Sweetwater-spec'd Custom Shop Classic Enters Standard Production
Previously limited to Fender’s Custom Shop offerings, the Sweetwater-designed GT11 (Grand Touring) platform makes its way into Fender’s standard roster with the American Professional II GT11. This superb series of 6-strings begins with a standard setup of a lightweight alder body, ’60s oval “C” maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard, making for a fine foundation for any vintage-style Strat. That said, the rest of this guitar's Sweetwater-spec features are anything but traditional. From the upgraded 6-point tremolo with a cold-rolled steel block to the string-tree-less headstock and the titular 11-inch fingerboard radius, the Fender American Professional II GT11 Stratocaster retains the eminently modern feel and performance of Sweetwater’s Fender Custom Shop GT11 models. Finally, we opted to outfit the American Professional II GT11 Stratocaster with a trio of Fender Custom Shop ’69 Strat pickups to capture the shimmering clarity and full-bodied punch made famous by iconic blues and rock guitarists from the late 1960s. Available only at Sweetwater, the Fender American Professional II GT11 Stratocaster delivers slick Sweetwater specs and Custom Shop class in spades.
A trio of underwound Strat single-coils
Throughout the vintage era, Fender’s pickups drastically varied in tone from year to year — manufacturing consistency wasn’t quite as exacting as it is today! This resulted in endless variations between pickups of the same model, especially when comparing pickups divided by more than a few years. The Fender American Professional II GT11’s three Custom Shop hand-wound ’69 Stratocaster exemplify this fact, with a slightly less powerful output than you’d find on many other Strats from the 1960s. Sweetwater guitarists find this results in a slightly sweeter sound, with greater dynamic range and a strong emphasis on upper-range chime.
You've never felt a Strat neck like this one
Some necks feel good, while others feel great. The GT11 Stratocaster goes beyond great — you'll feel an immediate personal connection to this guitar. This solidbody electric guitar's 11-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard makes everything effortless. Play a chord by the nut or play a few licks at the 14th fret; it all feels the same — smooth and incredible. And the maple neck features a '60s-style oval "C" shape that fills your hand perfectly, no matter where you're playing. When we first got our hands on the GT11 here at Sweetwater, we were amazed at what a difference the 11-inch radius made — especially for players who were used to a flatter radius than a traditional Strat.
Set to Sweetwater Exclusive specs
Boasting a handpicked set of specs courtesy of Sweetwater’s guitar experts, the GT11 series delivers a tone, feel, and performance you simply can’t find on any other Strat. Besides the titular 11-inch radius, this Strat sports an upgraded 6-point tremolo with a cold-rolled steel block. What does that mean for you? A significant sustain boost, in addition to a sparkling top-end chime and clarity across the American Professional II GT11’s entire range. Instead of the Strat-standard setup of two tone knobs, this instrument features a distinctive blend control that infuses the neck pickup’s tone into the one and two positions, allowing for hitherto-unheard singing Strat sonics. While it may appear like a minor detail, the Fender American Professional II GT11 Stratocaster’s string tree-less headstock reduces the break angle of the top two strings to deliver a slightly slacker, easier-to-bend feel.
Fender American Professional II GT11 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Features:
- Inspired by Sweetwater’s line of GT11 (Grand Touring) Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters
- Lightweight alder body offers a brilliant, balanced tone
- Maple neck in a comfortable ’60s oval “C” profile
- Rosewood fingerboard planed into a Sweetwater-spec 11-inch radius and finished with 22 narrow-tall frets
- 6-point tremolo with a cold-rolled steel block enhances sustain and clarity
- A trio of Fender Custom Shop ’69 Strat pickups capture the chiming highs and full-bodied bite of the late 1960s
- Unique control configuration consists of a master volume, master tone, and a blend knob that adds in the neck pickup in positions 1 and 2
- String tree-less headstock grants a slacker feel on the high E and B strings
