Hey Stephen, saw your video a few months ago and have been looking for a good one. Went into Guitar Center here in Ocean, NJ and saw a Birchwood Green one used for$650! plugged it in and played it and loved it. Needless to say I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. I might at some point put in a bone nut.Thanks for the tip & great review. I also used to go to Callahan's near Little Ferry back in the day. 5 Cent beers for lunch, lol. Cheers
@@jperryfan I dig that ocean GC. I usually stop in when we’re in Asbury. They have a pretty cool used section… I’m glad you dig your Strat. I’m happy to help… I don’t live too far from that old little ferry spot.. miss callahans.
Fantastic overview and congrats on the new Strat. Just picked up my own last week in the 3 color burst HSS and it’s incredible.. had a well-respected tech do the setup (and specifically for 10’s as well) and it’s so great. I am considering locking tuners as my MIM thinline tele deluxe has them and I’ve gotten spoiled, but I like the aesthetic of the Classic Gears more I may just have to give them a shot. I also noticed the guitar is a lot quieter than my Telecaster (in regards to both guitars single coils, and the tele’s being Noiseless at that). Seems to be a lot less 60cycle hum for me. Plays great, no complaints so far besides having to adjust my picking hands position to adjust to the bridge/volume knob being RIGHT THERE. Amazing video brother, highly recommended just as you articulated! Take care!
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar so happy to hear you’re still digging it! I hope my joy doesn’t fade it really is spectacular and I’m proud I pulled the trigger on it and a proper setup. Compliments the tele perfectly… now to just get a promotion or two and cop a nice Jazzmaster hahahah. Take care my guy!!
@@miketuttle9319 lol I understand completely. So it’s been about 2 months on the player ii. It’s still in my hands every day for a few hours. I love this guitar, only thing I’m not in love with is the bridge pup.
What were you playing at the start of the video? As for guitar. Just got one, blue burst hss with maple neck. Only issue is my trem bar is decked to the body instead of floating. Fixable, but don't understand why they did that at the store when I comes floating out of thr box.
Ahhh,love that Bonnie Raitt song.You are a great player sir.Those new player 2s look great.I need to check one out for myself.After many years of playing and partocasting I have come to the conclusion that I prefer single trussrod necks.Neck and body has to work together but most of the tonal character comes from the neck imo.Neck,bridge and pickups is my order of Stratocaster tonal bliss :).
@@swede7160 thanks. Yeah these are surprisingly great necks. I’m all in on these player II’s. I have a few part casters and while they’re dialed in, there’s something about these player ii.
I just pulled the trigger yesterday. Videos I’ve watched are so crossed between “poor quality” and “looks great and plays well out of the box”… initially it was the cosmetics that caught my eyes. It truly is a beautiful corral red imo. Anyways, cool review! I am considering dropping some ‘61 pickups in mine
@ I did! I DO! It’s a great piece of work tbh! Unfortunately I’m not electric/lead player. I’ve played acoustic for 16 years and have a wayyyy tough time transitioning over. I know a few scales and can go through them well on the strat, and is very smooth to do so! Wish I could do more! The blues would be my wish.
I have a 2020 original Player "Plus Top Aged Cherry" HSS strat with a maple fretboard. I like the guitar, but will be replacing the neck with a Player II rosewood fretboard when they become available. I put locking tuners and a graphtec nut on the neck and will probably do the same on the new neck.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar Wow, it's interesting. When I grabbed the previous one it was - for me - the worst experience Fender ever. Dry, ascetic, not any pleasure from it.
@Stephen Michaels What do you think of the volume? I feel like it goes from 0 to 10 with little movement of the potentiometer. i have the green birch one.
i have the birch green SSH . I can’t put it down it plays so well. The volume issue feels to me like zero to about six. But it doesn’t affect really take away from this great stratocaster.
I can't justify the price of good Fender Stratocasters these days, I played a GL Fullerton deluxe recently and was blown away with it, and the price is not as high as Fender. If you don't want to change the string trees to keep it authentic, you can spray the bottom of them with PTFE, they then become much slicker, team it uo with a Graphtech nut and you are off to the races! You can also mask off the saddles and lightly spray the string slots also.
@@tbone2451 thanks for watching. If you’ve played both already, then I respect your opinion. From my perspective the new players are far and away light years better than the original. I’d compare it to the American Pro II minus the heel and Shaw designed pups.
@@StephenmichaelsguitarI know it’s a fine guitar. I might eventually add one. I was just hoping they would have changed up the pickups and added more color choices.
@@bluwng I remember when they were $300. Fortunately, for $799 you get a lot of guitar in these new player II’s, but when I see fsr mim’s over 1k I shake my head.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar : That's sucks because I recently purchsed a Fender "Player II" Stratocaster and I'm waiting for it's delivery. So, what did it come in ? They can't ship the guitar as is, right Stephen?
@@andrelangenbach4202 I thank you for your comment, I was very critical of the original Player series. I’d say unbiased in that I’m not being paid for my opinion.
Hey Stephen, saw your video a few months ago and have been looking for a good one. Went into Guitar Center here in Ocean, NJ and saw a Birchwood Green one used for$650! plugged it in and played it and loved it. Needless to say I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough. I might at some point put in a bone nut.Thanks for the tip & great review. I also used to go to Callahan's near Little Ferry back in the day. 5 Cent beers for lunch, lol. Cheers
@@jperryfan I dig that ocean GC. I usually stop in when we’re in Asbury. They have a pretty cool used section… I’m glad you dig your Strat. I’m happy to help… I don’t live too far from that old little ferry spot.. miss callahans.
Love this, just ordered mine 5 minutes ago.
My first guitar, and can't wait for it to arrive.
Happy xmas from Norway ⭐️
@@merelysinz amazing!!!!!!! Rad!! Enjoy it. Merry Christmas!!
Thank you so much!
I subbed, so looking forward to more uploades 👍
Fantastic overview and congrats on the new Strat. Just picked up my own last week in the 3 color burst HSS and it’s incredible.. had a well-respected tech do the setup (and specifically for 10’s as well) and it’s so great. I am considering locking tuners as my MIM thinline tele deluxe has them and I’ve gotten spoiled, but I like the aesthetic of the Classic Gears more I may just have to give them a shot.
I also noticed the guitar is a lot quieter than my Telecaster (in regards to both guitars single coils, and the tele’s being Noiseless at that). Seems to be a lot less 60cycle hum for me. Plays great, no complaints so far besides having to adjust my picking hands position to adjust to the bridge/volume knob being RIGHT THERE.
Amazing video brother, highly recommended just as you articulated! Take care!
@@CMvidproductions I traded a tele for it. And I have no regrets. This is a far better guitar.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar so happy to hear you’re still digging it! I hope my joy doesn’t fade it really is spectacular and I’m proud I pulled the trigger on it and a proper setup. Compliments the tele perfectly… now to just get a promotion or two and cop a nice Jazzmaster hahahah. Take care my guy!!
@@CMvidproductions I understand completely… here’s to the next one mate!
The color looks like a custom shop option + the slab rosewood board is so interesting
Nice playing and review. Damn, I’m tempted even though I keep telling myself I’m going to slow down on acquiring more guitars.
@@miketuttle9319 lol I understand completely. So it’s been about 2 months on the player ii. It’s still in my hands every day for a few hours. I love this guitar, only thing I’m not in love with is the bridge pup.
I like your picking. You are greatly appreciated by me.😊
@@fritzherrmann762 thank you…
What were you playing at the start of the video? As for guitar. Just got one, blue burst hss with maple neck. Only issue is my trem bar is decked to the body instead of floating. Fixable, but don't understand why they did that at the store when I comes floating out of thr box.
@@midnightshade32 it’s a Bonnie Raitt tune from the 80’s…. At least the term is a fairly easy fix… enjoy it !!!
Congrats Steve! And yes the Nut is always made for 009’s. I might need to grab one
@@jayteesgear it’s a great instrument. Thanks for watching and the comment moment!!!
Ahhh,love that Bonnie Raitt song.You are a great player sir.Those new player 2s look great.I need to check one out for myself.After many years of playing and partocasting I have come to the conclusion that I prefer single trussrod necks.Neck and body has to work together but most of the tonal character comes from the neck imo.Neck,bridge and pickups is my order of Stratocaster tonal bliss :).
@@swede7160 thanks. Yeah these are surprisingly great necks. I’m all in on these player II’s. I have a few part casters and while they’re dialed in, there’s something about these player ii.
I just pulled the trigger yesterday. Videos I’ve watched are so crossed between “poor quality” and “looks great and plays well out of the box”… initially it was the cosmetics that caught my eyes. It truly is a beautiful corral red imo. Anyways, cool review! I am considering dropping some ‘61 pickups in mine
@@andrewbarrientes1625 I keep thinking about the 61’s as well, but I’ve been happy with this guitar as is. Really loving it.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitarwill try to remember and check in once mine comes around! Hopefully I’ll share the same contentment as you
So did you like it?
@ I did! I DO! It’s a great piece of work tbh! Unfortunately I’m not electric/lead player. I’ve played acoustic for 16 years and have a wayyyy tough time transitioning over. I know a few scales and can go through them well on the strat, and is very smooth to do so! Wish I could do more! The blues would be my wish.
@ glad you like it!
Really dig the review! With all the refinements, would this be a better choice than the Am Pro II?
@@valobit I have both. Thru are different. Play both. The neck heel on the am pro is great…
Beautiful playing , love the color.
@@ianhanson85 many thanks Ian. Appreciate you watching!
Thank you for your opinion. I might buy one soon. I just have some doubts about the vibrato - Do the strings stay in tune?
@@alafenetre81 find this one still great.
I have a 2020 original Player "Plus Top Aged Cherry" HSS strat with a maple fretboard. I like the guitar, but will be replacing the neck with a Player II rosewood fretboard when they become available. I put locking tuners and a graphtec nut on the neck and will probably do the same on the new neck.
@@retiredguyadventures6211 you’ll love the neck. I’m actually planning to put one on my old tele mim.
Do you immediately change the strings when you buy a Fender? I must say that I always restring a Fender with Ernie Ball strings.
@@ronwest217 absolutely - as they have 9s on them and I use 10’s…
How bout fretboard experience? Dry and rough bending and vibratos like in the previous series or butter effect finally, like it should be?
@@Robert_Fordin one of the best necks I’ve ever played.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar
Wow, it's interesting.
When I grabbed the previous one it was - for me - the worst experience Fender ever.
Dry, ascetic, not any pleasure from it.
@@Robert_Fordin yeah the original players are terrible.
@Stephen Michaels What do you think of the volume? I feel like it goes from 0 to 10 with little movement of the potentiometer. i have the green birch one.
@@Luismiguitar interesting. I’ll check and report back.
i have the birch green SSH . I can’t put it down it plays so well. The volume issue feels to me like zero to about six. But it doesn’t affect really take away from this great stratocaster.
I have one inbound. British Racing Green with a rosewood board. Cheers from Somerset N.J.
Have you checked how thick the bridge block is? I need to know if it's gonna need replacement or if it's good out of the box. Great video man!
@@julianllop9582 I don’t know the measurement, but it is a thick block. I personally don’t see a need to change it. Thanks for watching,
I can't justify the price of good Fender Stratocasters these days, I played a GL Fullerton deluxe recently and was blown away with it, and the price is not as high as Fender.
If you don't want to change the string trees to keep it authentic, you can spray the bottom of them with PTFE, they then become much slicker, team it uo with a Graphtech nut and you are off to the races!
You can also mask off the saddles and lightly spray the string slots also.
@@AndrewAHayes I like the G and l’s, the pups are a bit hotter, but a nice guitar. Congrats!
The addition of vintage tuners is nice . Other than that, it’s the same guitar with slightly rolled finger board.
@@tbone2451 thanks for watching. If you’ve played both already, then I respect your opinion. From my perspective the new players are far and away light years better than the original. I’d compare it to the American Pro II minus the heel and Shaw designed pups.
@@StephenmichaelsguitarI know it’s a fine guitar. I might eventually add one. I was just hoping they would have changed up the pickups and added more color choices.
@@tbone2451 these pups seem hotter than the player ones, but it could be completely placebo.
Callahans! The original up on 9W?? Almost as good as that beautiful Strat you were playing
@@kevindoheny5741 oh yeah. lol I was local to the little ferry one. But now eating dogs are a thing of the past.
nice color
@@MarkStearle right? I totally agree.
'I also have the nut issue'...........
The day of $500 MIM guitars are over. Price went up 100% in five years.
@@bluwng I remember when they were $300. Fortunately, for $799 you get a lot of guitar in these new player II’s, but when I see fsr mim’s over 1k I shake my head.
You mean that guitar didn't even come with a gig bag?
@@Nicholas-dreamlove hi Nicolas. Thanks for watching. Unfortunately, they didn’t.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar : That's sucks because I recently purchsed a Fender "Player II" Stratocaster and I'm waiting for it's delivery. So, what did it come in ? They can't ship the guitar as is, right Stephen?
@ it will be packed perfectly.
@@Stephenmichaelsguitar : Thanks mate, keep pickin'.
this guitar is better than the first version .. i think
@@ERICKFLAGPRODUCOES I agree.
If you are a Fender fanboy and purchased the guitar because you instantly loved it... how can it be unbiased? :)
@@andrelangenbach4202 I thank you for your comment, I was very critical of the original Player series. I’d say unbiased in that I’m not being paid for my opinion.