Do NOT Buy A Fender Player Strat Until You Watch This

Thinking about buying a Fender Player Stratocaster? WAIT! 🚫 Before you make that decision, check out this in-depth comparison video where I put the Fender Player Strat head-to-head with the high-end Fender American Professional II. Discover the surprising similarities and differences between these two iconic electric guitars and see why you might want to reconsider your choice.
Fender Player Strat 👉🏽 sweetwater.sjv.io/EK4NR9
Fender American Pro 2 👉🏽 sweetwater.sjv.io/OrjmAP
Fender Loaded Pickgaurds 👉🏽 sweetwater.sjv.io/4P4NgL
In this video, I dive deep into the features, sound quality, playability, and overall value of both the Fender Player Strat and the Fender American Pro 2. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a beginner, this comprehensive review will help you make an informed decision.
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#FenderPlayerStrat #FenderAmericanPro2 #StratocasterComparison #GuitarReview #ElectricGuitar #GuitarComparison #FenderStratocaster #GuitarTips #GuitarTone #GuitarPlayability #Guitarist #BeginnerGuitar #ProGuitarist #GuitarCommunity

[@jimmyfranklin]

Let me know what you think BELOW!!

[@61jrpjr]

good review .. in my opinion, a good player , such as yourself, could make 6 strings stretched across a cat's butt sound good,

[@sair3190]

One is made in Mexico by a Mexican the other is made in the US by a Mexican inmigrant

[@Sunfisher61]

Awesome! Immigrants moving to our country and finding good jobs. The American Dream at work !

[@martyshwaartz971]

Another version of this that the only difference like 200 km

[@Bopsterjazz]

Honestly, I love my Player so much. I got it last year for Black Friday and it has some special specs, roasted maple neck, and Fat 50s pick-ups. Which if they didn’t offer those upgrades, I probably would have waited and saved for an American, but this guitar feels so nice and I still had enough cash to snag a practice amp.

[@ckatheman]

The new Player Plus MiM's are absolutely loaded including locking tuners, noiseless pickups, high quality saddles, coil split on the HSS model and the volume tone mod. They are not cheap though, just north of 1K.

[@bluwng]

Use be $500 then suddenly $600 which was OK was a vast improvement but…..then $650 for no reason then $700 just because it was a new year then $800 for new color options then suddenly some vintage models and we are looking at $1K plus now everything is $1K plus , but they have rosewood….so did the $500 ones.

[@allghilliedup21]

Squier Classic Vibes are one of the best in the affordable range. I had one for years and it sounded sooooo good!

[@kabeerrajoria]

Have you tried the player?

[@MrMfalzone]

I got a player HSS plus maple top and I’m keeping it! I keep wanting the better one but I’m moderate at best so WHY?? I’m perfectly happy with the player. Got it used for $500 and it was Mint! I’m not complaining one bit. Thanks, you saved me some cash….also have 2 Sire’s that I love and recommend to anyone on here. Instant Les Paul. I think better! Throw in some Gibson Hums and you’d think you’re playing a custom made LP. Again, I’m moderate but I think Mr Franklin may just agree with me.

[@EpicCookieGamer]

For this past Christmas I splurged and got me a pro ii and I honestly love it. I got a Mexican Strat back in 07 and it just had all the issues, electronic issues, tuning issues, felt clunky for some reason, to the point where I just had it as a backup to an Ibanez and Les Paul. When shopping around I tried both but I felt that the smoothed fretboard edge, neck cutout of the pro and the pickups were worth it. I did upgrade to locking tuners and blocked the trem. There’s just something about it that makes me want to play it. Holding both of them feels like you are playing an art piece. I don’t think you could go wrong with either one.

[@danedearmond4905]

I think it all depends on what you're looking for in a guitar. If you aren't the "guitar tech" savvy type and can't do your own setups and adjustments, then maybe getting the more expensive Fender right off the bat could be a better "bargain" (while not cheap, you likely won't have to spend extra to get a good guitar). It's nice to be able to open the box, and just play without having to worry about adjustments or setups.... However, if you know how to use a screwdriver and a soldering iron (and have an IQ above 50), then I see VERY little reason to spend an extra $1000+ on a nicer American Fender when more often than not the MiM's (Player series) just need a minor touch up / setup which can take you all of an hour when you first get it. I got a 2020 Fender Player (Tidepool w/ AlnicoV pickups), and I got lucky with it. It came in very well setup, no sharp corners or fret ends, no painting flaws or cracks. It came in perfect. The only things I've had to do with it were preference things? I DID recently replace the pickups (not that the originals were bad, they weren't, I just happened to have a nicer set I preferred, Some High-output Scarred Strat Single Coils from Cathy at the youtube channel "Scar my Pickups" which made it a bit more low and low-mid heavy than the std. MiM pickups) and I swapped out that ugly white pickguard for a Black 3-ply which looks great with Tidepool blue body). All that aside, honestly the best deal you can get is to build your own Partscaster. You can buy a loaded Fender Pickguard (for $300 - 400) for all the electronics and source the body, neck and tuners online and end up with a much better guitar than a Custom Shop wallet-killer and get an AMAZING strat that is ALL YOURS for less than $1200 USD. And it will SMOKE any Fender less than $3k.

[@iancurrie8844]

As someone who has owned both a Player, Player plus, and an Am Pro II we'll see how this opinion piece matches up my experiences. The only worth keeping with the Pro II for me. The others were...substandard in build and quality control.

[@iancurrie8844]

Oh boy. The errors are flying fast and furious with this. -they do not have the same neck shape -they do not have the same bridges, bridge block, or trem arm system. -they do not have the same tuners -the "classic Fender strat pickups" as he calls them are no such thing at all. They're V-mod II which have different magnets for different pole pieces, something seen on NO "classic Fender pickups ever." I find it interesting to see that he can actually play down to the 12th fret without realizing that the intonation is not set correctly on the Player. When he discusses the differences, he somehow misses 90% of the differences. Almost like it's willful. Aside from the few things he mentions: tuners, string tree, totally different fret wire, micro-tilt adjustable neck, break angle over the nut, tinted neck, neck profile, strap buttons, aged pickups and knobs and switch, better switch, bridge, steel block, trem arm system, rolled fingerboard edges, ball ends on the frets, parchment vs white pickguard, inlays, properly leveled and crowned frets resulting in a lower action, rosewood vs Pau Ferro when not maple, bi-flex dual action truss rod with walnut plug, plus thing things he did mention: pickups, push-push switching, contoured heel, nut. Yeah, basically no different at all! In short, I'm sorry I watched this. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about at all. He can't even see the differences between two guitars he's holding in his hands.

[@SCW87]

Most of these things you’ve mentioned make absolutely no difference to playability or tone. Absolutely zero.

[@rowenblesing1015]

Pro two is shitty compared to American ultra lol

[@iancurrie8844]

@@rowenblesing1015 I've had both. I prefer the pickups greatly in the Pro II. The Ultra's noiseless are not, of course, actual single coils and so they sound compressed, inarticulate and non-airy. They're not as expressive by any stretch as the Vmod-II. They're useful for the gigging musician, obviously, but they simply don't sound as good as the real single coils in, well, almost anything.

[@stancoleshill8925]

I really liked the sound of how you played the Peppers.

[@jimmyfranklin]

Hahaha thanks. That’s some of my favorite

[@bluwng]

Yes the Player is sooo good but it’s also so expensive now to the point where you can’t call them cheap. All the new ones are $800 to $1200 none of that is cheap.

[@jimmyfranklin]

I made this video before the Player 2 came out and I’m now so mad hahah but because of the player 2 you can still get original players for cheaper now. Just have to find the new old stock

[@bluwng]

@@jimmyfranklin been there I know the feeling.

[@LightdepCo]

@@jimmyfranklin I was bummed about the price increase at first when the player 2 came out (was looking forward to getting a new player series for 600 with the 10% discount) but I ended up buying one anyways and it's genuinely my favorite guitar I've ever played. The neck is so smooth!

[@mikeanthony5684]

We don’t buy based off after processed recording sound but more so about the feel and inspiration drawn from the guitar and player fenders necks are so squared…. AmProii necks are really something to feel . They play great worth the money.

[@jonhoward437]

Player 2 addresses the neck by rounding the edges.

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Both are great players. But which do you believe and handles overdrive better. I play a lot of Classic Rock, i.e. AC/DC, Beatles, Zeppelin, Greenday, 38 Special, Stones. That kind of music. I like the maple sound, it's got more bite and snap to it.

[@Mexxx65]

Out of my small guitar collection .. the guitar that gets played the most is; A mint Fender Player Stratocaster 3T sunburst pfboard, I picked up for around 460 AU Dollars (around $300 US) Plays like butter, not the best pickups around, but certainly not the worst. I can always get the atypical "strat" sounds out of this guitar, I need, fast. Even the pf fingerboard doesn't seem to be any sort of problem to me, and after the years I've owned it, I've surprisingly grown fond of it, as its unique among all my other guitars.

[@1AngryCummins]

Man, I have my heart set on that White MIM Strat. But at the same time I always wanted to have a higher end Fender like an American Ultra or a Professional II. Thinking about buying the white player Strat and modding it.

[@Kevin20ftw]

Man, to be honest, but only opinion, I've been playing for almost 40 yrs, and I have learned thru experience that modding isn't always the best option. Just be extremely picky about what you buy. Don't let them push you around and spend some quality time with it. And if there is anything you don't like, move to the next one. I've been looking for over a yr, just haven't found her yet

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Get a japanese model. Save yourself a lot of aggravation.

[@1AngryCummins]

Thanks for the replies and the insight guys. Really do appreciate it and the positivity too!

[@Rndmsr207]

Hello sir, I'm looking to buy the fender player Stratocaster (hss) but it sounds really clean tone, so can it play grunge/distorted type sound? Like the sound in the intro of the song "do i wanna know by artic monkeys"? (Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm a complete beginner and don't know anything about electric guitars)

[@BlueNades1]

If you're a beginner id' reccomend going for something a bit cheaper than a fender, but it can absolutely do distortion, it's really up to you

[@thebluemorpho2962]

no dude don’t go cheaper to get a quality guitar have atleast 800$ budget guitar this isn’t including an amp because the cheaper the guitar the quality on pick ups, frets neck and nut might need changing just having a quality guitar of 800 there are few problems and you can also demo it and see if you want it and again don’t go cheap because you might end up not playing it sometimes buying a quality guitar might give you a push to play it because it gives you accountability and give you motivation to keep playing

[@BlueNades1]

@@thebluemorpho2962 A fender player series? A quality instrument?? lmfaooo

[@djizzah]

i have a player got it on sale $550, it is incredibly good for the price, i like the USA models theyre great and will definitely appreciate in value more than the mexican but to play and own for a budget price, the player mexican model is outstanding

[@IDropzGuitar]

Hey bro, I’ve never bought a brand new electric before, want something permanent and I’m interested so far in the hagstrom fantomen but I’ll ask you before I go buying on what you recommend, my budget is about how much that hagstrom is worth which is $1500 roughly ‘AUD’

[@jimmyfranklin]

I hear great things about those and the people that love them REALLY love them. I think if that’s the guitar you want, that should be the guitar you get! But really you should try it out and see if you like it. And maybe go to a local store and try other guitars in that price range. You’ll know what you like and what you don’t!

[@IDropzGuitar]

@@jimmyfranklin yeah that’s what I’m thinking, only thing with that guitar is it’s online only where I am, but I’ll have a sus and a look around, keep the content up bro you’ve got a great channel

[@scr1pted-by5zp]

I watched your last video and I’ve been looking for a good cheaper guitar and I’m torn on what to get, either the squire strat or tele . Which do you think is better

[@jimmyfranklin]

Are you looking at the affinity series?? If that’s what you are looking at they are great! If you have played for a while I think the fender player is a better option.

[@scr1pted-by5zp]

@@jimmyfranklin thanks..I guess it just comes down to feel and wich one feels better for me.

[@jimmyfranklin]

definitely! go try them out! most local stores have both!

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Vibe series (50's ) by Squier. Might need some fret work and some soft sanding down on the back of the neck. Over time you can get some upgrades, but they sound really good and have a nice neck on them as well, but some of that finish you may want to sand down. The blond 50's vibe is a nice strat at that price point. Only other thing worth mentioning. Know what the weight is first. Try Sweetwaters unless there is a shop by you that you can go test one out. Some of those guitars come pretty heavy. If you are willing to go slightly north of 1000, I suggest a made in Japan strat. They are crafted well, sound good and are light and easy to take along instruments.

[@iancurrie8844]

Oh boy. The errors are flying fast and furious with this. -they do not have the same neck shape -they do not have the same bridges, bridge block, or trem arm system. -they do not have the same tuners -the "classic Fender strat pickups" as he calls them are no such thing at all. They're V-mod II which have different magnets for different pole pieces, something seen on NO "classic Fender pickups ever." I find it interesting to see that he can actually play down to the 12th fret without realizing that the intonation is not set correctly on the Player. When he discusses the differences, he somehow misses 90% of the differences. Almost like it's willful. Aside from the few things he mentions: tuners, string tree, totally different fret wire, micro-tilt adjustable neck, break angle over the nut, tinted neck, neck profile, strap buttons, aged pickups and knobs and switch, better switch, bridge, steel block, trem arm system, rolled fingerboard edges, ball ends on the frets, parchment vs white pickguard, inlays, properly leveled and crowned frets resulting in a lower action, rosewood vs Pau Ferro when not maple, bi-flex dual action truss rod with walnut plug, plus thing things he did mention: pickups, push-push switching, contoured heel, nut. Yeah, basically no different at all! In short, I'm sorry I watched this. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about at all. He can't even see the differences between two guitars he's holding in his hands.

[@jimmyfranklin]

Just to address some things early on in this comment. I never said they had the same tuners. Go back and look. I never said they have the same bridge. Go back and look. I clearly made a point that for both price points, they both don’t come with things you’d think the expensive one would have. And in my description, I’m talking to the person that is maybe trying hard to get a strat but can’t afford the big boy. The young player wouldn’t have any of the skills or knowledge to know the difference and would spend unnecessary money. That’s who I am talking to in this video.

[@becs2635]

I own an American Pro II and a 70th anniversary series Player. I don't or can't even play a guitar, damn, I struggle playing my stereo. I always loved the strat style and so I bought the American Pro II and the I saw the colour of my 70th anniversary Player Nebula Noir and had to have it. I also bought the premium hard case to put the anniversary strat into. My grandson will inherit them both as well as my Peter Frampton signature Les Paul.

[@gerdhermannwinkelhaus9879]

Dont know the Haptik but the mim is equal for my ears.

[@kalmandavid3669]

Fuck, what a killer riff at 03:57, holymoly brother! You have lovely hands! :D

[@adamwilcox6405]

I'm sure my pro ii has tall narrow frets.

[@jimmyfranklin]

I think some of them do. What year?? Mines a 23

[@adamwilcox6405]

@@jimmyfranklin I can't remember exactly. I've had it a few years though. I think I got it when they were initially released.

[@ryanprosser3073]

All pros are narrow, tall frets

[@omega1845]

Seeing a pro 2 with the a white pick in guard feels weird

[@stuckinchaselandia6427]

Pretty sure either a roadhouse player deluxe or Player Plus has a heel cut.

[@stratstruck324]

The only down side about Fender guitars (except for Vintage correct ones), necks are paper thin !

[@mkusch2337]

The guitar market is soft. That extra $400 will buy you a flawless Pro II that someone is selling used in OfferUp. 🎸😃👍

[@Jondus1]

I’d watch the video if it didn’t have products in the middle of the tv screen

[@jimmyfranklin]

What do you mean?? I tag the products with KZbin but I don’t know where they show up on a tv??

[@Jondus1]

@@jimmyfranklin yeah when I chrome cast to the TV the list blocks the video

[@RF_Technology]

Hello Sir, Are you interested to do SEO in your videos for more views and SUBS or boosting by google ads ?

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Sorry brother, Slow your role. Okay to ask if the price differential is worth it to YOU. Good question. But there is no MIM strat that holds up to an American Pro 2 and up . Please. Compare MIM to other guitars in that price category. And by the way, the necks are not the same. One is a deep C and one is a C and has a rolled off edge- and that is very cool. Alder yes. Two pieces? Three pieces? Craftsmanship is not the same. Hardware is not the same. If you want consistent craftsmanship etc and so forth, consider a Japanese model. Made in Japan model beat the hell out of poor QC made MIM's. MIMs have several lemons in the lot. Americans have some with less severe problems, Japanese have almost none. Consider how much time and and money you are willing to spend to get it right - not to mention resaled value as well. I am not talking about making cool mods and upgrades, I am talking about getting things improved that have no business being present for a 8 to 900 dollar ( under 1000 - so what?) instrument. I gave up on MIM's They almost always have issues no matter what stores they come from, although some stores with treat you better than others. And by the way on the player 2's? those are some dull a__ sounding strat pups. Count on upgrading them suckers. Lastly 7 or more likely 800 plus 4 equals a kick a__ Japanese vintage modified 60's strat the blows away any MIM strat right out of the box.

[@Neelo5000]

The entire point of the video was to compare the MiMs with the American Pro. Two-piece vs. three-piece body makes zero difference. And the stock Player P-ups sound so good you'd be wasting your money upgrading. I think either you overestimate the improvement in tone from a p-up swap, or this is just a case of confirmation bias. You'll get the same results with a minor EQ/gain adjustment. You could hear the two guitars in this video for yourself, and there was very little difference in sound between the two. The craftsmanship and QC are undoubtedly different, but let's not forget that there's a $1100 difference in price between the two.

[@venturaVlogger]

Get a used fender player strat , it functions as the brand new and cheaper

[@venturaVlogger]

American pro strat still sounded better and fuller yet has chime that's not ear piercing

[@grutopsy]

hard disagree

[@jimjim7008]

The best sounding guitar I hear you play is your Gibson Les Paul custom period. Nothing even come close to the versatility and quality on this guitar.