For a second I thought this was about a guitar player vs a guitar performer vs a guitar professional and was waiting to get real philosophical, but I dig this as well.
If people are not using their bridge pickups, they likely aren't cutting through well in the live mix. The neck pickup sounds great onstage, but mushy and unclear fifty feet from the stage.
@@robcobi "Inflation" is a MYTH. If this were still a "world where thousand pound guitars" came with cases, you wouldn't have a wireless device to access the internet and bitch about "inflation".
How to buy a Strat: 1. Enter a guitar store. 2. Look at the Strat in its glass case. 3. Play the "May I Help You" riff with another guitar in order to call for assistance in opening the case. 4. Play the Strat, but no Stairway. 5. When the clerk asks to put the guitar back, it is highly recommended to feel a little bit "Saucy". 6. Pay for the Strat in cash. 7. Cha-Ching!
I own a Pro Series and couldn’t be happier. It’s so different than any of my older Strats. It’s really the culmination of all the things folks have wanted over the years and either modded themselves or complained they didn’t have. The Bridge pup is just as useable and truly matched to the other pups. No Ice Pick sounds. The V-Mods and wiring is top notch. Great review guys..
I agree. I've owned nearly all levels of Fender, and the Am Pro ii is really where its at, along with the Ultra line. Both are a little different in tone and features, but feel very similar.
Guys, just wanted to say I watched this video and went and bought the Professional from your online store - just wanted to say it was a great experience, great service and delivered within 5 days, which is amazing given the current climate! I love it. Thanks so much!
One of the best videos you guys have ever done. Why? Unboxing (we get to see genuinely how they come straight from the company) no massively long jam intro (I love Lee's playing, but I tend to skip the jams, as I want to know about the product) actual in video stats for the guitars, and showing what you get at different price points AND daring to say what you like/dislike. PLEASE do more like this!
Just got my American Performer and I love it! It plays amazingly. But I played loads of Player series models and loved them too. I never looked at the American Pro because it was too far out of my price range.
Usually my anxiety kicks in when people balance guitars, but I was too busy dying laughing the way the video was edited. This is my favorite guitar channel on TH-cam.
I just purchased a Player Stat (HSS, Maple Neck) a few months ago, and it's fantastic. Definitely worth the extra bucks over the Squire, but it was nearly impossible to tell the difference between the MiM and the Professional series American Strats. The Player series alnico pickups actually sounded better, to my ear at least, than some of the ones on the Professional series American Strats. I'm pretty happy. I like the 22 jumbo frets too. They feel great and were well dressed. Mine also has the 2-point tremolo and dedicated bridge pickup tone control. I think these are possibly the best Fender value right now.
@@tilenjk02 I have lots of distortions. Sometimes I want the sound of a high-output pickup for that super-saturated fuzz sound. Sometimes I like the sound of the crunchy chimey single coil overdrive. HSS gives me more options.
@@tilenjk02 I also grabbed and HSS and FWIW the humbucker on the bridge gives you a darker tone than the standard bridge pick-up which helps tame those harsher highs. Also worth noting that on the HSS strats at least the second tone knob controls the bridge pick-up. That means you have a usable humbucker in the bridge position for more distorted stuff. HSS seem, to me at least, to be a more versatile configuration.
I think my ideal Strat would be: 1) Nitro lacquer. 2). Medium-low output/vintage pickups. 3) No "treble-bleed" circuit. 4) 9.5" radius. 5) Satin neck. 6) Either traditional tone/volume setup or possibly one of the configurations that has tone for the bridge. 7) Silver coloured hardware I'm not allergic to (I'm allergic to nickel and possibly other stuff like chromium) including stainless frets. I don't care too much what trem system is used as I normally setup as a hard-tail anyway. I've not really experimented with different frets, but I'm guessing medium jumbo would be a safe bet. Playability-wise I'm fine with rosewood or maple (never tried pau ferro but I imagine it's fine), but I generally prefer the look of a maple board on Strats. When it comes to finish my overall favourites are either a traditional 2 Colour Sunburst with white pickguard and a maple neck or Black with white pickguard and maple neck. I already have a Classic Vibe in sunburst, so if I got another Strat I'd go for a Black one.
If the Player was a bit too hot and didn't have enough "quack", perhaps the pickups were set a bit too high. Drop them a bit, and that could help. My Player Strat sounds very "traditional" with a beautiful tone.
That’s what’s great about the MIA Fenders. They’re absolutely fantastic guitars but you can find them used for not much more than the price of a MIM Fender. Might as well just go for the USA Strat
Me too. I have a 2012 stock American Standard and it's the best Strat I've ever played. Have American Vintage '59 and a custom shop and it smokes them both.
As an American std owner I must say that the professional series is basically the same. But the pro-neck and Freya configuration is far more satisfactory IMO.... the only big difference to me!
@@pawelpawel1396 The editor's name is Rory McClean. He's got a brilliant youtube channel and is a phenomenal guitar player. It's been a long time since he uploaded tho...
I tried the MIM Standard and Player series last year and both were great. After playing them for a while, I bought the Standard. One of the few cases where I actually preferred the ceramic pickups
The Pro definitely sounded the most stratty to me. And the balanced tones made it very pleasing to the ear. No shrill highs and a nice tight low end. But even still, a nice warm tempering to the sound that I love.
Not mentioned, but good to know: With the performer series you can use all three pickups simultaneously if the push/pull knob is up and selector switch one up from bridge position
I have a players series and got my guitar tech to give me one of those springs. Fixed that wobbly tremolo arm issue. And with the 2 point trem it feels like an American. Plus turning your volume down just a hair gives any guitar more cream. Joe bonamassa teaches that
Volume play has always been in the arsenal of many guitar greats. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Jimmy Page, they all did this. The thing that stood out to me was that these gents like the Kluson tuners, which are not superior as they say. They hold because the gears are friction heavy with the ratio they are made to. Not ideal when using the whammy as profusely as Rib normally does. Do dives allowed with those.
That little spring in the tremolo arm socket is crucial for providing the very tension required to keep the tremolo arm from swinging away from precisely where you like it. Fender and other parts dealers sell them by the dozen; packaged in a plastic bag with stapled hanging Fender label. A dozen lasts me over a year of regular use. It's an aspect of the overall Am Standard two fulcrum or Vintage six-screw tremolo systems that Jeff Beck and I rely upon to eliminate any wiggle of the arm in the socket, OR the arm from dangling away from quick use.
I really couldn't really hear that mutch of a difference between the player and the performer, yes, I noticed that the performer was brighter but i didn't really know if I liked it or not. But man, that professional strat is superb sounding!! It was way better than the other two in my opinion.
It is literally just about the pickups. They ship with great alnico 2/5 blend pickups. The performer ships with overwound, crunchy crap. If you put some Lindy fralins into the performer, it would slay the tone of the professional and you'd still have 100 or 200 left over. I never understood where Fender was going with the American special and performer pickups. But they are such great guitars... Perfect for a pickup upgrade.
Thank you for this review! I got my Player Plus Top SSS Tobacco Burst two days ago and am loving it and feel much better about my choice after hearing your review.
I have the player stratocaster in left handed version. Definitely an awesome guitar and totally worth the money. Well finished, good sounding pickups, looks like high-end guitar and plays like one, 22 frets, spaghetti logo, tone pot for the bridge pickup,, stays in tune... what else do you need ?
Bought a Mexican maple neck strat a few years back, great guitar. Tried an American Pro in a shop a few months back, bought one the next week. It is thee single best sounding, looking and playing guitar I've played. Antique olive, maple neck strat... Gorgeous
That's been my impression. I'm buying an American pro ii this holiday season... I'm guessing the comments here are from people who can't hear the difference in clarity...
I have a player hss and being able to split the coil brings the best of both worlds. Amazing guitar and by far my number 1. After buying it I got rid of my American because my player was by far a better guitar. I switched to fender locking tuners but that's all it needs.
My first Fender was bought last year. An HSS player in buttercream. Beautiful playing and sounding guitar. In fact, I love it so much I bought another player series with SSS pickups last week and I'm very happy. I could have bought a professional but I am more than happy with the MIM value and the alnico 5 pickups sound sublime. Everything from early 60s rock, to Jazz, and even heavy metal (w HSS setup).
Call me crazy but the player series sounded the best to me. I like using the neck pickup the most and that one was the best to me. It had that traditional Fender sound.
I bought the 2020 player Strat yesterday. It plays like an American Standard..great quality. I will say for tuning stability, tighten the strings so that the bridge isn't floating. That made a huge difference. Also replacing the string tree with the rolling ones would be better. Its literally a less than 10 dollar upgrade...Rob and Lee's description of the tone is accurate. I play edgier blues/metal, so I need a usable less piercing bridge pickup. Think Yngwie for the bridge, and SRV for the Neck pickup. That's the tones I'm getting. Surprisingly hot. Noisy...yes, but that's what a gate is for.
There is a vast difference in tone and trust me I tried swapping out every component, still does not give you that "classic" tone. Don't get me wrong, I do like my MiM Strats but they will never sound like an American made.
akwamarsunzal I think the player is 9/10 and performer is 10/10 . I definitely noticed the performer pickups sounded more premium/nicer in my room to me but I find it impossible to determine any difference via you tube with iPad/iPhone speakers etc there’s not a lot in it and I have player series too. Both series are beautiful guitars that sound nice
Picked up a tide pool blue player series with a maple neck about a year ago and it instantly became my main axe. I even bought it blindly and I’m blown away with how good it feels and sounds. Was pleasantly surprised with the neck being satin and super smooth.
Those pickups are just better. More bass, but balanced tone. V series may be going in my Mexi standard (neck and middle anyway) after hearing this comparison.
I thought it sounded more "well rounded" and smoother as well relative to the others. They all had good tones, I just preferred those V series. To each their own!
As much as I'd like to agree with Rob on the restrictions that having a "Standard" model Strat would bring to Fender, I'd raise the example of Gibson. They've had a Les Paul Standard for decades but they keep coming up with new sublines for other stuff like the Studio, the Special, the Custom, etc. If anything, Fender probably replaced the Standard with the Performer because it gives that placebo effect of, "Oh this model is what performers use so like musicians and stuff that means this must be THE guitar".
This was an entertaining video but also very helpful to me as I'm trying to figure if I want to pop for the extra 500 bucks for the professional.It's looking like the performer will suit me just fine.
Eeuwit The jaguar is beautiful, it's the first offset I've ever owned. I've got to tell you though I ripped out the electronics installed Mad Hatter wiring, pots and switches and Seymour Duncan Jb Jr Neck and hot rails bridge. I know all the offset fans will hate me for that...but that's why I'm a nutter.
Eeuwit, the American Professional Jaguars and Jazzmasters have new Bridge saddles that have solved the problem that the older models had of the strings popping out when strummed vigorously.
I love your videos. People come to see what some thing sounds like and learn about them, not to watch some guy use the demos as an excuse show off. You guys actually understand that. Thank you!
Good mention of the protective film. I recently bought a Strat Performer and was a little disappointed by the scratch marks until my daughter noticed the almost invisible film. Knobs and a few screws needed removal to remove the film.
Recently got a new Player Series and I'm really digging it... The body itself seems just a tad bit thicker... I don't if I'm just seeing things though... But the neck is really smooth... I didn't care for the finish on Maple, so I sanded the finish off and put some Tru Oil on it and now it's just spanking... Also scalloped the high frets... Anywho, at its price point, it's pretty bad ass...
What a great video. I have to agree with Rob that the player strat surprising sounded the best although I’d be in heaven with any of them. After 45 years of doodling on lots of different guitars, I’ve come full circle to a strat with a 5 watt tube amp. The only drawback is not being able to open tune as opposed to a lp or tele.
@@philclarke7712 I mean I wouldnt say that man not posers now money I can agree with but owning a very nice custom shop are not for posers all of them are nice I'm just saying for the money the player series is amazing
The blind fold test would have been interesting. Heard nothing but great things about the Player Series and the quality of these guitars. The Alnico 5s sound great to me too.
Great video. The working musician is taking the Players all day long. It’s really tough to beat at the price point and it doesn’t feel or sound like you’re sacrificing too much. Rob is so damn good.
That is not true. Fender guitars are pretty bad compared to other strats in the same price point. Its mostly branding that you pay for when you buy a fender guitar, not the quality. So it seems you don't know alot about guitars. Me myself, i have 2 fender strats, so its not because i just hate fender but damn their bad in terms of their high price. But i love the brand. You have to agree and admit that you are wrong
mhm, the price for a player series is very attractive to not pass up. I own a player series tele as my first guitar. Wonderful to hold and play. I was stuck between my tele and a player series strat. Even though in my mind, the strat body style seemed more popular, I went with the tele body style to "go against the grain". Later on I bought a artist series strat. I love them both and enjoy playing them.
@@luxibroagreed lol Epiphone, PRS, Ibanez, ESP…. Almost everybody beats them by a mile under $1k honestly 😂 I’d go with PRS myself if I just wanted the best for the money though.
I almost "bought" the pro series pickups when I understood what the two stratocaster pickup screws were for. They are used to regulate the tone balance. The pickup on the side of the bass strings should be higher, and that of the treble strings lower. This is due to the "Doppler effect". The higher frequency sounds appear to the human ear to be louder than the lower frequency sounds, even though they have the same decibel level. Higher frequency sounds also reach us faster. Therefore, these are the sounds of, for example, alarms such as an ambulance on a signal. On the Fender page describing the stratocaster setup, they also recommend that you set up your pickups as described above. support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/212774786-How-do-I-set-up-my-Stratocaster-guitar-properly-
I bought an American Professional at the the end of 2018. I love it for the most part. However, my reaction to the pickups are similar to his reaction to the pickups on the American Performer. I love the neck, middle, and the combinations, but when I play the bridge pickup by itself on just a clean setting, its not my favorite tone. I'm contemplating changing but I'm having a hard time convincing myself to mod an American Strat. I didn't buy it to resell it, but if I ever were to sell it, I don't want it to be devalued because of a modification. For those who care to respond, how do you feel about the V-Mod pickups, particularly the bridge? When I use the guitar to record and add gain or distortion, its pretty good, but when its just clean, its really harsh and doesn't have that classic bell-like tone that a Strat should have IMO. Thoughts?
In a guitar demo its neccesary to play with no effects (clean tone) all the pickup positions - if possible. The demostration of the crunch and other tones comes at lower priority. I appreciate that you do so. The comments about the feeling of the guitar are helpfull also. Thanks!
I think it depends on the context. Something like a hollowbody definitely needs to be demonstrated in a clean tone, Fenders should be demonstrated in both clean and crunchy, and more metal oriented guitars should have a high gain setting as a priority. It's mostly in the context of for what most people will use it and how versatile it is
I bought a 2008 american standard strat secondhand and i ended up hating it, it had barely been played and was pretty much kept in a box all of its life. When i got it the neck was ridiculously wide, it felt as though i constantly had to adjust things on it, the pickups were really weak sounding and it was just a fight to play all in all, i had always wanted an american standard for years and years and was so happy to finally have one and then it was a complete dud, should never have left the factory. I ended up buying a fender classic player 60s lacquer strat and its just such a better guitar and its a mexican
On the Performer try rolling the tone back to 5 on the bridge PU, it will cut it but won't get muddy and lose volume; they kind of made it that way, calling it like a "grease knob" or something like that. It's actually really useful, and having the option of getting the bridge and neck PUs on a strat to be on together is a nice feature; useful, but purist-friendly...I'm not one that every really liked too many buttons on a guitar,. really into standards these days.
The Player sounded way better to my ears. Every time I enter a shop to try/buy a Fender I end up preferring a Mexican, I bought a tele 2 years ago and now a beautiful strat of this same series. For some reason I'm never convinced by the American counterparts.
I’m picking up my American Performer today. Blue. I’m going to make an effort at age 59 to play guitar again. I tried a little bit in high school never really learned anything. Really looking forward to owning such a beautiful guitar.
The Player Series has a much bigger sustain block. This is why the guitar sounds fatter. They've addressed the only concern anyone has ever had with the MIM models...21frets. It's an absolute steal for $600.
Two point trem, alnico pickups vs hot ceramic pickups are the big ones. Swap out a tone circuit with a treble bleed or greasebucket and you have an American on the cheap.
Yes, but overall the Player series sound quality is similar with entry level Fender's Squier. You pay $200 more just to get Fender word logo on your neck.
Am I the only person that noticed that the "Music Man" coffee mug on right of screen just completely vaporised at 19.08 ? Lee drinks from it, puts it down and ' poof ' .... it just disintegrates without anybody noticing. Weird.
As the legacy holder of Leo Fenders excellent synchronised vibrato bridge it is way past time that the modern FMIC did something about the appalling thread stripping tension spring (oh look its fallen out) and screw in vibrato arm. So many other companies have already solved the arm slop removal problem with plastic inserts and tension grub screws. And if I remember rightly Fender make a big fuss about DON'T apply a lot of pressure to push home the clip in arms when it actually does require quite a lot of force.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
For a second I thought this was about a guitar player vs a guitar performer vs a guitar professional and was waiting to get real philosophical, but I dig this as well.
So Lee, Rob and Danish Pete?
Lol
It appears you don’t play fenders then huh ? Lol
thats why theyre named the way they are so youre kinda correct lol
why philosophical
"Even the bridge pick up is usable" The nicest compliment a strat can receive.
Jeff Beck is smiling.
If people are not using their bridge pickups, they likely aren't cutting through well in the live mix. The neck pickup sounds great onstage, but mushy and unclear fifty feet from the stage.
😂😂😂😂😂
@@melvynobrien6193 say that to john mayer
Can you guys please say the US prices too, thanks chaps!
Quick A/b/C
11:09 Player Rob
13:22 Player Capt.
19:37 Performer Rob
21:37 Performer Capt
24:10 Performer Capt
28:00 Pro Rob
35:26 Pro Capt
35:53 Pro Capt
36:17 Pro Capt
Thank you 😆
When did it become a world where £1000 guitars don't come with a case?!
Inflation is bitch. I'd prefer no case at all since I have to pay for the soft case with the guitar then a hardshell after it arrives.
@@robcobi "Inflation" is a MYTH. If this were still a "world where thousand pound guitars" came with cases, you wouldn't have a wireless device to access the internet and bitch about "inflation".
@@deeremeyer1749 what are you even on about
@@kennethkennethson4991 Maybe they're one of those blokes who thinks if we just act really hard like it's the 1950's it'll become the 1950's?
@@robcobi Especially as wage inflation for real people has been zero for the last 15 years or so.
Let it be known, any guitar maker is welcome to use my bones to make guitar nuts after I have died.
I'm imagining a guitar maker re-releasing a signature guitar posthumously, with nuts made from the guitarist's bones. I've creeped myself out.
It's worth noting that while not vegan, bone nuts are cruelty-free, because the material is never harvested before the animal is deceased.
James Wilczewski genius! I think there should be a donor campaign! Unless Gibson gets there first with “authentic deceased guitarist bone nuts”
Mojo Bone “Cash for your dead black cat” ads like title loan ads.
Bananarchy 🤣
How to buy a Strat:
1. Enter a guitar store.
2. Look at the Strat in its glass case.
3. Play the "May I Help You" riff with another guitar in order to call for assistance in opening the case.
4. Play the Strat, but no Stairway.
5. When the clerk asks to put the guitar back, it is highly recommended to feel a little bit "Saucy".
6. Pay for the Strat in cash.
7. Cha-Ching!
Then raise the bridge, file down the nut and take the buzz off the low E.
It will be mine, oh yes. It will be mine.
What was the may I help you riff again?
@@rick8575 th-cam.com/video/lt2uFgJw4b8/w-d-xo.html
EXCELLENT
The chemistry between these two, plus the irreverent video editing, make these things so enjoyable to watch
yes
Top gear for guitars
No 'glass breaking' effects in this one and still really enjoyable!
I own a Pro Series and couldn’t be happier. It’s so different than any of my older Strats. It’s really the culmination of all the things folks have wanted over the years and either modded themselves or complained they didn’t have. The Bridge pup is just as useable and truly matched to the other pups. No Ice Pick sounds. The V-Mods and wiring is top notch. Great review guys..
I agree. I've owned nearly all levels of Fender, and the Am Pro ii is really where its at, along with the Ultra line. Both are a little different in tone and features, but feel very similar.
The addition of the straight out of the box is very nice Andertons. TY. Someone should get a raise with that added bonus.
Got a player's series strat for my 18th last year. I absolutely love that thing, plays perfect out the box and I love the sound
Could you do one for fender telecaster please, ie fender player, fender deluxe Nashville, and fender Professional. 👍🎸👍
i bet they already shot it
Love 2018 prof tele
Absolute yes to this! 👍
got a pro tele and a pro strat both 2019 love both but that tele just has me .. thought i was a strat guy (I am) but man o man teles rule
I have a semi hollow Tele Player with P90's. Great guitar.
Guys, just wanted to say I watched this video and went and bought the Professional from your online store - just wanted to say it was a great experience, great service and delivered within 5 days, which is amazing given the current climate! I love it. Thanks so much!
Same
One of the best videos you guys have ever done. Why? Unboxing (we get to see genuinely how they come straight from the company) no massively long jam intro (I love Lee's playing, but I tend to skip the jams, as I want to know about the product) actual in video stats for the guitars, and showing what you get at different price points AND daring to say what you like/dislike. PLEASE do more like this!
Honestly, it's a joy to watch these two gentlemen together you can see them genuinely having fun.
Forgot to mention about the Pro Series:
1. Treble bleed volume
2. And bottom tone knob also controls the bridge pickup to cut down ice pick tone
CLEAN TONE
13:24 PLAYER
21:20 PERFORMER
Rordon Gamsay thanks
THE GAELIC no problem it really does help when your trying to hear the tone difference
Not all heroes wear noses
Just got my American Performer and I love it! It plays amazingly. But I played loads of Player series models and loved them too. I never looked at the American Pro because it was too far out of my price range.
Are you going to keep it forever ?
@@parsycho forever is a big word
Lee when a guitar makes you play better it means you should buy it. Your playing was outstanding in this video.
I know this is an old video, but I just bought a player series Strat and I LOVE it!!
Same, bought mine recently. HSS config too.
I like how the performer series strats are based on the 70's ones. Those guitars were amazing for rock.
Is it my imagination or has Lee's playing really improved a lot over the past two years?
36:42 you aren't the only one who noticed....
better than getting worse
He takes private lessons from the JustinGuitar guy.
@@prestachuck2867 does he really?
@@spartan_xbox7169 Yes. There's a ton vids on TH-cam of them playing. On this channel and Justin's channel.
Usually my anxiety kicks in when people balance guitars, but I was too busy dying laughing the way the video was edited. This is my favorite guitar channel on TH-cam.
You live a tragic life.
So you like listening to liars.
The Professionals are some of the greatest guitars I’ve played. Picked up a Pro Tele a few months ago and love it!
I just purchased a Player Stat (HSS, Maple Neck) a few months ago, and it's fantastic. Definitely worth the extra bucks over the Squire, but it was nearly impossible to tell the difference between the MiM and the Professional series American Strats. The Player series alnico pickups actually sounded better, to my ear at least, than some of the ones on the Professional series American Strats. I'm pretty happy. I like the 22 jumbo frets too. They feel great and were well dressed. Mine also has the 2-point tremolo and dedicated bridge pickup tone control. I think these are possibly the best Fender value right now.
American and Mexican strats are the same quality, mexicans just dont want too much for their work
@@rtomas47 hahahahaha
I'm plannign to bug Player Strat also with HSS, maple. What was your reason to buy with HSS and not SSS?
@@tilenjk02 I have lots of distortions. Sometimes I want the sound of a high-output pickup for that super-saturated fuzz sound. Sometimes I like the sound of the crunchy chimey single coil overdrive. HSS gives me more options.
@@tilenjk02 I also grabbed and HSS and FWIW the humbucker on the bridge gives you a darker tone than the standard bridge pick-up which helps tame those harsher highs.
Also worth noting that on the HSS strats at least the second tone knob controls the bridge pick-up. That means you have a usable humbucker in the bridge position for more distorted stuff.
HSS seem, to me at least, to be a more versatile configuration.
Agree with Rob the S1 switch is killer. The ability combine pickups in series creates a guitar with absolutely unmatched versatility.
I actually just bought the preformer and I can’t be happier with my strat. I love the headstock, looks like the one Hendrix used.
I played a silver sky a suhr classic pro and an American professional back to back and purchased the fender. Tone was so good.
I have the performer in lake placid blue...one of the best guitars I've ever played. Looks gorgeous and plays like a beast.
Everyone should have a LPB guitar.
It's the classic color that says, "I've got taste!"
Just grabbed a player Strat in Capri Orange. My first Strat ever having been a Les Paul guy for oh so long.
I'm obsessed.
I think my ideal Strat would be: 1) Nitro lacquer. 2). Medium-low output/vintage pickups. 3) No "treble-bleed" circuit. 4) 9.5" radius. 5) Satin neck. 6) Either traditional tone/volume setup or possibly one of the configurations that has tone for the bridge. 7) Silver coloured hardware I'm not allergic to (I'm allergic to nickel and possibly other stuff like chromium) including stainless frets.
I don't care too much what trem system is used as I normally setup as a hard-tail anyway. I've not really experimented with different frets, but I'm guessing medium jumbo would be a safe bet. Playability-wise I'm fine with rosewood or maple (never tried pau ferro but I imagine it's fine), but I generally prefer the look of a maple board on Strats. When it comes to finish my overall favourites are either a traditional 2 Colour Sunburst with white pickguard and a maple neck or Black with white pickguard and maple neck. I already have a Classic Vibe in sunburst, so if I got another Strat I'd go for a Black one.
Do an affordable version:
Classic vs Player vs Deluxe vs Classic Vibe
Deluxe is elite now
Jimi Czerwinski Theres a mexican deluxe
If the Player was a bit too hot and didn't have enough "quack", perhaps the pickups were set a bit too high. Drop them a bit, and that could help. My Player Strat sounds very "traditional" with a beautiful tone.
Love my 2012 American standard, The now professional series. If you can, get one used for like 700-800, they are seriously amazingly built guitars.
American Standard is the best "Bang for Buck" guitar ever professionally produced; I have 4 and thy are all reliable and consistent instruments.
That’s what’s great about the MIA Fenders. They’re absolutely fantastic guitars but you can find them used for not much more than the price of a MIM Fender. Might as well just go for the USA Strat
Me too. I have a 2012 stock American Standard and it's the best Strat I've ever played. Have American Vintage '59 and a custom shop and it smokes them both.
As an American std owner I must say that the professional series is basically the same. But the pro-neck and Freya configuration is far more satisfactory IMO.... the only big difference to me!
I just picked up an American pro and I’m still undecided about the neck it feels pretty thick
The pro series sounds stunning! Beautiful cleans with so much clarity
The honking when the captain was grabbing the neck had me laughing out loud!! Well done!
Yes, whoever is editing those Adertons videos - you're making my day more often thane anyone else. And I'm a married guy
dont know what i like more the honking or the mugs exploding, the editors dont get enough credit for these videos.
@@pawelpawel1396 The editor's name is Rory McClean. He's got a brilliant youtube channel and is a phenomenal guitar player. It's been a long time since he uploaded tho...
It definitely got me cracking up as well!!!
Definitely hahaha. I came to the comments just to see if anyone else was in the same boat. I'm not even sure why it's so funny but it is!
I tried the MIM Standard and Player series last year and both were great. After playing them for a while, I bought the Standard. One of the few cases where I actually preferred the ceramic pickups
The Pro definitely sounded the most stratty to me. And the balanced tones made it very pleasing to the ear. No shrill highs and a nice tight low end. But even still, a nice warm tempering to the sound that I love.
It would be super interesting to compare the affordable Nick Johnston Schecter to the Fender Player or Professional
Not mentioned, but good to know: With the performer series you can use all three pickups simultaneously if the push/pull knob is up and selector switch one up from bridge position
They mention it around 22:25
Thanks for info...!! 👍👍
I really like the concept and designs of the American-made entry-level Strats.... IOW, the Performer/Special in the HSS configuration....
MIM is a quality instrument. All of them are workhorses.
I have a players series and got my guitar tech to give me one of those springs. Fixed that wobbly tremolo arm issue. And with the 2 point trem it feels like an American. Plus turning your volume down just a hair gives any guitar more cream. Joe bonamassa teaches that
Volume play has always been in the arsenal of many guitar greats. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Jimmy Page, they all did this. The thing that stood out to me was that these gents like the Kluson tuners, which are not superior as they say. They hold because the gears are friction heavy with the ratio they are made to. Not ideal when using the whammy as profusely as Rib normally does. Do dives allowed with those.
I wonder if this calls for an updated version of the Expensive Guitar and Cheap Amp vs Cheap Guitar and Expensive Amp?
editing is top notch and hilarious and I've been WAITING for this exact video. Love you all at Anderton's!!!!
That little spring in the tremolo arm socket is crucial for providing the very tension required to keep the tremolo arm from swinging away from precisely where you like it. Fender and other parts dealers sell them by the dozen; packaged in a plastic bag with stapled hanging Fender label. A dozen lasts me over a year of regular use. It's an aspect of the overall Am Standard two fulcrum or Vintage six-screw tremolo systems that Jeff Beck and I rely upon to eliminate any wiggle of the arm in the socket, OR the arm from dangling away from quick use.
I've been following this channel for quite some time now, and I must say that Lee has really improved on his playing.
I really couldn't really hear that mutch of a difference between the player and the performer, yes, I noticed that the performer was brighter but i didn't really know if I liked it or not. But man, that professional strat is superb sounding!! It was way better than the other two in my opinion.
It's all in the pickups
It is literally just about the pickups. They ship with great alnico 2/5 blend pickups. The performer ships with overwound, crunchy crap. If you put some Lindy fralins into the performer, it would slay the tone of the professional and you'd still have 100 or 200 left over. I never understood where Fender was going with the American special and performer pickups. But they are such great guitars... Perfect for a pickup upgrade.
@@joeysgear1419 how do you pick which pickups to get from LF?
Thank you for this review! I got my Player Plus Top SSS Tobacco Burst two days ago and am loving it and feel much better about my choice after hearing your review.
I played an American pro and a Player. I preferred the Player’s warmer sound and med-jumbo frets. The Player is a such a great value.
I have the player stratocaster in left handed version. Definitely an awesome guitar and totally worth the money. Well finished, good sounding pickups, looks like high-end guitar and plays like one, 22 frets, spaghetti logo, tone pot for the bridge pickup,, stays in tune... what else do you need ?
Dokładnie
I never knew about the tiny spring in the tremolo arm hole. Explains why I kept finding small springs all over my house.
Omg that white performance series is absolutely gorgeous. It's stunning. Wow so beautiful.
Bought a Mexican maple neck strat a few years back, great guitar. Tried an American Pro in a shop a few months back, bought one the next week. It is thee single best sounding, looking and playing guitar I've played. Antique olive, maple neck strat... Gorgeous
That's been my impression. I'm buying an American pro ii this holiday season... I'm guessing the comments here are from people who can't hear the difference in clarity...
I have a player hss and being able to split the coil brings the best of both worlds. Amazing guitar and by far my number 1. After buying it I got rid of my American because my player was by far a better guitar. I switched to fender locking tuners but that's all it needs.
My first Fender was bought last year. An HSS player in buttercream. Beautiful playing and sounding guitar. In fact, I love it so much I bought another player series with SSS pickups last week and I'm very happy. I could have bought a professional but I am more than happy with the MIM value and the alnico 5 pickups sound sublime. Everything from early 60s rock, to Jazz, and even heavy metal (w HSS setup).
I got my son for his birthday a Player Series Strat (Black with Maple neck). It looks as great as its sounds. Best guitar for the money IMO.
Great gift ! Very nice guitar.
Great present! My dad got me a player's strat for my last birthday. I love it
GC on line sells even the 2019 at deep discounts $375 to $450 vs the $600
Recently bought the Player Series Tele with humbuckers and its absolutely fantastic! Plays like a dream, holds tuning very well and sounds amazing!
Call me crazy but the player series sounded the best to me. I like using the neck pickup the most and that one was the best to me. It had that traditional Fender sound.
I bought the 2020 player Strat yesterday. It plays like an American Standard..great quality. I will say for tuning stability, tighten the strings so that the bridge isn't floating. That made a huge difference. Also replacing the string tree with the rolling ones would be better. Its literally a less than 10 dollar upgrade...Rob and Lee's description of the tone is accurate. I play edgier blues/metal, so I need a usable less piercing bridge pickup. Think Yngwie for the bridge, and SRV for the Neck pickup. That's the tones I'm getting. Surprisingly hot. Noisy...yes, but that's what a gate is for.
MIM for value and playability is VERY difficult to beat!
There is a vast difference in tone and trust me I tried swapping out every component, still does not give you that "classic" tone. Don't get me wrong, I do like my MiM Strats but they will never sound like an American made.
akwamarsunzal I think the player is 9/10 and performer is 10/10 . I definitely noticed the performer pickups sounded more premium/nicer in my room to me but I find it impossible to determine any difference via you tube with iPad/iPhone speakers etc there’s not a lot in it and I have player series too. Both series are beautiful guitars that sound nice
@@MrYatesj1 Sitting at home noodling, likely, you will notice a difference. In a band environment no one will know if you are playing MIM or MIA.
Picked up a tide pool blue player series with a maple neck about a year ago and it instantly became my main axe. I even bought it blindly and I’m blown away with how good it feels and sounds. Was pleasantly surprised with the neck being satin and super smooth.
Idk what it is, but something about the Professional series one made me immediately go 'that one', and it's not the looks. Just sounds better somehow.
Those pickups are just better. More bass, but balanced tone. V series may be going in my Mexi standard (neck and middle anyway) after hearing this comparison.
I thought it sounded more "well rounded" and smoother as well relative to the others. They all had good tones, I just preferred those V series. To each their own!
As much as I'd like to agree with Rob on the restrictions that having a "Standard" model Strat would bring to Fender, I'd raise the example of Gibson. They've had a Les Paul Standard for decades but they keep coming up with new sublines for other stuff like the Studio, the Special, the Custom, etc. If anything, Fender probably replaced the Standard with the Performer because it gives that placebo effect of, "Oh this model is what performers use so like musicians and stuff that means this must be THE guitar".
This was an entertaining video but also very helpful to me as I'm trying to figure if I want to pop for the extra 500 bucks for the professional.It's looking like the performer will suit me just fine.
I bought a standard Strat and Tele when they discounted them when the Pro series was released. Love them.
The professional series are the best guitars I've ever played, so I bought the Deluxe Tele, and the Jaguar.
Lord Porcupine that‘s why you‘re a nutter.
How is the Jag? I am considering buying one
Eeuwit The jaguar is beautiful, it's the first offset I've ever owned. I've got to tell you though I ripped out the electronics installed Mad Hatter wiring, pots and switches and Seymour Duncan Jb Jr Neck and hot rails bridge. I know all the offset fans will hate me for that...but that's why I'm a nutter.
@@lordporcupine8767 Did you have any problems with strings popping out of the saddle? I heard that is a common problem with Jaguars.
Eeuwit, the American Professional Jaguars and Jazzmasters have new Bridge saddles that have solved the problem that the older models had of the strings popping out when strummed vigorously.
I love your videos. People come to see what some thing sounds like and learn about them, not to watch some guy use the demos as an excuse show off. You guys actually understand that. Thank you!
Lee should start an ASMR for guitarists series where he reads the specs of various guitars in a calm soothing voice! 😋
Good mention of the protective film. I recently bought a Strat Performer and was a little disappointed by the scratch marks until my daughter noticed the almost invisible film. Knobs and a few screws needed removal to remove the film.
Recently got a new Player Series and I'm really digging it...
The body itself seems just a tad bit thicker... I don't if I'm just seeing things though...
But the neck is really smooth...
I didn't care for the finish on Maple, so I sanded the finish off and put some Tru Oil on it and now it's just spanking... Also scalloped the high frets...
Anywho, at its price point, it's pretty bad ass...
What a great video. I have to agree with Rob that the player strat surprising sounded the best although I’d be in heaven with any of them. After 45 years of doodling on lots of different guitars, I’ve come full circle to a strat with a 5 watt tube amp. The only drawback is not being able to open tune as opposed to a lp or tele.
Love the player series it can keep up with any strat
The others are for posers and lotto winners.
@@philclarke7712 I mean I wouldnt say that man not posers now money I can agree with but owning a very nice custom shop are not for posers all of them are nice I'm just saying for the money the player series is amazing
@@reviewforthetube6485 well, diminishing returns. I suppose I value practice and skill over shiny bits but at the same time, if it makes you happy...
@@reviewforthetube6485 custom shop look hideous.spend all that money to look like a hobo guitar.
Pau Ferro update for those interested: he's doing absolutely great at Juventus
You just can't beat a hearty slab of Chappers and The Captain! 🎸🤘🏻
Got my pro2 last week, just waiting for the Fender Jr Amp to get going! Can't wait.
The blind fold test would have been interesting. Heard nothing but great things about the Player Series and the quality of these guitars. The Alnico 5s sound great to me too.
Great video.
The working musician is taking the Players all day long. It’s really tough to beat at the price point and it doesn’t feel or sound like you’re sacrificing too much.
Rob is so damn good.
That is not true. Fender guitars are pretty bad compared to other strats in the same price point. Its mostly branding that you pay for when you buy a fender guitar, not the quality. So it seems you don't know alot about guitars. Me myself, i have 2 fender strats, so its not because i just hate fender but damn their bad in terms of their high price. But i love the brand. You have to agree and admit that you are wrong
mhm, the price for a player series is very attractive to not pass up. I own a player series tele as my first guitar. Wonderful to hold and play. I was stuck between my tele and a player series strat. Even though in my mind, the strat body style seemed more popular, I went with the tele body style to "go against the grain". Later on I bought a artist series strat. I love them both and enjoy playing them.
@@luxibroagreed lol Epiphone, PRS, Ibanez, ESP…. Almost everybody beats them by a mile under $1k honestly 😂 I’d go with PRS myself if I just wanted the best for the money though.
@@ecash30 excellent choice, PRS is great for the bucks and also a lovely brand
You should try 3 player, 3 same amp and same settings.
We can hear the difference easily.
I almost "bought" the pro series pickups when I understood what the two stratocaster pickup screws were for. They are used to regulate the tone balance. The pickup on the side of the bass strings should be higher, and that of the treble strings lower. This is due to the "Doppler effect". The higher frequency sounds appear to the human ear to be louder than the lower frequency sounds, even though they have the same decibel level. Higher frequency sounds also reach us faster. Therefore, these are the sounds of, for example, alarms such as an ambulance on a signal. On the Fender page describing the stratocaster setup, they also recommend that you set up your pickups as described above. support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/212774786-How-do-I-set-up-my-Stratocaster-guitar-properly-
"the tones becomes a little less springy when you lose the spring". Brilliant.
I bought an American Professional at the the end of 2018. I love it for the most part. However, my reaction to the pickups are similar to his reaction to the pickups on the American Performer. I love the neck, middle, and the combinations, but when I play the bridge pickup by itself on just a clean setting, its not my favorite tone. I'm contemplating changing but I'm having a hard time convincing myself to mod an American Strat. I didn't buy it to resell it, but if I ever were to sell it, I don't want it to be devalued because of a modification. For those who care to respond, how do you feel about the V-Mod pickups, particularly the bridge? When I use the guitar to record and add gain or distortion, its pretty good, but when its just clean, its really harsh and doesn't have that classic bell-like tone that a Strat should have IMO. Thoughts?
I have the performer, yeah the bridge sounds like Ray Romano
In a guitar demo its neccesary to play with no effects (clean tone) all the pickup positions - if possible. The demostration of the crunch and other tones comes at lower priority. I appreciate that you do so.
The comments about the feeling of the guitar are helpfull also.
Thanks!
I think it depends on the context. Something like a hollowbody definitely needs to be demonstrated in a clean tone, Fenders should be demonstrated in both clean and crunchy, and more metal oriented guitars should have a high gain setting as a priority. It's mostly in the context of for what most people will use it and how versatile it is
Pete is now forcing his way into all new videos. Good on you Pete. Be like Pete.
#belikepete
Can’t contain the talent of Danish Pete
I love you guys, i sometimes watch videos just to hear great conversations and great tones. Please keep doing this stuff!!!
The Professional sounded amazing. I preferred the look of the Performer to be honest.
gyrosphinx I got the performer in the white and black from them last month. Looks amazing but I’m a beginner 😎🤓
shelloiluk you are one lucky beginner
Caleb O'Byrne You miss out on the crappy guitar experience. Good for you though:)
Just bought a Player Strat from you guys, Tidepool with maple fretboard. So excited for it to come on Saturday! Thanks for the vids :)
I bought a 2008 american standard strat secondhand and i ended up hating it, it had barely been played and was pretty much kept in a box all of its life. When i got it the neck was ridiculously wide, it felt as though i constantly had to adjust things on it, the pickups were really weak sounding and it was just a fight to play all in all, i had always wanted an american standard for years and years and was so happy to finally have one and then it was a complete dud, should never have left the factory. I ended up buying a fender classic player 60s lacquer strat and its just such a better guitar and its a mexican
Everything in Rob's hands becomes Elite Professional Deluxe 😁
On the Performer try rolling the tone back to 5 on the bridge PU, it will cut it but won't get muddy and lose volume; they kind of made it that way, calling it like a "grease knob" or something like that. It's actually really useful, and having the option of getting the bridge and neck PUs on a strat to be on together is a nice feature; useful, but purist-friendly...I'm not one that every really liked too many buttons on a guitar,. really into standards these days.
Yea you can get a more telecaster-ish sound
Could you throw in a Fender Made in Japan as a curveball on the next comparison? (Teles, obviously)
The Player sounded way better to my ears. Every time I enter a shop to try/buy a Fender I end up preferring a Mexican, I bought a tele 2 years ago and now a beautiful strat of this same series. For some reason I'm never convinced by the American counterparts.
15:50 "notched volume knob"
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IDEA
That smile when Chap asked "How far do you screw it, Lee?", and a golden answer after that. Top comedy guys.
I’m picking up my American Performer today. Blue. I’m going to make an effort at age 59 to play guitar again. I tried a little bit in high school never really learned anything. Really looking forward to owning such a beautiful guitar.
The Player Series has a much bigger sustain block. This is why the guitar sounds fatter.
They've addressed the only concern anyone has ever had with the MIM models...21frets.
It's an absolute steal for $600.
Two point trem, alnico pickups vs hot ceramic pickups are the big ones. Swap out a tone circuit with a treble bleed or greasebucket and you have an American on the cheap.
Yes, but overall the Player series sound quality is similar with entry level Fender's Squier. You pay $200 more just to get Fender word logo on your neck.
@@flfreaks3745 Negative. The Player series single coils are some of the best in Fender's lineup. Get your ears checked.
The bridge pick-up is active on the performer model, rather than passive
Am I the only person that noticed that the "Music Man" coffee mug on right of screen just completely vaporised at 19.08 ?
Lee drinks from it, puts it down and ' poof ' .... it just disintegrates without anybody noticing. Weird.
The balancing was epic. Im gonna teach my guitar students to all do that. Especially the ones with nice guitars
The professional has a very very similar spec to the fender John Mayer sig strat. Very clever choice by fender- great combo of specs.
John's prs strat or fender?
Fender
As the legacy holder of Leo Fenders excellent synchronised vibrato bridge it is way past time that the modern FMIC did something about the appalling thread stripping tension spring (oh look its fallen out) and screw in vibrato arm. So many other companies have already solved the arm slop removal problem with plastic inserts and tension grub screws. And if I remember rightly Fender make a big fuss about DON'T apply a lot of pressure to push home the clip in arms when it actually does require quite a lot of force.