Fender American Performer vs Professional: The Differences

If you’re looking for an American-made Fender guitar then the Performer and Professional ranges are the most affordable options to look at. In this article, I’ll be comparing the American Performer and Professional II ranges of the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster so you know which series is best for you.

The Quick Answer

The main differences between the Fender American Performer and American Professional guitars are the neck profile and pickups. American Professional II guitars have thicker necks and higher output pickups giving them a more modern tone compared to the American Performer guitars.

The American Professional series is approximately $300 (or £400 in the UK) more expensive than the American Performer series of guitars, but does include a number of upgrades such as:

• Sculpted neck heel (all models)
• Additional switching options (on the Tele and Jazzmaster models)
• Bone nut (instead of synthetic bone on all models)
• Tremolo system improvements (on Strat and Jazzmaster models)
• Hard-Shell Case (instead of a soft gig-bag with all models)

Which Models are Available?

The Fender American Performer range only includes right-handed versions of the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster, whereas the American Professional II range includes left-handed versions as well. Only the American Performer range includes the Mustang shape.

Here is a table showing all the models (and pickup configurations) available at the time of writing in the American Performer and Professional II series. RH = right handed version, LH = left-handed version.

Model and Pickups	Performer Available	Professional II Available
Stratocaster SSS	RH	RH and LH
Stratocaster HSS	RH	RH
Telecaster SS	RH	RH and LH
Telecaster HH	None	RH
Telecaster SH	RH	None
Jazzmaster	RH	RH and LH
Mustang	RH	None

Contents

• Stratocaster Models
• Telecaster Models
• Jazzmaster Models

American Performer vs Professional Stratocaster

The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has upgraded features a sculpted neck heel and bone nut. The American Performer has a slightly thinner neck profile and has more of a vintage tone compared to the higher-output pickups in the American Professional II.

Here’s a link to my guide to the different Fender neck profiles if you are looking for more detail.

The American Professional has a 2-point tremolo whereas the American Performer has a 6-point tremolo. Check out my comparison between 2 and 6 point tremolos to learn more.

The American Professional II Strat is around $300 more expensive than the American Performer Strat, however the Professional II does come with a hard-shell case compared to the Performer’s soft-case.

Here is a table comparing the specifications of the American Performer and American Professional II Stratocaster models.

Feature	American Performer Strat	American Professional II Strat
Body Wood	Alder	Alder/ Pine
Body Finish	Satin	Gloss
Pickups	Yosemite	V-Mod II
Neck Shape	Modern C	Deep C
Sculpted Neck Heel	No	Yes
Fret Size	Jumbo	Narrow Tall
Fretboard Finish	Satin	Satin
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone	Bone
Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronised Tremolo	2-Point Synchronized Tremolo
Tremolo	Screw-In	Pop-In
Pickguard	3-Ply	4-Ply
Headstock	Oversized	Standard
Gig Bag	Soft-Shell	Hard-Case
Left Hand Available	No	Yes
Colors (SSS)	Honeyburst Arctic White Satin Lake Placid Blue	3-Color Sunburst Olympic White Mystic Surf Green Miami Blue Mercury Dark Night Roasted Pine Black Sienna Sunburst
Colors (HSS)	Aubergine 3-Color Sunburst Black Satin Surf Green	3-Color Sunburst Olympic White Mystic Surf Green Miami Blue Mercury Dark Night Roasted Pine Sienna Sunburst

Images link to Amazon

Here are links to the different models on Amazon so you can check the current prices:

• Fender American Performer Stratocaster
• Fender American Professional II Stratocaster

Here is a table showing the similarities between the Fender American Performer and Professional II Stratocaster.

Feature	Specification
Pickup Selector	5-Way
Controls	2 x Tone, 1 x Vol
Push/ Pull Tone	Yes
Neck Wood	Maple
Neck Finish	Satin
Scale Length	25.5”
Fret Number	22
Fretboard Finish	Satin
Fingerboard Radius	9.5”
Nut Width	1.685”
Inlays	White/ Black Dot
String Gauge	9
Fretboard	Maple/ Rosewood

Considering other Stratocasters? Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option.

American Performer vs Professional Telecaster

The Fender American Professional II Telecaster has upgraded features such as a sculpted neck joint, push/ pull tone pot, hard shell case, and higher output pickups compared to the American Performer Telecaster. The Performer Telecaster has a thinner neck compared to the Professional II Telecaster.

Here is a table comparing the specifications of the American Performer and American Professional II Telecaster models.

Feature	American Performer Tele	American Professional II Tele
Body Material	Alder	Alder/ Pine
Neck Shape	Modern C	Deep C
Sculpted Neck Joint	No	Yes
Fretboard Material	Maple	Maple/ Rosewood
Fret Size	Jumbo	Narrow Tall
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone	Bone
Inlays	Black Dot	White/ Black Dot
Pickups	Yosemite	V-Mod II
Push/ Pull Tone	No	Yes
Bridge	3-Saddle Vintage Style	3-Saddle Top Load/ String-Through
Pickguard	1-Ply	3-Ply
Control Style	Knurled Flat-Top	Knurled Dome
Switch Style	Barrel	Black
Gig Bag	Soft-Shell	Hard-Case
Left-Hand Available	No	Yes
Colors	Honeyburst Satin Sonic Blue Vintage White	3-Color Sunburst Olympic White Mystic Surf Green Mercury Dark Night Black Miami Blue Sienna Sunburst Butterscotch Blonde Roasted Pine

Images link to Amazon

Here are links to the different models on Amazon so you can check the current prices:

• Fender American Performer Telecaster
• Fender American Professional II Telecaster

Here is a table showing the similarities between the Fender American Performer and Professional II Telecaster.

Feature	Specification
Body Finish	Gloss
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Finish	Satin
Scale Length	25.5″
Fingerboard Radius	9.5”
Fret Number	22
Fret Size	Jumbo
Nut Width	1.685”
Pickup Selector	3-Way
Controls	1 x Tone, 1 x Vol
Hardware Finish	Nickel/ Chrome
String Gauge	9

American Performer vs Professional Jazzmaster

The Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster has higher-output and more modern sounding pickups and additional switching options compared to the American Performer Jazzmaster. The American Performer Jazzmaster has a slimmer neck profile compared to the Professional II.

Here is a table comparing the specifications of the American Performer and American Professional II Jazzmaster models.

Feature	American Performer Jazzmaster	American Professional II Jazzmaster
Body Finish	Satin/ Gloss	Gloss
Neck Shape	Modern C	Deep C
Sculpted Neck Joint	No	Yes
Fretboard Material	Rosewood	Maple/ Rosewood
Fret Size	Jumbo	Narrow Tall
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone	Bone
Inlays	White Dot	White/ Black Dot
Pickups	Yosemite	V-Mod II
Rhythm/ Lead Circuit	No	Yes
Pickup Selector	3-Way	3-Way
Controls	1 x Tone, 1 x Vol	2 x Tone, 2 x Vol
Push/ Pull Tone	No	Yes
Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage Synchronised Tremolo	9.5” Radius Panorma Tremolo
Pickguard	4-Ply	3-Ply
Control Style	White	Aged White
Switch Style	White	Aged White
Gig Bag	Soft-Shell	Hard-Case
Left-Hand Available	No	Yes
Colors	Lake Placid Blue 3 Color Sunburst Vintage White	Lake Placid Blue 3 Color Sunburst Mercury Dark Night Mystic Surf Green

Images link to Amazon

Here are links to the different models on Amazon so you can check the current prices:

• Fender American Performer Jazzmaster
• Fender American Professional Jazzmaster

Here is a table showing the similarities between the Fender American Performer and Professional II Jazzmaster.

Feature	Specification
Body Material	Alder
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Finish	Satin
Scale Length	25.5”
Fingerboard Radius	9.5”
Fret Number	22
Nut Width	1.685”
Hardware Finish	Nickel/ Chrome
String Gauge	9

Here are some more articles you might find useful:

• Fender American Performer vs Player Series
• Fender Player vs Player Plus Series
• Fender American Professional vs Player Series
• Fender American Professional II vs Original (’50s and ’60s) Series
• Fender American Professional II vs American Ultra