If you are an experienced guitarist or simply somebody who enjoys both single and fatter humbucker-like sounds then go for the 'Elite' because it's basically 2 guitars in one. It is a top-notch Stratocaster with 3 single coils {that are £200 to buy on their own}. And because they are noiseless pick ups, my advice is to turn the treble up and mid down on your amplifier and you'll have your regular bright-sounding Stratocaster tones. This amazing guitar can also do all your Jimmy Page-esque stuff with 2 humbucking options and 3 positions in which all three pick ups are activated! As I said this is a very special guitar and not to be missed. I bought mine back in 2016 and it is my favorite guitar by some distance, and I've got some cracking guitars, like a Gordon Smith single cut with a P90 and a humbucker, another great Japanese hybrid Stratocaster with vintage USA pick ups, and an amazing P90 loaded Yamaha Revstar 502T.
Would personally change that statement to "most American strays play and sound great". I've played a few that were defo genuine, and plays like ass/sounded like ass.
American Professional sounded best in my opinion. Performers are fantastic as well, really like the Jumbo frets, but the pickups aren't as nice as the Professionals (V-Mod pickups).
To me pickups aren’t important, I’d rather have a guitar with a comfortable neck and my preferred fret sizes. Pickups are easy to swap out and usually not too expensive
They all sound the same! I've studied guitars everyday for 8 hours a day for the last 40 years. It's all in the player and many variables in between like how hard you hit the strings that can change the tone so you can actually play the same guitar and the tone can vary each time you play depending on the dynamics and furthermore which amp and effects you're running through
Thank you! Out of all the articles and videos I watched this one helped the most. I played the Performer and fell in love. But I didn’t want to make a hasty decision. This video confirmed my instinct. Also, awesome song and playing!
you sounded very good and I like how you played virtually, the same passage with each of the strats. my '95 strat plus deluxe has been a rock for all these years. I got the gold lace sensor noiseless pickups and I've never regretted that. after years of owning a quality fender strat, you can sometimes forget just how wonderful of an instrument they truly are. it's really difficult to decide which one to buy. I'm so glad to have invested in one, so long ago. great job, sir.
You said it right; Like a rock. I got a 93 deluxe plus Strat I got in 96. 3 color L Sensors, Fender Floyd Rose bridge that I put the Hipshot Tremsetter on and adjusted the bridge to whammy up and down. Haven't changed anything or even touched the bridge for adjustments in 27 yrs. I do have a passion for 90's guitars tho. 93 Strat- 97 L P studio. The studio has been reworked with various parts to improve what Gibson didn't know what I wanted.
I can’t find any reason to “upgrade” from my ‘89 Strat Plus…it’s unbeatable. Love the Shaller locking tuners, Wilkinson roller nut, and original Fender-Lace gold pickups.
I think it's now just become a guitar fetish where they keep changing parts and changing names that way you keep Exchange in parts and you keep buying guitars and you spend more time messing with it then you do actually playing .
Naw it's about finding the best feeling neck and sweetest sounding pickups to ones ears....I own a japanese, first year srv , a real 1960 and a brand spanking new American elite...all very different but each great guitars.....but I do have a friend that is more interested in trading and buying guitars than playing ..collector vs player
I have a 2000-American Series Fat Strat Texas Special and a 2000-American Series S-S-S Strat with Vintage hot Noiseless pickup set installed. Two of these can cover any strat sound in my head. No plan to change or buy anything yet.
@@daveywiles6412 To David Wiles, you wrote: _ "But I do have a friend that is more interested in trading and buying guitars than playing."_ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One should find his sweet spot: Do whatever one finds the most lucrative and beneficial. Music is beautiful, but the business of living is even more so.
I love strats and own a few but in my opinion fender has too many options for the stratocaster and makes for a very tough buying experience and leaves the consumer second guessing himself and then on top of that they have the MIM strats which only causes more confusion and leaves people who are looking to by a used american wondering if it truly is an american strat or are they getting scammed...
Agreed ! I have been wondering for years. 20 years ago I paid 1100 for a American Deluxe fat Strat, LSR nut. today Fender is getting double that for equal guitar and 1100 .00 for performer.
So well said,Fender Strat this Fender Strat that,very hard to determine,Maple,Rose wood,too many choices and very hard to determine what sound you get as opposed to what sound you're after.Cheaper ones could well have a much richer tone etc.Just an awesome guitar.This is probably why some guys/girls have so many because they all sound different but I wouldn't know what to get too confusing.Just a Fender Strat please.It a bit like Mc Donald's of Strats haha would you like pickles with that Strat
I have the Performer in the same finish as on your video. I blocked off the trem and let me tell you this guitar is awesome. It can do it all, rock, blues, clean, dirty you name it. I couldn't be happier with it. I run it with a Friedman Dirty Shirley and it holds its own for hard rock type tones. When playing clean it's all American Strat tone for sure. It's a great value for the money. The quality is outstanding. The knobs, switches, everything is high quality right from the factory. One of my best purchases ever.
I went to buy an Elite and agree on the pickups and your review is spot on - it felt great and the noiseless are improved over other stuff but was much more impressed with the Eric Johnson signature but actually wound up with a Music Man Cutlass HSS RS. The Performer really sounded nice here too - I am just a stickler for the smaller headstock.
I bought a Eric Johnson Stratocaster and it was nothing but trouble every time the neck went out of wack i would have to take the neck of to adjust it so what happens with time the sides crack were you bolt on the neck trust me they suck.
In America the larger headstock and its association with the CBS Era don't really go over well. Fortunately the performer is the cheapest of the options and therefore going to sell a few more but many people don't like the headstock. For me in the price range I was looking at was between the professional and Elite. I got a limited run surf Pearl Elite with matching headstock at a $500 discount. I was leaning that way anyway and with the compound radius locking tuners and S1 switch it was a no-brainer for me. The custom color sealed the deal
It's so funny , I was attracted to the performer as well ! I was in a store with a friend , he was looking to get a strat , and the first thing he tried was an elite . The price was dropped considerably because the colour on it was discontinued( which made it quite tempting ! ) . He decided to try an original , that was the guitar that really spoke to him . I got to try all of the guitars that he was looking at . It wasn't until the store was ready to close , when someone else was noodling around on a guitar , and my friend said maybe we should give that guitar a whirl . I picked it up, and had it plugged in for about a minute (the performer ) and I was instantly sold ! LOL ! After trying the elites and the professionals and the originals , I much preferred the performers ! I liked the feel , the tone , the look ! Go figure !
Arnott Clark That’s similar to when I bought my Tele, only I ended up with a Squier Classic Vibe instead! Regardless, Fender makes great stuff at all price points. It’s more a matter of finding the one that fits you the best.
I bought the Original 60's Strat and simply love it! Also tried Original 50's version (in Aztec Gold as well) before going with the 60's Strat in Candy Apple Red. Build quality is just excellent, feels very solid and strong guitar and you'll notice it when playing them unplugged, acoustic sound is almost like from an acoustic guitar. Only mods I did was the pickups, now have a Dimarzio Virtual Solo in the bridge and Dimarzio Virtual Vintage Blues in the neck position, little setup adjustments as well and now my Original 60's Stratocaster is perfect!
Just bought myself a Professional Series before watching this video. For the price point, it's a GORGEOUS guitar! The V-Mod pickups are outstanding, and have a great clean response. The treble bleed is an added bonus, making a quiet practice session pleasant for everyone without the need for a set of headphones to get the same tone at any volume. I have a Mexi Strat as well, (94 MiM H/S/S in black) and the weight difference is very noticeable. My American weighs a whopping 8lbs 10oz. I like it that way. My tones seem to resonate with a little more depth. Might just be me, though. I opyed for the maple neck, not for tone, but for aesthetics. I have PLENTY of rosewood necks on other guitars, so a maple is nice. It definitely has all the quack and spank of an American, which my MiM just can't achieve... yet! (slapping in some Fat 50's soon) The sound on clean channels is smooth and glassy, add a little "dirt" and it growls with some beefy blues tones. LOVE it!!!
What I heard was you liked the performer but..... Still changed the pickups. Really liked the Elite ecept for the pickups. I agree, with ALL Fender Strats and Tele's it comes down to how one likes the FEEL of the guitar and the way it plays. Pickups are a different thing, everyone has that "Perfect Strat Sound" in their mind. One has to find the pickup that does that, don' t rush take your time until ya find it. Then add to the Strat you like in all the other ways. However after buying the model you prefer, give it time and play around with the pickups, raise, lower, adjust tone and volume. Not only on guitat but on your Amp. May surprise you. Lot of the times that tweeking can do wonders. Great Vid! WIsh you caould have had all the Strats with the same material Fretboard. All Rosewood or all Maple. Although not sure if all models have the Rosewood available (Pau Ferro or Ebony being substituted on some Fender models). CHeers!!
Great to know. I've been looking at getting the Elite. I know colour does nothing for the actual guitar, but I reckon I'd stuggle to put it down, it looks amazing. Bit nervous about what some have said about the pickups. Waiting for my local store to get another one in.
iDuncan trust me i was worried aswell even few of my mate told me not to get noiseless picups but im in love with them ,i think top of the range elite ones , blue colour rockin :) you can always go one of the store and try but they are good as standart ones and plus s1 switch makes diffrence plus neck is c to d shape so after 12th fret wider for solos
I'm very fortunate to have the American Deluxe, the Professional, and in April I just picked up the Performer. I agree with you about the noiseless pickups.But i do think the Deluxe can give a more Bluesy tone. What attracted me to the Professional was the sound it had acoustically, thats right. My buddy was playing it in a guitar shop unplugged and I walked by him and stated That it sounded Great. Then he plugged it in. I played it and loved it. ( it became my first brand new Strat). I would say that the Performer does have more playing time. I don't Gig so take it for what its worth. I have to look at the Original line up now. After all, I have to Feed my Strat addiction.
Some were telling me that they were made in Japan as copies of American versions. I would like to have a American Fender and a Gibson before I die. I'm 67 now and survived a full stroke and 2 small.
All sound great 😊. I just bought an American Standard Strat.. By the looks of the matching serial numbers it was made in the late 1980's. Looks like nobody touched it. No wear,not a scratch or dent, literally brand new. I paid $575.00 American for it and they threw in a brand new hard case,picks,strings,some books and a one time tune up/adjustment maintenance including new strings upon the servicing. May sound stupid to ask now, but how did I do? I just had to have it as it looks just like "Blackie." Neck and finger board are maple from what I can tell. Keep on the great videos. Thanks, Troy.
I had the Original and didn’t love it, sold it and got a Professional which I much prefer. The neck shapes and pickups are all very different, which should really be taken into account. On the Original, the low E was falling off the side of the fretboard which was unacceptable...I’ve heard others mention the same issue. The Professional was flawless out of the box.
Im wondering. Is the Original made from the old specs? like a 7.25 Radius, if so that could be why its rolled off the board. I have a Made in Japan from the 80's it has a 7.25 radius i didn't know it. I hated that thing because of the same issues and bending. I found some information and reset it up. It plays better but still had to get used to it
hheidrick The originals have the 9.5 radius, easier to pull off bends in general compared to the vintage radius. My main guitar for years was a MIJ 80’s Strat and it had the vintage radius and tiny frets...very well built guitar and quality, but bends and lead playing weren’t easy. I think with the Originals, the problem with the low E falling off the side of the fretboard, is due to the edges being rolled too much. I just couldn’t live with that at all...the Professional sounds great to me, and easier to play too.
A good luthier can fix the low E string falling off the side of the fretboard issue by re-setting the neck. This issue can affect examples of all variations of Stratocasters (even the occasional Custom Shop) but it can be remedied.
I gravitate toward the 1st one,..the Performer!!...works for me when Performing or Recording!!...👍🏾✨🎶🎸..typical Strat tones but a bit more meaty !..🤘🏾✨🎶🎸
I believe it is best to try out in person as it is often hard to judge the variation of sound over the web as it with vary depending on what your listening through also feel and comfort is a major factor when purchasing a guitar if it sounds great but feels uncomfortable, don't get it. if it feels wonderful and sounds ok then you can also upgrade parts later. It has to feel right for you otherwise your doing yourself a disservice, and may unintentionally limiting yourself of the enjoyment of play and creativity.
I have a HSS Shawbucker Pro series Strat. I love the sound and the feel of the guitar, but to be honest, I can't tell all that much of a difference between the three single coil design's, they all have that special Stratocaster sound. I suppose that the 50's series is a bit more twangy with the pick up's than the other's. I have never owned a Fender before and have always played Gibson's and PRS's. This guitar blew me away with the " Fat Strat" sound and I play blues mostly and this guitar fit me better than the other's do. I DO like the sound coming from the Performer, it's a great guitar and a good deal for an American made guitar. I also like the fact that they included a nice case with my PRO ( the same as with the Elite) and the pop in trem instead of that pesky screw everyone has told me they hate. My PRS custom 24 has a pop in trem. and I thought that Fender should have done this long ago. Any way you go with a American Strat you are going to get a great guitar, for that matter Mexican one's are great guitar's also.
I have an American Deluxe and love it. The neck is the best I've ever played. But I think I'm the only person who even considers using the S1 switch. Haven't found anyone else who does so far.
I dont have to decide what strat to buy anymore cuz some years ago i got myself a classic series 70s without knowing nothing about other strats. I loved it when i played it at the store. Way better than any other type of guitar and i still love it today
I own 2 Stratocasters. An elite that is excellent because although the pick-ups aren't as clear as normal single-coils, it has the S1 switch which turns the guitar into a humbucking beast, so swings and roundabouts. My other is a Japanese Hybrid Strat that has a U shaped thick satin-maple neck/fretboard with vintage USA pick -ups that are outstanding and very much authentic-sounding. My favorite of those shown here would have to be the original though as it is just my cup 'o' tea.
This was very helpful. Now I know what to do; I'll go in a guitar shop my eyes wide shut and yell the guys like "here's the money, give me the strat nearest to me and don't ask anything!" That's all.
The best comparison I have seen, thank you. For me the Elite has the best sound, very versatile, it has that interesting neck. All are great, you cant go wrong with none of those.
They all sounded that Fender thing pretty good through the Vox - similar if not the same. Long time ago, buddy and I were doing glass recycling. There was a place that made apple juice and we went there to collect their broken glass. Got to see the workings. Big truck backs up, and dumps a load of apples, apples go through the processes and start to fill the jars. After so many jars are done a new line of jars starts through the conveyors. In the stores one jar costs so much but the other jar costs more. Same juice, different jars.
Yesterday I had 3k and I went in to buy a strat. Of course i was all over the strat ultra. There was something about it that just didn't feel right. Like it didn't speak to me. So I tried out a Pro 2. Now that one i liked, it really spoke to me and that is what I bought.
Nice demo, fair comparison. Being a strat guy my preference goes to the Professional, tone wise and look wise. I used to have a beautiful Deluxe US Telecaster, very high quality in every aspect, but I never liked the noiseless pick ups, so sold it. About the originals, I would have been interested in a comparison between the Professional and 60s instead of the 50. Anyway, thanks for demo.
The shaw VMOD on the AM Pro is definitely where they have hit the right mark for this range. Really nice thick midrange which gives it that bit of oomph, whilst still retaining the classic strat vibe. The Shawbucker variant are a bit hit and miss for me though. Its passable on the HSS model but they aren't potted and have a mid-low output. Which I'm finding pretty pointless on the Tele Deluxe or HSS as you really want the drop kick for leads at the bridge there or just the raw grunt of something with an edge for harder styles. Any real gain and deluxe squeals like a pig leaving the stop lights at 10k rpm. Flat useless for my preference. Nothing wrong with the Yosemite and so on but SSS Pro cuts through so much that everyone else has to double their volumes lol.
I agree with you. I was eyeing the Elite at first as it has good specs offering Noiseless pups and great switching versatility. After listening to this clip through proper headphones, the differences came across quite clearly. I like the sound of the Performer best, it simply sounds fuller and richer. The Pofessional a little less so while the original 50s sounds the thinnest. The Elite sounds scooped and has a wavering, slightly dissonant treble.
Yeah the preformer to me sounded similar to the fat 50s pickups they used in the later american standards (which to my taste are one of the best sounding production pickups there are)
The tone of the neck pick-up in the professional sold me along with it's modern looking neck, I don't like the 70's headstock, but if the strat was awesome sounding I wouldn't let it deter me.
I've had all four of them, my Elite was the HSS model. The Performer has an amazingly smooth and comfortable neck and the best single coils for clean sounds in my opinion. Excellent craftsmanship. The professional let me down. I found the pickups harsh and "sterile" and the narrow tall frets felt strange. The AO 50s has a great neck, allowing very low action. It is a beautiful guitar, but the gloss finish is SO sticky that it really slows you down and the part between my nails and fingertips started to hurt after the fist bends. Also, the pickups are really vintage in a "percussive"way, so make sure this is your thing. The Elite has one of the best neck profiles I've ever played. The Shawbucker in my HSS is the best bridge pickup for a strat in my opinion. It is very balanced, offering power without sacrificing the character of the guitar or burying the other pickup positions. The "passing lane" switch is very useful too. The only downsides for me are the ebony fretboard (I hate it) and the weight.
I have the exact same Elite and ok that makes me a little biased I suppose but I absolutely love it and even when I’m not playing it it’s drop dead gorgeous to look at. The performer sounded great too. Good job fella 👍
The Elite is by far the most versatile out of the box, indeed the pickups sound super clean and articulate however they do produce a more modern, higher output tone and lack that low wound vintage chimey/glassy tone the others seem to have in spades over the Elite. If the Elite is top of their line before "Custom Shop" then why would they not use a really full blown contour heal joint? For that kind of money it should have more than simply a corner cut off the body, it should be angled with a smooth round bevel all the way around that cut.. l do love the compound radius of the board and the progressive neck profile from C at the head to D at the 12th however the rosewood used grips like a Michilin performance tire..l much prefer the maple board and the satin finish, the gloss to me is rather grippy unless your hands are sweated up! Great demo on the different axes! Thanks!
Adam, nice video. I must say though that I have purchased an Elite 2-years ago, and I liked it, but not loved it... I was surprised to one day pick up a standard and was pleasantly surprised, the sound and playability was just perfect! So, I learned the hard way. Buying an expensive guitar will not necessarily be the best choice. I guess all the bells and whistles were just not my thing... Nothing like an American standard Stratocaster, for me at least. Funny but 6-months ago I picked up an 11-year old mim Stratocaster, and the playability and sound blew me away once again. Ok, the pick,ups on it were 500 dollars alone and vintage, but rest was stock...sounded like a dream! Yeah, getting a Stratocaster is a very personal thing lol
leftymadrid I used to be that guy who said he’d never consider a MIM Fender as long as American Fenders were out there. Someone convinced me when I was a kid about 25 years ago that buying a MIM instead of an American Standard was doing myself a major disservice. I own a 2006 MIM Strat with a rosewood fingerboard and although the previous owner changed the pickups and the pots, the guitar EASILY meets or exceeds my 1995 Fender American Standard with a rosewood fingerboard. I think each guitar is an individual!
I own a 18 American Professional, and 19 American Professional Limited Edition. I thought about pickup change, but with a few height adjustments. I love the way they sound, and how they feel! The 19 has a little bit of difference, but that’s because it’s an Ash body.
I live in the States and treated myself to a Fender Mod shop Guitar in 2021 TBH It kicks all 4 of these Fenders butts but I will say I'm comparing Apples to Oranges my Mod Shop is a HSH (Shawbuckers and a Mod shop single coil) Aztec Gold, gold hardware, a roasted maple deep C neck and the plastics are all blacked out. best trem bridge they offered (why they don't offer a Floyd Rose is beyond me ) and a molded HSC. came to just under $1800.00 tax and shipping included. And the best part I only had to wait 29 days to get my hands on this beautiful lady. Although most American Fenders are great Guitars off the shelf if you can build what you really want for the same or less money Why not...
well, Robert Beacham summed it up & couldn't have said it better. it took me nearly 20yrs to admit I would say ( though I wondered ) that ' high end & expensive ' do not mean ' better sounding ' at all. latest was my amazon order of squire deluxe to replace the broken practice strat copy. $299, sea green & came in just a cardboard box but, rings like an acoustic piano & sounds better than my entire collection including EC signature series, 50s classic series, three of 80s strat pluses. I have experimented with so many fender strat pickups including CS stuff &, S300+ kinman pickups. but if you ever managed to get hold of those Duncan designed SC-101s that came with the squire ( under $100 brand new, even I bought a brand new wired pick guard with those for $70 on reverb ) it will be nothing but, an eye opening surprise for your life time.
well RC, all my strats including ones that I mentioned are made in USA &, some of them are CS stuff &, feel so embarrassed to admit that all of them fall behind sound wise.
My personal preference is the Professional. It has the most balanced tone out of 4 models. I know elite has the better internals but professional produces a better tone imo.
I believe the main difference is really in the use of the instrument and the quality of the materials. Strat will always sound like a strat at the end of the day.
Curious ...... you like the Performer but changed the pickups. Most people say the Performer pickups are too muddy. Thats why I would entertain the Professional first to get the better pickups. Actually, I plan to buy in the New Year, and face the same question .... which one ?
Are the bodies on the Performers and Professional IIs the same? I like the Arctic White color but want a Proffesional II, so I'm wondering about buying a Performer and replacing a lot of what's on it.
I just ordered an American Ultra Strat HSS in Texas Tea finish about 3 weeks ago. I guess that this is just a standard build in the factory. How does this order compare in quality, etc. to a "team built" Strat? Shall I presume that even at this level and price, which isn't cheap the standard stock build that the quality is still high? About how long does this kind of order take to build and ship? Thank You.
I have been playing the same Gretch Country Gentleman since 1975. I've been playing 4 services (church) per week and > believe it is about time to retire it. Are any of the Fender necks comparable to the Gretch? It's a wee bit wider than a Fender I believe, but it is a VERY FAST NECK. 8 guess I'm after a fast neck. I can replicate my sounds with my Boss Kitana 50. Suggestions please?
@@Mr.56Goldtop I have a standard American tele that to me has the perfect neck, satin and just the right shape. Was hoping to find a strat with the same kind of neck, I'm assuming the professional should be the closest?
@@keeth333 The only way to really know is to find one and actually hold it in your hands. Some neck profiles have changed slightly, what was a C before is now something else.
Incredible how cool the Performer sounds compared to the Original and Elite! I find that the Professional has a bit more crunch, but I love the 70s headstock. By the way, very cool video! Nice done👍🏼 Didn't know your channel yet, so I just subscribed.🤟🏼
The only way to really tell is to play the first 10 seconds of Sweet Home Alabama in position 2, and TURN IT UP!! The closest one to Ed King's model 1973's tone on that song is the winner!
Anything but the Elite. 😜. Original is just so much Strat. Performer performed REALLY well in this comparison! Pro is always a great option. Also, really appreciate that you actually gave your own opinions. Thanks!
I cant speak to the Elite and the Vintage Originals but I was selecting a Strat in the store and the Player, the Performer and the Professional were available to test. Price was the least of my considerations and I walked out of the store with the Mexican Player, it was just the better guitar. I used to own a genuine 60's Fender Strat to compare to and Mexican reminded me the most of it. The Performer had some weird profile on the neck and the Professional was the Hendrix LE and I dunno what it was with the Professional but it just felt off, it was more similar to the Mexican Player than the Performer but something was just off about it. I walked out of the shop with a Mexican Player for $840AUD (current exchange $570US) and couldn't be happier. I know the US Fender branch sent in some Techs this year to Mexico to sort out the Bridge and a few other quirks with the Mexican Strats and it has certainly made the difference, fit and finish is superb
Did you even try the Performer HSS? If you've tried it, how do you find the humbucker? Especially when it is splitting is comparable in sound to the bridge to the SSS Version? thanks
Hello, Congratulations on the tests. I would have to choose between a new STATOCASTER VINTERA 50 MAPLE NECK and a STATOCASTER AMERICAN ELITE MAPLE NECK ex demo (with guarantees) at the same price. I'll proceed to the tests anyway. Which would you choose? Thanks. I always follow you
Excellent video, informative and unbiased. We mere mortals are grateful for your hard work, it must be awful for guys like you to be imprisoned in those shops with all those guitars all day long. Just joking ofcourse 🤓🎸
If you are an experienced guitarist or simply somebody who enjoys both single and fatter humbucker-like sounds then go for the 'Elite' because it's basically 2 guitars in one. It is a top-notch Stratocaster with 3 single coils {that are £200 to buy on their own}. And because they are noiseless pick ups, my advice is to turn the treble up and mid down on your amplifier and you'll have your regular bright-sounding Stratocaster tones. This amazing guitar can also do all your Jimmy Page-esque stuff with 2 humbucking options and 3 positions in which all three pick ups are activated! As I said this is a very special guitar and not to be missed. I bought mine back in 2016 and it is my favorite guitar by some distance, and I've got some cracking guitars, like a Gordon Smith single cut with a P90 and a humbucker, another great Japanese hybrid Stratocaster with vintage USA pick ups, and an amazing P90 loaded Yamaha Revstar 502T.
Agree
I was reading comments and didn’t realize you were switching guitars
😂👍
Same
I have a professional series I really love the sound in the way it plays
me reading this comment, "wait"
A fender is a fender is a fender
Every American Strat plays and sounds great and every Strat player has their own preference.
Would personally change that statement to "most American strays play and sound great". I've played a few that were defo genuine, and plays like ass/sounded like ass.
I agree. The Performer sounded best. Bright crunch. The Professional was a close second..
Well, you sold me on the AC30...
great amp!
Just thinking the same think
Neck Pickup
4:50 Perfomer
5:55 professonal
6:42 original 50
7:45 elite
Slice of Life조각조각 really helpful dude ✌️
The elite sounds the brightest
American Professional sounded best in my opinion. Performers are fantastic as well, really like the Jumbo frets, but the pickups aren't as nice as the Professionals (V-Mod pickups).
Personally I'd change out the performer pickups to a set of lollars either the dirty blonde set or the Blackfaces
To me pickups aren’t important, I’d rather have a guitar with a comfortable neck and my preferred fret sizes. Pickups are easy to swap out and usually not too expensive
100% performer with 3rd party hand wound pickups will slay the others. Don't much like the harsh Yosemite.
They all sound the same! I've studied guitars everyday for 8 hours a day for the last 40 years. It's all in the player and many variables in between like how hard you hit the strings that can change the tone so you can actually play the same guitar and the tone can vary each time you play depending on the dynamics and furthermore which amp and effects you're running through
That’s a lot of time wasted why did you not practice?
@@kateonkeys1414 Lol!! I did
@@kateonkeys1414 why aren’t you practicing 🤨😤😝
@@OriginalKingRichTv I am
Pick ups
Really was surprised by the tone of the performer-- sounds amazing. I do not like that 70s headstock though
Same, its such a shame as it spoils the guitar for me. It's so unnecessarily large
It bothered me a lot until I realized that it’s the basic font that spoils the vintage headstock, I have a 2015 special
I have had the performer and I did not like the headstock at first, but after time it grew on me!
Most people would agree with you. It's the main issue I have with buying it. I like the tone of the performer's pickups more than the other strats.
The sound of perform, at least in this test, is better.
I got the performer in honey burst. What a beautiful guitar, sounds great too.
Just bought mine a week ago. I love it!
Jeffrey Foster congrats, which color did u go with?
Harsha Bandreddi same here. I couldn’t choose between honey burst or blue. But went with blue . Pity they didn’t have it in buttercream.
I have the Arctic White one ;D
Honey burst here.
Thank you! Out of all the articles and videos I watched this one helped the most. I played the Performer and fell in love. But I didn’t want to make a hasty decision. This video confirmed my instinct. Also, awesome song and playing!
you sounded very good and I like how you played virtually, the same passage with each of the strats. my '95 strat plus deluxe has been a rock for all these years. I got the gold lace sensor noiseless pickups and I've never regretted that. after years of owning a quality fender strat, you can sometimes forget just how wonderful of an instrument they truly are. it's really difficult to decide which one to buy. I'm so glad to have invested in one, so long ago. great job, sir.
You said it right; Like a rock. I got a 93 deluxe plus Strat I got in 96. 3 color L Sensors, Fender Floyd Rose bridge that I put the Hipshot Tremsetter on and adjusted the bridge to whammy up and down. Haven't changed anything or even touched the bridge for adjustments in 27 yrs. I do have a passion for 90's guitars tho. 93 Strat- 97 L P studio. The studio has been reworked with various parts to improve what Gibson didn't know what I wanted.
@@sparkyguitar0058 It's a special club we're fortunate enough to be in with those pieces of art!
I can’t find any reason to “upgrade” from my ‘89 Strat Plus…it’s unbeatable. Love the Shaller locking tuners, Wilkinson roller nut, and original Fender-Lace gold pickups.
I think it's now just become a guitar fetish where they keep changing parts and changing names that way you keep Exchange in parts and you keep buying guitars and you spend more time messing with it then you do actually playing .
Naw it's about finding the best feeling neck and sweetest sounding pickups to ones ears....I own a japanese, first year srv , a real 1960 and a brand spanking new American elite...all very different but each great guitars.....but I do have a friend that is more interested in trading and buying guitars than playing
..collector vs player
I have a 2000-American Series Fat Strat Texas Special and a 2000-American Series S-S-S Strat with Vintage hot Noiseless pickup set installed. Two of these can cover any strat sound in my head. No plan to change or buy anything yet.
@@daveywiles6412 To David Wiles, you wrote: _ "But I do have a friend that is more interested in trading and buying guitars than playing."_
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One should find his sweet spot: Do whatever one finds the most lucrative and beneficial. Music is beautiful, but the business of living is even more so.
A lot depends on the right amplifier
it's all part of the fun tho hehe
The American original sounds springy and has a nice edge , it was the only one that stood out tone-wise. The performers are excellent too.
I love strats and own a few but in my opinion fender has too many options for the stratocaster and makes for a very tough buying experience and leaves the consumer second guessing himself and then on top of that they have the MIM strats which only causes more confusion and leaves people who are looking to by a used american wondering if it truly is an american strat or are they getting scammed...
Agreed ! I have been wondering for years.
20 years ago I paid 1100 for a American Deluxe fat Strat, LSR nut. today Fender is getting double that for equal guitar and 1100 .00 for performer.
So well said,Fender Strat this Fender Strat that,very hard to determine,Maple,Rose wood,too many choices and very hard to determine what sound you get as opposed to what sound you're after.Cheaper ones could well have a much richer tone etc.Just an awesome guitar.This is probably why some guys/girls have so many because they all sound different but I wouldn't know what to get too confusing.Just a Fender Strat please.It a bit like Mc Donald's of Strats haha would you like pickles with that Strat
My preference in order is: Original 50's, Performer, Professional and then the Elite.
I have the Performer in the same finish as on your video. I blocked off the trem and let me tell you this guitar is awesome. It can do it all, rock, blues, clean, dirty you name it. I couldn't be happier with it. I run it with a Friedman Dirty Shirley and it holds its own for hard rock type tones. When playing clean it's all American Strat tone for sure. It's a great value for the money. The quality is outstanding. The knobs, switches, everything is high quality right from the factory. One of my best purchases ever.
Yeah I'm getting one next week! I'm so excited about that guitar 🎸 performer is the best for me as well 😊
Comparisons:
Performer: 1:40
Professional: 2:25
Original '50s: 2:45
Elite: 3:11
Thankfully for one of the best comparison!
I went to buy an Elite and agree on the pickups and your review is spot on - it felt great and the noiseless are improved over other stuff but was much more impressed with the Eric Johnson signature but actually wound up with a Music Man Cutlass HSS RS. The Performer really sounded nice here too - I am just a stickler for the smaller headstock.
I bought a Eric Johnson Stratocaster and it was nothing but trouble every time the neck went out of wack i would have to take the neck of to adjust it so what happens with time the sides crack were you bolt on the neck trust me they suck.
Surprised at how good the Performer sounds, but happy with my Elite
Peter Jacobs I have a exact color American elite that’s he’s playing... and it’s beautiful sound ...
Well it seems that (Ted Stryker) doesn't think so but what the hell does he know?
X2
I stopped myself at professional, I like my professional very much but still curious about the elite difference.
In America the larger headstock and its association with the CBS Era don't really go over well. Fortunately the performer is the cheapest of the options and therefore going to sell a few more but many people don't like the headstock. For me in the price range I was looking at was between the professional and Elite. I got a limited run surf Pearl Elite with matching headstock at a $500 discount. I was leaning that way anyway and with the compound radius locking tuners and S1 switch it was a no-brainer for me. The custom color sealed the deal
It's so funny , I was attracted to the performer as well ! I was in a store with a friend , he was looking to get a strat , and the first thing he tried was an elite . The price was dropped considerably because the colour on it was discontinued( which made it quite tempting ! ) . He decided to try an original , that was the guitar that really spoke to him . I got to try all of the guitars that he was looking at . It wasn't until the store was ready to close , when someone else was noodling around on a guitar , and my friend said maybe we should give that guitar a whirl . I picked it up, and had it plugged in for about a minute (the performer ) and I was instantly sold ! LOL ! After trying the elites and the professionals and the originals , I much preferred the performers ! I liked the feel , the tone , the look ! Go figure !
Arnott Clark That’s similar to when I bought my Tele, only I ended up with a Squier Classic Vibe instead! Regardless, Fender makes great stuff at all price points. It’s more a matter of finding the one that fits you the best.
Excellent =D
I bought the Original 60's Strat and simply love it! Also tried Original 50's version (in Aztec Gold as well) before going with the 60's Strat in Candy Apple Red. Build quality is just excellent, feels very solid and strong guitar and you'll notice it when playing them unplugged, acoustic sound is almost like from an acoustic guitar. Only mods I did was the pickups, now have a Dimarzio Virtual Solo in the bridge and Dimarzio Virtual Vintage Blues in the neck position, little setup adjustments as well and now my Original 60's Stratocaster is perfect!
Just bought myself a Professional Series before watching this video. For the price point, it's a GORGEOUS guitar! The V-Mod pickups are outstanding, and have a great clean response. The treble bleed is an added bonus, making a quiet practice session pleasant for everyone without the need for a set of headphones to get the same tone at any volume. I have a Mexi Strat as well, (94 MiM H/S/S in black) and the weight difference is very noticeable. My American weighs a whopping 8lbs 10oz. I like it that way. My tones seem to resonate with a little more depth. Might just be me, though. I opyed for the maple neck, not for tone, but for aesthetics. I have PLENTY of rosewood necks on other guitars, so a maple is nice. It definitely has all the quack and spank of an American, which my MiM just can't achieve... yet! (slapping in some Fat 50's soon) The sound on clean channels is smooth and glassy, add a little "dirt" and it growls with some beefy blues tones. LOVE it!!!
And, I do appreciate you giving away all those licks. Gives me something to work on this afternoon.
Thanks for your opinions, they are really important
What I heard was you liked the performer but..... Still changed the pickups. Really liked the Elite ecept for the pickups. I agree, with ALL Fender Strats and Tele's it comes down to how one likes the FEEL of the guitar and the way it plays. Pickups are a different thing, everyone has that "Perfect Strat Sound" in their mind. One has to find the pickup that does that, don' t rush take your time until ya find it. Then add to the Strat you like in all the other ways. However after buying the model you prefer, give it time and play around with the pickups, raise, lower, adjust tone and volume. Not only on guitat but on your Amp. May surprise you. Lot of the times that tweeking can do wonders.
Great Vid! WIsh you caould have had all the Strats with the same material Fretboard. All Rosewood or all Maple. Although not sure if all models have the Rosewood available (Pau Ferro or Ebony being substituted on some Fender models). CHeers!!
ive
got same elite and im really happy with it ,
Great to know. I've been looking at getting the Elite. I know colour does nothing for the actual guitar, but I reckon I'd stuggle to put it down, it looks amazing.
Bit nervous about what some have said about the pickups. Waiting for my local store to get another one in.
iDuncan trust me i was worried aswell even few of my mate told me not to get noiseless picups but im in love with them ,i think top of the range elite ones , blue colour rockin :) you can always go one of the store and try but they are good as standart ones and plus s1 switch makes diffrence plus neck is c to d shape so after 12th fret wider for solos
Same I got the same looking elite yesterday and I’ve fallen in love with it
@@mrblues1981 thanks, sorry for the delay, I missed the notification.
I'm very fortunate to have the American Deluxe, the Professional, and in April I just picked up the Performer. I agree with you about the noiseless pickups.But i do think the Deluxe can give a more Bluesy tone. What attracted me to the Professional was the sound it had acoustically, thats right. My buddy was playing it in a guitar shop unplugged and I walked by him and stated That it sounded Great. Then he plugged it in. I played it and loved it. ( it became my first brand new Strat). I would say that the Performer does have more playing time. I don't Gig so take it for what its worth. I have to look at the Original line up now. After all, I have to Feed my Strat addiction.
Some were telling me that they were made in Japan as copies of American versions. I would like to have a American Fender and a Gibson before I die. I'm 67 now and survived a full stroke and 2 small.
All sound great 😊. I just bought an American Standard Strat.. By the looks of the matching serial numbers it was made in the late 1980's. Looks like nobody touched it. No wear,not a scratch or dent, literally brand new. I paid $575.00 American for it and they threw in a brand new hard case,picks,strings,some books and a one time tune up/adjustment maintenance including new strings upon the servicing. May sound stupid to ask now, but how did I do? I just had to have it as it looks just like "Blackie." Neck and finger board are maple from what I can tell. Keep on the great videos. Thanks, Troy.
I love the professional! Sounds just like the one my dad used to play when I was younger.
4:27 What's the name of that beautiful song?
I had the Original and didn’t love it, sold it and got a Professional which I much prefer. The neck shapes and pickups are all very different, which should really be taken into account. On the Original, the low E was falling off the side of the fretboard which was unacceptable...I’ve heard others mention the same issue. The Professional was flawless out of the box.
I wouldn't part with my original for anything. By far the best strat that I've had. Each to his own i suppose.
Im wondering. Is the Original made from the old specs? like a 7.25 Radius, if so that could be why its rolled off the board. I have a Made in Japan from the 80's it has a 7.25 radius i didn't know it. I hated that thing because of the same issues and bending. I found some information and reset it up. It plays better but still had to get used to it
hheidrick The originals have the 9.5 radius, easier to pull off bends in general compared to the vintage radius. My main guitar for years was a MIJ 80’s Strat and it had the vintage radius and tiny frets...very well built guitar and quality, but bends and lead playing weren’t easy. I think with the Originals, the problem with the low E falling off the side of the fretboard, is due to the edges being rolled too much. I just couldn’t live with that at all...the Professional sounds great to me, and easier to play too.
A good luthier can fix the low E string falling off the side of the fretboard issue by re-setting the neck. This issue can affect examples of all variations of Stratocasters (even the occasional Custom Shop) but it can be remedied.
lol
To change a tuners? - No!
To change the guitar? - Yes!
I gravitate toward the 1st one,..the Performer!!...works for me when Performing or Recording!!...👍🏾✨🎶🎸..typical Strat tones but a bit more meaty !..🤘🏾✨🎶🎸
I like the performer series wish they would’ve offered an Olympic white or a white pearl with maple fingerboard love the 70s headstock
they have artic white
I believe it is best to try out in person as it is often hard to judge the variation of sound over the web as it with vary depending on what your listening through also feel and comfort is a major factor when purchasing a guitar if it sounds great but feels uncomfortable, don't get it. if it feels wonderful and sounds ok then you can also upgrade parts later.
It has to feel right for you otherwise your doing yourself a disservice, and may unintentionally limiting yourself of the enjoyment of play and creativity.
I have a HSS Shawbucker Pro series Strat. I love the sound and the feel of the guitar, but to be honest, I can't tell all that much of a difference between the three single coil design's, they all have that special Stratocaster sound. I suppose that the 50's series is a bit more twangy with the pick up's than the other's. I have never owned a Fender before and have always played Gibson's and PRS's. This guitar blew me away with the " Fat Strat" sound and I play blues mostly and this guitar fit me better than the other's do. I DO like the sound coming from the Performer, it's a great guitar and a good deal for an American made guitar. I also like the fact that they included a nice case with my PRO ( the same as with the Elite) and the pop in trem instead of that pesky screw everyone has told me they hate. My PRS custom 24 has a pop in trem. and I thought that Fender should have done this long ago. Any way you go with a American Strat you are going to get a great guitar, for that matter Mexican one's are great guitar's also.
They all sound good.Every last one of them.
How can you leave out the fretboard radius ?
Yeah, that's the first thing I looked for.
I agree with you on the Elite...regarding the pickups...I wish they were more Strat like. I bought 3 American Professional Strats..instead...
I have an American Deluxe and love it. The neck is the best I've ever played. But I think I'm the only person who even considers using the S1 switch. Haven't found anyone else who does so far.
@@jdiggitty Confirmed, you are the first and only person I have ever heard of who has considered using it.
Not True, I considered it. lol
I really like the V mods in professional. It sounds the most straty. Considering replacing my Alnico fives in my player Strat for V mods
Hate them! Switched them out for custom shop 69s
I dont have to decide what strat to buy anymore cuz some years ago i got myself a classic series 70s without knowing nothing about other strats. I loved it when i played it at the store. Way better than any other type of guitar and i still love it today
I own 2 Stratocasters. An elite that is excellent because although the pick-ups aren't as clear as normal single-coils, it has the S1 switch which turns the guitar into a humbucking beast, so swings and roundabouts. My other is a Japanese Hybrid Strat that has a U shaped thick satin-maple neck/fretboard with vintage USA pick -ups that are outstanding and very much authentic-sounding. My favorite of those shown here would have to be the original though as it is just my cup 'o' tea.
This was very helpful. Now I know what to do; I'll go in a guitar shop my eyes wide shut and yell the guys like "here's the money, give me the strat nearest to me and don't ask anything!" That's all.
pro was the best. most well rounded sound. the elite was dissapointing.. kinda low frequency and a lil washy. never been a fan of noiseless.
Is the Elite the same as the old Deluxe?
The best comparison I have seen, thank you. For me the Elite has the best sound, very versatile, it has that interesting neck. All are great, you cant go wrong with none of those.
I'm thinking Professional what do you guys think?
Get a bullet mustang and spray paint it yellow
They all sounded that Fender thing pretty good through the Vox - similar if not the same. Long time ago, buddy and I were doing glass recycling. There was a place that made apple juice and we went there to collect their broken glass. Got to see the workings. Big truck backs up, and dumps a load of apples, apples go through the processes and start to fill the jars. After so many jars are done a new line of jars starts through the conveyors. In the stores one jar costs so much but the other jar costs more. Same juice, different jars.
well, the Performer did sound pretty good!
Yesterday I had 3k and I went in to buy a strat. Of course i was all over the strat ultra. There was something about it that just didn't feel right. Like it didn't speak to me. So I tried out a Pro 2. Now that one i liked, it really spoke to me and that is what I bought.
Nice demo, fair comparison. Being a strat guy my preference goes to the Professional, tone wise and look wise. I used to have a beautiful Deluxe US Telecaster, very high quality in every aspect, but I never liked the noiseless pick ups, so sold it. About the originals, I would have been interested in a comparison between the Professional and 60s instead of the 50. Anyway, thanks for demo.
The shaw VMOD on the AM Pro is definitely where they have hit the right mark for this range. Really nice thick midrange which gives it that bit of oomph, whilst still retaining the classic strat vibe. The Shawbucker variant are a bit hit and miss for me though. Its passable on the HSS model but they aren't potted and have a mid-low output. Which I'm finding pretty pointless on the Tele Deluxe or HSS as you really want the drop kick for leads at the bridge there or just the raw grunt of something with an edge for harder styles. Any real gain and deluxe squeals like a pig leaving the stop lights at 10k rpm. Flat useless for my preference. Nothing wrong with the Yosemite and so on but SSS Pro cuts through so much that everyone else has to double their volumes lol.
The 50s Strat sounds superior. I don't say that because I just ordered one or anything.
hahahah how do you like it?
I agree I think it sounded the best
I agree with you.
I was eyeing the Elite at first as it has good specs offering Noiseless pups and great switching versatility.
After listening to this clip through proper headphones, the differences came across quite clearly.
I like the sound of the Performer best, it simply sounds fuller and richer.
The Pofessional a little less so while the original 50s sounds the thinnest.
The Elite sounds scooped and has a wavering, slightly dissonant treble.
Yeah the preformer to me sounded similar to the fat 50s pickups they used in the later american standards (which to my taste are one of the best sounding production pickups there are)
I own the American Deluxe but in this video I thought the Professional sounds the best.
My favorite is the Performer I love the clear color 😍👍🏼
The tone of the neck pick-up in the professional sold me along with it's modern looking neck, I don't like the 70's headstock, but if the strat was awesome sounding I wouldn't let it deter me.
I own 2 performers, love that large 70s headstock, smooth guitar…
I've had all four of them, my Elite was the HSS model. The Performer has an amazingly smooth and comfortable neck and the best single coils for clean sounds in my opinion. Excellent craftsmanship. The professional let me down. I found the pickups harsh and "sterile" and the narrow tall frets felt strange. The AO 50s has a great neck, allowing very low action. It is a beautiful guitar, but the gloss finish is SO sticky that it really slows you down and the part between my nails and fingertips started to hurt after the fist bends. Also, the pickups are really vintage in a "percussive"way, so make sure this is your thing. The Elite has one of the best neck profiles I've ever played. The Shawbucker in my HSS is the best bridge pickup for a strat in my opinion. It is very balanced, offering power without sacrificing the character of the guitar or burying the other pickup positions. The "passing lane" switch is very useful too. The only downsides for me are the ebony fretboard (I hate it) and the weight.
I’ve been thinking about buying an American Performer Strat, do you really recomend it? Looking towards a ambient delay/funky sound
Please help :)
@@yeyearts Yes, it's a great guitar for the money. Fantastic neck and good pickups.
Thank u!
Yeah - you reminded me - I was shocked at the weight of the Elite! Forgot about that. I also kept hitting that rubberized volume pot - drove me nuts!
@@trebleboost7, if you keen hitting the volume switch, you should be playing the Telecaster 😅
My hangup with the original is that it has 21 frets. My yjm strat which I love, gets me every time because of the 21 frets. I need 22 at a minimum.
Completely agree. I just ordered a Performer today and that was one of the reasons. The honey burst finish was another.
The Player Series for me. With some minor mods, it’s a really good buy.
I rest my case
I have the exact same Elite and ok that makes me a little biased I suppose but I absolutely love it and even when I’m not playing it it’s drop dead gorgeous to look at. The performer sounded great too. Good job fella 👍
Steve Baxter,
I have the Olympic White Elite and I agree that when I’m not playing it, it’s beautiful to look at.
Extremely well done video.
The Elite is by far the most versatile out of the box, indeed the pickups sound super clean and articulate however they do produce a more modern, higher output tone and lack that low wound vintage chimey/glassy tone the others seem to have in spades over the Elite. If the Elite is top of their line before "Custom Shop" then why would they not use a really full blown contour heal joint? For that kind of money it should have more than simply a corner cut off the body, it should be angled with a smooth round bevel all the way around that cut.. l do love the compound radius of the board and the progressive neck profile from C at the head to D at the 12th however the rosewood used grips like a Michilin performance tire..l much prefer the maple board and the satin finish, the gloss to me is rather grippy unless your hands are sweated up! Great demo on the different axes! Thanks!
Adam, nice video. I must say though that I have purchased an Elite 2-years ago, and I liked it, but not loved it...
I was surprised to one day pick up a standard and was pleasantly surprised, the sound and playability was just perfect!
So, I learned the hard way.
Buying an expensive guitar will not necessarily be the best choice. I guess all the bells and whistles were just not my thing...
Nothing like an American standard Stratocaster, for me at least.
Funny but 6-months ago I picked up an 11-year old mim Stratocaster, and the playability and sound blew me away once again. Ok, the pick,ups on it were 500 dollars alone and vintage, but rest was stock...sounded like a dream!
Yeah, getting a Stratocaster is a very personal thing lol
leftymadrid I used to be that guy who said he’d never consider a MIM Fender as long as American Fenders were out there. Someone convinced me when I was a kid about 25 years ago that buying a MIM instead of an American Standard was doing myself a major disservice.
I own a 2006 MIM Strat with a rosewood fingerboard and although the previous owner changed the pickups and the pots, the guitar EASILY meets or exceeds my 1995 Fender American Standard with a rosewood fingerboard.
I think each guitar is an individual!
I own a 18 American Professional, and 19 American Professional Limited Edition. I thought about pickup change, but with a few height adjustments. I love the way they sound, and how they feel! The 19 has a little bit of difference, but that’s because it’s an Ash body.
I live in the States and treated myself to a Fender Mod shop Guitar in 2021 TBH It kicks all 4 of these Fenders butts but I will say I'm comparing Apples to Oranges my Mod Shop is a HSH (Shawbuckers and a Mod shop single coil) Aztec Gold, gold hardware, a roasted maple deep C neck and the plastics are all blacked out. best trem bridge they offered (why they don't offer a Floyd Rose is beyond me ) and a molded HSC. came to just under $1800.00 tax and shipping included. And the best part I only had to wait 29 days to get my hands on this beautiful lady. Although most American Fenders are great Guitars off the shelf if you can build what you really want for the same or less money Why not...
Should the American Original even have positions 2 and 4?
Nope
well, Robert Beacham summed it up & couldn't have said it better. it took me nearly 20yrs to admit
I would say ( though I wondered ) that ' high end & expensive ' do not mean ' better sounding ' at all.
latest was my amazon order of squire deluxe to replace the broken practice strat copy.
$299, sea green & came in just a cardboard box but, rings like an acoustic piano & sounds better
than my entire collection including EC signature series, 50s classic series, three of 80s strat pluses.
I have experimented with so many fender strat pickups including CS stuff &, S300+ kinman pickups.
but if you ever managed to get hold of those Duncan designed SC-101s that came with the squire
( under $100 brand new, even I bought a brand new wired pick guard with those for $70 on reverb )
it will be nothing but, an eye opening surprise for your life time.
So agree. And yes. I have MIM fsr. Gilmour vibe. And a 60s classic vibe. Both killer.
well RC, all my strats including ones that I mentioned are made in USA &,
some of them are CS stuff &, feel so embarrassed to admit that all of them fall
behind sound wise.
My personal preference is the Professional. It has the most balanced tone out of 4 models. I know elite has the better internals but professional produces a better tone imo.
I believe the main difference is really in the use of the instrument and the quality of the materials. Strat will always sound like a strat at the end of the day.
I truly think the 50s is the best they're all beautiful sounding guitars but that's my personal opinion I would love to own them all LOL
Performer!!! I cant wait for my hss sunburst!
Performer sounded better for me too.
@@lucianoxx9210 wdym they all sound the same
Pavo not a Turkey
At least at this video, I think the Performer sounded clearly better than the others.
Curious ...... you like the Performer but changed the pickups. Most people say the Performer pickups are too muddy. Thats why I would entertain the Professional first to get the better pickups. Actually, I plan to buy in the New Year, and face the same question .... which one ?
Somehow ironic to highlight positions 2 and 4 on a 50s Strat ... ;) Great review anyway!
love the tone of the performer felt less bright and i love guitars with less top end love the mid dirty frequency more
The pro give exactly the sound you expect from à strat. The other are also interesting
I want one of these guitar gems.
Are the bodies on the Performers and Professional IIs the same? I like the Arctic White color but want a Proffesional II, so I'm wondering about buying a Performer and replacing a lot of what's on it.
BTW - liked that you used a Vox AC30 for this!
I have several models. For different reasons, my two favorites are an EJ 2010 model and a Highway 2008 model. nice video.
I miss my s-s-s hwy1 strat :( I wish I never sold it.
I just ordered an American Ultra Strat HSS in Texas Tea finish about 3 weeks ago. I guess that this is just a standard build in the factory. How does this order compare in quality, etc. to a "team built" Strat? Shall I presume that even at this level and price, which isn't cheap the standard stock build that the quality is still high? About how long does this kind of order take to build and ship? Thank You.
great video my friend thanku for your help i like the pro but add a little zing in the bridge pick up with a hss
The Yosemite pick ups on the Performer sound really good 😎
I have a red 83 American strat and it’s honestly the best sounding and feeling guitar I have
I have been playing the same Gretch Country Gentleman since 1975. I've been playing 4 services (church) per week and > believe it is about time to retire it. Are any of the Fender necks comparable to the Gretch? It's a wee bit wider than a Fender I believe, but it is a VERY FAST NECK. 8 guess I'm after a fast neck. I can replicate my sounds with my Boss Kitana 50. Suggestions please?
Mark Toigo i recommend a jazzmaster. they have very fast necks and great tone. I don’t know if they are similar to a gretsch but they are very fast.
PERFORMER AND ELITE SOUNDED NICE
Theres sth special about original 50's which makes them my favorite guitar all time, maybe its the pickups
They sound great, but the neck profile and neck radius suck.
@@Mr.56Goldtop I agree, tried it in the store, it's so chunky!
@@keeth333 They suck for players with smaller hands anyway, like ME!
@@Mr.56Goldtop I have a standard American tele that to me has the perfect neck, satin and just the right shape. Was hoping to find a strat with the same kind of neck, I'm assuming the professional should be the closest?
@@keeth333 The only way to really know is to find one and actually hold it in your hands. Some neck profiles have changed slightly, what was a C before is now something else.
Incredible how cool the Performer sounds compared to the Original and Elite! I find that the Professional has a bit more crunch, but I love the 70s headstock. By the way, very cool video! Nice done👍🏼 Didn't know your channel yet, so I just subscribed.🤟🏼
All gear reviews should have a UK, Aussie or Kiwi accent.
The only way to really tell is to play the first 10 seconds of Sweet Home Alabama in position 2, and TURN IT UP!! The closest one to Ed King's model 1973's tone on that song is the winner!
Anything but the Elite. 😜. Original is just so much Strat. Performer performed REALLY well in this comparison! Pro is always a great option. Also, really appreciate that you actually gave your own opinions. Thanks!
I cant speak to the Elite and the Vintage Originals but I was selecting a Strat in the store and the Player, the Performer and the Professional were available to test. Price was the least of my considerations and I walked out of the store with the Mexican Player, it was just the better guitar. I used to own a genuine 60's Fender Strat to compare to and Mexican reminded me the most of it. The Performer had some weird profile on the neck and the Professional was the Hendrix LE and I dunno what it was with the Professional but it just felt off, it was more similar to the Mexican Player than the Performer but something was just off about it. I walked out of the shop with a Mexican Player for $840AUD (current exchange $570US) and couldn't be happier. I know the US Fender branch sent in some Techs this year to Mexico to sort out the Bridge and a few other quirks with the Mexican Strats and it has certainly made the difference, fit and finish is superb
Did you even try the Performer HSS? If you've tried it, how do you find the humbucker? Especially when it is splitting is comparable in sound to the bridge to the SSS Version? thanks
Hello,
Congratulations on the tests.
I would have to choose between a new STATOCASTER VINTERA 50 MAPLE NECK and a STATOCASTER AMERICAN ELITE MAPLE NECK ex demo (with guarantees) at the same price.
I'll proceed to the tests anyway.
Which would you choose?
Thanks.
I always follow you
i found the original 50' very interesting... sounds very warm and relativly big for a strat... close to a jazzmaster
I’m thinking of buying a used performer or a used professional II. Can someone please reply with which one I should get??? Thank you
Excellent video, informative and unbiased. We mere mortals are grateful for your hard work, it must be awful for guys like you to be imprisoned in those shops with all those guitars all day long.
Just joking ofcourse 🤓🎸
Oh that OG 50s came alive when it was pushed at the end! Had a little fuzz to it!
Awesome strat collection! Got to get all of them!
An awesome review ! Wonderful clean tones ...like everyone should do and play to compare guitars !!!!!! 👍