Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 70th Review: A Mislabelled Guitar

Who Should Buy It

Key Specifications

Overview

The listing for the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 70th presents a premium tier instrument with a Comet Burst finish. The published feature bullets name an alder body, a maple top, a rosewood fingerboard and three single coil pickups. That combination points to a classic solidbody electric guitar rather than a bass. The product type in the data says bass guitar, but none of the listed specifications match a bass.

This review is based only on the published listing. No in-person evaluation was performed. Because the listing includes no scale length, string count, neck profile, bridge, tuners or controls, many standard review points remain unknown. Readers should treat this as an editorial research piece about a specific online listing rather than a full product review.

Body, Neck and Playability

The body is described as alder with a maple top. Alder is a common choice for solidbody electric guitars and is often associated with balanced weight and a clear upper midrange. The maple top is a cosmetic and tonal addition that suggests a model with visual depth under the Comet Burst finish. The listing does not state the body thickness, contours or weight.

The fingerboard is rosewood, which typically delivers a slightly warmer attack than maple. However, the neck wood itself is not published in the listing. There is no information about neck profile, fret count, fret size, nut width or radius. These omissions make it impossible to assess the playability on paper beyond the basic fingerboard material.

Scale length and string spacing are also missing. For a bass reviewer, that is a significant gap because scale length and string count define the instrument category. The listing does not specify whether it is a four string or five string bass, because the described product appears to be a six string guitar. Players who need specific neck dimensions should contact the seller before purchase.

Pickups and Tone

The only pickup information in the listing is three single coil pickups. This is a classic Stratocaster style configuration, not a bass pickup layout. Single coils are known for a bright, articulate, twangy sound with good note separation. On paper, the three pickup design suggests positions that can cover a range of clean and lightly overdriven tones.

The listing does not state the pickup brand, output, magnet type, polarity or whether a hum cancelling option is present. It also does not describe the switching system or any tone shaping controls. As a result, the actual tone remains speculative. Buyers cannot rely on the listing to know if the pickups are noiseless, vintage voiced or high output.

For a bass guitar buyer, this pickup description is not useful. Bass pickups are typically split coil, soapbar, humbucker or single coil in specific bass sizes. The listing's mention of three single coils, combined with the alder and maple body, reinforces that the product is a Stratocaster electric guitar. The tone characteristics described here should not be interpreted as bass tone.

Hardware and Electronics

The hardware section of this listing is thin. There is no information about the bridge, tuners, nut material, strap buttons or output jack. The listing does not mention whether the instrument has a tremolo or a fixed bridge, which is a major difference on a Stratocaster style guitar. Without those details, the hardware cannot be evaluated.

The electronics are similarly vague beyond the three single coil pickups. The listing does not state the control layout, switch type, pot values or whether a battery powered preamp is present. For a product listed as a bass, the absence of bass electronics details is especially problematic. Buyers need to know about active or passive operation and EQ options.

• Three single coil pickups are listed
• Alder body with a maple top is included
• Rosewood fingerboard is specified
• Comet Burst finish is named
• No bridge, tuners or control details are published

Build Quality and Finish

The finish is the most concrete visual detail in the listing. Comet Burst is a premium looking, likely multi tone sunburst style finish that pairs with the maple top. The combination of alder, maple and rosewood is common on higher end Fender instruments. On paper, these materials suggest a solid build with a focus on resonance and visual appeal.

However, build quality cannot be confirmed from the listing. There is no mention of fretwork, nut slotting, solder joints, finish thickness or overall craftsmanship. The Fender American Professional II name carries a reputation for quality, but the listing does not state where the instrument was made or what quality control checks were performed.

The product type says bass guitar, which introduces another build quality concern. If the listing images and description are for a guitar but the category says bass, there may be a data entry error. Buyers should not assume the instrument will meet bass guitar build requirements such as stronger necks, larger bridges or bass specific hardware.

Setup Out of the Box

The listing does not state whether the instrument receives a setup before shipping. There is no mention of action height, neck relief, intonation or string gauge. Without that information, the out of the box experience remains unknown. A premium tier instrument may or may not include a factory setup.

The listing also does not mention any included accessories such as a case, gig bag, tremolo arm, cable or tools. Some Fender models ship with a case or paperwork, but this listing does not confirm that. Players who expect a ready to play instrument should clarify these details with the seller.

For bass players, setup is especially important due to heavier strings and higher tension. Since the listing does not include bass strings or a bass setup, it provides no useful setup expectations. The product type mismatch again makes it impossible to know what will arrive.

Daily Use and Practice

As described, this instrument is a solidbody electric guitar with three single coil pickups and a rosewood fingerboard. On paper, it would suit daily practice for guitarists who want a bright, articulate tone and a smooth fingerboard. The alder body is typically comfortable for long sessions, though weight is not published.

For bass practice, the listing is not appropriate. A bass player needs a longer scale, thicker strings and bass voiced pickups, none of which are described. Practicing on a guitar will not build bass technique. The product type may be incorrect, and bass buyers should not rely on this listing.

The lack of a stated weight, balance or strap button placement further limits daily use assessment. Players who stand for long periods need to know weight distribution. The listing does not provide that information. Without in-person time, daily comfort cannot be confirmed.

Versatility and Styles

Three single coil pickups on a solidbody guitar are generally known for versatility across clean tones, blues, country, pop, funk and classic rock. The Stratocaster platform in particular has a long association with studio work and stage playing. On paper, the described configuration offers the potential for bright rhythm sounds and cutting lead tones.

However, the listing does not include the switching or tone controls, so the practical versatility is unclear. A standard Stratocaster five way switch and three control layout would expand the range, but this listing does not specify those features. Players should not assume the full versatility without confirmation.

For bass styles, this listing has no relevance. Bass versatility depends on low end response, pickup position and electronics that are absent here. The three single coil pickups are not a bass configuration. As a result, the versatility section applies to the guitar described, not to a bass.

Who Should Buy It

This listing may interest guitarists who are researching the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster series, especially the 70th anniversary Comet Burst version. Collectors of limited run Fender finishes may also find the listing worth a look. The alder body, maple top and rosewood fingerboard are familiar premium materials.

The listing is not suitable for bass players. The product type category is incorrect based on the published specifications. Bassists should look for listings that clearly state a bass scale length, bass pickups and four or five strings. Anyone needing a bass should skip this listing entirely.

Buyers who need detailed hardware and electronics specs before purchase should also avoid this listing. The absence of bridge, tuners, controls and setup information makes an informed decision difficult. Only readers willing to ask the seller for missing details should consider it.

Verdict

The listing for the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster 70th is not a bass guitar review. The product data calls it a bass, but the specifications describe a six string electric guitar with an alder body, maple top, rosewood fingerboard and three single coil pickups. That mismatch is the dominant finding of this editorial research review.

On paper, the listed features suggest a premium Fender Stratocaster with a nice Comet Burst finish. However, the listing omits too much information for a confident recommendation, and it is inappropriate for bass players. The score reflects the incomplete and contradictory nature of the listing rather than a real in-person evaluation.

Strengths and Limitations

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Questions Buyers Ask