Competition for their ULTRA series? Fender Player Plus HSS Review

Is Fender shooting themselves in the foot by creating a much cheaper version of their Ultra series or is there still a big difference? We'll find out in this video!
#fenderplayerplus #playerplus #stratocaster
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0:00 Slideshow
1:28 Noodle Track
3:32 Introduction
5:05 Is it the Mexican American Ultra?
10:24 Mexico Rant
12:55 What’s up with the Side Dots?
14:18 SOUNDS (Clean with Tone King)
17:30 My thoughts on the sounds
18:40 Sounds compared to the ULTRA
20:44 with Artesound Vibrosound II
22:28 with Soldano SLO100
23:32 with Morgan MVP66 (JTM)
24:32 with Marshall Mini Plexi
25:19 with Orange Super Crush 100
26:32 with Marshall JCM800
27:29 with Morgan AC20 (Vox-ish)
28:14 with ENGL Artist Edition
28:49 MY2CENTS
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[@evzzs]

As a Mexican from California, I can say, you are 100% correct. Both made by Mexicans. I can also add that us Mexicans really love music and CARE about producing QUALITY instruments!! So you’re GOOD!!

[@Kevin20ftw]

I've been playing for almost 40 years, and people say mexican strats are crap, not true. You have a great setup, and you can't tell the difference until you look at the back of the headstock, not saying there isn't a bad one here and there, but you can say same thing about american strats

[@cmonsterz]

I got mine this week. The overall build quality is actually EXCELLENT. I have both American made Strats and Mexican made Strats. I’ve had three of the Mexican made Strats and all 3 are very nice guitars. Anyway, my Player Plus doesn’t sound very bright and it’s tone has a nice mid focus to it. As for the pickups, the noiseless ones sounded very different from regular Strat pickups. Once I decided to stop comparing them to my other Strats, I found that they have a cool sound all their own. As far as the Pau Ferro fretboard, this is my second Strat with that material for fingerboards. I totally dig it. Period. It feels magnificent!!!🎉

[@Oilid]

"You immigrant haters". I laughed so hard! Loved this video from front to end! 💖

[@johnou9001]

i bought one in cosmic jade. agree with your review. i changed my bridge humbucker to a dimarzio AT-1. found the standard humbucker to be too thin for me. it was also microphonic when i used a lot of volume and gain. also agree about the push/pull pot being an issue. push/push much better. or use a different knob that is easier to grip, like a dome knob.

[@johnou9001]

otherwise i love the guitar. playability and build quality is great.

[@robertclinger7351]

Hello! Another great demo! Ya know, clear, bright pickups help with note definition with high gain.

[@abcrx32j]

Apparently Fender knows that adding the little cutaway on the heel joint would reduce the Ultra sales significantly

[@chrisfaircloth9078]

Roadhouse strat is basically a player plus with the carved heel

[@abcrx32j]

@@chrisfaircloth9078 i was thinking about the Nashville tele when I wrote that tbh

[@pepeowen]

Unless you try both, as I did last Friday. You can blind test them, the tonal difference is massive and the comfort (especially the neck) is just too good in the Ultra. I prefer the player to the player plus, actually. At least, tonally.

[@Bidwellz9]

@@pepeowen ive heard the player plus does sound a bit weak compared to the player.

[@pepeowen]

@@Bidwellz9 I haven't made that direct comparison. I have noticed they sound different due to the output and EQ setup. Noiseless pickups come with trade-offs you have to accept and embrace, so I wouldn't be surprised they sound a bit weaker, which is not necessarily a bad thing if you want the noiseless.

[@shezza57]

Great review. Informative. Many thanks for posting

[@timothymallon]

THANK YOU for this video! I've never had a problem with my MIM Strats! EVER!

[@shanehen]

Received mine this week: Mystic Jade. Gorgeous guitar. Had SW change out the nut to TUSQ. I see what you mean about the brightness, but I’m happy with the sounds. Great blues guitar. Build quality is excellent. Frets could stand some filing on the ends, but it’s not terrible.

[@soulagent79]

11:20 That is why the newer USA-models say "Made in California" on the back of the headstock. Fender can't legally call them "Made in USA" anymore, because so much of the work/assembly is done in Mexico. "Made in California" implies it is US-made, when at the same time it does not. ;-)

[@Mamo878]

Plus, California and Baja California are theoretically 'both' Californias. Maybe in name only, but still. So it could be a whole sort of semantic argument as well.

[@troycollins6069]

Aggressive and Melodic opening noodle Thanks,Henning you really are a rocker!

[@Destregaxy]

Great review as always :)

[@callmeej8399]

Can I change out the chrome humbucker to one more aesthetically pleasing? And if so what would you recommend so that it’s not too hot

[@jonathonrich8061]

Always with you always with me? Wow! I loved it! Especially the single note melody line.

[@nurk_barry]

Of all the new Strat co figurations I’ve seen, this HSS with the two-tone blue-white paint job is my favorite. Just has a different, fresh look to it. I don’t like Pau Ferro though, it just looks too pale, and you can always tell it’s not rosewood. It’s a shame that rosewood is endangered but Pau Ferro just doesn’t look the same. I’d rather just have maple. My brother just bought a used Mexican Strat for $500 and it’s killer…like you said, Mexicans are assembling the USA Strat in corona, CA like 100 miles away from the Mexican factory. It’s practically the same place. Killer playing as well!

[@Bidwellz9]

use lemon oil on pau ferro, youll be amazed

[@TC-FSU]

Loved the video. I appreciate your honesty. I loved it when u said just play the damn guitar that was Awesome. Keep up the excellent work.

[@patrickromero5365]

Great review I just bought one mine is the Inca green color I love the color of my guitar I got mine used for $800 bucks it was in mint condition with the plastic still on it I agree with you the pickups are to bright I am going to put some new Semore Duncan Pickups in it with new pickups it should sound just as good as a USA Stratocaster.

[@mschroeckenfuchs]

Großartiges Video! Ich hab vor längerer Zeit mal eines von dir gesehen und mich halb Tod gelacht aber dann vergessen zu subben (jetzt nachgeholt). 😉 Super Inhalt, großartiger Humor & äußerst sympathisch, eine wahre Bereicherung!

[@EytschPi42]

Daaaaaankeeeeeee

[@pastorofmuppets1968]

I've had a lot of strats over the last 25 years and I have always had to turn the bridge pickup tone down to 7 or 8 to smooth out the highs. It worked especially well on American Standard Strats of the late 90's

[@francisa5213]

I bought a cosmic jade and the bridge is not aligned with the nut. I have to remove the cover at the back when changing strings because I can't see the hole for the first string. I'm so pissed I want to return it!

[@miguelangelvacaheredia8230]

great video bro!.. I bought the Tele player plus Nashville (3 pickups), beautifull instrument, really good looking, almost perfect, the best of all is the neck and its 12" radius and rouded borders, its is just a pleasure to play!...Now the pickups are a "thing", they are a little bright and doesnto have much bass and are not very roundness/fullness, the tones feels like a sound with a lot of compresion. So I decided to install a hotrail in the bridge, and install a traditional single coil (tex mex) in the neck, I only keep it the middle stratocaster noissless vintage pick up. After this changes my Tele sounds really amazing....the tones are unique....very very happy.

[@bretthuhn8666]

Your ability to address the Mexico issue, was well done Sir …

[@natemoore6760]

People as a collective are dumb. Any differences in quality aren’t due to the people working on one place or the other, be it China, Indonesia, China, Mexico etc. it’s more about the decisions taken by a company to maximise the value of their investment- that means machines, people and time to pay attention to what they’re doing. The only people who actually care about American made are Americans. The rest of us only care about ‘made in America’ because that’s where Fender invests in the quality the most (seemingly). Ever driven an American made car? I can’t remember driving anything I’d consider better than anything Korean or Thai built I’ve driven. Americans don’t do it any better than anywhere else, all things being equal.

[@ShaneGelven]

Good solid review of a solid product

[@mars6433]

btw, that head-stock is PERFECT !!!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Great review.

[@caseylee12]

My first Strat is a Made in Mexico Standard. I've had it for years and I'll never get rid of it, it's such a great guitar! So is my Charvel San Dimas ProMod 2. Guitar snobs suck!

[@johnadams2014]

Just bought the HSS in bel air blue. Love the tone and sound also have tele pro 2. That’s me sorted

[@kinga428]

I'm in love in this guitar. Must save some money quickly

[@jonnyf9049]

Yes! Not matching descriptions online…i can say that too, because the jim root strat i recently got has the same issue on the website. Once it says compound radius 12-16 further down it says 12-14. Funny thing is, i measured 12-15 on mine🤣

[@sublyme2157]

We started using those tablets that turn toilet water blue. After awhile the dark blue color settles on the bottom of the bowl causing the upper layers to get progressively clearer. It looks IDENTICAL to Fender's blue fade :D

[@didamnesia3575]

How would you know? You can only view a toilet bowl from above unless your head is in it...

[@sublyme2157]

@@didamnesia3575 That is so deep

[@greaper5123]

Mexico guitars are superb, nothing comes close to them for the money, I've had American fenders, believe me,there's no real difference.

[@HiredGoonage]

yeah I play my Player series more than my MIA

[@uelude]

I've got a mim and yes there's a difference. In quality control if not overall experience

[@kassandjohnbolles3522]

Good, fair review. I tend to feel that this model -- supposedly a lower-priced alternative to the Ultra -- should include the comfort carves at the neck joint and treble horn.

[@JorgeLopez-wj2rb]

I'm student of music for the last 3 years, and have fender player plus nashville telecaster the sound is really good..

[@thoughtsbeforesleep]

If this opening jam doesn't make you want to play a Strat, nothing ever will - such great playing and tone

[@jimmyjimmy951]

As always a great video. Personally dislike these colours and the fret board wood a lot but appreciate that’s subjective..

[@jammergreg]

I agree I have the exact same guitar and the fret dots on the side are too small!

[@jasonlee8497]

I just bought one! The neck sold me. Super easy to play. I already liked the Noiseless pups. Basically it’s a guitar that needs no upgrades for me.

[@a.j.garrett9639]

I have a Japanese Squier. That's what I am used to. When I picked up this Mexican player series I was blown away. I like the noisless pups. Yea the American ouos are fuller. But not by a lot. But noticable. I never fool around with push pull knobs. I haven't played anywhere near the amount of guitars you have. To me No it's not my dream strat, but Wow I sure had fun playing it at the store! I think it's a good guitar. (That day I was blown away by a Nashville Tele. So that's also effecting my view)

[@JMal883]

Excellent review, and your points about where it’s made perfect. But Henning two things, wtf was the Bee Gees acapella part (loved it btw) and, you play golf. Just kidding keep being you in all your honest, trustworthy, and uniquely mad way.

[@jamecke3216]

Tolles Video vielen Dank....wohl auch der Nachfolger zur Classic Player. Ich habe meine Silhouette Special gegen die Ultra gespielt und bleibe bei der Music Man

[@marktaylor4615]

Don't know why this came up in my feed when it's two years old, but I'm glad it did. Haven't watched one of his in months and remembered why I like them now! 😂

[@EytschPi42]

Watch moooore!

[@xiaco8309]

I actually bought an Ultra and returned It for a Player Plus. Maybe the Ultra was a dud and the Plus was an exception but I love the Plus so much more. The feel, tone, everything. It resonates better and just feels different. And half the price. I actually bought the white one he has in the video. It's great. It's the player plus version though

[@hatusage]

The clean sounds I really like, but the overdriven ones sound like they have a blanket over them in the midrange somewhere in the chain.

[@marcorosasnet]

Which bucker to swap to?

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

I just bought the polar white player plus, with the maple neck and I agree that the treble is a bit too much. Although thats in isolation, maybe in a mix its whats needed to cut through the other sounds??? Great sound on this video, I need to dial mine in as not getting as good a sound as this guy. Great value in the UK a lot of dealers as selling for £799 which given 20% of that is sales tax is a great price. Shame Gibson hasn't done the same with its brands and set up a plant over the border, instead of selling Chinese made Epiphones to catch the lower end of their market.

[@truthof7382]

Love everything about this guitar, except the noiseless pickups. Haven’t heard a video where they sounded as good as the ones in the regular player.

[@GuitarGearGyan]

After I bought the Femder Ultra Tele they released the Ultra lux and now these.... No fair Fender 😢 You got to try the Nashville Tele. Nice jam at the start as well..... looks like you were having a lot of fun. Would definitely however replace the pups. Great singing..... who knew.

[@jonmy7]

12:57 Side dots - yes this is my problem too

[@DimKAt21]

The "simple" player strat with a few upgrades will give you a better guitar than the "plus"and u could save a few € for beer after practice...

[@kremepye3613]

And 9.5" radius instead of 12", if i want 12" I'll buy an ibanez or just play my les

[@Hickeroar]

These player plus strats are killer. I loved Anderton's comparison where Rob Chapman was blindfolded and clearly loved the MiM ones better than the USA ones, and then completely reversed his opinion once the blindfold came off, before they told him which was which in the blindfold test. Regarding the brightness: yours sounds very bright compared to mine. Are the pickup heights the same? That's weird.

[@marcuslangford4679]

Betcha wish it did kick in the neck pickup. I'd already seen other reviews when I saw this one, and I looked at the website. The three single coil one kicks in the neck pickup, the hss splits the coils.

[@kimmokeronen3275]

Anyone know where is this meolody from at 21:40 ?

[@bcrocks3935]

And the factories aren’t that far apart! Hell I’ve heard that management and quality control works between the plants. Evh Charvel and fenders out of Mexico have fantastic quality in recent years!

[@joybuzzer]

I played the Player Plus Nashville Telecaster at a shop today. I didn't love it. It played good, but positions 2 and 4 were way too dark and lacked quack.

[@michaelblaney4461]

I think I'd put a super distortion in the bridge. I've found that sometimes I have to roll down the tone a bit.

[@vasotoe]

I just wanna add.....21:52 .....so accurate!!! 🤣🤘 great video as always!!!!

[@frankiec2765]

Agreed!

[@epicproperties7260]

Screw in tremolo or pop in?

[@L.Scott_Music]

Mexico has it's problems but the people are not one of them and they have been making guitars for as long as there have been guitars. Even Taylor has a factory in Mexico. Actually, given how California is run these days I'd question that end of manufacturing more.

[@arnyarny77]

Mexico started making guitars after the Europeans(Spaniards) arrived. The reason they make them there is because just like any other factory, is the cost of labor. If we buy USA made we support the US economy. But I wouldn't buy another USA fender I think they are over priced and I cant stand their marketing .

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

@@arnyarny77 much of the cost difference is healthcare related.

[@RockNoTieneLaCulpa]

Thanks for this ! This is Mikel from Mexico City I Have an American and Mexican and Believe me: If you prefer to have two great guitars, Buy Mexican if you want an A Good American buy one. But all of us know that Two are better than One! 🙃😇😃

[@jasonyltan7672]

The switching isn't new. It's already on my 3 year old American Performer - which just adds the neck pickup to positions 1 and 2. I couldn't find any usable difference through my setup.

[@faautobahna9416]

Useful.

[@leandrobremer-music]

I've ordered a player plus yesterday and I have to say this video wasn't very motivational 😅... yet, I still think that for those who want a strat this is still the best in the price range :) btw. I'd love to see your studio someday. I live like an hour away or so and I'm one of those two people in this channel who actually think you're funny 😁

[@justinbouchard]

Just have to say the guitar you did a close up on at the beginning appears to maybe have the nut misaligned. The strings seem straight down the neck but look to be set closer to the bottom of the board/high e side. String are slightly misaligned over the pickup nodes as well so it could be a bridge/neck misalignment too. Not often I've seen a fender with that issue. Could just be the camera angles but it looks to be the same from all angles.

[@justinbouchard]

K, 2 minutes in now. The high e is definitely almost off the fingerboard! Sorry if I'm commenting too soon, will watch the rest now with my hands elsewhere.

[@ferox965]

I'm not much of a Fender guy, but I picked up the Player Plus Tele in Silver Smoke and I love it. Even over the premium stuff. Didn't like any of the strats or other teles.

[@mindthemac]

You're GREAT !

[@patcecil1685]

hmm, I am really tempted to grab one of these, overall the look pretty damn wicked. but yeah, those pickups do seem a deal breaker. A few years ago I got Fender Gen 4 pick ups for my US deluxe strat. I don;t know if they are the same as these ones, but they were pretty good, didn't sound as thin as these in the vid. Then later U decided to try some Dimarzio Area pick ups. Wow the Area 58 and 61 pick ups are amazing, classic tone and even less noise than the Fender ones. So, for me if I pull the trigger and get one of these, I would swap these pick ups for the Dimarzio ones. And that's the thing, that;s a load more cash to spend. Almost there Fender but for mem not just quire there, and this is coming from a dyed n the wool Fender guy

[@AlexSmolniy]

amazing playing and sound from the Player, what was the amp?? P.S. amazing speech!

[@myhalowithin]

Good Morning! Hope your energy is up. Play on....

[@frankiec2765]

Hey Henning cheers from NY! Not real impressed with the Player Plus, not a Wow this is a great guitar for the money sort of thing. As always thanks for being you and for this review! :-)

[@pablo9364]

If I was into noiseless pickups I would try and pay the extra money and go for the American ultra with a rosewood fretboard, case etc. As I’m not I would easily prefer the American pro 2 . But all the fenders models are great

[@patrickd1805]

on the hss it splits the coil on the sss it adds neck pickup to postion 1 and 2

[@BXGuitars]

My assumption here on Mexican based Fender products is that people who were around in the 90s got a bad taste in their mouths about Mexican Strats. Back then though, they were extremely budget line and had really poor QA. A lot has changed in 25 years, and I think some guitarists can't wrap their heads around that.

[@RevGerryRM]

What is the red pedal at the beginning of the video?

[@EytschPi42]

where?

[@chancemiller9340]

That PUSH/PULL is not easy to pull. All reviews have said that and then... I tried it myself. It is NOT easy to pull. Such a strange decision from Fender.

[@chancemiller9340]

PREACH!! Absolutely correct on the Mexican factory vs the USA factory!! Perfect explanation! Keep calling out people who deserve to be called out.

[@Rocktalk101]

love your channel always enjoy watching but I have never been a fan of fender strats or tele's. they have just never suited me or felt right in my hands when playing. But that is just me I know many out there love them But I would rather play a schecter, ESP, PRS or Ibanez any day of the week.

[@PooNinja]

My text and description are vastly different from the reality from my actual functionality. I’m functional dysfunctional. Mexico, along with everything else in the Western Hemisphere is technically an America. South, Central and North all Americas … I wonder if the Vespucci family still gets some kind of kickbacks on the name? Sweet axe Sir I’d prefer it in a classic candy apple red.

[@JM_2019]

I think Mexican Strats sound different because they are meant to sound different by choosing different parts, woods, pieces, etc.

[@frankiec2765]

Exactly.

[@rambadur5226]

I tried both of them, at session music Frankfurt, and picked player plus hss, ultra has very thin timolo block, no lucking tuner what all opposite to player plus. But push pull sucks

[@juligan01]

I think the Player Plus sounds better than the Ultra.

[@arnyarny77]

i bought a fender ultra from ray hennig in 1993. wish i kept it

[@pepeowen]

I have tried this one and then the Ultra. Massive difference. One is a good guitar and the other is truly outstanding. The Player plus sounds more compressed and artificial (more modern, in a way), the Ultra has the low output and dynamic response you would expect from a Strat. And the neck... wow.

[@pepeowen]

@Philthy Casual That is okay. Neck shapes are very personal. What is comfortable and playable for one person may not be for the next. With regards to these two guitars, I prefer the ultra. The Player plus is also very comfortable.

[@pepeowen]

@Philthy Casual I thought they were the same, both a modern C. Except the player plus' has rolled edges. Either way, I have tried the modern C (I own a player strat) and is addictive.

[@fastfinger6]

We need your take on Sire Larry Carlton guitars plz :p

[@texasbootlegger3752]

Excellent video! I agree with you, does a guitar feel great when you play, does it make you want too play. People get hung up on what they cost! Hmmm, if it cost more it must be better, I call bullshit!

[@jjzorolowski5528]

Good review! It was very interesting for me, because I'm thinking of buying a Strat. Especially the statement about the pickups. The only point I not agree ist the color. Blue/White is a terrible combination 😅

[@jomei36]

I never liked the fade trend from top to bottom, no matter what colors you combine.

[@jjzorolowski5528]

@@jomei36 Ah, the comment about the color combination was a joke about a football team. My favorite combination is black/yellow ;-)

[@aru-YT]

@@jomei36 Glad someone agrees, I usually go for solid colors.

[@samikulb]

22:10 Captain licks there I hear... great playing

[@christopherblair6636]

nice !!

[@bigjohn75]

It's my understanding that a lot of the factory workers work in both factories. I don't know if it's true but that's what I heard.

[@Bidwellz9]

Just got one on reverb in mint condition for 750. ive owned a ton of guitars, this is the most surprising. i dont want to put it down and when i do i just stare at that Bel air blue lol. Those people who say no to mexican fenders have zero clue lol. the factories are nearly next to eachother lol and also the people of mexico take more pride in guitars. just saying.

[@fraenkiboii]

Reg. Mexico: I've got two strats: 1.) $4000 Custom Shop 61 Made in USA 2.) $1000 Made in Mexico Roadworn. The MiM strat is EN PAR with the custom shop strat! Only difference: Mojo and the relic-job made by the custom shop is unique and individual whereas the MiM relic job is always based on a template. Other than that, no freaking difference.

[@EytschPi42]

there are many custom shop strats that sadly also use a template for aging

[@sludds563]

i fix guitars part time and fun fact about alot of fenders hardware. It says on alot if not all the packaging Made in Mexico

[@jundomingo768]

Nice Fender Bravo Mexico go go go

[@jjdubois6101]

Golly gosh the jcm800 is a great amp isn’t it?

[@sirena7116]

I would buy the player plus as I'd like to have all of the guitar made in the U.S. and not just some of it. I also love the blue to white fade of the player plus.

[@EytschPi42]

But the Player Plus is made in Mexico… I might not understand your comment correctly.

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

@@EytschPi42 No, I think you understood the statement just fine, I think its the OP that doesn't understand.

[@shckltnebay]

12" radius?

[@mars6433]

"Sounds good to my ears." It should. I mean, look at those monsters.....probably fly around the room with those things.

[@TheBluesine]

WOW, those side dots are terribIe...... just hate fretboards that are too light colored so I usually buy maple.. ... sounds great though. .another great review... you your stuff man , from Australia

[@talkychris]

I purchased an Ultra Strat (online). It was terrible. Weight was a hefty 8lbs 15.2 Oz and the frets weren't level at all. It needed a fret a level or Plek to play with a low setup and no buzz. It wasn't worth the extra cost as it would still have been a heavy Stratocaster I expected better fret work from Fender's Ultra series, it's a 2k guitar. That went back. I'll consider a Suhr instead.

[@bassproable]

I like your attitude and agree. BTW the so called "Mexico" plant is walking distance to Corona.

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

Stunning finish. That fretboard is so dry tho….

[@sassycat]

Give me that fade blue body, a maple fretboard, and Yosemite pickups and I'll call it good. Maybe a bigger trem block also?