I bought the Ultra II Tele as a do it all guitar for rock, pop, blues and heavier tones and it surprised me more than I expected. This is not a traditional Tele with sharp edges and extremely bright bite. It feels like a premium, super comfortable instrument with Tele character but modern flexibility.
Feel and Playability:
The neck is the standout feature for me. It has a satin finish and a carve that feels fast without being thin. The rolled edges make long sessions easy. The body contours also make a big difference if you're used to more ergonomic guitars.
Sound:
The noiseless Tele pickups are cleaner and more refined compared to classic single coils. They keep the Tele personality but without the hum, which is perfect for gainier tones or recording. The S1 switching adds a lot more versatility than I expected, especially when paired with pedals or a modeler like a Quad Cortex (which I use).
Build Quality:
My unit arrived flawless. Frets are level, nut is cut well, finish is clean, and nothing rattles or buzzes. The Avalanche color looks better in person than in photos - it's not really bland white as it might look on some pictures.
Where it shines:
For players who want Tele feel but need modern comfort and a wide tonal range, this is one of the best options out there. It sits well in a mix, takes pedals extremely well, and works for almost any genre that does not require vintage Tele twang.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable neck and body contours
- Versatile pickups that work well with both clean and high gain
- Zero noise even with overdrives or modeling units
- High build quality and great fretwork
- S1 switch adds genuinely useful tones
Cons:
- Not the best choice if you want classic Tele bite or vintage twang
- The noiseless pickups are slightly more polite than traditional single coils
- Price is high, but the value is there if you want a modern all around Tele
