Fender Stratocaster: Player vs Performer vs Professional - What are the differences?
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 тра 2019
- From Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton the Fender Stratocaster is iconic! Over the years there has been many different models of Stratocasters at different price points. Now we have the Player the Performer and the Professional, but what are the differences? | tinyurl.com/25wlr4no
» Check out the full range of Fender Player Stratocasters | tinyurl.com/2xh39ech
» Check out the full range of Fender Performer Stratocasters | tinyurl.com/24d3uoka
» Check out the full range of Fender Professional II Stratocasters | tinyurl.com/2bh7euaf
» Check out all our Fender Strats! | tinyurl.com/25wlr4no
The Fender Stratocaster is likely the most iconic guitar ever made. With a shape that has inspired countless other brands to follow suit, its influence is indisputable. Gracing countless stages in the hands of many world-renowned guitar players, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck to name a few, you know if you pick up a strat you'll be playing the best of the best.
Several key differences separate the Player, Performer and Professional series of Strats. Made in Fender's Mexican-based Ensenada factory, Player series guitars stand as the entry-level and most affordable of the three ranges. That said, they are totally uncompromising on quality and playability. Featuring a wide range of hardware & pickup configurations and finishes, the Player series guarantees something for everyone.
A slight step up in price, the Performer series is the most affordable US-made range of Fender guitars. Formerly known as the American Special series, the Performer doesn't reinvent the wheel, but rather builds upon the stable foundation of the tried and tested Special. Featuring newly-designed Yosemite and DoubleTap pickups, smooth satin-finished necks and available in some tasteful colour options, there’s no reason why these guitars can’t stand proudly alongside their more high-end counterparts. With each model coming with a Fender Deluxe Gig Bag, you can perform with these instruments night-after-night - just as their names suggest!
Finally, the Professional series encapsulates all the greatness of Fender American-made instruments.It’s a re-imagining of the classic design from the ‘50s, housing new electronics and shaped ever so slightly different to improve the overall playing experience. All the retro tone, none of the clunky playability. Each pickup is specifically voiced for its position, be it in the bridge, middle or neck positions. Pickup master Tim Shaw designed the alnico V-Mod single coils to produce powerful nuanced tones and sound punchy combined with the treble-bleed circuit. The neck has a deep C shape embedded with tall narrow frets, so you get a hint of the retro flavour with the smoothness of a modern guitar.
Rob's amp: Boss Katana 50 1x12 Guitar Combo Amp | tinyurl.com/25qszhqg
Lee's Amp: Fender Champion 50XL in Black | tinyurl.com/28tbsf49
Check out our full range of Fender gear here! | tinyurl.com/25wlr4no
Check out our comprehensive Fender Stratocaster buyer's guide here: ➡️www.andertons.co.uk/fender-st...
Our Top 5 Strat Players & How To Sound Like Them:
➡️ blog.andertons.co.uk/sound-li...
👕 Buy A T-Shirt 👕 | tinyurl.com/vdq7rmg
You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now!
Interested in other Andertons UA-cam channels? Click on one of these links to find out more…
Andertons Guitar & Bass UA-cam Channel: goo.gl/kRJCpb
Andertons Drummers UA-cam Channel: goo.gl/9yKSS9
Andertons Keyboard UA-cam Channel: goo.gl/ns172M
Andertons Shopping Web Site: goo.gl/TPsG2Q
Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos like this: goo.gl/aAzyQM
#Andertons #Fender #Stratocaster
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 🤣
"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!
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.
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 ua-cam.com/video/lt2uFgJw4b8/v-deo.html
EXCELLENT
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
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!
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 😆
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 UA-cam.
You live a tragic life.
So you like listening to liars.
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!
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.
Honestly, it's a joy to watch these two gentlemen together you can see them genuinely having fun.
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!
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
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.
editing is top notch and hilarious and I've been WAITING for this exact video. Love you all at Anderton's!!!!
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
I like how the performer series strats are based on the 70's ones. Those guitars were amazing for rock.
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
Agree with Rob the S1 switch is killer. The ability combine pickups in series creates a guitar with absolutely unmatched versatility.
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.
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 UA-cam of them playing. On this channel and Justin's channel.
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!
I've been following this channel for quite some time now, and I must say that Lee has really improved on his playing.
Lee when a guitar makes you play better it means you should buy it. Your playing was outstanding in this video.
The pro series sounds stunning! Beautiful cleans with so much clarity
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
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.
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
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.
Recently bought the Player Series Tele with humbuckers and its absolutely fantastic! Plays like a dream, holds tuning very well and sounds amazing!
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 got a player series Strat and for how much I wanted to use the Trem it wouldn’t stay in tune very well. But I got some fender locking tuners and now it stays in tune even with insane Trem use and I absolutely love it.
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.
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).
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
Omg that white performance series is absolutely gorgeous. It's stunning. Wow so beautiful.
"the tones becomes a little less springy when you lose the spring". Brilliant.
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 never knew about the tiny spring in the tremolo arm hole. Explains why I kept finding small springs all over my house.
That tone Rob's got on the white strat is magical.
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!"
15:50 "notched volume knob"
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IDEA
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.
I wonder if this calls for an updated version of the Expensive Guitar and Cheap Amp vs Cheap Guitar and Expensive Amp?
I bought a standard Strat and Tele when they discounted them when the Pro series was released. Love them.
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.
Loving the Andertons unboxing vids!! ❤️✨
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 stuff lads. Love these shows🤘🏼
So happy you did this. I now understand the difference better. Awesome guys!
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 played a silver sky a suhr classic pro and an American professional back to back and purchased the fender. Tone was so good.
I like that player series ❤️
I'm not sure why but ... it really helps to see the unboxing experience here.
The Professionals are some of the greatest guitars I’ve played. Picked up a Pro Tele a few months ago and love it!
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...!! 👍👍
Nice video and playing all round. Always enjoy the across the pond stuff. Cheers.
I Would LOOOVE to see one of this for the telecaster, player, vintera, performer, and professional. WE NEED THIS VIDEO GUYS!
That smile when Chap asked "How far do you screw it, Lee?", and a golden answer after that. Top comedy guys.
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.
Rob youre such a beast on guitar. Great to hear you smash out some Jimi
Loved your playing Lee!!
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.
Got my pro2 last week, just waiting for the Fender Jr Amp to get going! Can't wait.
I like the sound on that bridge pickup on the performer strat.
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 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.
That Mug explosion at 19:08 was AWESOME!!!
The balancing was epic. Im gonna teach my guitar students to all do that. Especially the ones with nice guitars
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
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
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.
You guys are great. This is exactly what I wanted to hear about.
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! 🎸🤘🏻
Can we all appreciate the wonderful riff Chapman plays at 29:38, I could watch him do that all day long
Can’t believe you mentioned the spring. Cheers!!!
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
I love Pete's little shout outs now and then :)
The "Original contour body" stamp on the headstock was on vintage strats, but disappeared from the mid-70s through the 2000s. When the first American Standard strats were introduced in the 90s, they had slightly squarer body contours than the old strats, which got a mixed reception from purists. The "original contours" and corresponding stamp were reintroduced when they changed the name of the American Standard line to American Series in the early 2000s , and they've been on pretty much all full-thickness strats ever since.
Do an affordable version:
Classic vs Player vs Deluxe vs Classic Vibe
Deluxe is elite now
Jimi Czerwinski Theres a mexican deluxe
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.
Really helpful video. Thanks.
Great comparison, thanks Kryten, thanks Rimmer.
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".
11:20 "it feels grey" Rob Chapman, 2019
Jack Plumlee It feels grea- * continues playing *
Love the player series keep up the good work guys enjoy the videos from the states
Editing all-star award goes to whoever came up with the horn touch.
Wow, that professional Strat sounds CRAZY good
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...
Regarding the tremolo arm spring, I always have a small square of gaffer tape over the hole when I put my strat in its case and when I take it out to play I simply remove the gaffer tape and stick it on the inside of my case (faux fur) where it stays happily until I put my guitar away again, since ive done this ive never lost a spring...And you can reuse the tape for a long time before replacing it with a fresh new square.
My Japanese reissue strat doesnt have a spring and when ive tried to fit one, the trem arm doesnt screw in properly so I guess theyre not meant to have one.
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.
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.
Nicest grooves that I have heard from the Captain all the way through!!
Nice video! I'd like to see the same video about the fender basses
Lovely stuff - great jam out!