This is a fine example of a classic electric guitar. Plugged into a Fender reissue Deluxe Reverb (with hand-wired circuitry by George Alessandro) and a new Mesa/Boogie Fillmore 50 combo, the Players Series Strat delivered all the sonic highlights you expect from this timeless classic. By checking the boxes you agree to receive the following from us via e-mail. Sure, there will be those who’ll knock some of the non-1950s aspects of this guitar, but I say try it before you deny it. The maple top adds a nice visual touch without affecting the sound – which is great, because at the end of the day most people will buy a Strat because it looks and sounds like a Strat. The vibrato works well and the guitar stays in tune unless you get really carried away. There was a problem. This one’s certainly bright, cheerful and lively, but not at all gaudy. The series offers three versions of the Telecaster and seven of the Stratocaster. The most dangerous time of year for your wallets is here. BUILT Mexico. There are locking tuners, the Fender logo in gold foil, the Modern D profile neck is comfort objectified in maple, while the compound 10”-14” radius feels thoroughly 2020. It's a collaboration with keyboard player David Garfield. The player Stratocaster is a guitar to buy to enjoy unequaled qualities such as great looks, quality sounds and a comfortable feel. Just like the Player Series Telecaster, you've got options with the Player Series Strat. Fender Player Stratocaster Plus Top - Pau Ferro FB - Tobacco Burst. Whether digging in with a deep clanging tone on the neck pickup, getting funky on the chiming neck/middle and middle/bridge combos, or slamming down heavily on the bridge setting, these pickups carried it all with their sweet balance of clarity, body and output. Three single coil pickups are controlled by a single volume control and a pair of independent tone controls plus a five-way pickup selector. A nice-playing Strat that delivers a lot of bang for the buck. Playability was excellent right out of the box (literally, as this guitar doesn’t come with a gig bag), and the intonation was solid and musical throughout the reaches of the neck. Show All Aged Cherry Burst Tobacco Sunburst. Reverb Bump. The December 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! This new compilation from Jack White’s Third Man Records is a treasure trove of 90s shoegaze and space-rock rarities from a set of Michigan bands indebted to the UK scene. Finally, there's the double locking Floyd Rose vibrato and HSS pickup spec model. Visit our corporate site. They were properly adjusted for height and tilt, with the bass sides lowered for a balanced response across the strings. A new Strat is always a cause for celebration, especially when the price is right – and this, the latest Mexican offering, is a bit of a looker too. 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. As well as a couple of nitro-finished models with vintage specs there’s this month’s review subject, the Standard Stratocaster Plus Top. This isn’t the lightest Strat we’ve ever played, but it’s a long way from being the heaviest. You can always unsubscribe (so you won't receive any more e-mails) by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each e-mail. 7. The maple isn’t a solid bookmatched top – at this price it’s a veneer – but it has a rich, three-dimensional flame with lots of depth, while around the rear the finish makes the best of the grain of the solid two-piece alder body. From teenage ‘indie’ beginnings, Johnny Marr has flourished into one of the finest guitar stylists in rock music. Made in Mexico. New York, Released in 2018,the newest version of the classic Stratocaster is made to replace the old Made in Mexico standards. The inspiring sound of a Stratocaster is one of the foundations of Fender. The neck shape, being neither overly thick nor thin, is probably ideal for the majority of players, and the slightly flatter radius of the maple fretboard (pau ferro also available) allows the action to be set a bit lower than would be possible with a standard 7.25-inch radius. Sounds The November 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! Reviews. Description: Solidbody electric guitar. There’s also the right volume/character balance between the different voices, so you can switch around to nuance your playing mid-song. Fender Standard Stratocaster Plus Top Review. The Player Plus Top comes enhanced with a maple veneer top and the choice of a SSS and HSS pickup format. Get the latest news, reviews and product advice straight to your inbox. WEIGHT 7.9 lbs Fender Player Series Stratocaster is keeping it classic with some contemporary updates. The pedal is based around the searing tones of Tony Iommi. The October 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! What all these options have in common is a well sorted alder chassis and a slick, satin finish maple neck with a comfortable C profile and easy to navigate Pau Ferro or maple 9.5" radius fingerboard. Plus Top, of course, means flamed maple. He’s famously driven and single-minded, constantly seeking out great instruments and unique sounds to build a unique catalogue of stellar guitar music. The upgraded vintage style Alnico5 pickups make the new Player series standout over the earlier Mexican Standard strats. Today's best Fender Player Stratocaster deals, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices. Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2018. No corners have been cut when it comes to basic materials, the build quality is good and the standard of the finish high. Guitar.com is the world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar. Please refresh the page and try again. Review by Marcus Leadley. The August 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now. Thank you for signing up to GuitarPlayer. With the range of textures available from all the pickup combinations, this guitar and a high-gain amp is really all that’s needed to cover a lot of gigs. We caught up with the man himself to talk tone, finding beauty in corners, and why there’s something very special about a black sparkle finish…, The mysterious multi-instrumentalist, producer and guitar-builder discusses his recently released EP, why guitars should look cooler than they sound, and being a body double for Sacha Baron Cohen. Verdict Thumbs up to the carefully finished medium-jumbo frets as well as the silky satin finish on the back of the neck, which provides a supple surface for your hand to slide on. FACTORY STRINGS Fender USA, NPS .009-.042 The neck/middle out-of-phase sound retains its brightness and while the top end mellows out, the lower midrange comes forward to add more weight. Continuing our journey through the guitar styles of the legendary Three Kings, this time it’s the turn of Flying V-toting blue icon Albert.