Fender Limited Edition American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS in Graffiti Yellow
The Fender American Ultra II series was already designed to push the Stratocaster platform into more modern territory, but this limited edition Graffiti Yellow HSS model adds another layer to the formula with the inclusion of Fender Custom Shop pickups — giving the guitar a noticeably more expressive and dynamic voice than you might expect from a production Strat.
Loaded with Custom Shop Fat ’60s single-coils in the neck and middle positions alongside a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 humbucker in the bridge, this Ultra II blends vintage-inspired character with modern versatility in a really balanced way. The Custom Shop pickups bring plenty of sparkle, warmth, and articulation, while still retaining that slightly rounded, musical response players love from great late-’60s-style Strat tones. The JB in the bridge adds a completely different dimension, delivering thicker mids, stronger output, and enough push for heavier gain sounds without overwhelming the rest of the guitar.
What makes the setup work so well is that it still feels cohesive. The bridge humbucker gives the guitar extra muscle when needed, but the overall character still feels undeniably Stratocaster. Clean tones stay detailed and responsive, while driven sounds have more authority and sustain than a traditional three single-coil configuration.
The rest of the Ultra II platform supports that flexibility perfectly. The sculpted neck heel, rolled fingerboard edges, compound-radius fingerboard, and modern neck profile make the guitar feel fast and comfortable without losing the familiarity that longtime Fender players expect. It’s a modern instrument, but it doesn’t feel disconnected from classic Strat DNA.
Visually, the Graffiti Yellow finish pushes the guitar even further into standout territory. Fender has used the color before, but pairing it with a platform this performance-focused gives it a different personality entirely. It feels bold without trying too hard — exactly the kind of finish that fits a Strat built to cover a huge amount of ground sonically.
Between the Custom Shop pickups, the JB bridge humbucker, and the Ultra II performance upgrades, this limited edition model lands in a really interesting space. It has the feel and flexibility of a modern Strat, but with a pickup combination that gives it a little more character, edge, and personality than the standard formula.
