Unboxing quick review Fender Player Stratocaster, worth 5 times the cost of a Squier Bullet?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ม.ค. 2022
- I’ve had 25 strats but not a Fender for a while. After this video I played it for 20 minutes and the neck feels fabulous. The slight lacquer on the fingerboard with polished frets is as smooth as stainless steel frets
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Lovely smile on your face before unboxing :) Lovely guitars, I like white or cream guitars, this is no exception. Well deserved, let's how she melts under your solos. Happy NGD!
Thank you so much!! I am certainly a super happy boy and love white and vintage coloured guitars too 🙂
Now rich that's a good looking guitar looking forward to hearing it 🎸🎸🎸
Thank you sir! In love with it already
The new guitar looks SO good, Richard 🙂... And it is a REAL Strat 👍
Tuning a guitar with a floating trem takes some time to tune and settle in.
Volume knob seems to work.... Tone knob sounds like it works pretty well too.
I hope you'll keep it for a long time 😁... It's just so gorgeous ... I want one now 😉
Thank you Carsten. I'm very happy with it. The neck is to die for. A lot of money but glad I got it and is for sure a keeper! Get one when you can ;-)
Love this video Rich. About to drop my money on one as we speak! Thanks for this review
That’s super kind of you, thank you!
Let me know how you get on with it once it arrives.
Thanks for tuning in, appreciate it 🙏
What a gem of a guitar Rich , I have it in the buttercream ( light yellow ) they play like a dream in my mind. The necks are a 10 outta 10 in my opinion. Enjoy it !
I soooo nearly went buttercream, it’s gorgeous!
Agree on the neck too
@@thenovicenoisemaker ya but the white is very nice as well. Maybe one day I’ll get a white Hendrix signature with the flipped headstock. Maybe lol.
@@benallmark9671 haha, always room for another guitar
@@thenovicenoisemaker I can't decide with the black maple hss OR the buttercream maple hss, also like the white maple hss
Got a Player last year, black with maple neck. I found a bundle deal with a case that was a steal! I was shocked when I opened it and it was a G & G expensive case, the kind with red plush inside! I've read a lot of positive reviews about these and also a lot of complaints, but mine is flawless and is a terrific guitar. I got lucky with mine and made a good purchase. No complaints and I've done nothing to mine so far besides play it.
What a great purchase that was Kim! Happy days, black with maple is a stunning combo too.
Thank you for sharing and did watching too 👍🏻
this video urged me to go and buy one, rich i,m more than pleased with it its really good quality and plays like a dream
Fabulous news Thomas! Beautiful neck on these 👍🏻
I have the same identical guitar got it last year I love fender guitars!!!
Nice!!!!!
Picked up a 2020 Fender Player cherry burst HSS strat and love it. Added locking tuners and a Graphtec nut. Paired it with a Boss Katana 50 MKII amp. I don't think I could do any better for under $1000 dollars.
Awesome! That’s a very pretty guitar and good combo, everything you need. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Bought one of these about 6 months ago to add to my small collection of PRS SE, Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro and Peavey Predator guitars. Had one small gripe with it - the nut stuck/squeaked like hell on the G and B strings. Fixed simply with addition of some SlickNutz lube and now works like a dream. Was very well setup with a fairly low action out of the box - only had to tune it. The neck is supremely comfortable to play and the whammy bar works just great. Intonation is spot on and it stays in tune. I luuuurve the pickups - fantastic tone. It's now my favourite guitar. Expensive, agreed, but very, very nice guitar. Almost bought the cheaper Squier CV but glad I got this instead.
Great news that you love it. Agreed they’re a bit too pricey but a really good all round guitar. Neck is the best bit for me.
I’ve got lots of other videos on reviews if that’s your thing.
Thank you for watching and commenting, much appreciated
Hi. I got one too same color. In general it looks nice and plays fine. It has only a couple of finish imperfections (on the back there is a bit of a small faded spot without color and below the fretboard finish in a few places there are some tiny dark spots). It is not that visible only if you nit pick but in any case i am considering requesting a replacement, only thinking about it because the neck plays well. Did you have any similar issues with yours? Also what would you recommend for a strat at the same price range? Cheers.
Hi Bernard,
Mind had no issues at all but they’re really expensive for what they are in my opinion. I’d definitely send yours back, it’ll bug you just knowing the imperfections are there.
I actually preferred my Squier classic vibe to the fender. Bizarrely felt more ‘stratty’ somehow.
As for alternatives I’ve not owned one yet but have played one, a G&L Tribute Legacy and an S500. Incredibly good and a lot less money than a fender. If you can look passed their odd looking headstocks I think they are perfect alternative.
Thanks for tuning in
Glad you've got a mim strat the more you play it rich you'll fall in love with her
Next guitar I think you should consider its cheap harley benton 335 version would like to see what you make of a semi hollow with humbuckers I've got a epiphone riviera 68 remake 2021 in Royal tan beautiful sounding instrument lovely colour choice on the strst by the way
Thank you Paul 🙂
I had one of those HB's some time back and recall it fondly. I would like another one at some point for sure, in white of course ...
ive got the exact same guitar took the first one back becouse the first string had a strange sound to it . it almost sounded as if it had a tremelo effect on it i could hear a double not not clean at all . they swaped it for another wich was better but the nut was cut wrong and the first string kept falling off the fret . they sent it back to fender for me and they replaced it with a bone nut . then after a while this guitar to developed a strange sound on the first string iot drove me crazy for 12 months then i had the idea to chenge the sadle on the first string and that fixed the problem be interesting to know if yours has a similar effect on it when you turn it up . nice revue by the way
Ah that sounds like a real pain. I’ve played it for only about an hour so far but must have got lucky. Not noticed anything dodgy about it snd it’s set up well. I posted a short video of me playing it. I’ll keep you posted on it.
Thank you for watching and commenting, much appreciated
Nice axe! A white Strat is my dream guitar!
Thank you. Love white strats!!
For me, the neck was what did it. Also, I like the pickups. But Squiers can be pretty sweet too.
Hi Zach
Neck is gorgeous on this for sure. Pickups a bit too modern sounding for my taste but a great guitar. Really liked my CV Squier for the tones
Idk if I got lucky or what but my maple neck is flamed. It’s has lots of maple strips and lots of different details.
Oh wow that’s sounds awesome!
Looks like we’ve both had a new guitar day, I was going to get one of these Mexican strats, I played a Mexican tele in Dawson’s Manchester few years ago and I fell in love with it but couldn’t afford it at the time.
As I say I nearly got one of these but I came across a gold top Epiphone les Paul, custom pro with zebra pick ups. 2014 model limited edition, it’s immaculate the guy in h the shop said it’s like brand new.! I’m well chuffed with it. Don’t think you can post pictures here in the comments, I’ll send you a picture of it on messenger.
I’m curious to see what this strat settles in like as I do fancy a player either strat or tele
Your Epi looks fantastic Dan!! Great purchase bud.
I think this strat will (is) be great. The pickups sound bright and modern so depends what you like
Hey i didn't got any trem arm springs or bearing in the box, did u got any
I didn’t know, no spares
Hi... Rich. Lovely guitar
Thank you Putra
I got a 98 mexican got it new,still love it.
I got a 2014 usa strat fat 50s pick ups its great
Both great to play,sound great..
Bet that 98 is a beat, ceramic pickups too which I prefer 👍🏻
I like to use all 5 pick up positions, but not everyone does.
Most people just use neck and bridge.
I like middle position on les pauls and tele too, not everyones cup of tea, but i love the sound.
@@davescupper5789 I love the middle position too! I’ve done a couple of videos just about the middle and sound tested several guitars on the middle with a series of TH-cam shorts ☺️
I have a player sss. I like her alot but she's not my number 1.. ..pickups are OK but very low output....ahe feels quality but at the end of the day she's just alright...she was a toss up between herself and a cv and I went for the headstock
I totally get that. I nearly bought a CV FSR in vintage white (and maybe should have 🤷🏼).
This feels quality and the neck is gorgeous but as you say and as I mention in the video, they’re over priced and unspectacular. I also (sadly 🤦🏻♂️) wanted the heritage of the headstock.
The 🌮 taco strats outstanding value probably not appreciate in30 years like USA model but really nice instrument for the money
Love the emoji 😂
I had no problem getting my player out of the box. If I had much trouble I would had retuned immediately.
Haha 😂
Thank you for the sub too. Lots of other daft unboxing and reviews here too. There’s a playlist.
Rich
The problem is at least 70% of the cost is going towards the fender decal on the headstock. You have be a special kind of insane to go and buy one of these when you could get a top of the range cort with an ebony fretboard, stainless steel frets and a flame maple cap (not a veneer) for the same price.
Hi Ben
Yes and Fender's are getting even more expensive for amounts to a solid but pretty basic kind of spec really, that's why I sent this back.
I've had some Chapman's recently and they are way better for less money
Rich, just starting the video now but I can see your address :-s
The guitar is very nice, for sure. The problem is, as you pointed out - for the price you can almost certainly get something better with a graphite/bone nut, locking tuners and good string trees. Having two graphtech or rolling string trees is a huge QoL improvement on these, I hate those crappy sharp things. There's not really much reason for me to get a proper Strat over my modded Affinity, I actually had a Japanese Strat years ago that in retrospect was just horrible to play.
Hope you enjoy it though :)
All absolutely valid points. I’ve played it for about an hour and pleased to say the combination of polished frets, lightly lacquered board and satin neck, it feels as smooth as roasted maple. The action is very low too so the playing experience is great. Still not worth the money though really but now I’ve got it this will stay, I won’t need another Strat now.
Congrats! Im decidin between the Polar white or Buttercream
Both lovely!! Hard choice
Are they comparable to the Classic Vibe or a step up from them?
Hi Mark
Part for part they’re a step up in every department. That being said I much preferred the pickups in my CV as they were more vintage sounding. This Player is more modern and bright to my ears
I'm having the same issues choosing between the player or the classic vibe. Is it really worth the extra money
Try out the player Strat HSS candy apple red such an amazing guitar for the price
That’s a nice colour too!!
Kia ora. If it gets you there, cool. If not I've noticed on our(NZ) trade me site 10 to 20% depreciation on player series just 2 or 3yrs old. Not bad. That's the beauty of iconic brands.
That’s very true, one of the plus points of owning a Fender for sure
Hi there, I do not have a lot of experience with brand new guitars and even less with Fenders. Aren’t frets on a guitar supposed to come polished? I have seen people have gotten scratchy, flat top frets (like uncrowned?) on this series which seems unacceptable at any price point let alone 750€ which they go by in Europe. Or maybe I am mistaken and we are supposed to expect that?
Hello
You’d like to think the frets should be polished but it’s surprising how few actually are. I’ve owned getting close to 200 guitars from £79-£1000 and polished frets just aren’t guaranteed sadly. Every PRS SE I e owned (6 of them) have been and most of the 24 Chapmans but other than that, complete roulette. I’ve had a lot of Fenders and their quality control is very hit and miss.
Thanks for tuning in 👍🏻
@@thenovicenoisemaker Thank you for the video. I have seen lots of positive feedback on those and it's harder to get to the more "yeah it's okay but it's not worth 5 times the Squier money" type of advice so again thanks. In comparison to this then around the 800Eur mark you would say a PRS SE (Silver sky in this instance) and Chapman (looking at an ML3Pro Trad "tele") would be a better choice? At least in terms of attention to detail/QC? I can see having Fender on the headstock as tempting but would not mind going an "alternative" route if the other manufacturer cares more...
@@ac4pres310 the PRS SE line is brilliant, I’ve had 245, Starla, 24, Tremonti and they’ve all been fantastic. I own a chapman ML3 Pro Trad (lots of videos on my channel for it) and it’s a wonderful guitar with fantastic pickups
The Standars series are great too
I think u also have to consider the hardware. The alinco pickups in these cost around 150-200. So that’s more then the squier right there
That’s fair enough but also I guess the sound is subjective though. Hardware better for on the fender for sure but as just a bedroom player perhaps matters less?
Thank you for watching and commenting, much appreciated
Set out to buy my first SSS Strat. Pretty much decided $600 US was my range and landed on the classic vibe (because I wanted Fiesta Red and a vintage tone).
Much to my luck, called Guitarcenter and the guy said if I fork over an additional $100 (to the $600) they had a limited edition fiesta red Fender Strat with a roasted maple neck and custom shop pickups on sale.
The more research I do, the more I’m learning just how great of a find I just stumbled upon.
You happy with it??
@@thenovicenoisemaker immensely!
I intend to roll the fretboard edges, retouch the poly, replace the nut with bone, the tree, install locking tuners and down the line the electronics.
I can’t really see how, after all that, save for the small bits like how the neck fits the guitar and minutia like that, it can be that much worse than an American… or dare I say a custom shop.
You’re an avid collector… what do you think?
@@pjincho sounds like a lot of work but hopefully be worth it, it’s an average but nice guitar 🎸
With you fighting with that box, I was waiting for the John Clease & the Monty Python crew to come to assist you.
At another point in your tug of war with the box, something was going to pull you into it, ending your video before you got the guitar out of the box!
Haha now that would have been brilliant 😂😂😂😂
These are good ... I have an HSS version .. maybe you'll keep this .. a month ??
Ah nice 👌🏻.
A month is a reasonable guess but I’d to think longer this time 😁
@@thenovicenoisemaker Im no better :P I got rid of mine because I got bored of the white :( now Im missing how smooth it played , didnt have to touch a thing out of the box .. I'll be getting another soon
@@Horned_God I’ve done this so many times 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️.
Same here, perfect out of the box, just as good as my PRS’s. Very happy with even if it’s not the most exciting guitar for the money
Nice guitar
Thank you Steve
It’s like an old ford. It’ll get the job done but you can kick its tires about a lot of stuff for the price.
Ha ha, brilliant 😀
I’m not long on this channel, but could guess she will be white hehe lovely guitar in my humble opinion fender is like Harley Davidson it’s a legend you ride on 😜
Hey Chris I like your analogy ! Absolute legend and this one will not be sold!
Honestly , i prefer my squire bullet Strat , i only play at home , it still can get a knocking around , few mates over for a play drinking vodka does that , still it hasn't given me a prob in the 5 yrs ive had it
Love this buddy!! I’ve had a dozen Bullets and they’re great! Thank for watching and sharing
Really interesting watch Rich as always. I'm due a reasonable sum of money in the not-too-distant future so planning on getting something pricier than I would normally. Don't think it'll be a Fender.
Hi Mike, Having played this for a short time the neck is lovely and plays well..is that worth £600....not really. In terms of cost for cost, my PRS SE 245, Starla and Standard 24 were all much more of a guitar.
Thank you for watching and the nice comments Mike 🙂
@@thenovicenoisemaker ohhhh the 245 has the best frets i have ever felt. but sor some reason I can't get over the color... i have ever thought of doing a "vinyl grap" (similar to a what they do to cars) because i also dont wanna completely screw the original finish ( i see they used to make a black/charcoal one over flamed maple... maybe i should hunt one down)
@@0000song0000 245 is a great guitar. Play it in the dark so you can’t see it lol 😂. If that was me I’d prob sell it and buy one in a different colour
You’ll be having to change your name soon , instead of announcing “ hi , I’m Rich “ you’ll have to say “ hi I’m skint “ 😂😂😂,, nice looking guitar that , look forward to hearing it,, I’ve just been playing a Yamaha pacifica, it was pretty good , ( even with me on it ) 😂,, 👍👍👍🤠🎸
lol 😂
This was ages ago and I’m already skint 😂😂
@@thenovicenoisemakeroh yeah , I only got it recommended today, I thought it was a new one 😂😂😂👍👍🤠
@@c.h.fieldsports9876 😂😂😂
$1600 here in NZ🙀
Flippin eck 😱!!!
I love this video. However, I have to disagree. I’ve had this guitar for 2 years and it is great value. It is a strat and sounds like one. The neck is so playable and the finish is actually quite lovely (it is not too chunky). It does stay in tune amazingly well (kudos to the big F, despite no locking tuners). I have tried many guitars at that price point and you don’t get a better strat (you can get modern super strats, etc. and some are of dubious quality). The volume knob thing: try it with some crunch/gain and you will see if does the job.
Great buy for the price? Yes. Do you need one if you have a Squire? Very personal choice.
Great comments thank you. I guess it’s all subjective. A fender Strat does exactly what it’s supposed to do and I agree on the neck, it really is good. I just think there are other brands offering more for the money nowadays. The Sire is pretty true to be being a strat and has a roasted neck and locking tuners and is £100 less. The Yamahas offer better value too as do G&L but certainly for a die hard purest the mighty F is the one 😊.
Thank you for watching and commenting, much appreciated 👍🏻
@@thenovicenoisemaker thanks for your comment. The Yamaha Pacifica is a great example. Arguably a better built guitar (QC these days also a bit hit and miss) but not a Strat, more of a modern guitar. I still think the Player is a lot of guitar for the price, and that is no disrespect at all to other manufacturers.
@@pepeowen I guess the real win would be to find a used Fender Strat in good condition then that really would be super value for money 😊.
Out of interest do you have other guitars too? What’s your favourite?
@@thenovicenoisemaker You can actually find some pre-loved Player Strats for £350-400, and most of them are in excellent condition. I own an old Epiphone LP style (Made in China, 2004) that has been my learning guitar and no longer use (probably will set it up and donate to someone learning’). I also have an Ibanez AZ prestige which is the best guitar I have ever owned and played.
The question is whether a circa £2,000 guitar is 3-4 times better than the Player. And I am struggling to justify an upgrade to the Fender as the American Pros and Ultras feel similar and the sound differences are not massive.
What is the top price you would pay for you main guitar?
@@pepeowen I have a friend with an American professional but plays a Harley Benton most of the time. I think there is a tipping point of cost vs quality especially for people not i gigging bands. I’m pretty sure your Mexican will be all the guitar you need rather than shelling out on an Ultra.
I’ve never spent more than £600 which is what I paid for a new Gibson 6 years ago, the price of them now!
For me though there’s not enough of spec upgrade on guitars from £300 to £600 (generally speaking) so realistically I’d say £300 is tops. If you e seen my other videos you’ll note I’ve had a few PRS and all have been fabulous. They feel like more of a luxury for the £550 kinda mark
Sweetwater says the nut is "synthetic bone" lol.
Haha basically plastic then 😂
They really are too expensive for what they are imho. I’ve got a player P bass in the same colour and fretboard. It looks nice but the money just isn’t there in any way. Fret edges weren’t nicely rounded, which I easily fixed with some cheap disposable nail files but it’s just something that shouldn’t need to be done at this price point. I’ve got an Indonesian CV Jazz bass too and the quality is very comparable, maybe equal even and I only paid €180 for that second hand. I will think long and hard before ever buying Fender again, especially new.
Totally agree with you here. I’ve had several Classic vibes and would always go for one again over a Mexican Fender. I had a player tele recently that had to go back due to issues
@@thenovicenoisemaker My Precision is going up for sale, all it’s doing is collecting dust. I put a jaguar neck on the cv jazz because I wanted to see what it’d look like with rosewood and I like it even more now. And tbh, I can’t read what’s on the headstock when I play anyway so definitely no more Fender for me.
@@elmanitasdeplomo no more fender for me either! Squier works for me and plenty of other brands. I’ve got a decent Harley Benton and two Chapmans that cost a fraction and are great
@@thenovicenoisemaker Agreed. Those Harley Bentons are what I’m looking at. They now have basses with lightweight Gotoh tuners and roasted maple necks for €220, insane really considering the standard specs of a Mex Fender and what they ask for it.
@@elmanitasdeplomo I’ve got an SC-DLX Gotoh (on the channel). Stainless frets in rosewood board with Gotoh hardware. Paid for a pro set up and it’s a fabulous guitar especially for £280. Way better than an Epi I had that cost twice as much
I never saw anyone say how a Fender Player was any better than an Ibanez Standard but they are clearly more expensive. Fender are selling their name because they can and worshippers are glad to believe it is worth it .
The cheapest Ibanez RG Standard (349€ at Thomann) is less than half the price of the cheapest Fender Player (729€).
Totally agree Leo. Price has gone nuts on Fenders and personally I just don’t think they’re worth it. Lots of other brands offering more features for less money
One got to be very careful watching these reviews if they are not from "1st world" country because for me that's an amazing guitar. But for them it would be a so called "decent" guitar because they straight away compare with an American made strat or Tele & for a lot of people that guitar is untouchable almost. You gotta compare it what you have at your disposal.
Wise words and absolutely agree. Lots of guitar snobs out there too. I got slated by some people when I reviewed a £600 Epiphone that had lots of flaws (I sent it back) . People saying I should expect some issues with a cheap guitar, £600 is not cheap for me!
Thanks for watching and commenting, appreciate it 👍🏻
I've just got my first Fender Player Strat. £485 on sale, otherwise I wouldn't have been tempted. In my opinion this guitar is over-rated. It's pretty average. It doesn't really play that much better than my Harley Benton TE-20 (£85) after a good setup. I reckon PRS SE and Epiphone guitars are better value for money (£450-£550). In comparison to other guitars at this price point, you do seem pay ~£150 more for the Fender logo, a piece of guitar history, and a higher re-sale value.
100% agree Mr Yeti which is why I sent it back. Certainly my various SE PRS guitars have been a lot more wow for the money.
I think a Squier Classic vibe is better value and a nicer guitar too actually.
Thanks for sharing 👍🏻
@@thenovicenoisemaker And thanks for your honest reviews. Most of the reviews on YT are shops or monetised affiliates selling the plus points, but not sharing the negatives. Then when a negative comment gets posted all hell breaks loose. ;)
@@Yeti.Goose.Creature haha that’s true especially from Fendee fan boys.
Thank you for the kind words and support, appreciated 👍🏻
Two Words: Harley Benton. I bought one, it goes toe to toe with my 2003 American California Fat Strat in every way, which I bought nineteen years ago, and even back then, it cost me twelve times what the HB cost, today. I'm uploading songs to my channel recorded on "off-brand" guitars, as I think you, and other TH-camrs like yourself, are showing the world we're going through the "Off brand Renaissance" right now, and I think the old brands better look to their laurels and take note.
I’ve had 25 Harley Benton’s and in general terms I agree with you. I’ve got about 10 HB videos on here including several ST-62’s which are great guitars. Main draw back for me is the 13.75” fret board radius.
I’ve actually returned this Fender, nice as it is, the pickups sound too modern for what I was after and at the price it feels like an elephant in the room too.
Thank you for watching and commenting, much appreciated