I can see that. I have known other players that have issues switching to a guitar with 24 frets. Just like I know players that aren't comfortable playing anything under 25.5 scale length. We're guitarists. We're odd people, but we're great :)

I personally prefer the Ibanez RG450/470 series. Mainly the neck. The JS32 will do fine though. Also, Jackson has the dk2xr and dk2xr, which used can be a great deal. Trying the old Ibanez first is definitely the way to go.

@@benpowersguitar OK thanks, will do, my main concern is that the Ibanez Gio pick ups sounded a bit muddy at higher gain, from what I remember. Gotta put some new strings on first anyway though, then I'll see what happens. It's a bugger we don't have any decent brick and mortar shops anymore where I live, or I could just walk in and try a couple of guitars. The only one in my area has moved away years ago and mainly sells custom shop Fenders and brands that noone ever heard of, preferably with lots of switches, weird looking shapes and reliced to bits for like 5k or more. All hail the 'new age' 🤣😂

@@peter333 Yeah, some of the Ibanez models pups aren't my favorites. For that reason. Not having a decent store, at least a GC around, makes it hard to really tell anything. Another one you may want to consider is from GuitarFetish. SBS SS260. They have a 20" radius, roasted flame maple necks, Floyd Rose and are pretty nice. I have one here, but won't be putting up the vid until next year.

@@benpowersguitar Thanks for the advice but I'm in Netherlands, wish we had music stores like there are in USA or UK. There are 1 or 2 in Germany but they're too far away for me.

Thank you so much Melani.

Thanks man. I hope you're doing well.

The Player series are all made in Mexico, to my knowledge. Ensenada to be exact.

Thanks man. You really need a tube amp with a Vol and Master. Crank that vol to 7 or 8 to start. Bring the Master up slowly, so you don't blow your ears off. Once those tubes are warm, you can turn the Vol even higher for more breakup goodness.

@@benpowersguitar that is good information. Thanks Ben! I will have to see if that works with an amp sim based on a tube amp.

I love them. More of a Hendrix than SRV vibe. I use strats mainly for SRV, Hendrix & Clapton tones. So I am usually going for more of that '59-'65 sound. These, PV '59, PV '61, '57/'62 & Texas Specials are some of my favorites. All are great through a cranked tube amp. Man, hope the necks ok on the black strat. It's been around forever. I currently have a CV '60s, I love the pups in it. The Player pups are great all around pickups, but certain tones are hard to get out of them because of that. Even with my tube amp cranked, they just don't quite get there. Great pups, I didn't change the ones in my Surf Pearl Player strat.

Thanks buddy. I am sure things get better for both of us.

Vintage Classic is actually a really good. These really could have just part of the Player Plus models if they didn't want to rename anything.

Thank you, I appreciate it. It's about having enjoying it, not being good at it :)

I loved my 2004 standard. Had it 13yrs.

Thank you. I appreciate you watching. It's a good all purpose strat.

They are the same on the SSS strats. I believe the HSS got a new humbucker and some other models got new pickups, but not 100% on those.

Sorry for the confusion. Short answer, same neck profile. What I stated, was the Player Series was actually on it's second incarnation before the Player II, as some of the original Player had more of a deep c, at least the couple I played. All Standard Player Series strats have the modern c, which was carried over to the Player II. The only difference in the neck is the rolled edges and the option for rosewood over pau ferro. Heck the only other difference in the guitar is swapping for the vintage style tuners.

@@benpowersguitaryeah, thats what got impression off after looking official promotion videos and talking to our local fender dealer. New colours and more aged looks are nice though :)

I guess I might stick to my current strat, that is actually some "weird" edition of Squier Classic Vibe from 2013 - proper alder body, quarter sawn neck with very thin laminated rosewood fretboard, sort of early 60-s style fenders would have. 9.5 radius though. I have Duncan SSL-1/ssl-5 combo in it now - sounds killer, feels like a proper strat, set up and playability is better than a couple of mex and usa fenders I had before. It's very annoying when your best strat so far is Squier :D

@@tadask.4931 If it plays good and sounds good, it is good.

If it's your daily player, the rolled edges may make a real difference. I think it really depends on how you feel about that one feature. The rosewood is nice, if you're not looking for maple. I have seen the maple color vary slightly, but it does seem a little better on many I have seen. I do play my Player II more than the Player.

Did you get all the grounds connected? Shouldn't be buzzing.

@@benpowersguitar one is to the tremolo and the other i need to add to the body of the guitar i think i missed that one as there was only 3 but ill add one if thats the case because is too much hum cant even play thanks a lot mate for responding and thanks for the video all the best

@@kicikocani1 With some guitars, the ground to the body makes a big difference.

Thank you, I appreciate it. I hope you love it.

I use a pretty treble heavy eq on my tube amp. May be some of it. I will say they could be more vintage sounding.

I definitely prefer my Player II.

Why?? I don't think so

@@soserchristianguitar9202 I know I personally prefer the feel of the rolled edges for longer playing. So that makes it better for me.

@@benpowersguitar all you need is a flat piece of wood and sandpaper. an extra 200 bucks is a lot for a rolled fretboard

@@CitizenSoldier500 To be fair. $500 in 2004 is $830 2024. Like my $2300 Am Vntg II '61 is actually a little cheaper than they would have been in 1961. So the price hasn't really gone up much over the years, but I understand. I have rolled several of my own guitars. Most players I have known don't like working on their guitars.

Thanks for saying that. THat's what irritates me about "player II". For exactly this reason. A nice playing well setup guitar is exactly what the name implies. It's not suddenly a bad guitar because a newer model comes out. Guitars are not IPads. They don't go out of date. Try actually playing a 1959 Strat.... Thing is hideous to play. Thos guitars are going for $60,000. And yet... buzzing hideous ass thing that vintage gear is.. .It's highly sought after. People in guitar land aren't looking for the latest 2.0.0.. like tech gear. It's a different animal.

I love my Player 1, great guitar. Shame you won't see the II's for a while.

Music junction has player ii in stock

For me, this was the only color I was excited about. I understand changing up the colors now and then though. Yeah, not my favorite run either for colors, except this red. It looks great in person. Thanks for watching.

@@benpowersguitar I agree 100%. The one you got is one of the few I'd actually consider. Looks great!

The colors are ugly, that's why I went with black can never go wrong with black, yes some people want something new and black is too boring for them but to me it's classic and never ugly.

@@BkBk-gy6vr A black strat is one the most iconic guitars out there. Never a bad choice.

Awesome! The Kelly is a good looking guitar.

I honestly don't remember, and I no longer own it. But it wasn't overly heavy for an RG. I do know it was between 7.5-8.5lbs.

Might be the pickup height.

@@benpowersguitarI have not tried that yet. I will try adjusting the pickups height..

It's really quiet. My tube amp is another story, but the guitar is quiet. The trem works just as good as the old one. They didn't make any changes there. It's a solid work horse. I have been loving it.

Thanks buddy. White huh? Check out my Insta. Shhhh

Yeah, I am really fond of the Player necks, especially the new one.

Oh heck yeah. I have one I put a Wildes L500XL in the bridge and a Duncan '59 in the neck (Nuno setup) with a 3 way switch. Great guitar.

We need to get you some luminous dots. I have the side ones on my JivaJr & that Jackson Pro Plus I demoed. They are nice to have.

@@benpowersguitar I guess it would depend on if there was enough contrast with the maple in daylight. It is weird I have no problem with dark text on a white background, but dark dots on maple just makes my left eye vibrate. No problem with light on dark.

@@ccjmusic Hey, whatever works man.

Thank you so much Melani.

Oh wow, I remember those. I almost bought one, instead bought a used MIJ '57RI. Loved that strat. Very cool you have one.

Also. They owe you for that BS shipping a second hand like new listed as new and shipped as a ding special. I'd be pissed too. Anyway that's a beauty

@@robertclarkguitar I ended up sending it back. But I do have many strats and many sets of Fender pups for this video series, si there are some Fat '50s running around.

I like the Fat '50s. Especially for cleans. For my aggressive, overdriven playing style, I prefer several others. For your style, I think they would sing. But I really like the Player, but they may not sound vintage enough for some.

That was my thoughts on it. Love it in person.

Awe man. You didn't have to do that bro. Lol. Thanks for the shout. I was just blown away that they ar least changed some things that I think were worth changing. The rolled edges are a nice upgrade. The tuners is personal choice. The colors are great in my opinion. Excellent review brother. Hey and thanks again. I hope all has been well. I need to hit you up soon on IG or etc as there are changes coming for me again. Haven't been on lately longest I've not uploaded yet. I'll be back soon tho. I'm actually moving back to parents to help them out again. Dad isn't well...and because my camper was destroyed...My brother is coming down to build me a tiny home cabin to stay in while helping them out. I'm actually happy about that but worry until I get there as it will be around Sept or Maybe Oct before my brother can get week to come down and build it with me. I'll probably do a massive Vlog of the build too. My little Roo Studio. Hahah. Not gonna do plumbing but I will do electrical and finish inside interior. Maybe a porch or maybe loft not yet sure. He does this for a living. And I was hunting campers. The cost was looking like used risky campers would be like 10k. So he offered if I held off and wait he would do this for me as a gift for watching them helping etc. Which it helps me as well as you know. I'll still be watching granbabies. But dad can't remember things much. He cuts grass and starts on his rider cutting the fields of the power lines and won't stop. Climbs up ladders for no reason and forgets what he's doing. Main thing is trying to keep him from hurting himself. So I'll be working alot in yard and repairs on house ...dishes for mom and you know lighten their load. Anyway. That's it. Lol. Meanwhile I'm still doing my thing.

@@robertclarkguitar Damn man, that's not the best of times. I am sure things will turn out well for you though.

I do not know.

That's awesome. Loving mine too.

That's awesome. I hope you love yours as much I do mine.