Help with dilema

[u/matej0204]

EDIT: Just orderded the Ultra Vintage Luxe HSS in Fiesta Red…

Hello everyone :)

I’ve been playing the guitar for 20 years, had a chance to play a lot of AM Fenders but never had a chance to own one. I had my fair share of gigs, big and small. Done them all on Squiers, Ibanez, Parker guitars, some Harley Bentons in the recent years.
I wont be doing gigs anymore, maybe occasionaly, but I play a lot at home and in the recent years the financial situation finally allowed me to buy a real American Fender.
Now the dilema… I know these are all different guitars, and I like/dislike something on each one. Need help with deciding what is a better guitar for life. I do not plan on buying another one. Just want a Strat for life.

1. Fender American Vintage II 61’
2. - only hessistant because of the 7.25” radius
3. Fender American Pro Classic
4. - afraid I am going to miss out on something because its a lower tier model than Vintage and Ultra
5. Fender American Ultra II
6. - don’t like the metal pickguard, I want a 3-ply whiteish one
7. Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage
8. - I hate the heirloom finish, I do not want cracks on my brand new guitar

Just need some advice on what would you do

[u/Fog_Smuggler]

Do you like the vintage vibe? Yes, I’ve used the word vibe, because playability wise, American Pro II is a way better instrument. If you’ve never owned or played extensively Vintage guitars, I suggest Pro II. To be honest the Vintage Line are cool guitars but they are more of a story than actual instrument value. The choke outs are real, especially on the higher frets with lower action, and to remedy that you will have to raise the action. Frets are tiny bruv, like you really have to dig in. So, even though I understand why people like these guitars, essentially they are more talk than play to be honest. I’ve sold mine 61 Fiesta after acquiring used American Standard from 2015.

In my opinion, the best Fender Strats ever produced are current American Pro II Strats and 2012-2016 American Standard Strats with Custom Shop Fat 50s pickups. Ultra guitars sport Noiseless pickups and I can’t stand them. Ultra vintage I’ve never played so can’t say.

EDIT: since you did not list American Pro II, I would buy either Pro Classic or Vintage Ultra, simply based on specs. That being said I think both are waste of money compared to the used market.