2021 Fender Player Stratocaster Plus Top- this new guitar gets a setup!

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

Thanks a lot for making this video. I live in a super small area so I do all my own set ups an maintaining of mine, so a thorough in depth set up like this will save me hours of tinkering to set it right

[@bmwtravel1100]

a great setup video - just the right amount of info. thank you! I bought a similar Mexican Strat about 18 months ago, and the Fender factory setup was "rushed", but playable. I did the adjustments and measurements you show here, wish I had your video back then. My strat, with the maple fingerboard, had serious fret sprout that had to be carefully masked and filed down, but otherwise the nut and frets were OK. Mine plays well now, but in 6 months I'll go back and use your video for a tune-up. these are very nice instruments.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful. I hope you have subbed to my channel?

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

I just ordered a white player strat, I was so close to buying this one, but I just thought that black pick guard was a terrible combo for that color. Now I know I could have just bought a new white one and installed it, but the point of buying a guitar is to get what you want, not having to spend 800 plus another 50 for the guard and the time it takes. Plus I thought the white looked sharp, kinda wish it was that off white to give it that aged look, but I imagine mine will do that over time because I plan on keep it. I bought a schecter a few months back, but I found myself always playing my squire tele. So I figured why not try a fender strat, plus that schecter is HEAVY

[@justnik8727]

Just came across this video. Have the same guitar with HSS (and Maple fretboard). Commentary and the speed of the video is fantastic. You can always slow it down if you need to. Thank you! Amazing.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks for the feedback -I am glad you enjoyed the video! Please remember to subscribe if you haven't already

[@justnik8727]

@@ManotickGuitarTech Have subbed!!!

[@rich655]

I own 3 Player Plus Top Stratocaster HSS’s and I couldn’t be happier! They are gorgeous! The quality of MIM Fenders has greatly improved over the years almost rivaling American made guitars. I also own 3 other MIM Strats and they are great too! I am no longer a MIM snob!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I agree... nothing wrong with Mexican instruments these days.

[@steff4602]

Lol you can read that comment in basically every video related to fender player strats. Nice Marketing Bot fender.

[@rich655]

@@steff4602 not a bot……I just really love the Player Plus Top Strats and I wanna spread the word!

[@DC7ify]

Na I agree with rich655 I own a 2021 HSS and a 2019 SSS and both sound so clean. Even my uncle who owns a 2008 American made said the new MIM players sound just as amazing

[@beauzammusic]

This is the tobacco plus top, I also have this, I just put Texas specials in it with a parchment pickguard looks way nicer than the black pickguard I think.. looks like the American Sienna now. I also put gotoh S21c saddles on it, but I'm having troubles setting it up which is why I'm watching this video.. very nice video mate

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it- I have Strat set up videos. I hope you have subscribed to my channel too?

[@andrew_culver]

Thank you. Would you mind sharing where you got those bent rod feeler gauges?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Hi, Andrew- I make them! I have had quite a lot of interest I them so I might start selling them soon. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?

[@eddyh9311]

Nice Zip on your jacket scratching the back of the guitar 🎸

[@madhtrr]

Thanks! How far back did you have to move the low E saddle? I actually had to pull the spring out of mine and get a shorter screw to get it right at the 12th , and the fretted G, F#, and F notes were still sharp. ? the nut cut is actually LOWER than spec as well.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I have had to do that many times before- means the initial bridge installation at the factory was off a tiny bit.

[@musicbycandlelightmbc3225]

I realize this video is old but I would like to know why do I see most change their 9s to use 10-46 gauge instead and not 9-42 which is what I use? I have the Fender Player cherry sunburst HSH. Trading it in for either the HSS or SSS Fender 3 tone sunburst or the Strat plus top like what you were working on instead. The HSH looses that nostalgic Fender tone.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

A lot of people prefer lighter gauge 9-42's these days... Fender uses those as stock on their new guitars. Easier to play and bend.

[@vyacheslavkhrushch8151]

Hey man, can you please say what is the recommended truss rod wrench size? 1/8" didn't fit for my player plus

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Probably a 3/16"

[@justtheguy27]

Amazing! I just bought a Player Series Strat and this definitely helped. QQ - I want to install 11s. Will it work if I just adjust the truss rod and screw the trem claw in and not install another spring if I want a floating trem? Also, I am struggling with fret buzz on the G and B string at the bridge. Any tips on how to fix it? Or will I have to wait for a while for the guitar to break in? It's got 9-46 gauge strings on it.

[@johnw4659]

I just bought a MIM Players Stratocaster off Craigslist and was looking for a video on how to bring the bridge down to flush with the body. Thanks for this very helpful video.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks, John... glad you enjoyed the video! Please remember to subscribe if you haven't already.

[@Liquormans]

Hi , I really like your videos. Question How tight for the two screws on the trem claw? Is there benefits of putting a wood block , shims , coins or extra springs ? I'm going to tighten down those 2 screws at the claw assembly. I'm struggling to much with the floating trem. I had my MiM strat to 2 weeks. It had 9 guage strings on from factory. I switched strings to 10 guage. My bridge was up 1 inch. I thought I broke something. I think I need to hardtail. Tuning stability is making guitar not enjoyable Tuning all the time. . Thanks for your videos I've tried everything to keep it floating.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Bring it to a guitar tech who will show you how to set it up properly so you can do it next time yourself.

[@45Blackjack]

Cherry burst has maple fretboard. Tobacco burst has pau ferro fretboard. 😎👍 😜

[@jlcasjlcas518]

Got my second strat two weeks ago. Player series my first is a MiM Standard. Love them! Never had an issue with them.

[@michaelbevins2405]

i have a players series ,Its got new neck and ,tunners and pickups .Its nice.Not as good as the old m.I.M tho.

[@michaelk7383]

Thanks for the video. I have learned a lot from your channel.. :) Where do you get those nice feeler gauges? --M

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

I make them myself- I hope you have subscribed to my channel too?

[@michaelk7383]

@@ManotickGuitarTech Yes, and I know how to use the "like" button. (I hear that helps ya) Any chance you'd make a video about making those gauges? That would be cool. :) --M

[@monmac1165]

Hi...where can you find the L shaped string height measurement tool, the straight allen key with handle, and the solo feeler gauges....nice informative, and easy to follow video...thanks

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Thanks! Well, I made the string height gauges and the allen key handles. The feeler gauges I bought at the hardware store in a set that you can take apart. I have thought of making and selling the string height gauges but not sure about the interest.

[@monmac1165]

@@ManotickGuitarTech Hello...well StewMac makes the same type pickup height adjustment tool ....maybe you can make your string height tool on order basis.....thanks.

[@theoverstoker3430]

Any chance you live in the north Florida area? I need a strat setup

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Lol...I wish! I am in Ottawa, Canada.

[@Rushan2112]

I’m shocked you didn’t have to clean up fret edges. Even American Fenders often don’t come out of the factory with clean fretwork.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Depends on the time of year-certainly the winter causes more fret end issues. Also, the owner did not ask me to dress them. Thanks for watching.

[@greg6162]

@@ManotickGuitarTech doesn’t Fender roll their fret edges in the player plus Strats?

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

@@greg6162 I believe so...

[@jl-zz9zs]

The frets are terrible on these. Mine dented up after one day of playing and after 6 months they are just crushed in places. None of my EVH or Music Man guitars or Les Paul has hardly a noticeable indentions after years of playing.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Recently, I have noticed "soft" frets on new Fender Strats (especially from Mexico)... not sure if they have had a quality issue.

[@RobAndKim444]

Antique burst is very similar

[@ibzmav]

Oh no you didn't mask the pickups while using a steel wool!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

LOL - I don't all the time, usually only on a humbucker near the neck joint... haven't had any issues with that yet. Thanks for watching and please subscribe to my channel.

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

Ok,nice guitar,how is the fingerboard;it seems it isnt rosewood!?!For me it needs more work to setup the guitar correctly,without tools and with more feeling for the instrument....and it needs time to set!!!!The nut needs overworked,to high,for example!!

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

Hi, Manfred. The setup is a starting point - once the player tries it out, it can be adjusted again to their liking. Thanks for watching - I hope you have subscribed to my channel?

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

ok, a starting point; i agree!Can you tell me something about the fingerboard?Is it bader than rosewood;is the sound different to rw??Till a guitar like strats spmetimes it need time and feeling;eyes,hands....till the right set is complete.

[@45Blackjack]

pau ferro fretboard

[@garethowen6701]

So al music shops do this for you

[@TheBbtlegit]

A thousand dollars for a Mexican strat. Sorry I will pass on that.

[@ManotickGuitarTech]

It does seem like a lot of money... Sire are making better guitars for quite a lot less.