Hi, I'm from Brazil, and I think the Performer model is the best Fender. I don't want to influence anyone, but I think this guitar has the best sound of the brand.
@@evanheathguitar agreed, very versatile. Genuinely appreciate the tweaks they made. Just like the Johnny Marr Jaguar and the modifications he brought to the classic 👌
I like gloss on the body and fretboard and headstock but not on back of neck. Not usually a big fan of in-between positions on a strat but the neck and middle sound really good on these
This one is a very pretty color! I like how all the dials add to the sound. As someone who knows guitars, do you think gloss or no gloss is more common? Based on your reviews, I think the one with no gloss would sell more. I keep seeing that beautiful guitar in the background behind you and that one looks super cool too! :)
Thanks Denise :) maybe I’ll do a little feature on that blue one with birds someday. Well it’s very hard to say which is more common. I can say that it appears fender has often been keeping the gloss on fretboard, but leave it off and do a satin feel on the back. On Maple fretboards that is. Many players by the way, feel that gloss is sticky and that’s why you might not want it. If you see a fretboard with darker wood (rosewood) those don’t get glossed. Rosewood has always been my preferred fretboard wood for aesthetic reasons.
I found the SSS performer series on their website. You just gotta click “load more” when you are browsing strats. Their website is maybe weird lol. Also, thank you.
Bought mine because of the neck, I hate gloss, when your hands get sweaty it gets harder to play on a glossy neck. Got the Penny color which I thought looked funky and unique. Fantastic guitar.
Hate gloss on the back of the neck, I always sand the back of the neck with grit 600. I do have an American Standard with gloss fingerboard which plays great, but after getting the American performer I think the neck on the Performer is fantastic, I really like the Jumbo frets.
I got this guitar (satin LPB) in 2020 (I’m holding it in my picture), the only thing I changed was to Fender locking tuners (which were a drop in replacement) but that was down to personal preference, they are gorgeous guitars
Great video thank you for sharing. The gloss is not a deal breaker for me either one is fine for me. I never had a rosewood neck all mine have been maple necks but the Performer series i want in the color white dont come with the maple neck only rosewood. I am not crazy about the blue color but it has the maple neck. I think i am going to have to try the rosewood neck because I want the white guitar lol. Like i stated i never tried the rosewood neck on a strat can someone tell me what would be the major difference from the maple and rosewood neck, and thank you?
Well the major difference I think is going to be the look. Some people really just like the look of one over the other. I for one love rosewood. Many people also perceive how different the neck feels under your fingers, for me a maple neck feels slower because it has a gloss on the fretboard. I could get used to it though. Also some would say there are tonal differences between rosewood and maple. Rosewood being darker on tone. I definitely would say that is true on an entirely acoustic instrument but on an electric your hearing the tone of the pickups much more than any tone of the wood. Not saying the wood doesn’t effect the tone but in the case of the neck on an electric it’s just ever so slight. It’s more of an aesthetic thing,
Thank you so very much for your reply, means a lot. I was hoping this would be your answer because if its not the performance I can live with it... Thank you again...@@evanheathguitar
Great review!! Have you tried the JV modified 60’s Strat yet? Killer guitar as well. I am interested in both, wish I could buy both. I prefer the neck shape on the JV, but love the jumbo frets on the Performer. Argh!!!
Thank you! I have not tried the JV yet. Would love to check one out though. Soft V necks can be nice for sure. Pretty sure they have different pickups too so they probably sound different from one another. sounds like a tough decision man. Off course you gotta pick the one you feel you bond with the most. I remember playing this performer strat and actually liking it more than my current fender strat, which is an strat elite from 2016 I think. Good luck man!
I’ve been trying to make myself get a maple necked Fender but I can’t stand sticky gloss fingerboards and even “non-gloss” matte maple fingerboard still feels sticky to me. The Performer series is the most likely option but I’m also being tempted by a pine Professional II Tele that’s $350 off because some dummy put a 1.5” ding on the backside… I should probably just get both?
I did not set it up before the video. I played it with the factory set up. I apologize I can not remember how the bridge was set though (floating/flat.) But I will mention that I remember doing this video and wanting to buy this particular Strat because of the rather low action it already had. But I would clarify that action varies from guitar to guitar (of the same model,) and this same model bought online from MF may not have the nice low set up that others have. I’de like to also add that with a high end guitar (and also lower end ones) you can normally dial in with small adjustments the action you really prefer. Sometimes a tech doesn’t really know what you want but the player actually does so it’s always good to learn basic setup techniques in my opinion.
@@666rbr there’s a few different amp models on the spark 40 but I use one called “Glassy,” and it emulates a fender style amp (I assume) I also always put on a little reverb and delay. The type of delay and reverb I’m not sure of cause I just adjust with the knob. But if you are familiar with the spark you can download an app to a device, and control the various pedal types and amps in the chain via Bluetooth. only I don’t often get too crazy with that stuff. It’s still cool though imo
I’m not entirely sure why but the string trees increase the break angle of the string which can help a string’s sustain because the increased break angle creates more downward force on the nut.
@@BobK5 yes you are right. I bet they decided the G string (which has the extra tree) would benefit from the extra break angle for more sustain, especially since it’s a commonly bent string. But you know I’ve never really felt like a strat really needed two
They are okay. Good enough for the guitar but I would swap for something else eventually. This is coming from someone who swaps most stock pickups out anyways, even on my pricier guitars. I would like to add that I did not dislike them. I just have preference for other pickup manufacturers.
I love Highway One (I have 4), American Special (I have 2) and Performers but the big headstock on the Strats is a load of nonsense, so I cannot buy them. It happened around 2006 when the HW-1 Strats were facelifted and carried into the Special and Performer now also.
Hi, I'm from Brazil, and I think the Performer model is the best Fender.
I don't want to influence anyone, but I think this guitar has the best sound of the brand.
pickups are the soul of guitar, American series has that sweet spot which is missing in player series
I Bought one of these in the Honey Burst with the rosewood fretboard. Man! its my favorite guitar!
I love mine. Same axe . I immediately bought a fender ombre blue hard case .it is a perfect fit & protects my beautiful guitar .
That's one lovely Strat. Enjoyed the vid. Cheers from London!
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
I have the same. Same color too. My first. Love it @ 61 and almost 3 years practice
Knowing this neck is the same as Hignway one and then american special... I LOVE THE SATIN FINISH and JUMBO FRETS!
I agree it truly is a great feeling neck
saludos para ud...fue muy agradable su presentación y muy buena guitarra👏👏👏👏👏👏 Saludos desde Chile
Thank you! 🎸
I got the American Performer in Honey Burst a couple years back and love it. I actually prefer Maple neck so that one you are playing is is perfect.
I have this exact guitar. A beauty. Best guitar I've ever owned. Not a massive gloss fan and this is why I went for this one.
Very nice. I remember I truly enjoyed the feel of that strat. Also liked the ability to get neck and bridge tone.
@@evanheathguitar agreed, very versatile. Genuinely appreciate the tweaks they made. Just like the Johnny Marr Jaguar and the modifications he brought to the classic 👌
I like gloss on the body and fretboard and headstock but not on back of neck. Not usually a big fan of in-between positions on a strat but the neck and middle sound really good on these
positions 2 and 4 are hum canceling for those that worry about that kind of stuff
This one is a very pretty color! I like how all the dials add to the sound. As someone who knows guitars, do you think gloss or no gloss is more common? Based on your reviews, I think the one with no gloss would sell more. I keep seeing that beautiful guitar in the background behind you and that one looks super cool too! :)
Thanks Denise :) maybe I’ll do a little feature on that blue one with birds someday. Well it’s very hard to say which is more common. I can say that it appears fender has often been keeping the gloss on fretboard, but leave it off and do a satin feel on the back. On Maple fretboards that is. Many players by the way, feel that gloss is sticky and that’s why you might not want it. If you see a fretboard with darker wood (rosewood) those don’t get glossed. Rosewood has always been my preferred fretboard wood for aesthetic reasons.
The audio quality of this video is really good
Great video! By the way the SSS American Perfomer stratocaster disappeared from the Fender website. Maybe a new series is coming?
I found the SSS performer series on their website. You just gotta click “load more” when you are browsing strats. Their website is maybe weird lol. Also, thank you.
I'm very impressed with Fenders new invisible tremolo arm and screw hole. An amazing innovation.🤪 Was this guitar built late on a Friday afternoon?
looks and sounds great! Not crazy about gloss on back of neck on front of maple neck, not so much of a problem.
Yeah I’m not crazy about gloss even on the fingerboard. I can feel it when I bend a string.
Bought mine because of the neck, I hate gloss, when your hands get sweaty it gets harder to play on a glossy neck. Got the Penny color which I thought looked funky and unique. Fantastic guitar.
Hate gloss on the back of the neck, I always sand the back of the neck with grit 600. I do have an American Standard with gloss fingerboard which plays great, but after getting the American performer I think the neck on the Performer is fantastic, I really like the Jumbo frets.
I got this guitar (satin LPB) in 2020 (I’m holding it in my picture), the only thing I changed was to Fender locking tuners (which were a drop in replacement) but that was down to personal preference, they are gorgeous guitars
I'm not only addicted to love but I'm addicted to #fenderstratocaster @fender ❤
I want the American Performer Telecaster and am doing my best to save for one! Cool guitar dude 👍
Nice video but the 1.685 in nut is NOT the normal nut width, it’s larger.
Your right this is the best guitar. My brother bought it and it's all that. I mean of course I'd rather gave a boxed g1 megatron, but hey.
Great video thank you for sharing. The gloss is not a deal breaker for me either one is fine for me. I never had a rosewood neck all mine have been maple necks but the Performer series i want in the color white dont come with the maple neck only rosewood. I am not crazy about the blue color but it has the maple neck. I think i am going to have to try the rosewood neck because I want the white guitar lol. Like i stated i never tried the rosewood neck on a strat can someone tell me what would be the major difference from the maple and rosewood neck, and thank you?
Well the major difference I think is going to be the look. Some people really just like the look of one over the other. I for one love rosewood. Many people also perceive how different the neck feels under your fingers, for me a maple neck feels slower because it has a gloss on the fretboard. I could get used to it though. Also some would say there are tonal differences between rosewood and maple. Rosewood being darker on tone. I definitely would say that is true on an entirely acoustic instrument but on an electric your hearing the tone of the pickups much more than any tone of the wood. Not saying the wood doesn’t effect the tone but in the case of the neck on an electric it’s just ever so slight. It’s more of an aesthetic thing,
Thank you so very much for your reply, means a lot. I was hoping this would be your answer because if its not the performance I can live with it... Thank you again...@@evanheathguitar
Great review!! Have you tried the JV modified 60’s Strat yet? Killer guitar as well. I am interested in both, wish I could buy both. I prefer the neck shape on the JV, but love the jumbo frets on the Performer. Argh!!!
Thank you! I have not tried the JV yet. Would love to check one out though. Soft V necks can be nice for sure. Pretty sure they have different pickups too so they probably sound different from one another. sounds like a tough decision man. Off course you gotta pick the one you feel you bond with the most. I remember playing this performer strat and actually liking it more than my current fender strat, which is an strat elite from 2016 I think. Good luck man!
This guy could sell ketchup popsicles to a woman in white gloves!
I bought this neck specifically for the jumbo headstock and NO gloss natural feeling
I’ve been trying to make myself get a maple necked Fender but I can’t stand sticky gloss fingerboards and even “non-gloss” matte maple fingerboard still feels sticky to me. The Performer series is the most likely option but I’m also being tempted by a pine Professional II Tele that’s $350 off because some dummy put a 1.5” ding on the backside… I should probably just get both?
how was the action? did you have it setup before the video ?bridge floating or flat on body? thanks!!!
I did not set it up before the video. I played it with the factory set up. I apologize I can not remember how the bridge was set though (floating/flat.) But I will mention that I remember doing this video and wanting to buy this particular Strat because of the rather low action it already had. But I would clarify that action varies from guitar to guitar (of the same model,) and this same model bought online from MF may not have the nice low set up that others have. I’de like to also add that with a high end guitar (and also lower end ones) you can normally dial in with small adjustments the action you really prefer. Sometimes a tech doesn’t really know what you want but the player actually does so it’s always good to learn basic setup techniques in my opinion.
Lake Placid is where the giant alligator is from lol
Lol! I guess you gotta be careful with this guitar!
I need to go learn more about this gator! :)
Hey Man, nice demo. What amp did you use here?
Thank you. I was using my Spark 40. They’re good sounding little amps. Perfect for practicing and home use
@@evanheathguitar thx and what type of emulation?
@@666rbr there’s a few different amp models on the spark 40 but I use one called “Glassy,” and it emulates a fender style amp (I assume) I also always put on a little reverb and delay. The type of delay and reverb I’m not sure of cause I just adjust with the knob. But if you are familiar with the spark you can download an app to a device, and control the various pedal types and amps in the chain via Bluetooth. only I don’t often get too crazy with that stuff. It’s still cool though imo
Why does it have two string trees?
I’m not entirely sure why but the string trees increase the break angle of the string which can help a string’s sustain because the increased break angle creates more downward force on the nut.
@@evanheathguitar most models only have one though Evan
@@BobK5 yes you are right. I bet they decided the G string (which has the extra tree) would benefit from the extra break angle for more sustain, especially since it’s a commonly bent string. But you know I’ve never really felt like a strat really needed two
It really sounds different from those MiM strats
I took the gloss off my MIM 1998 strat with steel wool. Hate gloss, it is so sticky.
Yosemite pickups are criticized a lot. What is your opinion?
They are okay. Good enough for the guitar but I would swap for something else eventually. This is coming from someone who swaps most stock pickups out anyways, even on my pricier guitars. I would like to add that I did not dislike them. I just have preference for other pickup manufacturers.
this looks like a good guitar when I leave out the ridiculous big head
The bigger 70s headstock is a huge dislike for a lot of guys! I must say Im beginning to prefer the look of the original size myself
I had to pay $600 just for the neck, so I hope it’s worth it
absolutely hate the gloss on necks for both playability and looks.
曉裊豪陽
Anyone that has a problem with gloss should wear sunglasses.
I love Highway One (I have 4), American Special (I have 2) and Performers but the big headstock on the Strats is a load of nonsense, so I cannot buy them. It happened around 2006 when the HW-1 Strats were facelifted and carried into the Special and Performer now also.
I hate ANY gloss on my neck or fretboard.
Absolutely hate those glossy maple fretboards
One trick pony. No real lead playing
No gloss anywhere on my necks, please.