Deluxe roadhouse vs Fender 2020 American Professional Stratocaster

Hi, @rommel19540

I don't think Guitar Center would accept $400 for trade in towards Am. Pro Strat.

 

If you haven’t checked the battery I’d do that. The battery on a Roadhouse will last for ages unless a) you aren’t using a decent brand of battery or b) you leave the guitar plugged in.

or it could be an internal wire gone wrong. But if you like the guitar I wouldn’t let that be the reason you get rid of it, unless you genuinely want the Professional more.

 

If @rommel19540 got the Roadhouse at GC then he is still within the return window on it; I think he meant that he would be paying an additional $350-$400 on the deal - returning the Roadhouse and getting the used American Professional.

 

Hi, @John C

Ahh. That makes sense.

 

Assuming this is a late run American Professional (but not a new American Professional II):
2 main differences in how the guitar plays:
- The American Professional has a 9.5" radius fingerboard. The Roadhouse has a 12".
- The Roadhouse has the contoured neck heel. The American Professional doesn't. (I can be corrected here, but pretty sure that's new to the recently updated 2020 model).

These may or may not affect you, but if you are playing fast runs around the high frets and like big bends with low action, then this may be a consideration.

The other big difference is the sound. The main selling point for the Roadhouse is the pre-amp and the six-way switch to give working musicians a variety of sounds on demand. But if you don't need it, or are having trust issues with the battery, then that may not be a selling point for you.

There is nothing wrong with the construction or components on the Roadhouse, but if you aren't in love with it, consider trading it in. But that also doesn't mean you will fall in love with the American Professional either. You won't know until you get your hands on it.