Interesting take on the comparison, love the sound of the American pups! But then I love the Player pups too. After all that I had to go lookup on youtube who the Chuckle Brothers were and there's lots of their bits to watch. In the 50s and 60s when I was a kid in Canada there was old time Three Stooges reels playing on TV, complete with the various Third Stooges. Chuckle Brothers slapstick is in the same vein but with a Brit flavour, thanks for the enjoyable reference!
Watched so many other related videos regarding the difference between the two and this one finally has a straight answer, i.e can't justify the extra cost for the USA model.
My two-penneth for what it’s worth but I actually preferred the tone of the Mexican strat. I’m not suggesting for one second there is anything wrong with the USA one but the sound clips on the Mexican seemed brighter and more pronounced. Great review fellas 👍👍
As a have always said, tone is a very subjective area I have always preferred rosewood or similar fingerboard nothing wrong with maple but I like the warmer tone of the rosewood
I've tried both and my money's on the American. Not so much tone, but feel. The neck is impeccable. They are Fat 50s Custom Shops if you're guitar is serialized from 2012 through 2016 inclusive.
It's the feel in the hand and the sweetness to the ear isn't it John? You can't capture it on a TH-cam vid. I have an American Standard Tele and a 2013 Mex. They are very different, but both keepers. The Fender stuff currently coming out of Mexico is real quality. Better than far east imports 🍺
Well I like Bob, because I'm all for dark woods as well! I've noticed from time to time that all my guitars has either Rosewood or Pau Ferro and whenever I've played one with a maple board it just hasn't sut with me. For some reason I found it more easy to navigate my way on a dark fretboard and in general I just prefer the feeling of it.
I had to sell my 50th anniversary US Strat 7 years ago in hard times and got a player series this year. The pickups in the US were noisier and didn’t like too much gain. Out of the box the US played better (both maple gloss) but it had been set up unlike the player. Now it’s setup I now find myself playing this Strat a lot more than I ever played the US as it covers more genres. Very interesting 😀👍👍
Enjoyed that fella's. Some great points. I would say that. arguably. the most important thing about any guitar is how it feels - as, if it feels comfortable and easy to play, then we are more encouraged to pick it up - if it looks great but doesn't quite feel right, then we will tend to sit admiring it rather than playing it. I have had a few guitars that were simply stunning looking instruments but just didn't feel comfortable at all. I guess it's a very personal thing. Always great to see Bottleneck Bob making an appearance John. All the very best to you both lads.
Leaving aside price-differentials... there is a noticeable difference between the two through my monitors. The maple Strat is much more open and airy through the mids, whereas the rosewood Strat is tighter and in yer face.
A USA Standard was £800 in 2002, so not sure what Bob’s USA one in the video was. £1,800 would’ve bought a custom shop Closet Classic in 2002. Also, I would say there were too many effects on the sound bites to hear any difference.
I think I bought the standard towards the end of their run (Early 2010's..... maybe 2013, cant remember the exact year I bought it), and it cost me a grand. £800 sounds about right assuming the version 10 years earlier was similar.
I've just got a Graphtec String Tree to replace the one on my soon to arrive Thomas Blug Strat - think I'm goin down the IronGear route tho but there are a few options to think over - Rail Humbucker in the Bridge with 2 Overwound Pig Iron Single coils? - or 3 x Overwound Pig Iron - or 3 x Smokestack 2's with split coils on each? - Or 3 Rail Humbucker with split coils on each - or 3 x Texas Loco's - I am at 6's and 7's at the moment...
@@Chip_57 I got an LP + Tele, I just feel a like a Strat BUT a Swiss Army Strat - A Strat for all Seasons or One Strat to Rule them All...I need to call the IronGear Man for some advice...I want great Strat tones with a sting in it's tail
The 2002 Fender is better, but it's not by a long way. This shows how much better production is everywhere now. That 2020 MiM did not sound out of place. Something to be said for the look and feel of rosewood between the Chuckle Brothers, tho.
I just compared an american standard 2009 rw board to my players plus top pau ferro and my take is that the difference between the pickups is so minuscule that is is not worth worrying about it however the bridge pickup sounded so much better in the mim strat and the neck felt a little bit better on the players strat to me because it felt slightly fuller (slightly thicker). Also, the pickups sounded slightly louder on the Mexican strat. Maybe I just got a really good Mexican strat but and I like it better than the american standard strat pretty much in every way
I recently had to return 3 Fender Pro 2 guitars due to major faults. Really disappointed with their QC on these. I know others who have had fine guitars so it could be a lefty thing. I've abandoned the brand for now. Sad. They are doing some good stuff with lefties, colour options, reverse taper pots etc, pity they can't produce them properly.
What were the major faults!? I've heard only good things about left-handed Pro 2 strats, most importantly of all, the volume and tone pots that are working properly from 0 to 10, which was almost never the case before with left-handed Fender guitars.
@@JRobsonGuitar damn that was a hell of a sounding guitar mate I tell you what when you go to get rid of your next one please think of me first I also have a nice collection I would love to talk to you about I have 31 guitars in total and would love to chat thank you John I'm so glad that I've been part of this community cheers mate 🤘🤘🤘✌️✌️🍻🥃👍
I have that kind of glossy fretboard on a Japanese Fender Strat, and I'm not fond of this gloosy feeling. I do prefer the smooth feeling under fingers of the rosewood fretboard.
Bobs is actually a 2002 Am Series Strat. They just changed the name from 2000-07. Pickups were Delta tone Alnico Vs and were the loudest single coils I ever had, certainly louder than the Fat 50s that replaced them in 2008. The bridge was 7.4k so definitely hotter than what came after.
Hi Kevin, the Fender serial number checker informed me that it is an American Standard that left the Corona Factory in 2002 . I did not buy the guitar new it belonged to a friend of mine who injured his arm and could no longer play, what he paid for it brand new was the figure I quoted, the figure he wanted from me was substantially lower. But thanks for your comment 👍
Hi kevin I own an american standard strat 2009 with alnico V coil. They replaced the pickup with FAT50's in 2012 (last version of the american standard strat)
@@fabioa.565 Yes I've owned a number of Am Stds from the early nineties right through to the 2014 Am Std I still own. I had an '89 Strat Plus that was my main gigging guitar for 23 years but always had a Std as backup. I had 2 great 2008 Am Stds in Blizzard Pearl finish with the old plastic bobbin Alnico Vs, but eventually sold them for 2 Gibson Les Paul Studios, big mistake!! They got replaced with my current 2014 Am Std, but for me the Fat 50s were a big disappointment compared to the older "supposedly cheaper AVs". The Fat 50s got replaced for DiMarzio Areas which are really fantastic sounding, although I do have a Rails pickup( The Chopper) in the bridge position.
I own both a USA Standard Strat and a couple of MIM Strats. I much prefer Rosewood fret boards to maple, and find the fretboards on todays MIM strats not to my liking. Apart from the feel of them. the USA Strats have a quality feel and smooth sound that is lacking in the MIM samples. If you want to buy a USA made Strat you will need to be quick, Fender have just announced that all Strats other than Custom Shop are to be made in Mexico. A sad day for USA Strat fans. Thanks for the comparison John and Bottle Neck Bob.
"Fender have just announced that all Strats other than Custom Shop are to be made in Mexico." Fake news as far as I'm concerned. Fender would never do such a thing. They sold more USA guitars last year than in any year in their entire history!
One range that seems to have dropped off the face of the Earth (though still in production) is the American Performer series that falls between the Player and Professional. Though I own guitars upwards of 3 times the price my Performer Telecaster is the best of the lot and they're virtually ignored by the online video community. Just my two cents.
I sent a Player Strat back to the shop a few months ago as the fretwork was horrendous and it sounded dead. I’ve just bought a Pro 2 Strat and it’s miles ahead of the Mexican. The fretwork is beautifully finished and the sound from the V Mod pickups is amazing. Whether it’s worth a grand more? Probably not but I’m still over the moon with it and more than happy I bought it😊🎸
my columbus strat, bought for £8 as a bag o' bits from St Vinnie's charity shop, would destroy both of em, tho I did have to spend a few bob on it - £1 for a switch tip and £2 for a tone knob. quality's worth paying for.
Interesting comparison especially as ones maple and ones rosewood and he couldn’t hear when his cut in. Always loved and owned 70’s strats but have become biased to rosewood. Love the deeper richer tone. I also have owned numerous Mexicans and think they’re an incredible match for price and specs.
![[Live สด] การออกรางวัลสลากกินแบ่งรัฐบาล งวดวันที่ 16 พฤศจิกายน 2567](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wPd7VFfWHIA/mqdefault.jpg)
Interesting take on the comparison, love the sound of the American pups! But then I love the Player pups too. After all that I had to go lookup on youtube who the Chuckle Brothers were and there's lots of their bits to watch. In the 50s and 60s when I was a kid in Canada there was old time Three Stooges reels playing on TV, complete with the various Third Stooges. Chuckle Brothers slapstick is in the same vein but with a Brit flavour, thanks for the enjoyable reference!
Thanks for the comparison, Bob and John.
Great show, Hey Bob!
Very, very, interesting.
Always good to hear honest objective opinions.
I’ve just upgraded from Mexican to American strat, it’s worth it.
Nice video mate. I recently acquired 2 strats, a 2004 US standard and a squier partcaster. 1700 euro market value difference, you don't notice.
Watched so many other related videos regarding the difference between the two and this one finally has a straight answer, i.e can't justify the extra cost for the USA model.
My two-penneth for what it’s worth but I actually preferred the tone of the Mexican strat. I’m not suggesting for one second there is anything wrong with the USA one but the sound clips on the Mexican seemed brighter and more pronounced. Great review fellas 👍👍
As a have always said, tone is a very subjective area I have always preferred rosewood or similar fingerboard nothing wrong with maple but I like the warmer tone of the rosewood
I've tried both and my money's on the American. Not so much tone, but feel. The neck is impeccable. They are Fat 50s Custom Shops if you're guitar is serialized from 2012 through 2016 inclusive.
Tasty... Very tasty robo..nailed them changes ..Always great solos from your vids
It's the feel in the hand and the sweetness to the ear isn't it John? You can't capture it on a TH-cam vid. I have an American Standard Tele and a 2013 Mex. They are very different, but both keepers. The Fender stuff currently coming out of Mexico is real quality. Better than far east imports 🍺
Chuckle brothers, love it!
Well I like Bob, because I'm all for dark woods as well!
I've noticed from time to time that all my guitars has either Rosewood or Pau Ferro and whenever I've played one with a maple board it just hasn't sut with me.
For some reason I found it more easy to navigate my way on a dark fretboard and in general I just prefer the feeling of it.
Nice chops.
Cheers guys 🍺🍺
I had to sell my 50th anniversary US Strat 7 years ago in hard times and got a player series this year. The pickups in the US were noisier and didn’t like too much gain.
Out of the box the US played better (both maple gloss) but it had been set up unlike the player. Now it’s setup I now find myself playing this Strat a lot more than I ever played the US as it covers more genres.
Very interesting 😀👍👍
I have a Clapton Strat and I reach for my player first.....
Enjoyed that fella's. Some great points. I would say that. arguably. the most important thing about any guitar is how it feels - as, if it feels comfortable and easy to play, then we are more encouraged to pick it up - if it looks great but doesn't quite feel right, then we will tend to sit admiring it rather than playing it. I have had a few guitars that were simply stunning looking instruments but just didn't feel comfortable at all. I guess it's a very personal thing. Always great to see Bottleneck Bob making an appearance John. All the very best to you both lads.
Love American standards! Love MIM Players! I'd take either one!
Bugger the shoot out. Two phenomenal players!
Leaving aside price-differentials... there is a noticeable difference between the two through my monitors. The maple Strat is much more open and airy through the mids, whereas the rosewood Strat is tighter and in yer face.
A USA Standard was £800 in 2002, so not sure what Bob’s USA one in the video was. £1,800 would’ve bought a custom shop Closet Classic in 2002. Also, I would say there were too many effects on the sound bites to hear any difference.
Apart from the gain, the only FX I used were a bit of reverb delay & chorus. Hardly excessive.
I think I bought the standard towards the end of their run (Early 2010's..... maybe 2013, cant remember the exact year I bought it), and it cost me a grand. £800 sounds about right assuming the version 10 years earlier was similar.
American Standard kills it, Nice playing.
I've just got a Graphtec String Tree to replace the one on my soon to arrive Thomas Blug Strat - think I'm goin down the IronGear route tho but there are a few options to think over - Rail Humbucker in the Bridge with 2 Overwound Pig Iron Single coils? - or 3 x Overwound Pig Iron - or 3 x Smokestack 2's with split coils on each? - Or 3 Rail Humbucker with split coils on each - or 3 x Texas Loco's - I am at 6's and 7's at the moment...
Hi Ozzie how are you buddy?
@@bottleneckbobbridgemusic440 Not too bad mate, trouble is I'm working more than playin' and I never wanted to get to that but you gotta make Hay...
@@OzzyMandias I am getting that way myself mate but yes you are right you have got to make hay
Ozzy. Come on man. It wasn't long ago that you lamented only having 1 guitar! What's going on? 😄
@@Chip_57 I got an LP + Tele, I just feel a like a Strat BUT a Swiss Army Strat - A Strat for all Seasons or One Strat to Rule them All...I need to call the IronGear Man for some advice...I want great Strat tones with a sting in it's tail
Gotta make Bob a regular thing
The 2002 Fender is better, but it's not by a long way. This shows how much better production is everywhere now. That 2020 MiM did not sound out of place. Something to be said for the look and feel of rosewood between the Chuckle Brothers, tho.
Fantastic playing John. Didn't notice any significant differences between the two guitars in the tune you played. Hey Bob, how you doing?
Bunfight at the O.K. guitar coral well done chaps c.u. tomorrow.🇫🇴👍
Nice t shirt John.
Blinding solos!
I just compared an american standard 2009 rw board to my players plus top pau ferro and my take is that the difference between the pickups is so minuscule that is is not worth worrying about it however the bridge pickup sounded so much better in the mim strat and the neck felt a little bit better on the players strat to me because it felt slightly fuller (slightly thicker). Also, the pickups sounded slightly louder on the Mexican strat. Maybe I just got a really good Mexican strat but and I like it better than the american standard strat pretty much in every way
I recently had to return 3 Fender Pro 2 guitars due to major faults. Really disappointed with their QC on these. I know others who have had fine guitars so it could be a lefty thing. I've abandoned the brand for now. Sad. They are doing some good stuff with lefties, colour options, reverse taper pots etc, pity they can't produce them properly.
What were the major faults!? I've heard only good things about left-handed Pro 2 strats, most importantly of all, the volume and tone pots that are working properly from 0 to 10, which was almost never the case before with left-handed Fender guitars.
I definitely would be interested in that Mexican Stratocaster 👍👍🤘🤘✌️
It's already sold, mate 👍
@@JRobsonGuitar damn that was a hell of a sounding guitar mate I tell you what when you go to get rid of your next one please think of me first I also have a nice collection I would love to talk to you about I have 31 guitars in total and would love to chat thank you John I'm so glad that I've been part of this community cheers mate 🤘🤘🤘✌️✌️🍻🥃👍
I have that kind of glossy fretboard on a Japanese Fender Strat, and I'm not fond of this gloosy feeling. I do prefer the smooth feeling under fingers of the rosewood fretboard.
Bobs is actually a 2002 Am Series Strat. They just changed the name from 2000-07. Pickups were Delta tone Alnico Vs and were the loudest single coils I ever had, certainly louder than the Fat 50s that replaced them in 2008. The bridge was 7.4k so definitely hotter than what came after.
Hi Kevin, the Fender serial number checker informed me that it is an American Standard that left the Corona Factory in 2002 . I did not buy the guitar new it belonged to a friend of mine who injured his arm and could no longer play, what he paid for it brand new was the figure I quoted, the figure he wanted from me was substantially lower. But thanks for your comment 👍
Hi kevin I own an american standard strat 2009 with alnico V coil. They replaced the pickup with FAT50's in 2012 (last version of the american standard strat)
@@fabioa.565 Yes I've owned a number of Am Stds from the early nineties right through to the 2014 Am Std I still own. I had an '89 Strat Plus that was my main gigging guitar for 23 years but always had a Std as backup. I had 2 great 2008 Am Stds in Blizzard Pearl finish with the old plastic bobbin Alnico Vs, but eventually sold them for 2 Gibson Les Paul Studios, big mistake!! They got replaced with my current 2014 Am Std, but for me the Fat 50s were a big disappointment compared to the older "supposedly cheaper AVs". The Fat 50s got replaced for DiMarzio Areas which are really fantastic sounding, although I do have a Rails pickup( The Chopper) in the bridge position.
@@Kevin.Hearty just for curiosity what type of di marzio area? 58 - 61 or 67 ?
@@fabioa.565 58s middle and neck.
in the box it does not matter
I own both a USA Standard Strat and a couple of MIM Strats.
I much prefer Rosewood fret boards to maple, and find the fretboards on
todays MIM strats not to my liking.
Apart from the feel of them. the USA Strats have a quality feel and smooth
sound that is lacking in the MIM samples.
If you want to buy a USA made Strat you will need to be quick,
Fender have just announced that all Strats other than Custom Shop
are to be made in Mexico.
A sad day for USA Strat fans.
Thanks for the comparison John and Bottle Neck Bob.
You are welcome Alan how are you?
Don't like or the look of pau ferro fretboard rosewood or maple 🍁
Bass guitar 🎸 player here
"Fender have just announced that all Strats other than Custom Shop
are to be made in Mexico." Fake news as far as I'm concerned. Fender would never do such a thing. They sold more USA guitars last year than in any year in their entire history!
Dont forget the upgrades either
Nice video... : )
is the string spacing a little more narrow on the mex. can you feel the difference
Didn't notice it at the time of recording 👍
Brightness and clarity of sound on the American Standard seem to be the biggest difference. The MX is more fat and dull.
One range that seems to have dropped off the face of the Earth (though still in production) is the American Performer series that falls between the Player and Professional. Though I own guitars upwards of 3 times the price my Performer Telecaster is the best of the lot and they're virtually ignored by the online video community. Just my two cents.
One of my students has a HSS American Performer Strat & it's a lovely guitar 👍
I sent a Player Strat back to the shop a few months ago as the fretwork was horrendous and it sounded dead.
I’ve just bought a Pro 2 Strat and it’s miles ahead of the Mexican. The fretwork is beautifully finished and the sound from the V Mod pickups is amazing.
Whether it’s worth a grand more? Probably not but I’m still over the moon with it and more than happy I bought it😊🎸
my columbus strat, bought for £8 as a bag o' bits from St Vinnie's charity shop, would destroy both of em, tho I did have to spend a few bob on it - £1 for a switch tip and £2 for a tone knob. quality's worth paying for.
and I notice Bob's Wap T shirt, prob headbanging next to him decades ago
If you're interested in testing a 62 vintage against either, let me know,
Thanks for the offer, mate. However, both guitars have left the building now 👍
So it's the string tree and the vibrato arm. Well…
Your mate paid loads more for the same thing i think.
£500 not bad at all
Interesting comparison especially as ones maple and ones rosewood and he couldn’t hear when his cut in. Always loved and owned 70’s strats but have become biased to rosewood. Love the deeper richer tone. I also have owned numerous Mexicans and think they’re an incredible match for price and specs.