Bought a Fender Player Plus today in Opal White with Maple neck. I went in for a Gibson Les Paul and still can not believe I come out with a Strat. This guitar is absolutely OUTSTANDING in every way! It blew me away how good it is. Attention to detail, rolled edges, fretwork perfect, pick ups are great, locking tuners, everything just feels expensive. I played two US strats and a few Gibsons and this was head and shoulders. Made in MEXICO means nothing when you play this.
Excellent Review, thank you. Your review style and format is the best on YT. Too many reviews spend too much time blasting out riffs to show off their skills, your review tells me everything I need to know about the product. Fender PP.
I can honestly say after picking up one today exactly like this one.. it is one of the best playing guitars I have ever played.. I owned a 73 and 87 strat and countless other excellent guitars..played a custom shop strat once and it was like playing a dream...player plus is above and beyond anything I thought it would be.
I have the fix for the push pull pot. Pull the knob off of the pot, pull the pickguard, take the nut off of the pot, remove any washers or nut from the pot on the underside, and reassemble. The control will be high enough to get your finger edge to help pull the pot up. Or you can always pull the knob up off of the pot a bit (that's how I've been doing it for over two decades). You can also switch the knobs to Telecaster knobs to easily pull the pot up.
Excellent review! I’m expecting delivery of my Plauer Plus tomorrow. I ordered Olympic white with the tortoise shell pick guard. Paid less than 900 US brand new. I can’t wait! Fender PP
High Andy, I own a Player strat plus top ( flame top, pau ferro fingerboard) from 2018 and the update they made on the player series is the mod I made on mine when I baught it ( gen4 noiseless pickups, locking tuners, string trees) , I didn't add the push pull pot but I changed the nut for a graph tech so I'm relly excited to see your next shootout between the player series and this new Fender PP
Fender PP!! Great review, really enjoyed it. I just got mine this past weekend and I'm loving it. I too have an issue with the push/pull knob and will have to do something about it. I really don't have an issue with the neck heel design, I'm more of a chord/rhythm player as opposed to a lead player so that doesn't bother me at all. The MIM guitars have really improved to the point that there is not much difference between the MX and US guitars now. Overall it is a great guitar and the quality is OUTSTANDING! Again great review!!
Great review - Thanks! I received my own Player Plus in Olympic White with Maple Neck. I had exactly the same feeling that you described with yours "I just want to keep playing this guitar". Even unplugged I am happy to sit and noodle with it while watching TV. Fender PP! 😁
I came across your excellent, balanced review the day after buying a Fender PP HSS 3 colour sunburst Strat. I hadn't intended buying anything; basically browsing Ultras and counting my pennies. It certainly wasn't pressure sales, but I was a bit surprised to be walking out of Manny's Music in Perth with a Fender PP under my arm. 😎🎸 I have quite bad tinnitus, so having a humbucker at the bridge and 2 noiseless single pickups was the major selling point. The rest is just cream. Cheers
I swapped out the knobs for chromed tele knobs… made a difference for engaging the push/pull knob. I also have the hss in Silverburs, and dammm the knobs made it look sick with the chrome accents.
what a beauty! oh I'm talking about the guitar Andy LOL :-) Fender PV ! great review, seems like a great instrument, i'd love any Fender Tele or Strat actually since I dont own a decent guitar.
What impresses me most about these guitars is the rolled fingerboard, something I really value. As basically a Gibson player, I also appreciate the 12" radius, and I like the locking tuners. But I think that if I purchased a new Strat style guitar at this point it would be a Shijie, on which I would replace the tuners and re-solder the tone circuit. About the same price.
This Fender PP is the best Fender on paper. If I did not have a pimped-out Squier Deluxe Strat, I would have jumped onto this one in a second. The only thing I'd change on it is the pickups, but apart from that, this is PERFECT. Also, I'm so glad you got this finish! It's my favourite of the bunch. Not feeling that tortoiseshell, tho. A faded white one or even a yellow-ish brushed aluminium one would look killer to my eyes.
I added the 680pf cap and the resistor in the the Noiseless pickup diagram and it improved the Strat tone. I compared with a second player plus and it sounded better.
Just got my player plus in olympic white pearl with a maple neck and tortoiseshell pick guard- absolutely loving this guitar. Bought it as a back up for my American ultra with the S1 switching. Mexican Fenders are now so good it's difficult to justify the price of the MIA models, other than the really high end stuff.
From Leo: I have had 2 guitars that had the taper of the knob working against you with the push pull switching. Both of them now wear set screw tightened, telecaster knobs. You would think someone at Fender would have figured that out. That said, it is a very nice guitar overall. Fender PP
My first thought was/ is ..when my player plus start is delivered today ,find a metal speed knob that will screw into post ….I’m late to this but I assume once I do this it’ll be more than adequate.
Thanks for another great review. I love your videos and trust your comments. You have enough experience to compare various guitars and what works and doesn’t work. How would you compare this to the PRS Silversky SE? I am torn between deciding between the two. Thanks 😊
About to pick up one of these but I'll change out the push pull pot in exchange for delta wiring with a zero load pot. Blends in the neck pickup by rolling the pot down instead of an on/off situation but zero load has it completely dropped out of the circuit when you want it to be.
You know how to make a video - got to the point rather quickly, showed the viewer all the interesting parts, didn’t drive me nuts with “please like and subscribe”, quality is great, presentation is great. Tip of the hat to you.
Fender PP! I just ordered the player plus black LE on fender. I’ve mainly played acoustic my whole life. I have an electric that I got when I was 12 (I’m 31) and it’s terrible lol I’ve been in and out of guitar center playing them all and really loved the feel of the player plus! I love the rolled edges and the smoothness of the neck! It’s shipping so I’ll update comment when it arrives!
I paid $600 2yrs ago for a new player hss strat, now they want to charge $999 after making a couple minor tweaks (noiseless pickups, a covered humbucker, different switching, and different colors). Also, the ground was not soldered correctly on mine, which for a brand new guitar to get past quality control that way is kind of ridiculous imho. The inflation rate on guitars/gear in general is outlandish. It wasn't that long ago when you could purchase an American standard for $999. The inflation plus poor quality control is honestly pushing players like me to G&L or Squier tbh. I've seen a lot of brand new US Fenders (non custom shop) with issues as well. Meanwhile companies like PRS are still maintaining phenomenal quality control and consistency. 20yrs ago Squiers were trash and PRS was still frowned upon by a lot of players, but now it makes me sad as a lifelong Fender guy, to see where they're going and I'd rather spend twice as much on a PRS CE24 or used core custom 24 or save the money spending less than half what a player plus costs on a Squier classic vibe because I know the quality will be there.
I feel you on that one. I remember that road worn purple tele would go for $800 regular price at GC. Now for labor day sale it was $900 and $1,100 regular price. Like wth, that's the same price of a Gibson tribute made in the US. When you have to complain about Fender pricing by comparing it to a Gibson, you know something is way wrong.
@@metalliholic good point! It's similar to laptops. I've been shopping for a new one and the mac is cheaper than the pcs I'm looking at. The world is topsy turvy when macs are cheaper than pcs and Gibsons are cheaper than Fenders lol
I went to guitar center yesterday to trade 2 things I don't use anymore. Had a special edition player series with an ebony fretboard in mind, played it and it was just blah. Picked up a used American professional and wasn't impressed. Saw a player plus Strat in Tequila sunrise. Kinda looked past it and my wife picked it up and said try it. It ended up being on sale for $900 since it was the last one in stock and color. They ended up ringing it up at $100 less than the sale. Got $75 more in trade than I expected and got this new for $579. The neck gurth is almost identical to my vintera 50s modified neck, but the 12 in radius is so sweet. They did the 12in radius on the squier contemporary series and I didn't like them. I absolutely love this strat. I'm super sold. Glad I got the maple board. For the pull pot, I wrap my pinky around it and us my palm and pinky and it pops right up. Honestly, super impressed with noiseless, which I don't usually like. The bridge is twangy but not to ice pick, tone goes to about 7 and it's good for me. Most of my settings for my vintera I had to modify for these pickups. Took treb out and added low end. I love how they take gain. Been living in position 5 and 1.
Hello, well I ordered the white one. It's SSS but I'm taking the whole pickgaurd off. I'm a metal player so I've made a replacement loaded pickgaurd with a JB in the bridge and regular player series singles in the neck and middle. Will be hear today. Hopefully it's great
You did a great job on this review TheGuitarGeek and I like many of the features but I'm glad I bought an American Standard when it was less than the Fender Pee Pee 😁
I bought this exact guitar a couple hours ago I love the thing, I own a blueberry burst gibson standard les paul, and always have been very biased but man, I'll just say this I went into the music store to buy an SG, and walked out with this exact guitar in this video, it blew my mind with how easy it was to play regardless of the different hand position compared to all my les pauls, 10/10 guitar sounds better in person....oh and "Fender PP" LOL
Nice fender pp...... I have been wondering about those noiseless pickups, and that kind of confirms it for me, I'm sure they still sound great in the room but loosing any touch sensitivity or dynamics for me is a no go.
Went to my local music shop today to look at the Jared james blue Epiphone single pick up les Paul.. was set on it , till I plugged one of these in the shop 😫 the neck felt great, found one for 400€ on marketplace, think I’ll have to get it, rip the bridge pickup out and chuck in a Seymour jb humbucker and we’ve got a versatile giging machine 😍
Can't say I'm that impressed by this guitar although the 12' radius neck is a good feature. The push pull switch is terrible. On the Vintera modded Strats, which I have, they have the S-1 switch which would of been a better option IMO as it has the same function and are very easy to use. As for color choices, none would be anywhere near my first choice. If it was done in Candy Apple Red in all it's pristine glory then I might have been a little bit more positive about it. This new edition will not be on my Christmas list I'm sorry to say.
Great video - great guitar! Im really no Strat guy but this one seems very nice. ;-) Hope you also have Nashville Tele comming and compare the 2! Keep the Fender PP flowing!
I got to mess around with one today at the store when I was picking up my new Reverend Airwave 12. It was the green HSS, and it looked fantastic. Neck felt great too. I didn’t plug it in because I knew I would have been tempted, lol. Great video as usual! Fender PP.
"There's no corners cut" Except the one they should have cut but didn't. They forgot the neck heel carve that made the Deluxe worth paying the extra for.
Fender Pee Pee, I think that you should mail me the guitar so I can… hear how it sounds for my self 😉 lol Great Video Andy, I always love your reveal videos and your reviews. What a awesome guitar!
To solve the problem of the push pull tone button, I separated the button from the pickguard a little, lifting it enough to be able to insert the nail of my middle finger on the side where the screw is located and holy remedy; without any effort it rises. Greetings
Great job, Andy! You mention you prefer "meatier" necks. What Fender guitars that you know feature thicker necks? I have particularly long fingers and would love to play a Strat with a necks that really fills my hand.
Last year I got the Candy Apple Red Player Plus. I loved it so much that I recently also bought the Opal White - both are the best playing strats I've ever owned. Maybe the Texas Special single coils in my US strat sounds better but for the money you get the same quality as Fender's made in the US for half the price.
Picked one up on sale at Guitar Center. I went to buy strings and walked out with this Fender PP. Did not expect a MIM strat to play, feel and sound this good. I think I may change out the pickups at some point, but not yet.
I just scored a used one off of FB Marketplace for $450. It is a really fantastic instrument! Super comfy and sounds amazing. I've played Mexican and American strats and this one definitely feels and plays as good as an American.
Another great review, Andy. I bought a player at the end of 2020 which was so bad it had to go back. After nearly 2 months, Fender finally condemned it - the neck was awful. I purchased another early this year and while the tones are awesome, the setup - and the neck - are lousy. Loving the sound of this guitar though, it's going to my local luthier for a fret level and setup. I absolutely love Strat's, but am so disappointed with fenders quality control, or lack thereof. Enjoy your Fender pee pee, and I'm so glad that your back orifice is clear of debris! :p
WV838 - I had a similar experience with the Ltd Edition Player Strat with the roasted maple neck. First one had a bad sunburst spray error and second one had frets not properly seated in the slots. The Luthier I use to give new guitars a set up would not even touch it. Luckily Chicago Music Exchange gave me a refund in each case and I am now thinking about an American Performer or Ultra.
@@going2Mars I'm guessing that Andy's guitar got special treatment because, after all, he's famous ;) Nothing beats a Strat, but Fender really need to up their game.
From my personal experience as a guitar tech and have owned a couple, Fender MIMs have been hit or miss since production began in 1991. Nothing like a USA Fender guitar!
@@frankiecstrat Really? ....i had some Standars USA with a lot of issues....and i bought a couples months an American Professional ,with a neck issue...frets "narrow tall" needs to be level , buzzzzzz like a hell on E string ...the nut came extremely high because the neck issue..the neck is bow, and the truss rod can't fix ...i had to put all the micro tilt loose to try compensate the angle of the neck...a shit ..Don't be fool about "Made in US " ...was in the past....not today.
@@otaviofenderstrat4220 I've never had a bad experience with my USA Strats and Teles. With that being said I did make the purchases back in 2003-2007 so you maybe right about past vs present. :-)
To quickly and easily lift the knob, while holding the guitar in the normal playing position, simply place your thumbnail under the knob, coming at it from above and along the body and lift with your thumb. Take a close look at the knob and you should see that there a very slight tilt to it - so, there is no gap at the bottom of the knob, but a slight gap at the top of the knob. You can even just slide your pick into the gap at the top and pop it up that way. The thump flick is far easier than using a grasping motion with two fingers anyway. - Cheers, Jit.
I love that Fender PP in that config and finish too, if I hadn't just spent all my pennies on an SE CU24 I'd be all over that! gonna have to wait a while! Great vid just makes me want one more!
I've recently tried HSS version of Player Plus. Great guitar, I mostly like quality but it has some construction issues for me (as any classic Stratocaster). Also push pull knob was so heavy, you know, to pull. So I grabbed the Yamaha Pacifica Standart + and I'm happy. But for those who really likes the vibe and the tone of Strat but in some modern and really cool features that's an awesome guitar
Great review. I went and tried one after watching this and bought the sunburst HSS version. Quality, feel and tones are all great. I will say I compared two PP and the neck profiles felt different. One was noticeably fatter than the other and I went with a skinny feeling one.
Fender pp🖖🏻🤜🎸 if all goes well I getting one tomorrow, I watched till the end and subbed lto your channel, I’m extremely excited, and hope it works out
Nice Fender, P/P. I'm not a Strat guy. The only Fender I'd own (and do) is a Telecaster. But that's a personal preference thing. Strat bodies/PU configurations have never done it for me. At the same time, some of the better players have hitched their wagons to Strats and done quite well for themselves. So, there you have it. Were I to be in the market, I'd definitely give the Player Plus a serious look. Especially with the apparent Voodoo in the pickups. My Tele's quiet, but it ain't _that_ quiet.
I have a Fishman Fluence drop in set with a push pull pot I'm thinkin' bout putting a Tele knob on em to make it easier . it'd look weird but that's icing on the cake for me.
Maybe I missed it while fast forwarding, but instead of discussing the raised logo and the string tree, some thoughts on the flat radius neck, the rolled edges, and use of a modern C profile on a 12" radius would have been interesting.
Maybe the pot is just a sticky pot? I’ve added push pulls to my guitars with strat knobs and never had a problem. I’m seeing a charvel with slightly more traditional styling and no Floyd - very tempting!
Like the colour and the 2 more sound options, but also aggree that this push/pull isn't the right thing! Push/push or additional mini switch or something similar like the s1 knob ... Fender PV
I am getting this guitar (by that I mean this exact guitar ;)) and I think I will switch the push pull for Tele Knob. For me this guitar will go well with Gluehwein :D
Fender PV. Awsome Review, very honest I may Say. I like this guitar very mucho. Fender has take care of the details and upgrades, except for the push-pull system. I'm deciding between this and the Fender H.E.R. signature, the blue marlin one. What do you think? Have You tried this one? I'll be please to watch a review of this Nice guitar fron you
Really hoping to trust this video, because this one made me decide on a player plus over the american pro 2. I'm mainly an acoutic player and already own a american pro II tele, so it felt wrong to me to buy another pro II at 1900 euro's. This thing seems to be 90-95% as good, for literally half the price. I trusted you on the katana 100 vs katana artist too ;)
That red really does look awesome, but I wish it had a different pick guard color. The brown is fine, but the tortoise shell just reminds me of 70s grandparents’ aesthetics. Fender PP
Fender PeePee. I like the rounded fretboards and the locking tuners. I had to install the locking tuners myself on my AmPro Strat. If you want a westcoast north american Strat - Buy NOW!
I bought a high cost other brand S type guitar expecting it to be a Strat sound on steroids. It was very well made but didn’t sound anything like a classic Strat. This is pure strat.
Huh, weird, with my American performer the push pull pot is slightly raised to make it easy to lift it up. Strange they didn’t implement that for this one
Bought a Fender Player Plus today in Opal White with Maple neck. I went in for a Gibson Les Paul and still can not believe I come out with a Strat. This guitar is absolutely OUTSTANDING in every way! It blew me away how good it is. Attention to detail, rolled edges, fretwork perfect, pick ups are great, locking tuners, everything just feels expensive. I played two US strats and a few Gibsons and this was head and shoulders. Made in MEXICO means nothing when you play this.
Excellent Review, thank you. Your review style and format is the best on YT. Too many reviews spend too much time blasting out riffs to show off their skills, your review tells me everything I need to know about the product. Fender PP.
I can honestly say after picking up one today exactly like this one.. it is one of the best playing guitars I have ever played.. I owned a 73 and 87 strat and countless other excellent guitars..played a custom shop strat once and it was like playing a dream...player plus is above and beyond anything I thought it would be.
Great review Andy,I have a lefty in Olympic pearl arriving this week coming,and can’t wait 🙂
I have the fix for the push pull pot. Pull the knob off of the pot, pull the pickguard, take the nut off of the pot, remove any washers or nut from the pot on the underside, and reassemble. The control will be high enough to get your finger edge to help pull the pot up.
Or you can always pull the knob up off of the pot a bit (that's how I've been doing it for over two decades). You can also switch the knobs to Telecaster knobs to easily pull the pot up.
Excellent review! I’m expecting delivery of my Plauer Plus tomorrow. I ordered Olympic white with the tortoise shell pick guard. Paid less than 900 US brand new. I can’t wait! Fender PP
High Andy, I own a Player strat plus top ( flame top, pau ferro fingerboard) from 2018 and the update they made on the player series is the mod I made on mine when I baught it ( gen4 noiseless pickups, locking tuners, string trees) , I didn't add the push pull pot but I changed the nut for a graph tech so I'm relly excited to see your next shootout between the player series and this new Fender PP
Fender PP!! Great review, really enjoyed it. I just got mine this past weekend and I'm loving it. I too have an issue with the push/pull knob and will have to do something about it. I really don't have an issue with the neck heel design, I'm more of a chord/rhythm player as opposed to a lead player so that doesn't bother me at all. The MIM guitars have really improved to the point that there is not much difference between the MX and US guitars now. Overall it is a great guitar and the quality is OUTSTANDING! Again great review!!
Great review - Thanks! I received my own Player Plus in Olympic White with Maple Neck. I had exactly the same feeling that you described with yours "I just want to keep playing this guitar". Even unplugged I am happy to sit and noodle with it while watching TV. Fender PP! 😁
I came across your excellent, balanced review the day after buying a Fender PP HSS 3 colour sunburst Strat. I hadn't intended buying anything; basically browsing Ultras and counting my pennies. It certainly wasn't pressure sales, but I was a bit surprised to be walking out of Manny's Music in Perth with a Fender PP under my arm. 😎🎸
I have quite bad tinnitus, so having a humbucker at the bridge and 2 noiseless single pickups was the major selling point. The rest is just cream. Cheers
For the Push/Pull tone pot, maybe wrap a rubber band around the top of the knob? Could give a bit of grip.
great tip!
I swapped out the knobs for chromed tele knobs… made a difference for engaging the push/pull knob. I also have the hss in Silverburs, and dammm the knobs made it look sick with the chrome accents.
what a beauty! oh I'm talking about the guitar Andy LOL :-) Fender PV ! great review, seems like a great instrument, i'd love any Fender Tele or Strat actually since I dont own a decent guitar.
What impresses me most about these guitars is the rolled fingerboard, something I really value. As basically a Gibson player, I also appreciate the 12" radius, and I like the locking tuners. But I think that if I purchased a new Strat style guitar at this point it would be a Shijie, on which I would replace the tuners and re-solder the tone circuit. About the same price.
This Fender PP is the best Fender on paper. If I did not have a pimped-out Squier Deluxe Strat, I would have jumped onto this one in a second. The only thing I'd change on it is the pickups, but apart from that, this is PERFECT. Also, I'm so glad you got this finish! It's my favourite of the bunch. Not feeling that tortoiseshell, tho. A faded white one or even a yellow-ish brushed aluminium one would look killer to my eyes.
I think you’re right - best fender for the money. I’m considering changing the pickups and the pick guard……..
@@TheGuitarGeek what’s the thing they say about great minds and thinking?
Sweet guitar, looks like Fender stepped up their game on entry level guitars.
Just bought one and waiting on delivery. Fender PP !
I added the 680pf cap and the resistor in the the Noiseless pickup diagram and it improved the Strat tone. I compared with a second player plus and it sounded better.
Just bought one - just instantly bonded with the feel of the neck. Fender PV (though sounded like Fender PP!). Great in depth look at it, thanks.
I didn’t know I needed a Mexican strat. But after you and Ryan both have demonstrated, they’re a must have. Awesome video bro.
Just got my player plus in olympic white pearl with a maple neck and tortoiseshell pick guard- absolutely loving this guitar.
Bought it as a back up for my American ultra with the S1 switching.
Mexican Fenders are now so good it's difficult to justify the price of the MIA models, other than the really high end stuff.
From Leo: I have had 2 guitars that had the taper of the knob working against you with the push pull switching. Both of them now wear set screw tightened, telecaster knobs. You would think someone at Fender would have figured that out. That said, it is a very nice guitar overall. Fender PP
I prefer delta wiring to blend in the neck pickup. I only need one tone knob, if I need one at all.
My first thought was/ is ..when my player plus start is delivered today ,find a metal speed knob that will screw into post ….I’m late to this but I assume once I do this it’ll be more than adequate.
Thanks for another great review. I love your videos and trust your comments. You have enough experience to compare various guitars and what works and doesn’t work. How would you compare this to the PRS Silversky SE? I am torn between deciding between the two. Thanks 😊
About to pick up one of these but I'll change out the push pull pot in exchange for delta wiring with a zero load pot. Blends in the neck pickup by rolling the pot down instead of an on/off situation but zero load has it completely dropped out of the circuit when you want it to be.
Good review, what I wanted to know. Keen to watch the comparison with Player now!
Amazing color! That is the only color scheme I have seen on these where the Pau Ferro does not look awful to me.
Fender PP coming today. Cant wait! Thanks for the Video made it to the end
You know how to make a video - got to the point rather quickly, showed the viewer all the interesting parts, didn’t drive me nuts with “please like and subscribe”, quality is great, presentation is great. Tip of the hat to you.
Thankyou
Great video..I might buy one of those!
Fender PP!
I just ordered the player plus black LE on fender. I’ve mainly played acoustic my whole life. I have an electric that I got when I was 12 (I’m 31) and it’s terrible lol
I’ve been in and out of guitar center playing them all and really loved the feel of the player plus! I love the rolled edges and the smoothness of the neck! It’s shipping so I’ll update comment when it arrives!
I paid $600 2yrs ago for a new player hss strat, now they want to charge $999 after making a couple minor tweaks (noiseless pickups, a covered humbucker, different switching, and different colors). Also, the ground was not soldered correctly on mine, which for a brand new guitar to get past quality control that way is kind of ridiculous imho. The inflation rate on guitars/gear in general is outlandish. It wasn't that long ago when you could purchase an American standard for $999. The inflation plus poor quality control is honestly pushing players like me to G&L or Squier tbh. I've seen a lot of brand new US Fenders (non custom shop) with issues as well. Meanwhile companies like PRS are still maintaining phenomenal quality control and consistency. 20yrs ago Squiers were trash and PRS was still frowned upon by a lot of players, but now it makes me sad as a lifelong Fender guy, to see where they're going and I'd rather spend twice as much on a PRS CE24 or used core custom 24 or save the money spending less than half what a player plus costs on a Squier classic vibe because I know the quality will be there.
I feel you on that one. I remember that road worn purple tele would go for $800 regular price at GC. Now for labor day sale it was $900 and $1,100 regular price. Like wth, that's the same price of a Gibson tribute made in the US.
When you have to complain about Fender pricing by comparing it to a Gibson, you know something is way wrong.
@@metalliholic good point! It's similar to laptops. I've been shopping for a new one and the mac is cheaper than the pcs I'm looking at. The world is topsy turvy when macs are cheaper than pcs and Gibsons are cheaper than Fenders lol
And this is why I'm looking more and more at the Ibanez AZ range.
I agree with you ted. Glad I bought my USA Fender guitars back in 2003-2007.
Right!? Used to be able to buy a used American standard for $600 back then!
I went to guitar center yesterday to trade 2 things I don't use anymore. Had a special edition player series with an ebony fretboard in mind, played it and it was just blah. Picked up a used American professional and wasn't impressed. Saw a player plus Strat in Tequila sunrise. Kinda looked past it and my wife picked it up and said try it. It ended up being on sale for $900 since it was the last one in stock and color. They ended up ringing it up at $100 less than the sale. Got $75 more in trade than I expected and got this new for $579. The neck gurth is almost identical to my vintera 50s modified neck, but the 12 in radius is so sweet. They did the 12in radius on the squier contemporary series and I didn't like them. I absolutely love this strat. I'm super sold. Glad I got the maple board.
For the pull pot, I wrap my pinky around it and us my palm and pinky and it pops right up.
Honestly, super impressed with noiseless, which I don't usually like. The bridge is twangy but not to ice pick, tone goes to about 7 and it's good for me. Most of my settings for my vintera I had to modify for these pickups. Took treb out and added low end. I love how they take gain. Been living in position 5 and 1.
Hello, well I ordered the white one. It's SSS but I'm taking the whole pickgaurd off. I'm a metal player so I've made a replacement loaded pickgaurd with a JB in the bridge and regular player series singles in the neck and middle. Will be hear today. Hopefully it's great
You did a great job on this review TheGuitarGeek and I like many of the features but I'm glad I bought an American Standard when it was less than the Fender Pee Pee 😁
How you doing dale! Pretty nice guitars aren't they? I will try to resist.
@@WickedFesterBand Resistance is futile LOL
Thanks Dale!
I just picked one up today for $350! It was even the Aged Candy Apple Red. Love it!
I bought this exact guitar a couple hours ago I love the thing, I own a blueberry burst gibson standard les paul, and always have been very biased but man, I'll just say this I went into the music store to buy an SG, and walked out with this exact guitar in this video, it blew my mind with how easy it was to play regardless of the different hand position compared to all my les pauls, 10/10 guitar sounds better in person....oh and "Fender PP" LOL
Glad to hear it! Enjoy
Nice fender pp...... I have been wondering about those noiseless pickups, and that kind of confirms it for me, I'm sure they still sound great in the room but loosing any touch sensitivity or dynamics for me is a no go.
The one guitarist from the scorpions used to glue a round disc of pespex on top of the knob that had push pull.
This is a great idea
Went to my local music shop today to look at the Jared james blue Epiphone single pick up les Paul.. was set on it , till I plugged one of these in the shop 😫 the neck felt great, found one for 400€ on marketplace, think I’ll have to get it, rip the bridge pickup out and chuck in a Seymour jb humbucker and we’ve got a versatile giging machine 😍
Change to a
telecaster knob for the push-pull knob. Very good. thanks
Can't say I'm that impressed by this guitar although the 12' radius neck is a good feature. The push pull switch is terrible. On the Vintera modded Strats, which I have, they have the S-1 switch which would of been a better option IMO as it has the same function and are very easy to use. As for color choices, none would be anywhere near my first choice. If it was done in Candy Apple Red in all it's pristine glory then I might have been a little bit more positive about it. This new edition will not be on my Christmas list I'm sorry to say.
Thanks for the “ Fender PP” review! I may be purchasing one of these soon :)
This Fender PeePee made me go like Pew pew pew pew 🤣🤣🤣 great video as always Andy! Cheers!!!
Great video - great guitar! Im really no Strat guy but this one seems very nice. ;-)
Hope you also have Nashville Tele comming and compare the 2! Keep the Fender PP flowing!
oh hello there! Well if only you could borrow it.... well you can!
I got to mess around with one today at the store when I was picking up my new Reverend Airwave 12.
It was the green HSS, and it looked fantastic. Neck felt great too. I didn’t plug it in because I knew I would have been tempted, lol.
Great video as usual! Fender PP.
Glad to hear its not just me that found them great
"There's no corners cut"
Except the one they should have cut but didn't. They forgot the neck heel carve that made the Deluxe worth paying the extra for.
Fender Pee Pee, I think that you should mail me the guitar so I can… hear how it sounds for my self 😉 lol Great Video Andy, I always love your reveal videos and your reviews. What a awesome guitar!
Thanks! I would…. But…. I don’t have a box?
I hope he's used that box to send me that AZ ;)
To solve the problem of the push pull tone button, I separated the button from the pickguard a little, lifting it enough to be able to insert the nail of my middle finger on the side where the screw is located and holy remedy; without any effort it rises. Greetings
Great job, Andy! You mention you prefer "meatier" necks. What Fender guitars that you know feature thicker necks? I have particularly long fingers and would love to play a Strat with a necks that really fills my hand.
Go for the Ed O’Brien strat. It’s near perfect
Last year I got the Candy Apple Red Player Plus. I loved it so much that I recently also bought the Opal White - both are the best playing strats I've ever owned. Maybe the Texas Special single coils in my US strat sounds better but for the money you get the same quality as Fender's made in the US for half the price.
Picked one up on sale at Guitar Center. I went to buy strings and walked out with this Fender PP. Did not expect a MIM strat to play, feel and sound this good. I think I may change out the pickups at some point, but not yet.
pickup change could really make this a great investment
This outstanding rhythm and base only comes from the hands that never played a thing I guess you are the right one to own it, regards 😊
I just scored a used one off of FB Marketplace for $450. It is a really fantastic instrument! Super comfy and sounds amazing. I've played Mexican and American strats and this one definitely feels and plays as good as an American.
As usual, an excellent review.
Great review of the Fender PP
Andy likes distortion,
so much it makes him weepy.
But he didn't bring the noise at all,
with that pretty Fender PP.
hahahaha, you are a poet...
Another great review, Andy.
I bought a player at the end of 2020 which was so bad it had to go back. After nearly 2 months, Fender finally condemned it - the neck was awful. I purchased another early this year and while the tones are awesome, the setup - and the neck - are lousy.
Loving the sound of this guitar though, it's going to my local luthier for a fret level and setup.
I absolutely love Strat's, but am so disappointed with fenders quality control, or lack thereof.
Enjoy your Fender pee pee, and I'm so glad that your back orifice is clear of debris! :p
WV838 - I had a similar experience with the Ltd Edition Player Strat with the roasted maple neck. First one had a bad sunburst spray error and second one had frets not properly seated in the slots. The Luthier I use to give new guitars a set up would not even touch it. Luckily Chicago Music Exchange gave me a refund in each case and I am now thinking about an American Performer or Ultra.
@@going2Mars I'm guessing that Andy's guitar got special treatment because, after all, he's famous ;)
Nothing beats a Strat, but Fender really need to up their game.
From my personal experience as a guitar tech and have owned a couple, Fender MIMs have
been hit or miss since production began in 1991. Nothing like a USA Fender guitar!
@@frankiecstrat Really? ....i had some Standars USA with a lot of issues....and i bought a couples months an American Professional ,with a neck issue...frets "narrow tall" needs to be level , buzzzzzz like a hell on E string ...the nut came extremely high because the neck issue..the neck is bow, and the truss rod can't fix ...i had to put all the micro tilt loose to try compensate the angle of the neck...a shit ..Don't be fool about "Made in US " ...was in the past....not today.
@@otaviofenderstrat4220 I've never had a bad experience with my USA Strats and Teles.
With that being said I did make the purchases back in 2003-2007 so you maybe right
about past vs present. :-)
No spring for the tremelo bar though, right? I had to call them up and have them send me one. They sent a whole pack of them... lol
Fender PV. Heard what I needed to from your video. Most likely getting one of these.
I'm very tempted by this guitar. currently £800 in some places and has all the little tweaks I would likely make over a Player II......
To quickly and easily lift the knob, while holding the guitar in the normal playing position, simply place your thumbnail under the knob, coming at it from above and along the body and lift with your thumb. Take a close look at the knob and you should see that there a very slight tilt to it - so, there is no gap at the bottom of the knob, but a slight gap at the top of the knob. You can even just slide your pick into the gap at the top and pop it up that way. The thump flick is far easier than using a grasping motion with two fingers anyway. - Cheers, Jit.
I love that Fender PP in that config and finish too, if I hadn't just spent all my pennies on an SE CU24 I'd be all over that! gonna have to wait a while! Great vid just makes me want one more!
Thinking about buying a fender plus for my birthday the sunrise colour, I also live in Austria where did you buy yours also should I get it ?
I've recently tried HSS version of Player Plus. Great guitar, I mostly like quality but it has some construction issues for me (as any classic Stratocaster). Also push pull knob was so heavy, you know, to pull. So I grabbed the Yamaha Pacifica Standart + and I'm happy. But for those who really likes the vibe and the tone of Strat but in some modern and really cool features that's an awesome guitar
Great review. I went and tried one after watching this and bought the sunburst HSS version. Quality, feel and tones are all great. I will say I compared two PP and the neck profiles felt different. One was noticeably fatter than the other and I went with a skinny feeling one.
Question for 2022: do you still have this guitar? Planning to buy one one the next weeks 😊
thoughts about the color? its more like a fiesta red? light red?
So, I just won one of these in a competition. Watching this now makes me very happy.
Fender pp🖖🏻🤜🎸 if all goes well I getting one tomorrow, I watched till the end and subbed lto your channel, I’m extremely excited, and hope it works out
Nice Fender, P/P. I'm not a Strat guy. The only Fender I'd own (and do) is a Telecaster. But that's a personal preference thing. Strat bodies/PU configurations have never done it for me. At the same time, some of the better players have hitched their wagons to Strats and done quite well for themselves. So, there you have it. Were I to be in the market, I'd definitely give the Player Plus a serious look. Especially with the apparent Voodoo in the pickups. My Tele's quiet, but it ain't _that_ quiet.
Excellent job on this one.
Nice guitar, and even nicer licks. Well done Andy.
Cheers jack!
I've watched a Fender Player Series Plus Precision Bass review last night.
I want one of those....!
I have a Fishman Fluence drop in set with a push pull pot I'm thinkin' bout putting a Tele knob on em to make it easier . it'd look weird but that's icing on the cake for me.
Maybe I missed it while fast forwarding, but instead of discussing the raised logo and the string tree, some thoughts on the flat radius neck, the rolled edges, and use of a modern C profile on a 12" radius would have been interesting.
Yep, you missed it
Maybe the pot is just a sticky pot? I’ve added push pulls to my guitars with strat knobs and never had a problem.
I’m seeing a charvel with slightly more traditional styling and no Floyd - very tempting!
Like the colour and the 2 more sound options, but also aggree that this push/pull isn't the right thing! Push/push or additional mini switch or something similar like the s1 knob ... Fender PV
Have wondered how the Fender PP would sound compared to my MiM tele reissue. May have to try one to see!
What year is the tele?
@@TheGuitarGeek it’s a 1969 thinline reissue natural coloured body. Standard single coils instead of humbuckers 👍
Try a little spray lube on the pull pot. Maybe even pull it in and out a bunch of times. They're always a bit stubborn, it's just how they are.
Very nice review.
I just ordered the HHS in Mystic Jade. Fender PP!
Brand new player.... well soon.
Thinking about ibanez azes or a fender pp
?
I am getting this guitar (by that I mean this exact guitar ;)) and I think I will switch the push pull for Tele Knob. For me this guitar will go well with Gluehwein :D
Fender PV. Awsome Review, very honest I may Say. I like this guitar very mucho. Fender has take care of the details and upgrades, except for the push-pull system.
I'm deciding between this and the Fender H.E.R. signature, the blue marlin one. What do you think? Have You tried this one? I'll be please to watch a review of this Nice guitar fron you
Really hoping to trust this video, because this one made me decide on a player plus over the american pro 2. I'm mainly an acoutic player and already own a american pro II tele, so it felt wrong to me to buy another pro II at 1900 euro's. This thing seems to be 90-95% as good, for literally half the price. I trusted you on the katana 100 vs katana artist too ;)
Hi Andy.... Change the tone knob for one like Nile Rogers uses on 'the hit maker'...... Fender PP my friend!
I always dig strats when they have a tortoise shell guard. However I was traumatized as a boy in school when everyone saw my Fender PP
I hope you recovered from that Trauma!
Drop in a four mm ball bearing and a little "wiggle stick" spring before twisting in that gear shifter, and you will like it much better.
That red really does look awesome, but I wish it had a different pick guard color. The brown is fine, but the tortoise shell just reminds me of 70s grandparents’ aesthetics. Fender PP
I was thinking the same…..worth dropping in a cream pick-guard to match the pickup covers and knobs? That might look sweet!
Fender PP! And I recently bought one thanks to your review, a very quality guitar.
You are welcome Shawn
The biggest turn off for me is the paoferro everything else checks. I will like to try one with maple fretboard.
Fender PeePee. I like the rounded fretboards and the locking tuners. I had to install the locking tuners myself on my AmPro Strat. If you want a westcoast north american Strat - Buy NOW!
BUY NOW! 😂
A few others have mentioned the push pull pot being a pain.
nobody seems to know this trick flick that knob with your pick end of story
@@dericdomino that’s a dumb, it’s called a push pull not a pick flick
Can the trem be setup like a jeff beck type thing where you can pull up a decent amount. Just wondering with the size of the trem block
Beautiful guitars with beautiful finishes makes the decision hard. Lefty's are left out again. So we don't have that problem which one to choose.
Just. Got a 2021 sage green in a hard shell case i mint condition from Guitar Center delivered for $699 out the door! Really nice-p
Subtitles are funny, at around 8:15 when Andy goes "This is the pull pot" is captioned as "This is the poor part" 😁
Great video. This guitar hits me right in the tip of my Fender PP
that has GOT to hurt
Pain for pleasure
Fender PP. I like the PP Nashville Tele.
I bought a high cost other brand S type guitar expecting it to be a Strat sound on steroids. It was very well made but didn’t sound anything like a classic Strat. This is pure strat.
Huh, weird, with my American performer the push pull pot is slightly raised to make it easy to lift it up. Strange they didn’t implement that for this one
What would you choose that guitar or the american performer series.
I would probably go for this one.