Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Electric Guitar User Manual

1. Introduction and Overview

This manual provides essential information for the setup, operation, and maintenance of your Fender American Professional II Stratocaster electric guitar. This instrument features a lightweight, contoured alder body, V-Mod II single-coil pickups, an upgraded 2-point tremolo bridge with a cold-rolled steel block, a "Super-Natural" satin neck finish, and a comfortable contoured heel joint.

Key features include:

• Solidbody Electric Guitar with Alder Body
• Three V-Mod II Single-coil Pickups
• Rosewood Fingerboard
• Maple Neck with "Super-Natural" Satin Finish
• 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles and Cold-Rolled Steel Block

Figure 1.1: The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster electric guitar in Dark Night finish, featuring a rosewood fingerboard.

2. Setup

2.1 Unpacking

Carefully remove your Fender American Professional II Stratocaster from its deluxe molded case. Inspect the guitar for any signs of damage that may have occurred during shipping. Retain all packaging materials for future transport or storage.

2.2 Initial Tuning

Before playing, tune your guitar using an electronic tuner. The standard tuning for a 6-string guitar is E-A-D-G-B-e (from thickest to thinnest string). The sealed die-cast tuning machines provide stable tuning.

Figure 2.1: The headstock of the Stratocaster, showing the tuning machines and Fender logo.

2.3 Connecting to an Amplifier

To amplify your guitar's sound, connect a standard 1/4" (6.35mm) instrument cable from the guitar's output jack to your amplifier's input. Ensure your amplifier is turned off or on standby before connecting or disconnecting the cable to prevent sudden loud noises.

Figure 2.2: The Fender Stratocaster connected to an amplifier, ready for use.

3. Operating Instructions

3.1 Controls Overview

Your American Professional II Stratocaster features a standard control layout for versatile tone shaping:

• Volume Knob: Controls the overall output level of the guitar.
• Tone 1 Knob: Controls the tone for the neck pickup.
• Tone 2 Knob: Controls the tone for the middle and bridge pickups. This knob also features a push-push function to activate the neck pickup in positions 1 and 2, expanding tonal options.
• 5-Way Pickup Selector Switch: Allows selection of individual pickups or combinations:
  1. Bridge Pickup
  2. Bridge and Middle Pickups
  3. Middle Pickup
  4. Middle and Neck Pickups
  5. Neck Pickup

Figure 3.1: Detailed view of the guitar's control knobs, pickup selector switch, and V-Mod II single-coil pickups.

3.2 Tremolo System

The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with bent steel saddles and a cold-rolled steel block allows for pitch modulation. Insert the tremolo arm into its receptacle and gently use it to create vibrato effects. Excessive force can affect tuning stability or damage the bridge components.

Figure 3.2: The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo bridge with its bent steel saddles and tremolo arm.

4. Maintenance

4.1 Cleaning

• Body: Wipe the body with a soft, lint-free cloth after each use to remove sweat and fingerprints. For deeper cleaning, use a guitar-specific polish.
• Neck and Fretboard: The "Super-Natural" satin finish on the maple neck requires minimal maintenance. For the rosewood fretboard, periodically clean with a damp cloth and apply a small amount of fretboard conditioner to prevent drying.
• Hardware: Use a dry cloth to wipe down metal parts like the bridge and tuners to prevent corrosion.

4.2 String Replacement

Strings should be replaced regularly to maintain optimal tone and playability. Replace one string at a time to maintain neck tension. Use light gauge alloy steel strings for best performance.

4.3 Storage

Store your guitar in its deluxe molded case when not in use to protect it from dust, humidity changes, and physical damage. Avoid exposing the guitar to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

Figure 4.1: Rear view of the guitar, highlighting the contoured heel joint and backplate.

5. Specifications

6. Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter with your electric guitar.

• No Sound or Weak Signal:
  • Ensure the instrument cable is securely connected at both the guitar and amplifier.
  • Check the guitar's volume knob and the amplifier's volume settings.
  • Test with a different cable or amplifier to isolate the problem.
  • Verify that the pickup selector switch is not in an "off" position (though Stratocasters typically don't have one).
  • Inspect the output jack for loose connections. If wiring appears loose, professional repair may be necessary.
• Buzzing or Hum:
  • Single-coil pickups can naturally produce some hum; this is normal.
  • Ensure proper grounding of your amplifier and power outlets.
  • Check for loose hardware on the guitar (e.g., bridge saddles, tuning machines).
  • Excessive buzzing might indicate a need for a professional setup or shielding.
• Tuning Instability:
  • Ensure strings are properly stretched after replacement.
  • Check that strings are correctly wound around the tuning posts.
  • Lubricate the nut slots with graphite or a specialized lubricant.
  • Excessive use of the tremolo system can temporarily affect tuning.
  • Worn strings can also lead to tuning issues.

7. Warranty and Support

Fender provides a limited warranty for its products. For detailed information regarding warranty coverage, terms, and conditions, please refer to the official Fender website or contact Fender customer support directly. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.

For further assistance, technical support, or service inquiries, please visit the official Fender support page or contact an authorized Fender service center.

Online Resources: Fender Support Website