Jon Hyde thanks Jon. It would be interesting to see how similar we could make them sound with adjusting the eq! Obviously we didn't do that in this video but something we can maybe look at for another one. Still think there'd be quite a difference though, very different sounding guitars! :)
The Lick Loft I’m surprised by the difference! I suppose the real answer is to try them out, but I love your idea of a new video! Great video btw, thanks :)
Player!!! I have 2 Standard and just bought the Player and it's got everything good about the Standard and better. It's my new favourite guitar and I have guitars that cost twice as much but the Player is mind blowing. It forces you to ask yourself: "Why in the world would I buy an American Strat?" I mean only if you want "Made in the USA" written on the back of the headstock or you want the new Fender pick ups, but you can buy a player and a set of your choice of pick ups and you still save about half the money, so buying a USA strat is kind of dumb.
This is why I got a player strat. Couldn't justify the extra $1k just to say "USA" on the headstock. I actually preferred the player neck to the professional neck anyways, and at that point I knew buying the usa strat wasn't the right move. Have yet to regret my choice after 2 years. Still love my strat, its my #1.
Juraj Šumský great feedback and I think we agree with you there! The bridge pickup dirty on the standard was great for a single coil too but there is more clarity with the player.
midwestfisherman Thank you for your comment, I personally feel the same but could imagine the Standard being useful for certain style but I'm a sucker for vintage tones! :)
I was a double humbucker Gibson fan and the Standard MIM with distortion won me over. I felt Strats with distortion sounded shrill and gutless compared to an LP or SG and I still kinda do. Today I'm more into Fenders and the ceramic pick ups on the MIM Standard is a nice bridge between the two camps.
Ian Hong that's a great point Ian. I guess the positive from this if you do like the standards is that many dealers will be selling them potentially cheaper and even more appear on the used market :)
I had an Epiphone Standard pro Les Paul which always tend to sound a bit muddy. Now i got an Ibanez AR 420 and looove the clarity and open sounding Super 58 Humbuckers. Imho better LP sound than the Epi which i sold.
I have always liked the Standard because it just seems to have more personality than the new player. I just bought another Standard on Aug 26th of 2018, after going and testing a handful of Players. The Players are just to bright, with no personality behind them. I know everyone's hearing, and what they like to hear is different, so there is room for all types of strats. I grew up with 1950's and 1960's strats.
I get your point (I like warmer tones, too), but the reason people want the brightness is for variety. You can always take away brightness by rolling off the treble, but you cannot add treble to a guitar that doesn't have any.
It all depends on what you’re playing. The Standard seems more versatile soundwise even if the Player seems to have more appointments such as de two point tremolo and such. Tough choice, but I’ll keep the standard for gigging.
I agree, if your playing the Shadows or Dire Straights then the player but if you want to play more rock and blues the standard would be better. You can always brighten it up for a particular song if you want.
Definitely the player strat. I’d rather go with an epiphone les paul than the standard because it already sounds a little darker like humbuckers. Not a fan of the 2 position of the player though, it seems too plastic-y
Wonderful video. I’ve been playing for 40 years and giggling for 30 years and cutting studio tracks for 20 years. I’m pleasantly surprised by the Players Strat and Tele. I added a bone nut along with locking tuners and I was done. Overall intonation is close to perfect for my applications.
The player Strat is a reissue of the Old American Standard Strats..Brilliant...and its doesn't matter were your Guitar is made anymore hasn't for year's overseas Guitars are professional Quality with out the Ridiculous price Tags..i paid $650 dollars 🇺🇸 for my players strat
Depends what your focus is on. I was originally shooting for a Jaguar, but than started comparing all sorts of Fender guitars and also Epiphone and Ibanez. I aim to mix the guitar sound with my handpans and knew, the Jag probably doesn't suit best here. After lots and lots of soundtests, it is definitely gonna be a Fender Player Strat.
New alnico pickups are a welcomed change. The ceramic ones were more muffled and muddy. The alnicos really separate the strings a lot better and provide more clarity. I definitely decided to upgrade my strat at the right time. Got a Player Strat HSS coming my way
thats the misconception. ceramics are not lacking brightness, they have a bigger magnet and are actually picking up the full range. AlNiCo pickups are your traditional "stratty" but they lack the low/mid range. one isnt better than the other, they are different.
The more I listen to the player the more I like it you can do some tone on your amp a little reverb and it will sound great. And with the cleaner sound I think it gives you more room to experiment with affects.
Necro post yes, but still relevant. I got a player plus top strat (loved the cherry burst), added fender locking tuners and graph Tek string tree. Changed bright white pickup covers and knobs to vintage style and had full fret leveling job done by local luthier who also made new bone nut as previous nut, A string was cut too deep from factory. Added extra 2 springs to trem and blocked with hardwood. Sounds epic to me, kinda like the strat tone I was always after. Glad I chose the player over player plus. From what I've heard from watching numerous TH-cam vids, the alnico 5 pickups beat the noiseless player plus pickups by far. If anyone is concerned (as I originally was) about the 60 cycle hum from non noiseless, it's a fallacy. I have no extra noise at all running via pedalboard and box ac30 cc1. Hope this helps :)
I haven't watched a better comparison between the outgoing Standard and the new (and from the night and day comparison here) very much improved Player. Superbly done chaps!
I bought a Player series about a year and a half ago. Surf pearl with a maple neck and the alnico pickups. First strat I've ever owned, and I play it constantly now. I love it.
I think the Player is better because it’s easier to go from cleaner to muddier than it is from muddier to cleaner. In other words, I think you can manipulate the Player to sound like the Standard, but likely not vice-versa.
I agree with previous reviwers. The standard is warmer but poor dynamic definition. The player had good tonal range but thin and no richness. I'm pleased with my mim Lonestar sound / texas pickups which is probably 90% of a moderately priced Fender Strat sound sound, after your fingers. Great video thanks a lot as I was fancying a slight upgrade but I'm now more content with what I have. Cheers
Holy shit the difference is so incredibly huge... who thought that selling the Standard with those pickups was a good idea.. the player sounds 1000x better
Great video, it’s exactly what I needed. Thinking about buying a Stratocaster for Christmas and it’s between these two. I Either live with 21 frets, ceramic pickups and save some cash or get the player series. Don’t know which one to pick.
Thanks Sam! You can't go wrong with either one but if there is one you definitely want it's better to wait and save so you don't feel like you've settled. But I'm not saying going for a standard is settling! We loved them both :)
Standard for me. Tried the Player but the lower output is not for me... infact the clean tones of the standard are pretty usable. The powerful output of the standard is really what makes me go for it.
The ceramic pick ups are better if you like hard rock and metal. The alinco is better on clean. When you drive high gain and distortion the alinco in single coils just feed back noise and not in a good way , just too noisy and ceramics are bad ass in high gain . i mean bad ass.
Thanks! No idea on weight sorry, they felt just a normal weight! Any mass produced guitar will have slightly different weights anyway so make sure you try a few :)
Spot on with that assessment. Standard Seem's better for rock players to me. However I do belive the Player & Standard both offer a HSS Plus Top with Floyd Rose locking tremolo. Is there as big a difference in sound on those?
James Tippens thanks James! To be honest I've not tried them so I wouldn't want to comment! Will see if we can get hold of any as I'd be interested to know too! :)
In my opinion, sonically and visually the player series is in a completely different class ! While the standard is naturally a dirtier sound ie more natural distortion, you can’t get rid of that with a stock configuration. While with the player series , if I wanted added distortion, I can adjust my amp or add a pedal , etc.. I’ll have my player series in 3-5 days !! After watching this video I made my decision !
Nice video, the comparisons were close enough together to actually be able to pick out the differences. And to me the difference was quite noticeable, the player was much spankier where the standard sounded muddy ....and the players has features that just seem more high end almost American in ways. I was skeptical when I first heard about the change to the Mexican guitars, thought it was just a gimmick but I think I was wrong and the improvements and changes are timely and welcome. Fender has really done well with all of its price points, of course you can dump a bucket of $$ for a high end model or buy a squier that's gonna be just fine for most home hobbiests like myself or the new players model somewhere in the midrange that's a damm good instrument..
Hey Tye thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! Couldn't agree with you more on everything! The Player is a really special guitar regardless of price and where it's made :) lot of love for the darker sound of the standard in our comments too so it just backs up that everyone likes different things, which is a good thing!
Thanks and THIS is how a product comparison and demo should be performed!! You let the listener hear the guitars in a way they can be heard and also compared. I cant stand when these type of videos are made and they dont use comparable models, use pedals, play show off leads the whole time etc etc. I think the Player strat sounds loads better than the muddy standard model. Nice upgrades and did you mention 22 frets now instead of 21? I would like to hear a comparison now using two maple neck strats and then do a tele one also. Thanks keep up the good work.
Les D thanks Les for such great feedback, we are new to this and all feedback good and bad we take on board! I'm pretty sure we mentioned the extra fret, but wouldn't have put it past us to forget something! We have done a Tele one on our channel too if you'd like to take a look :) will see if we can get hold of any maple neck ones too for You! Cheers
The player all the way! so much cleaner and open sounding, more of a voice to it I am so glad I just ordered one the these sonic red like the video I’m so stoked!. Two days and it’s mine!
Player series all the way for me. Tried 6 or 7 old MIM strats about 6 months ago, really wanted a new inexpensive strat, but none of them sounded right to my ear. The new Player series sound exactly like my old 80's Japanese strat. Just 2 day's to go now, before I head off to buy myself a brand new 3-tone sunburst model with maple neck.
Both nice, player has obviously spank to spare, standard less overall, not by much, but definitely different style of pick ups, but both are beautiful models, I have the player and can't complain .
The player. Two point trem, tone on the bridge, logo spot on. There was snap in the player that was replaced with warmth in the Standard. Aluminium and Nickel for me please.
Hey I was looking for the "Lick Loft" porn site and I somehow ended up on this guitar site and I'm glad I did because my wife just walked in while I was on the computer.
I like the sound of the Standard better but I like the 22 frets and the two point tremolo on the Player. Easy fix either way. And I like Mexican Strats better than all American Strats.
Hello sir I have a mexican standard stratocaster guitar.i want to upgrade my pickups Please help me which will be the best pick up for my guitar(ceramic or alnico 2,3 or 5) Waiting for your valuable suggestions
The pickups on the old Mexican standards are almost over the top bassy and loud, not in a good way either. I counter it by lowering the pickups on the lower strings side, and playing at about 80% of the full volume. Then it starts to sound like a regular American strat, more mellow and defined.
I think I like the Standard a little more, due to the the warmth and beefiness it has compared to the player, as I think the player sounds too thin at times. Both awesome but the Standard has the edge! 😎
Can't backing down on the tone knob on the Players effectively match that of the standard? Bridge pickup is now controlled by it's own so it has that going for it.
@@shadzofgrey it's a good question! I don't think it's just a case of backing off treble though, they are voiced differently but if you try it out let us know!
Fair enough :) we all like and hear and different things and both guitars are great so you can't go wrong, it's just whatever you prefer! Thanks for watching
I bought one without seeing any reviews. I knew as soon as I picked it up and played a few notes. It's all there. It's really as good as my 90s American strat. A bit heavier though. I didn't choose the color.."capri orange" but for what I paid for it, 575.00 I hope it grows on me. It's so much better than my Mexican strat. It's the difference between a Volkswagen and a Porsche. Even the contours are noticeably more refined. I put it through the paces side by side with my American and its right there man. I applaud fender for putting out a gig worthy guitar that a musician might afford. I talked the pawn shop down because it didn't have a case and it was missing the whammy bar. I found out later that they didn't come with a case. Hehe. I highly recommend you buy one. Honestly I haven't seen a bad review. People seem to be really excited about this line. I bet they sell the hell out of them.
I am a bit of a newbie here but I would prefer the Standard Strat for heavier blusier tones and the player for cleaner tones. I happen to have a Standard Strat as well as a deluxe model and the deluxe model with the noiseless pickups (I know it refers to 60 hz noise) and it sounds much more like the player start demoed here. But since I am hot for either a new red or white guitar I'll have to decide between the HSS or SSS and which color to buy. The advantage to being 48 is that I can afford at least one "extra" guitar should I want it compared to twenty years ago. Less time remaining to play as well . . . LOL. NC
It is a funny one! Now in my 30's I can afford some of the gear I've always wanted (to a point) but the last 15 years gigging I've "got by" with all sorts that worked and did a solid job at best! Hope you find the new guitar you want and thanks for watching :)
they had 14% off on the sage green player strat yesterday, I should have bought it .... but I'm going to the music store tomorrow to try it out MAYBE I won't like it ( which I doubt)
@@TheLickLoft Hi Again. Yes it's a really lovely sounding guitar and for the money worth every penny. I play alot of Shadows music Growing up in the 60s so this guitar fits nicely for what I'm learning. Stay safe guy's. All the best to you 👍👍👍👍👍🎸🎸
I prefer the ceramics. The Player is catering to the more in your face (I must be heard) new age of hipster kids. I prefer the subtle Standard more. It's super subtle and somber compared to the 'i took too many antidepressants' sound of the new one.
@@TheLickLoft I have a Tele 2013 Standard but I'm planning to buy a Vintera Strat until the end of 2019. I like the Tele shape for rythm guitar and also that "twang" and Tele's unique approach on solos. Love my Tele (but looking forward to get also that Strat soloist feeling) 😁
Player wins it for me. Cleaner, brighter. The standard sounds like the amp was face down on a cushion or something. Very bizarre. Player all day. I ordered one! They are too good to pass up.
@@TheLickLoftI had a bit of an internal struggle deciding between the polar white & the 3 tone sunburst. But after a few days wrestling with it, decided on the Sunburst & maple neck!
I prefer the standard this is the first video I've seen where the standard is close tho most I've seen are much different the standard you guys have sound hotter then usual did you change the position of the pickups any or something my standard wasnt that hot my player is the same volume with better snap and tone to them if you look the neck pickup on the standard is higher then the players if you raised them and made sure they were all the same height they would be closer to the hotness of each that could be the difference in volume I'm hearing ai have an ear for this stuff tho but the player is better in person to me trying both in tone and even in feel the player feels like it has more of a v to it and you guys also forgot to mention with the player you can actually change the tone of the bridge now the standard you cant
Player or Standard what would you guys go for and why? 🤔
STRICKLY A Corona man MYSELF WITH TEX-MEX OR ORIGINAL PICK-UPS
richard wallace very nice!
The player is brighter! The mex sounds a little lacklustre by comparison, but how much of that can be rectified by EQing?
Jon Hyde thanks Jon. It would be interesting to see how similar we could make them sound with adjusting the eq! Obviously we didn't do that in this video but something we can maybe look at for another one. Still think there'd be quite a difference though, very different sounding guitars! :)
The Lick Loft
I’m surprised by the difference! I suppose the real answer is to try them out, but I love your idea of a new video! Great video btw, thanks :)
Hallelujah! Finally I ve fine a GOOD video about the comparaison between standard and player strats .
Very nice job guys!
SimGaming248 - Simon thank you very much! That's really kind of you to say so! Glad it was of use :)
Player!!! I have 2 Standard and just bought the Player and it's got everything good about the Standard and better. It's my new favourite guitar and I have guitars that cost twice as much but the Player is mind blowing. It forces you to ask yourself: "Why in the world would I buy an American Strat?" I mean only if you want "Made in the USA" written on the back of the headstock or you want the new Fender pick ups, but you can buy a player and a set of your choice of pick ups and you still save about half the money, so buying a USA strat is kind of dumb.
This is why I got a player strat. Couldn't justify the extra $1k just to say "USA" on the headstock. I actually preferred the player neck to the professional neck anyways, and at that point I knew buying the usa strat wasn't the right move. Have yet to regret my choice after 2 years. Still love my strat, its my #1.
Clean sound: absolutly PLAYER
Dirty sound: 50:50
So winner is Player series
Juraj Šumský great feedback and I think we agree with you there! The bridge pickup dirty on the standard was great for a single coil too but there is more clarity with the player.
True
I didn't think there'd be such a big difference. Great video
The older Mexican Standard sounds like it had a pillow in front of the speaker. The newer alnico pickups definitely sound more lively.
No pillows in the loft i promise! 😂
That’s exactly what I though as well.
@@W4RD1N8ER Absolutely my thought too!
The ceramic pickups in the old Mexis just didnt cut it.. These newer pickups are much better.
Nicely put mate. And I think these 2 blokes nailed it too. Red one gets the nod. Black one decent but the out going model.
I like the brightness of the alnico 2 pickups. The aesthetics of the player are more appealing to me.
midwestfisherman Thank you for your comment, I personally feel the same but could imagine the Standard being useful for certain style but I'm a sucker for vintage tones! :)
going for the player myself. I think the player is definitely more suited to Sultans of Swing etc while the standard sounds better for heavier stuff
Airblazer yes airblazer! Great comment :)
I was a double humbucker Gibson fan and the Standard MIM with distortion won me over. I felt Strats with distortion sounded shrill and gutless compared to an LP or SG and I still kinda do. Today I'm more into Fenders and the ceramic pick ups on the MIM Standard is a nice bridge between the two camps.
Ian Hong that's a great point Ian. I guess the positive from this if you do like the standards is that many dealers will be selling them potentially cheaper and even more appear on the used market :)
I had an Epiphone Standard pro Les Paul which always tend to sound a bit muddy. Now i got an Ibanez AR 420 and looove the clarity and open sounding Super 58 Humbuckers. Imho better LP sound than the Epi which i sold.
I have always liked the Standard because it just seems to have more personality than the new player. I just bought another Standard on Aug 26th of 2018, after going and testing a handful of Players. The Players are just to bright, with no personality behind them. I know everyone's hearing, and what they like to hear is different, so there is room for all types of strats. I grew up with 1950's and 1960's strats.
That's what's great about this all I guess, everyone likes different things! :)
I get your point (I like warmer tones, too), but the reason people want the brightness is for variety. You can always take away brightness by rolling off the treble, but you cannot add treble to a guitar that doesn't have any.
Love this! Great to meet you this weekend, hopefully will you see you again soon 😊
Thank you! Means alot coming from you! Was awesome to meet you and be great to see you off-screen again too sometime! 😁
It all depends on what you’re playing. The Standard seems more versatile soundwise even if the Player seems to have more appointments such as de two point tremolo and such. Tough choice, but I’ll keep the standard for gigging.
Axel Alvarez I don't think you can go wrong with either! :)
I agree, if your playing the Shadows or Dire Straights then the player but if you want to play more rock and blues the standard would be better. You can always brighten it up for a particular song if you want.
The Player sounds much better and Fender finally added another fret!
John Katz we do love the extra fret!
Definitely the player strat. I’d rather go with an epiphone les paul than the standard because it already sounds a little darker like humbuckers. Not a fan of the 2 position of the player though, it seems too plastic-y
Brunty Boy that's an interesting point about the epiphone Les Paul! Makes a lot of sense!
The plastic sound is good for the cheesy 80’s sound
Wonderful video.
I’ve been playing for 40 years and giggling for 30 years and cutting studio tracks for 20 years. I’m pleasantly surprised by the Players Strat and Tele. I added a bone nut along with locking tuners and I was done. Overall intonation is close to perfect for my applications.
Thank you Michael! We are really glad you liked it. We have both done the same with our MIM guitars, bone nuts make such a difference as you say
The player Strat is a reissue of the Old American Standard Strats..Brilliant...and its doesn't matter were your Guitar is made anymore hasn't for year's overseas Guitars are professional Quality with out the Ridiculous price Tags..i paid $650 dollars 🇺🇸 for my players strat
You've got a great outlook Joey and we couldn't agree with you any more! Thanks for watching
Depends what your focus is on. I was originally shooting for a Jaguar, but than started comparing all sorts of Fender guitars and also Epiphone and Ibanez. I aim to mix the guitar sound with my handpans and knew, the Jag probably doesn't suit best here. After lots and lots of soundtests, it is definitely gonna be a Fender Player Strat.
New alnico pickups are a welcomed change. The ceramic ones were more muffled and muddy. The alnicos really separate the strings a lot better and provide more clarity. I definitely decided to upgrade my strat at the right time. Got a Player Strat HSS coming my way
Thanks Dirty Water! We definitely prefer the more clarity as you say, hope you enjoy your HSS strat! I'm sure you will!
thats the misconception. ceramics are not lacking brightness, they have a bigger magnet and are actually picking up the full range. AlNiCo pickups are your traditional "stratty" but they lack the low/mid range. one isnt better than the other, they are different.
The more I listen to the player the more I like it you can do some tone on your amp a little reverb and it will sound great. And with the cleaner sound I think it gives you more room to experiment with affects.
Thanks William! We loved the Player too
Necro post yes, but still relevant. I got a player plus top strat (loved the cherry burst), added fender locking tuners and graph Tek string tree. Changed bright white pickup covers and knobs to vintage style and had full fret leveling job done by local luthier who also made new bone nut as previous nut, A string was cut too deep from factory. Added extra 2 springs to trem and blocked with hardwood. Sounds epic to me, kinda like the strat tone I was always after. Glad I chose the player over player plus. From what I've heard from watching numerous TH-cam vids, the alnico 5 pickups beat the noiseless player plus pickups by far. If anyone is concerned (as I originally was) about the 60 cycle hum from non noiseless, it's a fallacy. I have no extra noise at all running via pedalboard and box ac30 cc1. Hope this helps :)
I haven't watched a better comparison between the outgoing Standard and the new (and from the night and day comparison here) very much improved Player. Superbly done chaps!
Thanks for watching our videos, really appreciate it and you obviously know your stuff! Great to have you on here!
the player sounds miles ahead from the standard-
Thanks for watching galinetto
No it doesn't that's why it's $400 cheaper idiot I'm sure fender knows more about guitars than ur dumbass
It's a mexican standard and it's cheaper than the new player series. You're an ignorant fuck.
@@datukaruma1563 lol Well said
Player. 22 fretts
We do love that 22nd fret! :)
I bought a Player series about a year and a half ago. Surf pearl with a maple neck and the alnico pickups. First strat I've ever owned, and I play it constantly now. I love it.
Love the surf pearl colour had a duo sonic in that very underrated guitar
I think the Player is better because it’s easier to go from cleaner to muddier than it is from muddier to cleaner. In other words, I think you can manipulate the Player to sound like the Standard, but likely not vice-versa.
I loved the player throughout the test and would go for it! However, that standard sounded really better to my ears when it was dirty!
Na Der thanks! Interesting stuff! That seems to be a fairly common theme! :)
I agree with previous reviwers. The standard is warmer but poor dynamic definition. The player had good tonal range but thin and no richness. I'm pleased with my mim Lonestar sound / texas pickups which is probably 90% of a moderately priced Fender Strat sound
sound, after your fingers. Great video thanks a lot as I was fancying a slight upgrade but I'm now more content with what I have. Cheers
Thanks Tom, you make a good point! Sometimes videos can help realise what you have, you're actually happy with rather than chasing something new :)
Holy shit the difference is so incredibly huge... who thought that selling the Standard with those pickups was a good idea.. the player sounds 1000x better
Thanks guys for such a useful video. Really.
Thankyou Sandeep! Glad you liked it!
Great video! Best comparison!
Great video, it’s exactly what I needed. Thinking about buying a Stratocaster for Christmas and it’s between these two. I Either live with 21 frets, ceramic pickups and save some cash or get the player series. Don’t know which one to pick.
Thanks Sam! You can't go wrong with either one but if there is one you definitely want it's better to wait and save so you don't feel like you've settled. But I'm not saying going for a standard is settling! We loved them both :)
Player is too bright for my taste, I still prefer the warmer tone of the standard :) it really depends on the guitar player.
You have tone Control
Standard for me. Tried the Player but the lower output is not for me... infact the clean tones of the standard are pretty usable. The powerful output of the standard is really what makes me go for it.
Hey that's fair enough :) lots of people feel the same as you and it's great everyone liked different things or else music would be boring!
The ceramic pick ups are better if you like hard rock and metal. The alinco is better on clean. When you drive high gain and distortion the alinco in single coils just feed back noise and not in a good way , just too noisy and ceramics are bad ass in high gain . i mean bad ass.
1:23 ....easy boys
Just re-watched it with the sound off! Looked even worse! 🤣
LMFAO
Nearly turned into a diddy party
Isn’t the rosewood still used in the USA ones though?.. is it just reserved for higher end models aka USA?
the player sounds better to my ears. great demo as the blackstar 50 one. thanks guys.
Christian Bayer thanks Christian, appreciate your kind comments and for watching!
The player series wins it for me
My budget prefers the 70s vibe squier
Love the classic vibes!
Hello. The pickups of the player 2018 are the same as the SQ classic vibe 50's ? 60's ? pre-2019 ?
great Review . how much do they weigh btw?
Thanks! No idea on weight sorry, they felt just a normal weight! Any mass produced guitar will have slightly different weights anyway so make sure you try a few :)
One of the best mods for. Mexicasters is subbing the ceramic pups for Alnico Vs. Did it with a $30 set for my daughter's Strat and it came to life.
I bet! We do seem to prefer the alnicos too
Spot on with that assessment. Standard Seem's better for rock players to me. However I do belive the Player & Standard both offer a HSS Plus Top with Floyd Rose locking tremolo. Is there as big a difference in sound on those?
James Tippens thanks James! To be honest I've not tried them so I wouldn't want to comment! Will see if we can get hold of any as I'd be interested to know too! :)
In my opinion, sonically and visually the player series is in a completely different class ! While the standard is naturally a dirtier sound ie more natural distortion, you can’t get rid of that with a stock configuration. While with the player series , if I wanted added distortion, I can adjust my amp or add a pedal , etc..
I’ll have my player series in 3-5 days !! After watching this video I made my decision !
That's awesome! Glad we could help! What model did you go for? :)
The Lick Loft
Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Plus Top Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Aged Cherry Burst
@@mikecig7490 Love the HSS choice!
I’d choose the Player as well. The clearer tone is a lot more of what I would be looking for in a Strat.
I'm with you there curt!
may be ill buy the fender player for the sake of 2 point bridge and 22 fret, but i'll change the pick up to ceramic for the sake of the warm sound
Sounds like you'll get the best of both worlds!
Nice video, the comparisons were close enough together to actually be able to pick out the differences. And to me the difference was quite noticeable, the player was much spankier where the standard sounded muddy ....and the players has features that just seem more high end almost American in ways. I was skeptical when I first heard about the change to the Mexican guitars, thought it was just a gimmick but I think I was wrong and the improvements and changes are timely and welcome. Fender has really done well with all of its price points, of course you can dump a bucket of $$ for a high end model or buy a squier that's gonna be just fine for most home hobbiests like myself or the new players model somewhere in the midrange that's a damm good instrument..
Hey Tye thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! Couldn't agree with you more on everything! The Player is a really special guitar regardless of price and where it's made :) lot of love for the darker sound of the standard in our comments too so it just backs up that everyone likes different things, which is a good thing!
@@TheLickLoft hey, I had a few mims in the past and no regrets at all...can't wait to try a player though...
@@tyecook9630 our Strat and Tele we use in our new videos are MIM's and we love them!
Thanks and THIS is how a product comparison and demo should be performed!! You let the listener hear the guitars in a way they can be heard and also compared. I cant stand when these type of videos are made and they dont use comparable models, use pedals, play show off leads the whole time etc etc.
I think the Player strat sounds loads better than the muddy standard model. Nice upgrades and did you mention 22 frets now instead of 21?
I would like to hear a comparison now using two maple neck strats and then do a tele one also.
Thanks keep up the good work.
Les D thanks Les for such great feedback, we are new to this and all feedback good and bad we take on board! I'm pretty sure we mentioned the extra fret, but wouldn't have put it past us to forget something! We have done a Tele one on our channel too if you'd like to take a look :) will see if we can get hold of any maple neck ones too for You! Cheers
Awesome video, I like them both.
Jesse Barrera thanks Jesse! That's really kind, so do we! :)
I definitely prefer the standard
Fair enough :)
Hi Richard just subscribed to lick loft fantastic channel you might remember me from the guitar school all the best.
Hi David, Rich rarely checks these messages so i'll pass it on! Thanks for subscribing, we appreciate it!
The player all the way! so much cleaner and open sounding, more of a voice to it I am so glad I just ordered one the these sonic red like the video I’m so stoked!. Two days and it’s mine!
Exciting stuff! Love that colour too!
I like the cleans on the player but the overdriven on the standard
Interesting! I do get what you mean, that would be a cool guitar!
The sound is really diferent. Doy You think the reason is the pickups? Or also wood?
Those ceramics really push the gain more.... probably prefer the Mexican standard
They sure do! And you're not alone there, a lot of love for the standard in the comments!
Player series all the way for me. Tried 6 or 7 old MIM strats about 6 months ago, really wanted a new inexpensive strat, but none of them sounded right to my ear. The new Player series sound exactly like my old 80's Japanese strat. Just 2 day's to go now, before I head off to buy myself a brand new 3-tone sunburst model with maple neck.
I've been GAS-ing after a sunburst strat myself so I hope you enjoy it! :)
Since you've neen gone. Nice! I prefer the ceramic pick-ups.
I prefer the new model's tone very very much. Like the tonal clarity & the punch.
bro,in your opinion, it is better to take the player series or deluxe
We love the Player and check out the new Vintera road worn, they are our favourite strats under £1000
Nice clip 🙂
Definitely the red Strat. Much more clearer in tone compared to the older black Strat
We agree!
Both nice, player has obviously spank to spare, standard less overall, not by much, but definitely different style of pick ups, but both are beautiful models, I have the player and can't complain .
It has to be the player! Hands down the winner!
The player. Two point trem, tone on the bridge, logo spot on. There was snap in the player that was replaced with warmth in the Standard. Aluminium and Nickel for me please.
The Hound thanks the hound! You've summed it up really well
They chose the pau ferro fretboards to make the comparison as ferro as possible.
Hey I was looking for the "Lick Loft" porn site and I somehow ended up on this guitar site and I'm glad I did because my wife just walked in while I was on the computer.
We don't mind how you get here as long as you get here! 🤣
How about player strat, upgrade to any pickups u could dream of, still save 500 compared to American one
I think the Player is great as it is but you could change the pickups for sure if you wanted :)
I like the sound of the Standard better but I like the 22 frets and the two point tremolo on the Player. Easy fix either way. And I like Mexican Strats better than all American Strats.
Completely agree with you, there's always things from different models that we like and in an ideal world could combine! The MIM guitars are killer
The Alnico pickups are sweeter! 😀
Thanks for watching Willis
really good comparison
Thanks! We appreciate it! Will check out your videos
@@TheLickLoft thank you a lot. In love with Stratocaster and you did a great job
@@ParsevalMusic glad you love it! Really cool of you to say you liked the video
At 1:24 what a true friend...
🤣🤣
I liked the orange one..More life to it ,More punch
Thanks Bruce!
How would you compare the new Player series to a Strat with the V-Mod pickups?
Hey Greg I'm sorry I've never played a guitar with V-Mod pickups, if I come across one I'll reply to this comment, thanks!
Hello sir
I have a mexican standard stratocaster guitar.i want to upgrade my pickups
Please help me which will be the best pick up for my guitar(ceramic or alnico 2,3 or 5)
Waiting for your valuable suggestions
Hey Pankaj sorry only just saw this! What sound is it that you are after? :)
Try the radio shop pickups, they’re fabulous.
The pickups on the old Mexican standards are almost over the top bassy and loud, not in a good way either. I counter it by lowering the pickups on the lower strings side, and playing at about 80% of the full volume. Then it starts to sound like a regular American strat, more mellow and defined.
Standard seems to have a more warmer tone and the player seems to have more of a edgey sound
Thanks for watching!
I think I like the Standard a little more, due to the the warmth and beefiness it has compared to the player, as I think the player sounds too thin at times. Both awesome but the Standard has the edge! 😎
Nice! There's definitely many like yourself out there who prefer the "warmer" standard!
Can't backing down on the tone knob on the Players effectively match that of the standard? Bridge pickup is now controlled by it's own so it has that going for it.
@@shadzofgrey it's a good question! I don't think it's just a case of backing off treble though, they are voiced differently but if you try it out let us know!
Both are great guitar, but i prefer Player series
We feel exactly the same :)
Player is the better option but I actually do prefer the neck pickup on the standard more.
the standard sounds better to me,warmer,a bit more mellow,the player sounds thin, and tinny??
Fair enough :) we all like and hear and different things and both guitars are great so you can't go wrong, it's just whatever you prefer! Thanks for watching
I bought one without seeing any reviews.
I knew as soon as I picked it up and played a few notes. It's all there.
It's really as good as my 90s American strat.
A bit heavier though.
I didn't choose the color.."capri orange" but for what I paid for it, 575.00 I hope it grows on me. It's so much better than my Mexican strat. It's the difference between a Volkswagen and a Porsche. Even the contours are noticeably more refined.
I put it through the paces side by side with my American and its right there man.
I applaud fender for putting out a gig worthy guitar that a musician might afford.
I talked the pawn shop down because it didn't have a case and it was missing the whammy bar. I found out later that they didn't come with a case. Hehe.
I highly recommend you buy one.
Honestly I haven't seen a bad review.
People seem to be really excited about this line. I bet they sell the hell out of them.
Hey Richard glad you got yourself a great deal! Nice work with the case haggle haha, I'm a fan of orange anyway so I bet it's great!
Richard Lecomte which one are you talking about?
Player by far. That is the sound you are looking for when buying a strat.
I am a bit of a newbie here but I would prefer the Standard Strat for heavier blusier tones and the player for cleaner tones. I happen to have a Standard Strat as well as a deluxe model and the deluxe model with the noiseless pickups (I know it refers to 60 hz noise) and it sounds much more like the player start demoed here.
But since I am hot for either a new red or white guitar I'll have to decide between the HSS or SSS and which color to buy. The advantage to being 48 is that I can afford at least one "extra" guitar should I want it compared to twenty years ago.
Less time remaining to play as well . . . LOL.
NC
It is a funny one! Now in my 30's I can afford some of the gear I've always wanted (to a point) but the last 15 years gigging I've "got by" with all sorts that worked and did a solid job at best! Hope you find the new guitar you want and thanks for watching :)
Player, the brightness is amazing
It is snappy! :)
The Lick Loft I just got a player Stratocaster black maple hss
@@mr.purple250 nice! Christmas present?
The Lick Loft yes and I got an Orange C60
@@mr.purple250 a very nice rig you've got now then!
which kemper profile did u use .??
Joris Jorens Hey Joris, we used a Michael Britt profile of a Hiwatt Custom. Thanks
they had 14% off on the sage green player strat yesterday, I should have bought it .... but I'm going to the music store tomorrow to try it out MAYBE I won't like it ( which I doubt)
14% off is a great deal! Love the sage green too! Hope you love it and manage to get it!
The Lick Loft I was stupid, they still have that 14 off on this red one you showed in the vid, but I was all about that green / tidepool :D
@@MrNotYet1 not stupid at all! You've got to love the colour of your guitar! :)
Definitely the player series Strat. The pickups make the difference.
Mike Danaher thanks Mike, they do make a big difference!
The player strat sounds clearest. I've just got my new player and it's amazing. So for me the player series sounds nicer. But that's just my opinion.
We're with you! Hope your enjoying it!
@@TheLickLoft Hi Again. Yes it's a really lovely sounding guitar and for the money worth every penny. I play alot of Shadows music Growing up in the 60s so this guitar fits nicely for what I'm learning. Stay safe guy's. All the best to you 👍👍👍👍👍🎸🎸
The Player is significantly brighter sounding, which I prefer, than the Standard.
how do the necks compare?
Pretty similar feeling I'd say!
I prefer the ceramics. The Player is catering to the more in your face (I must be heard) new age of hipster kids. I prefer the subtle Standard more. It's super subtle and somber compared to the 'i took too many antidepressants' sound of the new one.
The Players sounds a bit more airy and open, the Standard a bit more compressed.
Thanks Harry, we agree!
Definitely like the Player better, compared to the Player the Standard sounds muffled.
Nowo78 thanks for your comment, there is definitely more clarity with the Player! Whether you want that or not is a personal choice i guess :)
It sure is, thanks for the side-by-side comparison!
Nowo78 no worries :) we've done with the same with the teles too if you are interested! Thanks
I would say the Player has a better and brighter sound. My question is: which Player to buy? Strat or Tele? :)
That is a big question! I guess it's what music/players you gravitate to and what sound you are after, I'm a Strat guy and Rich is a Tele guy! :)
@@TheLickLoft I have a Tele 2013 Standard but I'm planning to buy a Vintera Strat until the end of 2019. I like the Tele shape for rythm guitar and also that "twang" and Tele's unique approach on solos. Love my Tele (but looking forward to get also that Strat soloist feeling) 😁
@@jorgesilva6454 sounds good! Let us know what you get and how you get on with it :)
@@TheLickLoft For sure!! Many thanks for your feedback and keep those nice videos!
Player wins it for me. Cleaner, brighter. The standard sounds like the amp was face down on a cushion or something. Very bizarre. Player all day. I ordered one! They are too good to pass up.
That's great Henry what colour did you go for ?
@@TheLickLoftI had a bit of an internal struggle deciding between the polar white & the 3 tone sunburst. But after a few days wrestling with it, decided on the Sunburst & maple neck!
@@mrlozano nice choice! Hope you love it :)
And you get 22 frets. Which is a plus.
Yeah i'm not sure how we missed that!
I’ll take both of them.
You are our sort of person! :)
I prefer the standard this is the first video I've seen where the standard is close tho most I've seen are much different the standard you guys have sound hotter then usual did you change the position of the pickups any or something my standard wasnt that hot my player is the same volume with better snap and tone to them if you look the neck pickup on the standard is higher then the players if you raised them and made sure they were all the same height they would be closer to the hotness of each that could be the difference in volume I'm hearing ai have an ear for this stuff tho but the player is better in person to me trying both in tone and even in feel the player feels like it has more of a v to it and you guys also forgot to mention with the player you can actually change the tone of the bridge now the standard you cant
Hey these both came out of the box brand new, so we didn't make any adjustments but your right, there are many factors that can affect tone!
3:00
3:11
Player sound way better than standard