The line includes six Stratocasters (SSS, HSS, HSH, SSS Plus Top, HSS Plus Top and HSS Floyd Rose), two Telecasters (SS and HH), an HH Jazzmaster and an HS Jaguar. Hardware. Another nice touch is the ‘F’ stamped neck plate. In this Fender Player Stratocaster review we’ll see where it fits among it’s competitors and I’ll offer some insight about how it’s evolved over the 16 years since I bought my first strat. © England and Wales company registration number 2008885. You don’t need to say too much more. It has been called the guitar that changed the world, but it had a bit of a slow start. And on top of all that, they’ve revamped the colour offerings of the line. The neck shape is a very comfortable Modern C shape, and there are 22 frets. The best Cyber Monday 2020 guitar effects pedal deals so far, Unplug with the best Cyber Monday 2020 acoustic guitar deals so far, Save big on these stunning Martin X Series Rosewood acoustic guitars over at Guitar Center, Get 15% off Taylor's gorgeous 414ce V-Class Sinker Redwood Grand Auditorium acoustic-electric with this amazing Black Friday deal, Save $100 on a Fender Special Edition Deluxe PJ Bass in this epic deal at Musician's Friend, Upgraded pickups compared to the Standard. Review: Fender Player Stratocaster HSH. Hit a note and you’ll feel that familiar Stratty ‘spring’ – the lively snap that tells you you’re playing a bolt-on with a maple fingerboard. For this review, we’re focusing on the most Stratocaster-y of the Player Stratocaster – the triple‑single-coil model with a maple fretboard. In our awesomeness score Fender Stratocaster ranks #25 out of 264 and Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS ranks #49 out of 264. If you’ve ever wondered why your Standard Strat sounded a little more brash and hairy than your buddy’s Deluxe, those ceramic magnets are why. By Paul Riario 07 June 2019. One interesting quirk is that the first tone control covers both the neck and middle pickups, with the second control operating on the bridge pickup– traditionally left without a tone control at all in conventional Strat setups. It may be a simple thing, but having that iconic Fender ‘F’ on the neck plate instead of nothing feels like that extra little bit of effort that elevates this guitar above its Standard ancestor. Fender really goes to town whenever it's time to revise its pride and joy, and this Player Series Stratocaster is no exception. This is a great place to start for those who want an authentic, yet upgraded Stratocaster. To kick off this Fender Player Stratocaster review, let’s first take a look at some of the specs that make this guitar so great. In 1954 Leo Fender placed his first Stratocaster in the shops. For this review, we’re focusing on the most Stratocaster-y of the Player Stratocaster – the triple‑single-coil model with a maple fretboard. The HSS Stratocaster is very similar to the SSS version, with the exception of a Fender humbucker replacing the single-coil bridge pickup. Whereas those pickups used cheaper ceramic magnets and had a bit of a harsher high end, the new redesigned pickups use Alnico 5 magnets for a much more traditional Strat sound. Plug it in and you’ll instantly hear it: that classic Fender tone. In 1954 we doubt he had the faintest idea of what would happen. The expected Strat, Tele, Precision and Jazz are accompanied by HSS, HSH, Plus Top, HSS Plus Top and Floyd Rose Stratocasters, a HH Telecaster, a Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Jaguar Bass and fretless and five-string Jazz Basses. The body is made of alder (two or three pieces – you can’t expect a single solid piece of wood at this price) with a gloss polyester finish. But Fender has decided that it’s time to change the way it does things at the entry point to the brand: the Standard is no more, simultaneously upgraded to and replaced by the new Player Series, which addresses some of the things that the Standard Series did in a certain way that gave Fender room to upgrade you later on to a higher series. The fingerboard radius is 9.5 inches, flatter than a traditional Strat’s 7.25 inches but not as flat as the 12‑inch or compound radius boards you’ll find on some models higher up in the chain. This is a popular mod, and it’s not the first time it’s been seen on a Strat from the factory, but it represents a pretty big leap by being used in the Stratocaster entry point. These have been very reliable instruments that give you the essence of the Fender experience. Receive news and offers from our other brands? The hardware includes a two-point synchronised tremolo with bent steel saddles – a nice compromise between performance and tradition – with standard cast/sealed tuners, three-ply parchment pickguard and parchment knobs and pickup selector switch tip. Fender Mexican Stratocaster Review – A Popular Mid-Level Electric ... Watch this video for a closer look at the differences between the 2017 Fender Mexican Standard Stratocaster and the 2018 Fender Mexican Player Stratocaster. So essentially, Fender has discontinued the Standard, made a better guitar line a for few hundred bucks more, and called it the Player. Fender knows the audience it’s aiming for with the Player series, and based on the performance of our review Stratocaster, it’s hit the bull’s-eye. Standard HSS Stratocasters sound amazing, look as cool as their American counterparts and have what it takes to get the job done jamming in the basement or onstage at the club. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, These pickups aren’t quite on the level of Fender USA pickups, but they’re definitely much more faithful to what we expect of a Strat than what was in the Standard. On top of that, it's fairly safe to say that Fender Stratocaster is a more popular electric guitar, based on its 200+ reviews. Overview of Fender Player Strat. It feels more like an American Strat than the old Standard ever did. Receive mail from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors? All rights reserved. The middle pickup sounds especially great for playing without a pick, Mark Knopfler-style. It's a strat, but not (quite) as we know it. Bath This means a big difference in sound when the first position of the pickup selector is engaged. The first thing you’ll notice when you pick this baby up is just how comfortable that neck is. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The inspiring sound of a Stratocaster is one of the foundations of Fender. The guitar comes in a suite of great colours – Three‑Colour Sunburst, Black, Buttercream, Polar White, Sage Green Metallic, Sonic Red and Tidepool – and depending on the finish you choose, you’ll get either a maple or a Pau Ferro fretboard, with the exception of Black, Three-Colour Sunburst and Polar White options, where you have your choice of both fretboard woods. Go to awesomeness ranking Go to consumer score ranking Fender Stratocaster is more popular The nut is made of synthetic bone, and seems very well finished. Let’s get started. The Fender Standard HSS Strat is the best way for guitar players on a budget to land a real Fender Stratocaster with a hot humbucker and two single-coil pickups. The Fender Player Strat is a full scale (25.5″) guitar made in Fender’s Mexican factory. The Fender Player Series Stratocaster HSH is a bargain for an instrument that packs a wallop in tone and features. 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