Fender American Performer Stratocaster Unboxing

[@mikedavis4427]

I bought one on the last day of 2020 from a reputable retailer in Spokane wa USA. I had been looking at it for a while and I just couldn't get it out of my mind. A couple of times I had left the store without buying it and I regretted it every time. I knew it was mine. It's a limited edition of the American performer with a natural finnish and black pickups and pickgaurd

[@vangoghsseveredear]

what a wholesome, lovely fellow. I might end up with one of these myself, everyone seems to have great things to say about them

[@ace8ball391]

Thx for the video, I've just bought 1 from Andertons also, played for 25 years, well I say that but haven't touched a Guitar for 7 years, suffered with mental illness after teaching Guitar for 10 years and absolutely can't wait to get my hands on it.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Congratulations on a NGD! I know you'll enjoy playing it. I'll be taking mine to my 'Blue River' band rehearsals this evening!

[@alecimac]

Excited to pickup one of these tomorrow, love the penny finish!

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

You'll enjoy it! Happy NGD!

[@mariahcolli]

She's so beautiful and sounds amazing too, I'm convinced. Thank you 💜

[@seansullivan7131]

Mine didn’t come with a tremolo spring either. I’m like you. I always keep a supply of springs because they can get lost.

[@jagohkampong]

The Traditional II Japan 60s strat that I got in Singapore had films on the pickguard and all of the pickups

[@Mik870]

I bought the honey burst a few months back and I love it, but the only issue I have is the vintage pegs. I’ve been playing guitar for 17 years and I’ve never been so frustrated changing strings 😆

[@kevliao]

I got the Performer a few days ago. I'm glad I'm not the only one with frustration changing strings. You have to get that hook/wrap in just right for it to catch, otherwise you'll just turning that thing in circles endlessly.

[@Mik870]

@@kevliao yep exactly! It’s even worse if you use light gauge strings. I favour 9s normally but I switched to 10s just to make it easier to restring

[@JohnRose-zf6nm]

Seems to be the issue with having vintage tuners with a longer scale length, hence non vintage tuners on USA standards etc. Really need to hook wrap the high E in particular, all worth it though, just love this guitar, utterly love it.

[@guitarfanatic6611]

Very nice guitar and playing

[@quinnhumphrey3472]

I have this guitar as well! Love that Penny finish.

[@mikej7475]

I just ordered this guitar in a high gloss black. I wanted the penny custom paint but it was only available in black or green(the same green as yours at the 2:00 mark of your video) from Guitar Center here in Texas. I got it with the HSS pick ups because I play mostly rock but I love playing the blues too, but who doesn't. Enjoyed your video. ...P.S... I'm going to England and Scotland next year to play some links golf, I love history and look forward to visiting as many historical sites as I can while I'm there. God Bless.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Enjoy your trip to the UK! Tip: London is not England, be sure and visit as many other parts as you can. I toured the US once and visited New York, Washington, New Orleans and Memphis - all fascinating and totally different from each other in terms of vibe and people. Thanks for viewing, enjoy that lovely HSS!

[@JohnRose-zf6nm]

Hope your still enjoying this fine guitar, had mine for 2 years now, a real keeper. Very similar neck and feel to the Clapton strat, which this guitar plays very much like. Like the Clapton strat this has a longer scale length and vintage machine heads which are not the best pairing, really need to get a good lock and wrap round the post on the B and high E or the string will stay flat, wind for ages, and out it will pop! Other than that one of the finest guitars ive ever played, cant recomnend these enough. Worth splashing out on a hard case for too!

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Thanks for viewing. Yes, mine is a definite keeper and I use it often. I put some Kinman pickups in and treated her to a hard Gator case!

[@trevlocke1962]

Hi just seen your video, bought exactly the same guitar a few days ago, its awesome, way better than i expected it to be tbh. A good unboxing / review video mate :-)

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Many thanks. Yes, it's still one of my favourites. It always feels 'right' when I use it. I'd buy a second in a different finish, or HSS perhaps. But I'm waiting to see if Fender give the line a wash and brush up.

[@magmag1059]

That Penny is absolutely gorgeous! 😍

[@blsdtv7]

Congrats...👍🏿👍🏾👍🏼👍🏻❤️ How i wish i have one too 😊😊

[@curtrod]

your playing is wonderful, you make a good strat sound better

[@onlyjoetee]

The performer, my favourite strat, I own 2 white and honey, love it…

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Yes, my favourite too out of the Strats I have. I bought a Lincoln Brewster Artist model yesterday, so we'll see how that shapes up! A video will be done!

[@omwilsonow]

Never knew about a spring and I have a Performer.

[@kevinmcdonnell1725]

Small adjustments need to be made even on a new guitar, lovely guitar I ordered exactly the same one but in blue colour

[@larrynoe6162]

I should get my first strat in the post tomorrow. By coincidence it is a performer in penny. I was holding out on a fender but fell in love .

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

You won't be disappointed. Of all my Strats this is the one that I always gravitate to, but then it's a personal thing. Happy NGD, let me know how you get on!

[@larrynoe6162]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 You are correct, I am just giddy. I love the way it feels in my hands and the way it sounds. The neck is definitely smaller than what I am use to but I will adapt. I am looking forward to many years of enjoyment.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

@@larrynoe6162 Glad you're enjoying it! For the me, the chunkier frets was a bit of a revelation, I'd always liked low actions and low frets, but I find I play better with these.

[@larrynoe6162]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 they are new to me but I am liking them for sure.

[@evks82]

the string is a fender 9-42 i believe 250L is model

[@Brad143]

Nice guitar 👍

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Greetings from America! You're one cool dude, and I love your pedal board. I just ordered one of these American Performers in the Honeyburst finish. Are you still enjoying yours?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Yes, been playing it this afternoon in a band rehearsal, you'll enjoy yours, congrats and thanks for viewing. I recently moved house to be beside the sea in Cornwall, so once my new studio is all set up I'll be making some more videos of my others guitars, so stay tuned.

[@buckethat1770]

I’m also about to buy one with the honeyburst finish. What are your thoughts on the guitar? Hope everyone’s having a great day.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

@@buckethat1770 I bought one, and the pickups sounds great. But the action out of the box wasn't that good. Serious fret buzz. Also, they use 9 gauge strings out of the box which are way too light. So if you have some issues out of the box, go get it set up and then you'll love it. It plays great after those issues were addressed.

[@TheLukejitsu]

I am seriously considering spending a few more pennies on the american professional so as to get the hard case included, namely as I am bricking it at the thought of parcel force lobbing it in and out of trucks. I have a question if I may? How do you find the neck, I am a bit more partial to rosewood myself?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Mine was from Andertons and packed well, but I know how you feel. If you do order a case at the same time, you might want to specify that you'd like the guitar to be put in the case - the default I believe with retailers is to ship case and guitar in one big box, it's just quicker when assembling the order. Neck: I'm a maple neck on Strats type; in fact all my Strats (7) have maple necks except for one which was a custom parts one put together by my guitar tech where I specified rosewood as the pickups were two humbuckers. It's a personal preference thing! Enjoy your new guitar!

[@cyberbrox5]

Hard to tell in videos and pictures, I love a Copper but would hate a RoseGold. Would you say it's more Copper than a RoseGold? I know its called Penny but I have never seen the color in person

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

I would, yes. Different video cameras can produce slightly different results, and then there is the lighting and reproduction over the internet, etc. but it does put me in mind of a new copper coin. Thanks for viewing! PS: this is still my favourite Strat out of my collection of five!

[@voltagevillain7342]

Great video and guitar. On your Surf Green Strat, what are the pickups? I’ve never seen any like that with the double poles. Somebody did you a favour taking the film off. I had to take the knobs off on the last Strat I bought.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Thanks. Those pickups were Seymour Duncan Mini Humbuckers. I enjoyed them but for a change I later swapped them out for a set of Kinmans, which I now have on three of my Strats.

[@ThePaivarinne]

Nice looking and sounding guitar

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Thanks! And thanks for subscribing!

[@l.g.5899]

What about the neck, guys? Is it thin or thick, considering it should be a C?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

It's a 'Modern C'. I have a number of Strats and by comparison this one is very comfortable indeed; not too fat, not too thin, just right.

[@l.g.5899]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 Thanx!

[@justj5s644]

Sounds good!

[@ascgazz]

I recognise that room! I’ve considered buying several guitars from you on social media 🙌🏻 How are you getting on with the strat now? Has it stayed?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

I'm in a different room for newer videos (see Mad Cat one) as I've moved to Cornwall and have a nice big room to call my own. I have a number of US Strats and this Performer has turned out to be the one a go to every time. I'm not sure why, it just feels right and it converted me to preferring jumbo frets. The only change I've made is my usual one of fitting Kinman pickups (Blues set in this case). I'm seriously thinking of buying another Performer, but an HSS. I'm hanging fire because in a few months I reckon Fender will launch Performer II. No basis for thinking that, except I think it's around every four years they do facelifts to a range.

[@ascgazz]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 I left Facebook a couple of years ago so I’m well out of that but I hope it’s all going well for you. Interesting that you changed the pickups, they did put me off a little. I was looking at this guitar a lot but I think I’m going to go for the pro ii tomorrow (today now!) I’m loving the V Mod 2 pickups too much I think. ..I like the pine body too although the honey burst performer is stunning. I’ve built a kit Les paul and the finish is quite similar in colour. In that kit I’ve put a pair or tonerider rebel 90 pickups and they are beautifully vintage sounding and warmly punchy. I’d love a nitro road worn strat but I really, really want a USA one, I’ll be selling a Chinese Fender Modern Player Plus Tele to help fund it. . I think it’s time to properly treat myself now. So many guitars such little energy, time, and money! 😂 Thanks for your time. All the best n

[@lostgroovemusic8494]

What are the pick ups like fender V mod pick ups in your Strat like any good??

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

They were good, but I replaced them with my favourites, Kinmans, their Blues Set.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

@Keith Clark Yes, my suspicion. I've bought a lot from Andertons and this made me pissed off with them.

[@AdoreYouInAshXI]

Also, was the trem arm supposed to be at an angle or was something wrong with it?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

No, it was fine. I hadn't noticed before (despite owning many Strats over the years) why Leo Fender cleverly designed the trem hole to be at a slant - so that you can leave the tremelo arm in place when putting the guitar back in its case. If you rotate it anti-clockwise a half-turn or so, the slanted hole makes it lie down properly so the case lid doesn't press down on it when closed!

[@jas1676]

What is the name of the color?? plsssss

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

It's called Penny because it looks like a brand new penny. I couldn't resist as soon as I saw it!

[@goldcoins9311]

When you have all three pick ups on, why does it not sound 3 times louder?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Um... You had me Googling for that one. It's something to do with most guitar pickups being wired in parallel. If they were in series there would be a cumulative effect on volume. But I'm not technically inclined so I can't vouch for that explanation!

[@goldcoins9311]

That is interesting. I must try series wiring in my strat and see what happens. I like that neck and bridge sound as it sounds somewhat similar to a telecaster.

[@paddypiper]

Great finish! She's a stunner for sure!!! Congrats...do you still play it regularly?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Thanks. Yes, I play it regularly. It's converted me to the merits of jumbo frets as well! By the way, I'm currently editing a new unboxing video featuring an H S Anderson Mad Cat, in case you're interested. It should be up in a few days.

[@biggstavros5876]

I like the CBS headstock. Doesn`t make any difference to the playability.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Although Robin Trower swears that the larger headstock helps the tone!

[@biggstavros5876]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 Lol. It doesn`t make any difference when you plug it in any way. I`m a fan of Robin from many years back but he must have been smoking the Jamaican Old Holbourn when he said that haha.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

@@biggstavros5876 Exactly! BTW, I think Robin's albums over the last few years have been his best. His playing seems to have reached a special place now, I could listen to him soloing for hours; such taste.

[@biggstavros5876]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 Yes, I completely agree.

[@1969Donovan]

Mickey prefers the Gibson I guess.

[@dep1001]

Great looking Strat. I have the Telecaster in that same Penny color coming in a week or two. Can't wait :-) So how do you like it 6 months in?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Yes, I fancied the Tele also! I'm really enjoying the Strat, although I did swap the pickups out for a set of Kinmans, but that's just me, I like Kinmans for their tone and also for the fact the pickup poles are spaced differently on each pickup so they align perfectly with the strings. Enjoy your Tele!

[@dep1001]

@@marmadukewinterbotham2599 Cool! Cheers

[@dep1001]

@TunesDoneByOne Cool! I actually just got mine today... so far it seems like an awesome guitar. You have to see the Penny color in person - really looks great! I guess the color-balance is not quite correct on all youtube vids, so the Penny color could come across as rose gold ish, that might be what the person saw as "pink" hehe... which it is definitely not :)

[@dep1001]

@TunesDoneByOne @UCTbajVdsjrxzAe1j_pPKuCQ Btw I talked to Fender this week, and the Penny colour has actually been discontinued. And as you can see on fender.com the colour is not available anymore. I'm so happy that I was able to grab one in that very cool colour just in time! :-)

[@ralphington8441]

Thanks for the video, I have exactly the same guitar in penny bought from Andertons’s, think mine could do with a proper set up as the bridge is really raised quite high up!

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

I'm still enjoying mine and play it a lot, even though I'm not usually a 'big frets' man. If you have a guitar tech nearby then I recommend a thorough pro setup; you'll find it worth the money. Expect to pay in the region of £100 for a decent job. You can of course do it yourself but I never try is as I find that a lot of the variables affect one another, e.g. lowering the bridge can cause buzzing of string(s) if the fretting isn't exactly level, for which you need specialist tools, and so on.

[@ralphington8441]

Marmaduke Winterbotham cheers brother, I’ll take her in on payday 👍

[@itsmorphed6416]

Take the back plate off and wind the 2 screws in. It pulls the bridge closer to the body . Done this with my performer and now it's perfect . Action did not need lowering on mine and theirs hardly any fret buzz . One thing I might consider for myself is changing the nut at the hands of a luthier . No issues just a tusk nut might be better .

[@kingjames6711]

What is the length of the whole guitar??

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

98.5cm excluding strap button.

[@sebg2086]

you got a certificate with your guitar?

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Yes, a "Certificate of Authenticity" with model and serial number, plus Fender brochure and usual tags.

[@natrelacoustix]

I've just purchased a honeyburst one and was annoyed that it had a cheap thin trem block. I've just seen yours and it looks full 10oz thickness. I'm even more annoyed now, as it seems Fender aren't doing a good job of quality or continuity control. Anyway bugger them, I'm isnstalling a wilkinson...

[@Mik870]

I bought a honey burst 2 months ago and I had the correct trem... did you make a complaint?

[@wanggogo1979]

His voice sounds like Trump‘s voice

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Blimey, no I don't!!!

[@curtrod]

wang kai, absolutely 100% not true!, 可能你不太认识英语的口音