluxe case for $150 so I have the guitar and hard case and paid less than what just the guitar is selling for. This thing will be with me until I’m dead and gone.
Cheers
To these old ears, the "Yosemite" pups of the Performer just sound more natural, or to put it another way, less "synthetic" then those on the Pro ll.
I also prefer the more traditional specs of the former, but that's purely subjective I guess.
I like the tone of the Pro 2, and the look of the Performer. Count me in the minority that has a serious dislike for the Dark Night paint job.
I can deal with it on a Deluxe like I can the purple on the Kingfish, but regular Teles just aren’t bold enough. Simple and classic work best.
Me too. I hate it, lol
I'm with you on the colour. I just bought a black one. The Dark Knight just looked a little too try-hard for me.
Man, I'm like 1:40 into your video and usually I hate when creators don't just get to the point, but your sense of humor is exactly mine, and most people don't really get mine, so thanks for the laughs.
Wow! Thank you very much Landon. That was the best web gift I’ve ever received. Just 2 days ago I was asking you about that comparison and now i have it. I owe you a beer or a beer tour around Warsaw. Just please let me know whenever you will decide to take a trip to Poland.
I will pick the pro II even if my heart is closer to the simplicity of the performer.
Once again. Huge thanks!
PERFORMER for me. Med Jumbo frets = worth more points than strap buttons, finish, logo, string tree, neck heel, pickguard combined (to me).
Oh , same think. And i have same performer , even color. And it amazing for me
Med jumbo? Fender lists the performers as having jumbo.
The Performer has the same string trees. Roller type, USA. They also have a brass bridge saddle configuration that is pretty accurate as for intonation.
I was able to tell them apart pretty easily, but only because I own an Am Perf Tele, so I know it's sound well, especially through a 65 Princeton. Didn't prefer one over the other, but I could definitely hear which was which.
I preferred the sound of the Pro 2, and that aline with the addition of the hardcase makes it a better deal for me. But i do really like the look of that performer! 😍
my thoughts exactly!
Had to chuckle when I saw you were being offered a tour of Warsaw, while a quaint Ontario town near me it would have been a short tour,until I saw Poland.Thanks for the entertaining yet insightful tutorial. A friend has a 64 tele he bought at a pawn shop in Ottawa he is in his late 70s doesn't play it. I can't wait to see if he's going to leave it to me so you helped me with my choice...Cheers
Thanks for the interesting video. Amusing as always.
I went with the American Performer in Honey burst. I bought it about a year ago when they were $1199. And then I found a brand new hard case just like the one that comes with the pro 2 for $150. A pretty good deal for $1350 if you ask me. Then I sold the gig bag for $25 so technically a $1325 package with that awesome hard case to boot. I like jumbo frets and I love the honey burst finish on the performer. I also prefer a rosewood fingerboard and the 3 similar colors in the pro 2 series all have maple fingerboards. I also preferred the vintage tuners over the fender standards on the pro 2. For once I feel I made a well thought through decision on a pricier purchase and I got the best guitar and case for me. It’s an awesome telecaster that can pretty much handle any genre. I’ll have this guitar until I’m dead and gone I’m sure. This is my first ever Fender by the way. Coming from $500 guitars to this was a real treat. I can definitely feel the difference in quality and craftsmanship. Probably the only $1000 plus guitar I’ll ever own. Lol
Both great guitars but obviously my choice is the Performer.
Take good care man.
7:36
I bought a Telecaster Ultra in Arctic Pearl at L&M The neck is incredible, contoured body, binding, chrome over brass saddles, locking tuners, etc Best Tele I've played
Very cool! those Ultra finishes look awesome
Texas here! Love your sense of humor
Thanks Landon. 1:40 am Monday morning, losing sleep over these exact two models. Great the way you did your point system and case vs bag math. A crazy good sense of humor with a logical helpful mind. For myself one who sold and repaired guitars professionally for more than 20 plus years, it's the Pro for sound and the Perf for looks. Both good
i had both as well. really disliked the push push on the pro ii. sold the pro ii kept the performer and have no regrets
Agree with the push push
I’m sitting at the kitchen table drinking my morning coffee.
They both look great, would love either one. I prefer the color scheme of the Performer over the Pro2, but I'd love to have the Pro 2 in that natural look.
I like the roasted pine models
I have owned my honeyburst performer for 2 years now.
I play it weekly for my church. The Yosemite pickups are a good fit for ambient tones.
I love my performer more and more every time I play it.
Hey Landon!
L&McQ FTW! A few years back (May 2019) they had the Gibson Month sale on and I'd dropped by the Bloor St store to get me an SG. Then I saw the Honeyburst Tele and forgot all about the SG (inferior, IMHO). Anyway, I love it. I play it literally every day. It sounds incredible, weighs like a real Tele should (the SG kept neck-diving and was super light like it was a toy guitar), the neck is great, full rosewood fingerboard (slightly rolled?), and it's a pretty good jazz guitar as well (not that too many ppl would care about this; neck pickup, tone at 50%).
As far as $$$, it's 3yrs later and the guitar has appreciated a full $400 vs what I paid for it! It's >$2k with tax now ($1789 pre-tax). 🥶
Great video, keep it up!
I bought the Performer Tele with humbucker neck last year for CD$1400 at my local “mom&pop” music store. All I can say is that I love it. Coil tap gives it a variety of tones. Comfortable neck and weight. 😎🇨🇦🎸
I have a kinda hybrid tele that's an American Special body (precursor to the Am Performer) with an Am Std neck, plus locking tuners and Gotoh In-Tune saddles. Ticks all my telecaster boxes, so I don't need any more. Why am I watching this, then? Hmm... oh, and I'm in Bucharest, Romania, seeing as you asked :)
I bought a American Performer in butterscotch blonde last year for 1000 bucks new. It looked just like the 50s tele sitting next to it in the store for over twice the cost. Only real difference I could find was the performer didn’t have the fat neck and it had the Yosemite pickups. Slap some vintage pickups in the performer and you got almost the same guitar. So that’s what I did 👍🏻
🎸👍
Love your content man! Question: do you notice the finish on the neck being smoother on the pro? Supposedly it’s a “super satin” compared to the regular satin of the performer.
it's not a huge difference, but I still say the Pro 2 neck is my all time fav
@@landonbailey great, thanks man!
Great vid!
Thanks!
With teles the bridge pup was always their strength and their neck pup the weakness. The opposite of a strat. I've considered getting a strat with a tele bridge pup to have the best of both worlds and the strat form factor which I'm more used to. I need ergonomic contours. One thing about the tele is it can really rock in that bridge position. They can get very humbucker or P90 in tone, really cut and punch through a mix.
Thanks so much for the comparison. I am in the market for a telecaster and this definitely is super informative and fun to watch. Enjoyed your clean riff little jam on both guitars
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. Love this channel. Coming to you from Cumming, GA… north of Atlanta. I have an American performer raw ash Tele w satin finish. Really have taken a shine to the Jumbo frets, neck feels phenomenal. I also like the countersunk ferrules…among other things. Both are great guitars.
cheers!
Thanks for this, great channel! These have both been on my radar and I went to test them at a store at the weekend. I preferred the pickups on the Performer and slightly preferred the neck on the Pro II, although the Pro II wouldn't stay in tune. They got a second Pro II off the wall (Butterscotch Blonde with Maple fingerboard, really nice) but I found the neck on that one a bit sticky! Ended up leaving with neither, but will probably head back for the Performer.
Hi! So, in the end did you catch the Performer? R you happy with this Telly?
@@francescodefendi3201different person who you asked this question to... but I bought both of these same guitars and ended up keeping the performer and just adding a freeway switch that gave me more tone options than with the push push on the professional II. Both are fantastic instruments. I didn't really notice any difference in quality. I learned towards the performer pickup sound but that is personal preference... pickups on both are great really. I didn't notice any difference in the necks other than the color. I didn't notice any real difference in the runners either. My performer came with a hard case oddly... and I love the natural honey color on the performer... so didn't need a case... otherwise I may have gone with the professional... not sure again both about the same guitar really...
@@thadlogan51good to know your feedback 👍🏼… Thanks! [I’m more interested in the Performer (vintage white)]
@@francescodefendi3201 honestly... I have several quite expensive guitars... PRS core custom 24, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG 61 reissue, American standard Stratocaster, etc... and I'd put my performer up against any of them. It sounds phenomenal...way better then my strat which I never touch anymore. I don't know how a telecaster can be any better than the performer. I know it's the entry USA made telecaster... but when it's a perfect guitar where do you really go from there other than throwing in a case, adding more colors, or having a different size neck. I added a freeway switch for $50... which gives you the same tone as the push push plus phase options. Oh my only complaint was the fret edges were sharper on my performer than on my professional... so I paid someone $50 to file them... but other than that it's perfect...
@@thadlogan51 wow what a great set of guitars you have! 👏🏼 your news just make me even more willing to buy the American Performer! 😄🤟🏼
Thanks Landon. These are the very 2 teles I’m trying to decide on. I would have sworn pro 2 was Y because it’s slightly higher end electronics but now I see the cleans of the Yosemites on the performer are more vibrant and pleasing to the ear IMO. What are your thoughts of the performer single vs the hum version? Have you done a breakdown in those two?
I've never tried the humbucker version so I don't have an opinion.
I bought the performer in satin sonic blue in 2021. What sold me was the simplicity. It’s the closest to what you would have bought, buying a Tele in the 60s. No bells and whistles, fancy pots etc. square edges not the most comfortable… primitive. That’s part of the Tele charm. Leo truly got it right the first time!
🎸👍
any chance you can do american pro ii vs player plus?
Was really digging the sound of the performer a lot more, to my own surprise.
🎸👍
You have a great personality man. I really enjoy your videos. By the way Christopher in Pensacola Florida.
The neck on the pros is really great.
These are the two lm trying to decide on.Have the Am Pro ll Tele Deluxe in Mercury love the dual humbuckers and rosewood neck l would like to have a traditional pkup layout with a maple neck also .The push pull selector is amazing and l cant put the Deluxe down l get up early to play before work .
I agree with your conclusion. The Pro ll is worth the additional $300 US over the Performer. The hard shell case is a must in helping manage the impact of humidity and in protecting the instrument. I also prefer the pickups and the new choice of colours. I agree the Pro ll’s saddle is better.
Never use cases. Unless you’re leaving the house
@@Ottophil If like me you live in a climate where it is extremely cold in the winter, where the house humidity drops to around 30% you have to house your guitar in a hard shell case with some type of humidity control (I use the Humidi Pacs). During the summer months I’m able to keep my guitars on stands as the humidity is in the 45 - 50% range, which is ideal for preventing humidity damage.
Also dont lay them down
@@BeeRumblin13 Bee,if the climate where you preside is not challenging for a guitar’s humidity vulnerability then I agree that it didn’t make sense to invest in a hard case.
Yosemite’s are touch sensitive with that brightness, but really reward dynamics and can be tamed with a nice Boost or ODR-1.
How does this compare to your Hybrid II Telecaster?
I have the pro 2 in Mercury. Amazing guitar. Can't put it down. Well, I can put it down. It's not glued to my hands or anything. But anyway, great guitar. Best one I own.
Good vid this one, Landon, btw. Enjoyed it.
Hey, thanks!
Here in Perth, considered my many the toilet of Australia, the difference in price can run anywhere between $500-700AUD. Depending on colour the Performer is about $2100 and the Pro 2 up to $2800.
I reckon the Performer is more than enough to not worry about spending the extra cash. It sounds good and I don't need a hard case.
I'll be sticking with Affinity Tele for now in any event.
My dream guitar would look sound and feel exactly like my Affinity Tele, but it would cost me $2000. Then I'd be happy.
Great video! I've been curious about Yosemite pickups, needed any comparison video. Thanks man! Oh BTW your hair gives some kinda Dr. Banner vibe 😅 (I always thought you little bit look like Mark Ruffalo.)
The Pro II is one of the best guitars I've ever owned or played. I may be a tad biased in this comparison. And where can I order the Hair and Teles novel?
😆
I love the Pro II Telecasters. Cheers!
great neck!
Was trying to decide on maple or rosewood on the tele pro 2. I wouldnt of expected it but I liked the feel of Maple (never having played one before) on every Fender I tried. Amazing what happens when you actually spend a lil time with them.
IDK, both sound great! I would say I prefer some of the finish options on the Pro II though, so that would be my choice.
The Tele I really want though, without having to pay the custom shop price to get it, is nitro finished butterscotch blonde, with a bunch of more modern features like stainless steel frets, 12", or maybe even compound radius, modern C neck, compensated brass saddles, locking tuners, and probably the V Mod II pickups from the Pro II.
Nice choice on the STP cover too!
You can probably get most of those through the Fender Mod Shoo. The base guitar is a AM Pro though and not Pro II
@@aaronwilson8966 Am Pros are still available? 😯
I love your vids man, thank you! Hope you’re well. For me X had a nicer tone
Preferred X clean, and Y dirty lol.
Guessed X was pro from a smidge more depth and clarity on cleans.
Now you need to compare to American Vintage II 😉
yes it is!!!
@@PaulCooksStuff agreed with your assessment 💯. X was a dream on clean but Y was perfect dirty.
I thought this was going to be a super quick video with the answer being - hardshell case!
Nice video, love your humor
More to come!
Still think I’m getting a G&L ASAT
I have 2 Highway 1 Teles, I love them. I like the Vintera Teles too. It’s a pity the Performer has poor colour choices. I’d be up for one with rosewood in LPB or Sherwood green like the Specials.
They both sound great. I buy American made Fenders and Gibsons only because they tend to hold their value better in the resale market.
Recently I acquired a Fender Performer Stratocaster. I went for the performer as I preferred the feel of the neck, just seemed more comfortable to me. Definitely the frets made a difference and we're a plus to preferring the performer for me. I love the large headstock look anyway so that was OK. Also a plus for me was the 6 point trem as I've more experience with them. Finally sound I thought the Yosemite pickups were a bit more chime to my ears.
nice! thanks for sharing
Does performer have slimmer neck?
The neck is different in my Strat to a pro2. From memory playing them side by side I'd say that the performer felt less deep. But I principally think the different feel comes from the frets with the performer having jumbo frets vs the tall skinny in the pro2
Watching from Montpelier, Vermont… on the toilet! I have a pro ii strat and it’s the best interment I own. The pro ii’s are def fenders most underrated line
Ottawa Ontario buddy… Lauzon’s got some killer stuff…. I was looking at an Am pro 2 for quite awhile, but couldn’t justify the $ for it, it’s an amazing guit box, but not for my first Tele. I’m just jamming out in the basement by myself while the wife & kidos are asleep, so not in my wheel house. I ended up going with a classic vibe Tele based on numerous reviews ( including yours). Getting it set up at Weston Instruments as we speak. Can’t wait to get her back! Enjoy the vids… subscribed.
cheers! ya the Pro II was a lot less expensive when I got it in early 2021
@@landonbailey yep, $1999 for my Pro 2 in 2021 from L&M.
Have honey burst performer and never tried pro2 before , the pro 2 is really very good but after this video I do not need for thinking to get new pro2
Thanks a lot
American Pro I in ash - butterscotch blonde - modern take on an iconic classic. It is clearly the most resonant unplugged guitar I’ve ever heard, 7 1/2 lbs too. I may experiment with the pups though, not that the stock are bad, but i think I can do better with aftermarket.
This is the right comparison. Because ss pickups and rose finger board. As for Telecaster, Performer is my sweet spot.
On my phone the fender website doesn't have prices, so I really appreciated you answering my question from the other day, Landon. Teles are also my favourite guitars, I have an E series MIJ Fender TL67-SPL70 and a 2018 Players series black guard butterscotch, I love them both. I'm also in the process of butchering a paranormal thinline to exchange the neck for a mid 90s MIJ and equip it with a bigsby b5 with jazzmaster bridge. But none of mine are as nice as yours! Ever played a MIJ tele?
I just want a made in Japan. Can't decide between Hybrid II or JV 60s.
I'm working on a follow up about the Hybrid II and Performer
Bro I absolutely love your humor
appreciated thanks!
They are both good guitars. That is why I have them both.
You and I must have similar taste because I bought both of those same guitars with same two colors lol. I play clean 90 percent of the time a the clean tone in the performer was hands down better in my experience... the pro II pickups were dead clean. But in overdrive they both sound good. Either neck was fine for me. I prefer the honey finish more. The push push thing was a nice added option but for $50 I added a freeway switch to my performer and gave it the same effect plus reverse phase. My performer also oddly came with a hard case... so at the end of the day decided to sell my pro II. I think the pro two had less sharp fret ends... and I really liked it... just not enough to keep. But everyone had different taste in pickups, neck shape, etc depending on playing style. Again both great guitars though...I'd take either... but didn't want to keep two guitars that were almost the same thing...
🎸👍
To my ears Y had a much clearer sound on the neck pickup and the difference on the bridge pup was negligible!
👍🎸
I bought a squier Nashville paranormal Strat. I think I want a maple neck on it. Scalloped neck may be too far. I’ve never used one before. And I’m in western NY btw.
I got the blind tone test correct only because I could hear a very faint, "Say your prayers, varmint!'," emanating form the Performer's pickups. You need good headphones to pick it up. Thanks.
Something's wrong with your camera. It doesn't seem to want to focus.
Also, I like the blue one better because it looks prettier to me, because blue is my favorite colo- *EXPLODES*
I like the Performer better. A bit warmer tone and I like the looks and appointments like the vintage tuners and grease bucket tone pot.
I've had performer 6 months,best guitar I've had,it cost me £1179 which is 1475 dollars,you got a good deal Steve Manchester UK
I have the Performer; I love the neck and the pickups. I purchased the black Fender case so that narrows the field between the two for me. I also have the Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster - Butterscotch Blonde, which is very nice. I can't see myself buying the Professional II although you mentioned the Vmod pickups, they are fantastic, I have them on my Pro Strat. Keep up the good work on the channel, I'm a big fan :)
cheers!
I like the colour of the Pro 2 better. That makes it worth the difference.
I liked x clean and y under distortion. I thought X clean was the pro 2. Wasn't sure under the distortion. I thought y sounded better?
Damn you Landon. Because of your great channel I ordered a Casino yesterday. But mine will be the vintage sunburst. The tone is way better than the natural. Lol hahaha. Kidding. Your humour. Back at cha. Fellow Ottawa valley geek.
cheers!
Watching from the East Coast of Australia (mid way between Brisbane & Sydney). I'm starting to get that itch again for a Tele and came across the Pro 2. Now I'm seeing the Perf (is okay to abbreviate...I'm not sure as I'm not really in the club...YET!!!).
My main problem is not which of these 2 amazing guitars deserves me as its now owner. But how can I sound anything like the guy that runs the guitar store or anyone on the internet doing these reviews? It hurts!!!
hey there! Being in Australia you should check out some of the Made in Japan models. Your area would have access to them. cheers!
@@landonbailey You're right!! MIJ is held in high regard here.
The professional 2 I would get it with a maple neck.👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
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Cool stuff
"And So I Know". I fruckin love that song. 😎🤘🎸
I've got 2 american teles. First, is a pro deluxe shawbucker in natural. Second, is a thinline, in light yellow, seymour duncan in bridge position. Usually, i play the thinline, cause its 1 lb. lighter. Easier to handle. However, the deluxe is in the bedroom, close to my 9mm
Hi, your a funny guy, entertaining. I liked the Performer on the bridge distortion and professional on the clean just by a tad.
Rock on!
@@landonbailey ok I will
I got it right! I also have a performer
Would love to see you reviewing Schecter Nick Johnston Signature PT telecaster
I've done a Schecter PT Special video
the pro 2 is 3000 here in Australia
Preferred the Pro ll overall, for tone and look :)
You could always swap some parts between them and make a perfect partscaster ;)
Odd that they put a vintage-style string tree on the Professional and a modern (rock &) roller on the other - I’d definitely swap them around!
Love ´em both equally 🤫 The difference between the 2 are so minuscule. My questions are 1. Do want a gig bag or molded case? Or 2. Can I get both?? Thank you
I have no clue. They both look and sound amazing!
X -> Dark Night
Tone wise, I think I preferred X. But both are awesome.
Dark Night finish was a huge selling point for me. I love my American Pro 2. Agree with all Landon’s points. It’s an amazing guitar. Worth the extra money.
That rolled rosewood fretboard.
🌹 🤤
Lemoyne Nebraska!! Like both, not picky
As long as it does not have the faux aging that looks like an orange fake suntan on the neck and headstock then Im quite happy with any!
Liked the sound on the Performer more, but really the two are gonna be close enough when you show up to blues night. I'd still likely go with the Performer because I usually prefer a gig bag to a hard case but it's gotta be a really nice gig bag, and because vintage style tuners are the best style tuners. Honestly I'd probably just get whichever one my local guitar shop has in stock because they're both dang fine instruments
I thought the Performer sounded the best! I actually prefer the Performer over the Pro 2 overall. If they were both the same price, I would still choose the Performer. I love that Honey Burst! My minds made up! Thank you Landon 😀👍🏻
have fun!
I wish I could get a nice mash-up of both. Give me the Performer’s pickups, color and headstock logo design, but with the body ergonomics, switching and neck of the Professional II
Just noticed - Performer necks cost $100 lesser than a Professional neck, that's a big component of the price difference apart from the Pro coming with a hard case; cheers from India
man, those pups on the pro 2 are indeed something else. sure, it's a personal preference thing, but they are great. however, if I were between the 2, to be honest I'd go with the one I could get the better deal on, but for the list price, yeah, I'd get the pro, and maybe sell the case
I liked the sound best of guitar Y. American performer wins on traditional Tele tone
Sounds like you're actually really close. I'm out in Arnprior!
How sad for you 😂
Pro 2.
The performer is very similar to the Professional II without hard case and more "vintage" specs.
While I’m here, how much is the Performer these days? Please google it and reply fast before my internet goes out.
I will as soon as I get online again!
I liked the Performer better. Not surprised, I liked the performer Strat better too.
So, here is the deal. I live in the united states. North Carolina to be exact. Because of this channel, I decided to get on the world wide web and and check out Long and McQuade and order some stuff from them. Well, because of some stupide rule, they wouldn't ship to the states. Dumb!