Fender Player Plus...is It Really Worth the "Upgrade?"
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
- Is Fender's new line worth buying? What are the new features? Let's find out!
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A blessing you weren’t sent one - you were able to provide so many pros and cons and alternative options without Fender breathing down your neck.
Yeah every other guitar channel basically licks Fender boots, no one has been critical of these new guitars yet. The youtube guitar community is a joke right now and acts in pretty much unison to promote major brands. This channel is one of the last bastions of independent opinions left.
@@zxbc1 SPEAK for your self!
Nah. Darrell's been critical of stuff companies have sent to him before so I don't think that would have made a difference. He's never harsh about it but as far as I've seen, he always shoots straight. It's what makes this channel great.
He still said it was worth it then held up a Charvel that was cheaper. That would cost close to double for Fender to make.......Fishman pickups and roasted maple neck for cheaper than plain maple and MIM pickups.....wtf......
@@zxbc1 Oh, you noticed that too?..
It makes me sick.
Not only is Darrell Braun the best looking man in Canada, he's the smartest. Clearly the Charvel is the value buy. Thanks Darrell.
😂😂😂 Thanks!
There must be some ugly blokes in Canada 🤔
@@officialWWM lol meanie
Yea boys. I sold me MIM Strat last year to buy a Charvel DK24 instead....and I did it primarily because of the heel joint.
I had carpel tunnel surgery and that Fender block heel pokes me right on the tender scare in the palm of my hand were they did the incision. It's just NOT good enough!!
And the fact that the same factory makes the Charvel...which shxts all over the MIM Strats...it just blows my mind! How...why can't they be better...??
@@lueysixty-six7300 love Charvel
I’ll jump in to this discussion early and light the fuse. I think they needed to be in the $700 range on this to be competitive. My G & L Tribute is equal or better and $300 cheaper. As you rightly pointed out there are many good guitars in the $600 to $750 range. No need to pay for the brand, that doesn’t make it sound better.
The brand only pumps its resale, and that's only to a certain extent
I agree and posted elsewhere.
Agree 💯 Love my G&L ASAT tribute, can get them used for $300-400
But for a lot of players, only a Fender will do!
They don’t need to be competitive! It’s already sold out! What you see in the stores is already paid for.
I'll bet Fender really hates you for exposing how overpriced they are for such minimal Improvements. Thank you for always providing such thorough and insightful reviews
Great episode Darrell. One thing to to note: The later Roadhouse had a built in active 6 position midboost for the middle tone control knob that was engaged with that S-1 type switch in the volume knob. I own that guitar and it's great and it's a shame that they discontinued that model.
Thanks man. Another video that helps me(beginner/intermediate in my 40’s) know what’s out there, but also feel encouraged about my Yamaha Pacífica 612 vfm II and know how it compares. Keep up the good work!
I have the same Pacifica and a Mexican strat, both are awesome guitars, the Yamaha is beautiful and probably more bang for buck I recon
612 is really amazing
Pacifica 612 is bloody good guitar. A lot of good guitar.
I also own the 612 and can't rate it highly enough. Amazing value for money
@@imactuallyih3697 I totally agree, I mean if I could teach my Pacifica to cook and clean the wife would be looking for somewhere else to live, that’s how good this thing is 👍😂
Thank you for acknowledging the difference in the noiseless pickups and single coils pickups. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day
As usual another thoughtful video with your honest pro's and con's. Thanks.
I'll keep my Pacifica.
The 12" radius is worth the price of admission, rolled edges even better. The string tree DOEs out perform the crappy regular one - it helps trem problems more than locking tuners.
I appreciate your reviews as they are always very informative and enjoyable. Keep up the great work ! Thanks for all you do !!
So many great guitars these days at reasonable prices, especially on the second hand market.
Thank you for uploading your guitar videos onto YT, Darrell.
I just bought a Player Plus HSS. It’s really good. I bought two Charvels and sent both back with QS issues. The PP is really well made with a great neck.
Big fan of the desk and the dark background. It keeps me from getting lost in admiring all your beautiful guitars and having to rewind to hear what you said!
The part that separates you from the other youtubers until now is the 3 last minutes of the video. That last part shows a lot to me for you, and I think you are the top reviewer IMO. The honesty, the quality of the content and the general vibe puts you there. Thanx by a 50 yo Greek guitar lover
Agree!
Without doubt Darrell always gives a good and honest review while being entertaining at the same time.
you're seriously the best!!! i can't believe how many topics you have covered and this is just the video i needed today 😊
Excellent overview, thanks! For me, the regular Player gets the nod, but I do like the push-pull voicing and the locking tuners which could be added. Now, if they offered standard pickups in the Plus, I'd likely roll that way.
If they offered the standard pickups at a lower cost on the Plus?? I'm right there with you!!! Great Comment!!!
Thanks for mentioning the the other guitars!! I'm gonna look into them especially the Charvel
Yay. Finally somebody pointed out the heel joint. I'm glad I have my two deluxes to keep me happy for the immediate future.
Great review, you gave an excellent explanation of where the guitar sits in the range and how it compares to the models it replaced.
You are the absolute best at this. So dang much usable information. Thanks!
one of the best comparison videos. with detailed but easily understandable information🤙🏻👍🏻🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for your detailed and objective review Darrell! You mentioned a lot of good points, a lot which I hadn't considered. I also agree that with Fender you pay a premium for the brand, keep it up and hope to see more videos!
Love this guys style- rather than blindly gush over the guitar he actually talks about the differences in features in detail
The content we need. Thank you Darrell
I just played one today. Here's my 2 cents. 1. For me, I like the Player Plus because it's the only Fender I've played that allows me to play barre chords with small hands. The 12" radius is much easier for me than the 9 1/2. 2. I also played the Charvel with the hss pickups. The Fender's pickups for a "Fender sound" sound much better than the Charvel's. However, the Charvel is a lighter guitar and it just feels wonderful. Must say that the Fender's "Cosmic Jade" green is a beautiful guitar vs the plain white of the Charvel. Thank goodness you posted this video so I can see that there are other, more reasonably priced options!!! I would like you maybe to compare this guitar's tones to the others you have recommended in another video.
Thanks Darrell Your channel is one of my favorite guitar channels on UA-cam I always give you a thumbs up before the video even starts! 👍👍👍☝☝☝
Great video Darrel!!!
Thanks for the information 👍🏼
What about G&L guitars??? 😅
Loved the alternatives at the end. because of your review I bought the Music Man Cutlass..... And love it. For all of the reasons you outlined. So playable. I have 3 guitars but the Music Man seems to be my automatic go to. Thanks again for all your stellar work , opinions etc Darrell.
I just bought the Player Plus today from Guitar Center. Black/Gray burst, HSS, Pau Ferro neck. LOVE THIS GUITAR! Plays so smoothly, stays in tune, and it has a beautiful sound. I bought and took back a Fender Player Series last Winter. This one I will definitely keep! Problem is, now I want the Tele/Carvel Mike showed.
Hi what is the difference between hss player plus to sss?
I have the deluxe player. Love the classic noiseless pickups. Gold hardware and ash body. Got it used with the sunburst finish. Wanted the blue but couldn't find one as they are discontinued so I went with the best deal on reverb. It has a push button instead of pulling to engage the neck pickup to get that tele middle position sound
Sure, but do you have a Strat with real singlecoils to compare them with because it's not the same.
@Robert Augustine I agree. I opted for used G&L Tributes, both MIK, a Legacy and a S-500. I've upgraded the Legacy with Tusq XL and string tree, GT String Saver saddles, and Ratio locking tuners. The S-500 will eventually get the same, probably, but it gives you a lot more guitar for a significant amount less.
I had a Roadhouse Strat with EMG Gilmour's before the G&L's, but it ran off to live with my son.
I had a plan to mod a CV strat or player strat to have something similar to this plus series…now Fender did it, made me happy then saw the prices and decided to make the mods as planned initially :D
Right on, Darrell. The square heel joint is a deal breaker for many players. I can't understand why the rounded heel is not a standard spec on all bolt-ons that don't fall under the "vintage spec" category.
A lot of people trust the square as a more sturdy, and durable spec, personally I don't mind it, I'm used to it, but I'd think it's time for Fender to move into an easier neck plate, or even get rid of it all together, like so many super strats have done, either I think it's familiarity wins points with a lot of people.
Even the American made performer series still have the block joint, great instrument but a disappointing oversight
Hi Darrell love all your videos when buying my last guitar your hints and tips really helped me buy the right guitar for me.
Any chance you may review the Vintage 100v vs the Harley benton Les Paul ?? Don't think you have done a review on this yet.
Thanks
A few months back I got a PRS S2 Standard 24 Satin for like $1050. The coil split is fantastic and makes the guitar super flexible. Close enough to strat tone for my ear, made in the USA and does the les Paul/SG thing too. I’m starting to go to it more than my Core McCarty 594. It’s ridiculous for the price.
I gave $ 740 for a sunburst HSS today, it says special edition on back, pretty impressed with it. Hadn’t had a good strat in a while. Been playing an epi Les Paul. Love the looks of the sunburst, maple neck is pretty cool. Thanks for the review, feel better about my purchase.
Darrell - proud to be Canadian everytime
I watch your channel! You’re one of the few I subscribe to. Can you do a review on some beginner pedals for an advanced player start with?
Huge fan, Daryl!
I really like those finishes!
You mailed the rest. As usual. 👍🏼
IMO it's well worth it, and will most likely be my next guitar.
Tequila Sunrise??!!! TAKE MY MONEY, FENDER!! 😁👍🏼
I'm sitting here noodling on my Deluxe Series strat from 07/08 as I watch this. I freaking love it. I don't think you can go wrong with these. I have a button on mine that turns on the bridge pickup and it's so cool to get tele style sounds from my strat. Pretty cool they included something similar here.
Thanks for the video mate good lessons to to keep in mind shop around
What do you guys think? Would you consider buying a Player Plus?
Enjoy :)
Not on my menu honestly. I wouldn't mind checking one out.
What’s on my shopping list is the Cort 8 string. Fender needs to step up into the extended range market.
I have a strat, it's a pro 2. If I bought another strat it would be as a mod platform
Don't think so...my daughter has the Player in HSS. Considering upgrading the tuning machines. I don't play so whst else would you recommend upgrading?
@@Alfonzo862 what did you trade it out for?
Very good overview of the new models. Totally agree with everything you said. 👍
That Charvel again! Really nice review. Cheers!
Can't say you compelled me to purchase a Player Plus, but thanks for cluing me in on the alternatives! ;)
Hi Darrell, how are you? This is not related to this video but huge thanks for your videos about the Squire Telecasters, once I get better on the acoustic I have, I'll choose a Tele as my 1st electric guitar. Keep the great work! 👍👍
I think they look great and with the additional spec I think the upgrades kinda make it worth it. I would like to see a deep dive and see what the QC is like under the pick guard and trem cavity..is it a mess of wires and sloppy shielding? or are things in good order.
I can't comment on the wiring and shielding as I haven't taken a look under the hood yet, but speaking of quality control, the fretwork out of the box was abysmal; really sharp fret ends sticking out, just all around a horrible job. The guitar plays great besides that, but for $1,100 you'd expect a better fret job.
As always, great video
Great review! Thanks a lot
Hi Darrell what model was the schecter tele style guitar you showed in the video .... love the show
kudos to you for always being so uplifting, it's always a pleasure to watch you review something.
That Tequila Sunrise finish is so beautiful...to bad that's the only reason to buy this guitar.
I love Fender amps and guitars, I really do, but lately seems like all they ever put out anymore in terms of necks are the Modern C neck or deep C neck and those necks are good for beginners but not for me or all the other guitar players I know. I have been playing on stage and every kind of venue for over forty years and a point of fact is...very few of the guitar players I know or have ever known ever use a C neck for very long. Most of them convert to a soft V, mid sixties C or something thicker like an oval (SRV model) and even a few of them like the fifties U shape (baseball neck).
Fender also seems to be pushing those noiseless pups of theirs, I know Beck and Clapton use them and at one time many of my friends and I tried and used them (briefly) but now, no one I know or have known still uses them. We try them every now and again to see if they have gotten better, but in the end the tone is just not there so we always wind up replacing them for something else with much better tonal qualities.
One last thing I would like to mention, is that those Zinc blocks on the bridge are not good for sustain or sound transfer, they sound cheap and are cheap. I preface all I have said to say this... If you are a beginner this is a good little guitar for you...however at this price point it's unlikely you would choose this guitar.
Again, the paint job (and maybe the nice saddles) is the best thing about this guitar. For me to buy this guitar would mean I would have to upgrade almost everything on it i.e. neck, bridge (not the saddles), tuners, pickups and most likely the wiring assembly and strap locks, which would cost me another grand or so depending on the cost of the pups and neck I would use. If it was in the $500.00 range I might consider it just because of the the paint job...MAYBE.
IMO, Fenders pricing of there "MADE IN MEXICO GUITARS" have gotten way out of control. With whats available on the internet I can build my own guitar with close to top of the line everything (including Nitro Paint) for less than what there charging for this guitar.
C'mon Fender you can do better than this. PEACE
I have the honey blonde Deluxe Players Strat from 2014 it was my first proper guitar. I am still playing it every day and it has been great. I cant believe its been so long I bought it in August 2014 and it started a very long journey that I am still on today and it is right there looking brand new still, thanks to the poly I guess but it is an ash body you can see some grain in it. The thing is a solid guitar I have played for years with no problems but I do regular work on it myself. Great video like always. The 12in board is nice but I would change the finish on the neck in my opinion, I have had some stickiness before after sweating.
Sure like to see you demo a Burns once. Never seen a demo of a Burns...and they have cool singles. Do it bro! Just do it!
What type of tremolo can I replace the stock 2-point trem with? I'd like to have a drop in replacement. I hear the stock block is also some sort of zinc alloy, which is not the best possible option. Gotoh 510 tremolo? Wilkinson VS100? Which one fits directly to Player Plus Strat?
another fair honest review! thanks
u da man!
Nice overview. Darrell I am curious about your studio home monitors on the background. What is the type ? Thanks
Great comparison Darrell.
I would stay with the Player Series. I recently saw a Fender Player Series Plus Top which I think is just Blueburst / Greenburst finishes. The extra cost seems excessive for the upgrades to me.
I find it pretty balanced. I believe the guitar are talking about is 850 bucks going rate. So 850 bucks for the guitar then if you add locking tuners that's 50 bucks and then 80 bucks for the bridge comes out to $980.
@@beefnacos6258 I think that is part of Fender's thinking to hit the market that would buy a MIM and upgrade so its already done with the Player Plus. To me the issue is less what they are 'worth' and more what other options I have at $1000-1200 that make the Player Plus a no for me
I believe those finishes were only for HSS models as I have a Fender Player Strat in aged cherry burst like Darrell. That being said, I actually do wish I had known about the Player Plus Series, but this was about 9 months ago. I personally think the upgraded bridge saddles, radius, rolled fingerboard, tuners, pickups, and tonal options on the plus series are worth the extra cost. It's basically as good as an American made one at that point
I agree. I have a Player SSS Strat and just love it. Easy enough to add locking tuners, change the nut and the string tree if I really want to. The standard Player is definitely the better buy.
@@runningwithscissors0911 I upgraded to locking Fender tuners and got some springs to pop in the trem arm screw and it's an absolutely amazing guitar. Pair that with the Neural DSP Cory Wong plug in and I have a rig punching WAY above its weight for the price!
I got my player for 550 a year ago open box. Very happy with it!
Last winter when you reviewed the PT Schecter, I gave it a lot of thought, watched your review 12 or 15 times. and finally ordered one last April. I intended to replace my mim Fender Tele modified vinterra, 50’s version. It took until Sept to get the Schecter.
How was it for you compared to the Vintera?
@@bushcry1 the Vinterra I had was a 50’s vintage version. The neck itself felt much thicker and rounder overall, whereas the Schecter’s neck feels a little flatter and thinner in depth. So to me the Schecter feels easier to play. The Schecter’s frets don’t seem to be as deep/ high as the Fender’s, which was kind of a surprise to me because I bought the 50’s vinterra because I’d foolishly sold a real ‘52 Tele, and was trying to reproduce that playing experience. In fairness to the Vinterra the old Tele had been modified and refinished years,and two owners earlier, so what was it like to play originally, I can’t say. I will say this the Schecter plays much more like the real 50’s Tele I had. The Vinterra that I bought used, was in beautiful shape, the Tele was in good shape too, but was definitely road worn, and had been a working musician’s guitar for a couple of years. The Vinterra had very bad fret sprout, was much newer. The Tele loved in the Drumheller Alberta valley for a number of years (exposure to extremes in temperature and very cold dry winters). So if I would have expected fret sprout on one of the two, it should not have been the Vinterra, the Tele had had a much harder and longer life. In terms of the electronics, I again like the Schecter better, it has a five way switch, not a push button, I just find it easier to get used to. The Schecter is definitely the best looking guitar, but oh I wish I’d never sold the ugly duckling Tele. In short the Schecter is a very close replacement for the old Tele, so I am much more pleased with it over the Vinterra.
The Deluxe Roadhouse (and its brother the HSS Highway 1) MIM ended mid-2016 (I got one of the last ones made) and the model moved up to Corona, USA with some changes being a two-point trem, 12" rad, the 1st Gen Noiseless Pickups, lost the Rosewood fret board, contoured heel, and gained the locking tuners (if I recall correctly). And, it jumped up about $300 in MSRP. These had a tone modifying preamp that sucked the life out of a 9 volt battery . . . now, the S-1 switch just changes the wiring to parallel and out-of-phase p/u combos.
They used to be scarce as hen's teeth, you could find NOS or used from $500-$800. Now, they are popping up for over $1000.
What guitar you recomend?
Fender player plus? Or yamaha pacifica 612?
Regards from Portugal
I tried it, the rolled edge fretboard and noiseless pickups sold it for me. I'm getting the Tele first. I think it's worth it if you don't already have a player series, or just want a new guitar.
Side tangent: It's funny how everyone loves locking tuners, sure they are easy. I guess I love them too... but I enjoy wrapping the strings on the post and I like the look of it. I wonder if thereis any negative effect in wrapping the posts on locking tuners 🤔
Your "regular" Player guitar is beautiful, and sounds great 👌
Great video mate!
Just picked mine up today for 910 out the door. Honestly my player is nice but this one feels so much more comfortable in my hands👌 you definitely need to feel them side by side to feel the difference. And the noiseless pickups sound damn good too. Opal spark plus an awesome gig bag. I'm honestly very happy about my purchase.
Congrats on the new guitar!🎸
Thats a great price too!
@@DarrellBraunGuitar I think he's lying about the price. He must be American. Lol
@@commissioner1969 why would I be lying? It's called asking for a discount...17% off. It doesn't hurt to ask
@@thecraftbeerbandit2037 you definitely didn't get it in Canada then. The guitar shops around Toronto are huge pricks. Especially with new models. What's the reason for discounting a brand new model???
@@commissioner1969 oh no I'm in the US. Sorry to hear that man, no reason really there is nothing wrong with it. I just asked them to give me a deal that would make me want to take it today. They made money I got a deal and we were both happy 👍
After a nice set up job and proper intonation I am very happy with my player plus 😊
I have the tequila sunrise
Ya i think it's a good value, i'm still pretty happy with my player tele. Also upgraded mine to fender locking tuners.
Reverend is another great competitor in this price range. I sold my Deluxe Roadhouse Strat for a Charger 290 (yeah I know, different beasts) and I don't regret one bit!
I have a Deluxe Player Strat. I got it for $500 used a couple years ago. I absolutely love it. It's so comfortable and it looks gorgeous. I must say, it's a lot more attractive than these new ones. I believe they're going for $700-800 now, but I still think you'd be better off getting one of those.
The noiseless pickups are the worst part of the guitar, btw. I've been planning to switch them out for a while now.
I ordered a cort g280 select recently (2 weeks ago) because of your video.
And I can say that it rocks.
Pretty nice guitar, great playability and very comfortable.
I’m splitting my time between music man sm y2d and the cort.
Thanks and cheers from Brazil
I'm totally happy with the Fender player Telecaster, no extra bells and whistles, just a good plug and play guitar. 👍.
The Charvel with Fishman pickups rules if you like 24frets and thinner necks, thanks for the recommendation Darrell.
Don't forget the narrow-tall frets on the deluxe old ones. For this price I would prefer to target a Charvel DK22 which does not look or feel like traditional at all but the conversation here is about modern features.
I bought a Fender Player Series Strat and is a great guitar. The pickups are bot that great but overall is a great guitar.
Part of the upcharge I think is the convenience factor of not having to purchase and install the pickups and tuners yourself.
I have the HSS player plus in Cosmic Jade and also the Aged candy apple in the SSS configuration...I have to say..fender nailed it on these strats.
Thank you for not being stuck up Fenders ass like a lot of UA-camrs. Nice to have an unbiased opinion. I really love the ShiJie. If that's spelled wrong, I'm sorry. Told my wife, those are next. Honestly today, I'd rather buy a Vintage proshop than a Player Series. I have a 2019 vintera 50s Strat modified and it's my number 1. But man, I have a hard time swallowing the things fender does.
I agree with the likening of the deluxe player/roadhouse to the player plus. In that same vein i would compare the player series to the standard series. Basically the same guitar but the standard was around 500 new. I have very little idea as to why the player series is hitting the 600+ mark if it’s essentially the same thing.
Just checked these out at Guitar Center. Feel really nice. The tele has a belly carve. Big upgrade.
I'd say that for that price, Charvel are the better option...that said, I ordered one in March and still haven't gotten it - they did send me one with glue marks on the neck and uneven frets, that I sent back. But apart from those mistakes, the guitar would have been excellent. I am looking forward to getting mine probably in Novembre.
I bought a Player Strat a few year ago, put some SSL-1 in the Neck and Middle and a SSL-5 in the Bridge, had a new pickguard fitted with the switch in to add the neck pick up, fitted locking tuners, and a set up.
Sounds and looks killer, if the Player Plus had been available back then I'd of bought one for sure, put I've got almost everything it offers now ( better pups on my Player strat imo )
So wouldn't be much of an upgrade for me.
That's a killer pickup combination, same on my Warmoth build love it
Hey Darrell, why aren't Godin guitars (other than Multiac's) ever really showcased on your channel? The electric solid bodies offer so much compared to the "brand" rivals in the way of tones, pickup options, outstanding build quality, playability, versatility, neck feel, etc. Being Canadian made I'd would have thought to see many featured on your channel. Love what you do with your reviews, keep up the excellent work!!!
I am keen to acquire some kind of strat or super strat in the near future. In your opinion is the HSS player plus a solid choice? I had previously been interested in the recent Squier Contemporary range or maybe an Ibanez RG or Jiva guitar. I find without being able to get my hands on them due to Covid it is a bit daunting trying to split hairs when all I currently have is a 50’s Fender Vintera Telecaster. I am familiar with the difference in tone and the benefit of fretboard radius, trem system etc. more difficult to determine what would be most comfortable for me or even to get an idea of size difference etc.
I watched DB vids back at 100k ..over 700k now .well deserved .
Darrell showed some great guitars in the competition section of the video, but one he left out is the Godin Session. Amazing strat style guitar in the same price range as the others
Indeed. And the satin finish on some of the sessions has an amazing feel and sound.
Thanks for showing the cheaper alternatives to the Fender Plus.
I absolutely agree about the countoured heel joint... A missed opportunity!
I tried one again today, and while they are high quality, the price point is sticking point for me. If they were still at the $950 US mark they were being sold for at the start of the year, I could vouch for them. At the current price of $1,100+, I think most people would be better off buying a used American Strat, a Sire S7 (for 2/3's the cost), or just saving up for an American Strat.
Player for me. I just picked up a Lake Placid Blue for $649 (Prime Day sale). My smallish hands like the 42mm nut and 9.5" radius fretboard.
If I decide I want to add the Neck pickup I'll add an S1 switch. Much better than push/pull.
Hey Darrell. Great video as always. Not changing the nut or pop in bar was a huge miss in my opinion. Both simple and affordable upgradee that make a world of difference. Let's not even talk about the heel joint lol. I think the challenge here is that Fender's Player series had a 'sudden' price jump (to avoid saying unjustified) and it just doesn't offer the same value as most other brands in that price range. If Fender had bumped these up to $699 instead then the $200 price hike here would be well justified and while at both price points there would still be better value options, the brand name would fill that gap more reasonably than at the current price point.
I mean you are right, however shipping and making instruments currently (due to corona) has been insanely expensive, hence the price increase. I wouldn’t be suprised, if they lowered prices by like $50 in a year, because the suppliers and shipping companies wont be asking as much
@@peik5569 the prices are still viewed in context of other brands. Who have not hiked those prices.
ultimately it's supply and demand. You will pay a bit more for a Fender than less famous brands, and that's understandable and expected. The only justification they need is whether it sells at that price point or not
Good video bro. I really tried to like at least one of the guitars and/or finishes in the series, just couldn't do it.
Thank you!!! Great video!
Fender has priced the name into the No Go area for me. Seeing how I picked up a new "Player" series guitar a couple of years ago for $425 on a sale in a softer market.
paint job on player plus look gorgeous
The player plus is a much nicer guitar than the player. The pickups are worth it just for those. It compares very well to the American ultra. I adore my player plus, rounded played in neck the feel and sounds are great. Overdrive sounds sublime.
I had an American Ultra and with the exception of the radius and the curved heel, they're very similar for $1000 difference. I have a Player Plus Olympic Pearl on the way right now. I'm interested to see how different it is from the Ultra.
So would you choose this or the Shijie TLV SS M @Darrell
I have the cosmic green HSS Strat as of yesterday. Super pleased so far and I have multiple MIA guitars as well. I see a humbucker pickup replacement in its future but that’s it.
Oh and the HB pickup when pulled is quite noisy, it’s not noiseless. But, other than that, the cosmic green is the nicest Strat finish I’ve ever owned. My Jeff Beck Strat won’t be getting any love for while :)
Fender is never going to sell guitars as competitive prices when they know people will pay the extra $150+ for the logo on the headstock. It's like Apple in the sense that they're never going to "water down" their company image with reasonably priced products.
I wish apple had a better made in america option. But all cell phones are squiers
I just picked up the very same cherry burst plus top player a couple months ago... with the intention of making most of these upgrades... then this week Fender drops the Player Plus... (groan)... but honestly, i still find that the Cherry Burst with the standard logo with the "original contour body" sticker is much nicer to look at... and the cost associated with swapping the saddles, tuners, pickups, (to Lace Sensors... sooooo nice,) and getting the frets dressed, is still cheaper than the Player Plus... until i add the push/pull pot... but i still prefer the one i got :)
I love my lefty Olympic white player strat. So much so, i recently ordered a mod shop hardtail strat.
Looking at the plus features, i was surprised that several of them are actually mod shop options. So, I’d say, if you want upgrades, but don’t want to throw down 2k on a mod shop, the plus is a good option…
Honestly that heel will make it a no-go for me. I like playing up and down the neck and I really dislike those classic thick heel blocks 😅 other options that offer a high radius fretboard, nice pickups and actually have good upper fret access.