Fender American Professional II Stratocaster RW Mercury Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster RW Mercury takes one of the world's most recognisable electric guitar designs and refines it for modern professional playing. Combining a classic alder Stratocaster body with a rosewood fingerboard, three V-Mod II single-coil pickups and a beautifully playable Deep “C” maple neck, it delivers the familiar clarity, snap and expressive response players expect from an American Fender while adding genuinely useful modern refinements.

This Mercury-finished model has a particularly sharp contemporary look, pairing the metallic finish with a black 3-ply pickguard and aged-white controls and pickup covers. Underneath that distinctive appearance is a versatile professional instrument equally at home with clean rhythm parts, blues, indie, funk, pop, rock, country and effects-driven modern guitar sounds.

A push-push switching system expands the traditional five Stratocaster pickup combinations, while the upgraded two-point tremolo, sculpted neck heel and rolled fingerboard edges make the American Professional II especially well suited to players who want a traditional Strat character without being tied to strictly vintage specifications.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Model	American Professional II Stratocaster
Finish	Mercury
Condition	New
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Pickups	3 x V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat
Neck	Maple, Deep “C” profile
Included	Fender Deluxe Moulded Case
Main Appeal	Classic Strat tone with professional modern refinements
Best For	Gigging, recording, blues, rock, pop, funk, indie and versatile professional use

What's Included?

• Fender American Professional II Stratocaster RW in Mercury

• Fender Deluxe Moulded Case

• Pop-in tremolo arm

• .050" saddle-height hex wrench

• 1/8" truss-rod hex wrench

Why Choose The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?

Classic Stratocaster Sound With More Versatility

Three V-Mod II Stratocaster single-coil pickups provide the clear attack, open top end, detailed clean tones and expressive response associated with an SSS Stratocaster. Each pickup is voiced for its position, giving the guitar a balanced spread of tones from rounded neck-pickup warmth through glassy middle combinations to a more cutting bridge voice.

Deep “C” Neck With Rolled Fingerboard Edges

The maple neck uses Fender's Deep “C” profile, offering a little more substance than a slim modern neck without feeling excessively large. Rolled fingerboard edges and Fender's Super-Natural satin finish help give the neck a smooth, played-in feel, making this a strong choice for rhythm work, lead playing and long sessions.

Two Extra Pickup Combinations

A push-push switch built into the second tone control activates the neck pickup when the selector is in positions one and two. That means you can access bridge and neck together, plus all three pickups simultaneously, giving the American Professional II tonal combinations that a conventional five-way Stratocaster does not provide.

Professional Two-Point Tremolo System

The upgraded two-point synchronized tremolo uses bent-steel saddles, a pop-in tremolo arm and a cold-rolled steel block. It offers smooth pitch control while retaining the familiar feel and response expected from a Strat-style vibrato system.

Easier Upper-Fret Access

A sculpted neck heel and bevelled neck plate reduce some of the bulk traditionally found around the Stratocaster neck joint. For players regularly working higher up the fingerboard, this provides noticeably easier access without radically changing the instrument's classic shape.

Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Compared With Popular Alternatives

Fender American Professional Classic Stratocaster

The American Professional Classic Stratocaster leans further towards vintage-inspired Fender styling and hardware, using a Modern “C” neck, medium-jumbo frets and a six-screw vintage-style tremolo. The American Professional II is the stronger choice for players wanting a more substantial Deep “C” neck, narrow-tall frets, modern two-point tremolo and expanded pickup switching.

Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster

Choose the American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster if period-inspired specifications are the priority. Its 7.25" fingerboard radius, vintage-style hardware, Pure Vintage '61 pickups and nitrocellulose lacquer finish provide a much more historically focused experience. The American Professional II is better suited to players wanting classic Fender character with easier modern playability and greater switching flexibility.

Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster

The American Ultra II Stratocaster moves further into Fender's contemporary premium territory with noiseless pickups, advanced switching, locking tuners, sculpted contours and a 10"-14" compound-radius fingerboard. The American Professional II retains a more traditional single-coil response and familiar 9.5" radius while still providing many useful professional upgrades.

Fender American Professional II Stratocaster HSS

Players using heavier gain or requiring more output from the bridge position should consider the American Professional II Stratocaster HSS, which substitutes a Double Tap humbucker for the traditional bridge single-coil. This SSS version is the better fit when authentic Strat-style bridge bite, clarity and classic single-coil character are more important.

Who Is The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster For?

This guitar is particularly well suited to:

• Players moving into their first premium American-made Fender

• Working guitarists needing one versatile instrument for multiple styles

• Stratocaster players wanting traditional single-coil sounds with modern refinements

• Studio musicians requiring clear, responsive tones that sit easily in a mix

• Blues and rock players who want expressive dynamics rather than extremely high-output pickups

• Funk, soul and pop players who rely on articulate clean and edge-of-breakup tones

• Players who find very slim necks uncomfortable and prefer a slightly fuller profile

• Guitarists wanting a professional Strat without the more specialised vintage feel of the American Vintage II range

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender Stratocaster? Our experienced team of musicians can help you compare American Professional, American Vintage, American Ultra and Player models by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

One of the main strengths of the American Professional II Stratocaster is how naturally it adapts to different styles.

The neck pickup works particularly well for blues leads, warm clean sounds and smoother overdriven tones. Positions two and four provide the familiar scooped Strat character associated with funk, soul, pop and clean rhythm playing, while the bridge pickup gives more attack for rock, indie and cutting lead parts.

Because the pickups remain responsive to playing dynamics, the guitar also works particularly well with valve amplifiers and gain pedals. Picking intensity and guitar-volume adjustments can produce a meaningful change in response rather than simply altering output level.

What Does The Push-Push Switch Do On The American Professional II Stratocaster?

A standard Stratocaster five-way switch does not normally allow the neck and bridge pickups to operate together. The American Professional II solves this with a push-push function on the second tone control.

Activate it with the selector in the bridge position and the neck pickup is added, creating a broader two-pickup sound that sits somewhere outside the normal Stratocaster switching layout. Use it in position two and all three pickups operate together. It is a simple feature, but one that genuinely expands the guitar's usable tonal range without changing the familiar control layout.

Story & Context

Fender introduced the American Professional II series in 2020 as the second generation of its American Professional range. The idea was not to redesign Fender's classic instruments from scratch, but to refine them around the needs of contemporary working guitarists.

On the Stratocaster, that development brought together features including the V-Mod II pickups, rolled fingerboard edges, sculpted neck heel, upgraded tremolo assembly and expanded switching. The result sits deliberately between Fender's more vintage-focused instruments and its more overtly modern Ultra models.

That positioning is a large part of the American Professional II Stratocaster's appeal. It still feels immediately recognisable as a Stratocaster, but many of the small details have been updated to make regular stage, studio and everyday playing more comfortable and versatile.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Professional II
Model	American Professional II Stratocaster
Orientation	Right-handed
Colour	Mercury
Body Shape	Stratocaster
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss urethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Profile	Deep “C”
Neck Construction	4-bolt
Neck Finish	Super-Natural satin urethane on rear with gloss urethane headstock face
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number of Frets	22
Fret Size	Narrow Tall
Position Inlays	White dots
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.685" / 42.8 mm
Bridge Pickup	V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup	V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup	V-Mod II Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Tone 1 Neck/Middle, Tone 2 Bridge
Pickup Selector	5-position blade
Additional Switching	Push-push tone control adds neck pickup
Bridge	2-point synchronized tremolo
Saddles	Bent steel
Tremolo Arm	Pop-in
Tremolo Block	Cold-rolled steel
Tuning Machines	Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	3-ply black
Control Knobs	Aged white plastic
Pickup Covers	Aged white
Strap Buttons	Vintage-style
Factory Strings	Fender USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel .009-.042
Case	Fender Deluxe Moulded Case

Power Requirements

The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster uses passive electronics, so no battery or external power supply is required.

Simply connect the guitar to an amplifier, audio interface, modeller, effects processor or pedalboard using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster RW Mercury is an excellent choice for players who want the unmistakable response of a traditional SSS Stratocaster without committing to strictly vintage specifications.

Its standout strength is balance. The V-Mod II pickups retain the clarity and dynamic response Strat players expect, while the Deep “C” neck, rolled edges, sculpted heel and modern tremolo make it comfortable enough for demanding contemporary playing. Add the expanded switching and included moulded case and it becomes a particularly complete professional package.

Best suited for: Working players, serious enthusiasts and studio musicians wanting a versatile premium Stratocaster.

Customers usually upgrade from: Fender Player, Player II, Vintera and similar mid-priced Stratocaster models.

Most commonly paired with: A quality valve or modelling amplifier, overdrive pedal and professional instrument cable.

Our tip: Spend some time exploring the push-push switching with cleaner amp settings. The neck-and-bridge combination provides one of the most useful sounds that a conventional Stratocaster does not normally offer.

Showroom feedback: The Deep “C” profile is a strong choice for players who want more substance in the hand than Fender's slimmer Modern “C” shapes while retaining a fast, comfortable overall feel.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps guitarists choose equipment based on how they actually play rather than simply reading a specification sheet. Whether you're choosing your first Fender USA guitar, comparing different Stratocaster ranges or putting together a complete professional rig, we're here to provide straightforward advice before and after your purchase.

Choose Fair Deal Music for:

• Expert advice from experienced musicians

• A major Birmingham music showroom

• New and pre-owned guitar expertise

• Carefully checked musical instruments and equipment

• Secure online ordering

• UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Decades of experience as an independent UK music retailer

Already own a guitar you're considering upgrading? Speak to our team about part exchange and a no-obligation valuation. Trading your existing instrument can be a straightforward way to reduce the cost of moving up to an American Professional II Stratocaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Professional II Stratocaster suitable for professional gigging?

Yes. The American Professional II range was designed around the requirements of working players, with practical features including a comfortable neck finish, sculpted heel, modern tremolo system, sealed tuners and an included moulded case.

What is the difference between a Deep “C” and Modern “C” Fender neck?

The Deep “C” has more depth and substance through the hand than Fender's slimmer Modern “C” profile. It remains comfortable for modern playing but can feel more supportive to players who prefer a neck with a little more mass.

Are the V-Mod II pickups noiseless?

No. They are traditional-style single-coil pickups rather than Fender Noiseless pickups. As with conventional Stratocaster single coils, some electrical hum can be present depending on the environment, amplifier and gain level.

Is the American Professional II good for blues?

Very much so. Its responsive single-coil pickups, comfortable neck and expressive tremolo make it particularly well suited to blues rhythm and lead playing. The neck and neck/middle positions provide especially useful clean, edge-of-breakup and overdriven sounds.

Can the American Professional II Stratocaster handle rock music?

Yes. The SSS pickup layout works extremely well for classic rock, indie, alternative and lower-to-medium-gain rock sounds. Players who regularly use very high gain or want a thicker bridge sound may prefer the American Professional II HSS.

What is the advantage of narrow-tall frets?

Narrow-tall frets give your fingers good clearance from the fingerboard when bending and applying vibrato without creating the broad feel associated with jumbo frets. They offer a useful compromise between traditional appearance and modern playability.

Does the rosewood fingerboard change the way the guitar feels?

Rosewood provides a naturally smooth fingerboard surface and gives this version a classic Fender appearance. Players choosing between maple and rosewood should primarily consider feel, appearance and personal preference rather than expecting a dramatic difference in amplified tone.

Is this a good upgrade from a Fender Player Stratocaster?

Yes. A Player or Player II Stratocaster owner looking for a more premium Fender can benefit from the American Professional II's V-Mod II pickups, Deep “C” neck, rolled fingerboard edges, sculpted heel, upgraded tremolo assembly, expanded switching and included moulded case.

Fair Deal Music Expert Recommendation

If you want a Stratocaster that still sounds and responds like a Strat but feels refined enough for serious stage and studio use, the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster RW Mercury is one of the strongest all-round choices in Fender's American range.

The Mercury finish gives this version a distinctive modern appearance, while the rosewood fingerboard and SSS V-Mod II pickup configuration keep the playing experience rooted firmly in classic Stratocaster territory.

For help comparing this model against the American Professional Classic, American Vintage II, American Ultra II or an HSS Stratocaster, speak to the Fair Deal Music team online, by phone or visit us in our Birmingham showroom.

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