Would Am Pro 2 Tele be a significant upgrade over a Baja?

[Grandfunkfan]

I had both. Still have the pro 2. IMHO the pickups on the pro 2 do screaming rock and awesome blues equally well, and I love the clarity and responsiveness. GREAT neck too.

 

[Grateful Ape]

I had both. Still have the pro 2. IMHO the pickups on the pro 2 do screaming rock and awesome blues equally well, and I love the clarity and responsiveness. GREAT neck too.

DO you know if the v mod 2's were a significant change to v1? I couldn't change the pickups fast enough in my Pro 1.

 

[Grandfunkfan]

DO you know if the v mod 2's were a significant change to v1? I couldn't change the pickups fast enough in my Pro 1.

All I know is that they are different. The only thing I didn't love was the middle position. I use a fat boost when I'm on the middle position and it's all good

 

[Sollophonic]

If I had to sell all my guitars, this battered, stripped, modded Baja would be the last to go.



I don't do every gig with it, but it usually does and if I had to, I would.

The Baja was a one off IMHO.

 

[John C]

It all really comes down to the neck - they are different, so it's which one works best for you.

 

[AtlanticCity83]

I once had a Baja (50s) and deeply regret selling it! Its neck was wonderful and it was so fun to play. Unfortunately at one point I thought I should sell it.
Now I play a 50s Classic - which I love, but it's a totally different Telecaster: Neck shape, pickups, frets...
It really is that important to know what you like about a guitar and what's important to you. Luckily I don't have much problems with the common neck shapes and after all it's a matter of getting used to it. I'm not picky regarding necks.

The Baja's pickups really sound great, but the SD Broadcaster set (Alnico 5!) sound absolutely amazing. My 50s Classic has an ash body and maple neck/fretboard as well, but the SD set can handle gain pretty well and they sound great for what I play (Springsteen, Country, 60-90s Rock).

You should play both and made a decision then.

 

[dough]

IMHO, the Baja is a very good Tele,..and the AmPro II is a very good Tele. I've owned both models and still own a Am Pro II. I'd just go with the Tele with the neck and pickups you enjoy the most.

Exactly. Regarding "quality", the AmPro II might be finished a little better, but nothing that a setup and fretwork can't equalize.

I've owned and love both guitars but now only own the AmPro II. IMO, the pickups are fantastic in both. I much prefer the 4-way switch to the push-push of the AmPro and mod'd mine accordingly. I prefer the neck shape of the AmPro as well, and its rolled fret ends are undeniably fantastic.

 

[unixfish]

I had a 7.0 lb Baja that I bought in 2015. I liked that guitar for it's neck. After playing it for 5 years, the neck started to feel "odd" to me - I just sort of fell out of love with the soft V. In 2021 or 2022, I forget which, I bought an American Professional II Tele, which is now my #1. The neck just felt better to me. I think I just grew that direction over time. I sold the Baja last summer.

If I had kept the Baja, I would still be happy with it. I just like the neck on the AP-II a bit more, and I could afford it, so why not? Who knows, in another 5 or 10 years, I may change my mind again and go another direction. It's all personal preference.

 

[petemoss41]

Some really great points here, thanks for all of the replies!

 

[Wrighty]

I had an AmPro ll , the other guitarist had a Baja. He preferred mine for the pickups. I preferred mine for the neck. As always, you pays your money and takes your choice………….

 

[Torz Johnson]

I've had a lot of USA teles and G&Ls since I bought my Baja around 10 years ago. They've all moved on and the Baja is still here.

 

[boris bubbanov]

I've got seven of these 50s Bajas, and not a one is going anywhere. I've got a number of those Americans with the neck carve of this American you describe, and the Baja neck is just better, especially once you get past the 1 hour mark when playing.

 

[Twangandy_]

Try it but before you try it, write on a paper which pickup you use the most, what you like of your Baja, how you like to set the amp and think how you use it
Go n the shop try the Am2, think where are the differences and think if you need them
Then plug in the shop your baja before taking decisions

 

[43mmNut]

I have experience with both and like them. I currently have an AmPro 2 in roasted pine and love it.

 

[Kmaxbrady]

Baja is an amazing instrument. Especially 50s style with the fat neck. If it were made in the US today they’d charge $2,000 for it.
I don’t think the US fenders use better hardware or better fret wire. Maybe the tuners are slightly better but that’s an easy $50 upgrade.
Baja is the winner in my book for sure.

 

[boris bubbanov]

Baja is an amazing instrument. Especially 50s style with the fat neck. If it were made in the US today they’d charge $2,000 for it.
I don’t think the US fenders use better hardware or better fret wire. Maybe the tuners are slightly better but that’s an easy $50 upgrade.
Baja is the winner in my book for sure.

I think that Fender demands the pots on the USA models be inspected better; the gauge of the metal on the input jack could be thicker on the USA model. The tuners on MIMs used to be bad, but today even the "Bad" ones are quite good (except for the trapezoid "F" style ones).

But I just upgrade these parts. It is relatively easy. The hard parts (like changing body finish or fretwire or neck carve) you better like what it comes with. If I don't like those things on a guitar, I don't buy it to start with - or it goes back.

 

[Skyhook]

Yeah I love the Baja neck. It's the pick ups on the Am Pro II I'm really curious about. I've been playing guitar half my life, but I don't have a ton of experience with the used market.

I'm starting to learn that neck=guitar.
Have you considered installing AmPro II pickups in your Baja?

 

[Wrighty]

I've got seven of these 50s Bajas, and not a one is going anywhere. I've got a number of those Americans with the neck carve of this American you describe, and the Baja neck is just better, especially once you get past the 1 hour mark when playing.

An hour? I’ve run out of things to play, well within an hour I’m running through my entire repertoire for the third time!