Fender Performer Telecaster vs. Player Series

Fender Performer Telecaster vs. Player Series
Hey guys,
This week on our first 'Focus On Sound' video of 2019, we bring you a Telecaster from Fender's new American Performer Series of electric guitars, compared against a Player Series Telecaster. We received several comments asking us to demo and compare these two instruments, and so we listened! The Player Tele is a truly brilliant instrument, that has proven very popular since its release. And the newly released Performer Teles are receiving just as much attention, since their recent launch at the end of last year. We have arranged a demo of both instruments here, where you can directly hear the differences between the two, with a sample played on each pickup selection, stacked back-to-back, so you can discern between each guitar. The amplifier was also kept the same for the comparison section, in the middle of the video.
Throughout the video, the amps we chose were the wonderful Supro Saturn Reverb and Supro Tremo-Verb combos, mic'd up with V7-series dynamic mics from sE Electronics, with room signal provided by a matched pair of sE 5 pencil mics.
We hope you enjoy the video, and let us know which guitar you preferred, in the comments below, and please subscribe for new weekly videos, from us!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Until next week...
Adam and the Regent Sounds crew.
Regent Sounds:
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www.RegentSound...
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adam lee

[@brothawils]

One thing I’ve learned on this channel, the fellow with the black telecaster can play the living hell out of any guitar he touches! Bravo!

[@regentsounds9044]

We really appreciate it! Player is Adam Lee.

[@salvadorch695]

I bought a Tele Player Series without expectating too much for that price, and dude, the quality surprises me everytime i play it.

[@duh_ds6115]

Brilliant video guys! Ive got a player tele and I absolutely love it! I think Fender are being very generous in offering such a good quality instrument at this price point.

[@DeltaJazzUK]

When you're trying to discern the slight differences between two very similar guitars, don't you think playing them through amplifiers with different sized speakers is a bit dumb?

[@luckysharma2]

He literally said that they'll be demoing the different pickup positions through the same 1x10 amp in the middle of the video. Maybe pay attention or watch the entire video instead of trying to seem like a know-it-all?

[@luckysharma2]

3:25

[@gregs3173]

@@luckysharma2 I don't think so. When he said they would demo the guitars through the same amp, I think he meant that they would both be using a Supro. Both amps are mic'd up and they seem to be plugged into both amps. That's a 10 inch and a 12 inch amp, and Supro doesn't even make a 12 inch tremo verb amp, so it's not even the same amp. They won't sound the same. I can see for a fact that the guitarist on the right is plugged into the amp on the right because his cable is wrapped around the handle.

[@luckysharma2]

@@gregs3173 That's why he pointed at the 10 inch one.

[@luckysharma2]

@@gregs3173 When the Performer guy plays the Player guy isn't plugged in. Swapping cables

[@frankcline66]

Both guitars sound great, but as a player I have to hear what I play on a guitar not what someone else does when buying a guitar. I have the honey burst rosewood neck performer. It's my favorite. But the amps these guys were using weren't adjusted the same, which leads people to hear two complete different tones. The two guys playing style wasn't nearly the same which causes a difference in tone. Not a good comparison in my opinion. But two good guitarists, both have there own talent and do good at there style.

[@danielhartman5086]

Good choice. Very nice guitar.

[@trevguitar8169]

I've been looking for this exact comparison so thank you. Very well done and made my decision for me. cheers guys

[@titogoody]

which one ?

[@alexanderdeclercq982]

i made my decision, i just bought a Player Telecaster Pau Ferro - 3 Tone Sunburst, fantastic guitar especially for the money.

[@alexanderdeclercq982]

@@onthe1481 i am still waiting for delivery, was told i will get it early Sept. the one i tried in store was great though. I might (probably) get Fender or schaller locking tuners for it.

[@alexanderdeclercq982]

@@onthe1481 You can phone long & Mquade here in Victoria BC if you don't believe me, i am Canadian. I did not know there was a Rosewood option for the Player Tele. On the fender website the only two options are Pau Ferro and Maple fret boards. Could you give me reference so I could check that out for myself, i would rather have a rosewood fret board actually. Thanks and cheers from Canada. Happy 4th. We celebrate the 1st July

[@alexanderdeclercq982]

@@onthe1481 Here is the Fender link shop.fender.com/en/intl/electric-guitars/telecaster/player-telecaster/

[@alexanderdeclercq982]

@@onthe1481 you mentioned rosewood, i misunderstood you. also there is no rosewood option anywhere, even on sweetwater, reverb, musicians friend etc, only pau ferro or maple, not to sure how you came to that conclusion??

[@alexanderdeclercq982]

@@onthe1481 No you are wrong, there are no player telecaster with rosewood, which is why you can't post any link. Did you by chance check out the fender link i posted? Also remember i live in Canada, shipping cost here ruins any sort of savings. i can get one cheaper here from long & mquade. $669.63 United States Dollar and no shipping cost. Sorry dude sweetwater is not so sweet with international shipping. Cheers

[@vinhsanity]

Performer series for me. The player series had some sprouting and frets that weren’t level, and at the price point it shouldn’t. But I enjoyed the music!

[@davea9946]

I’ve got both. Performer smokes the Player out of the box.. The performer necks are outstanding in terms of fret work (and are thicker). The Player are still really good but you need to factor in a couple of hundred bucks for a good setup and fret dress.

[@Florida_Boi_333]

Same issues on the player for me. The fret work is absolute garbage. Hopefully someone from @fender is reading this.

[@Florida_Boi_333]

I bought a player series and the neck is garbage. Fret ends are sharp, frets not seated, and nut is cut incorrectly. The quality control is really lacking in 2022 for the MIM Fenders. It’s sounds good, but plays terrible.

[@rikkdpater7825]

You lier!

[@willamridgewell2378]

The player has a warmer jazz sound.

[@johannesveltmann5181]

I own both of these. The Player has markebly thicker strings, which could at least partly explain the warmer jazz sound.

[@ioodyssey3740]

@@johannesveltmann5181 Those both are sold standard with 09-42 strings.

[@soulvaccination8679]

Yes

[@arisl2370]

@@johannesveltmann5181 thicker strings ? both are 9-42 gauge dude

[@ralex3697]

Agree

[@pablo9364]

I have both player and HS performer. I prefer performer for sure. I prefer the pickups, jumbo frets, improved finishing extras, vintage style brass saddles, electronic control improvements, gig bag and a nice little perdy certificate.

[@customconcern1]

Just got a hs performer tele. Played a lot of teles in the shop from squire to professional series. Was just right for me. Feel sound look. It really bothers me there's no bone nut tho for the price.

[@Dolmio24]

The player sounds so much better in my opinion, although a tweak of the amp settings will get them both sounding more or less exactly the same.

[@willistaylor4077]

I bought a Player Series Telecaster, and put Nocaster 51 pickups in it. It is Sweet. 😀❤️❤️

[@JonathanGasper]

Player has more bass, and a glassy top end. Performer has more mids and a thicker overall tone. Both sounded great.

[@hemantmunda7167]

There's a point where quality turn into genres.

[@Rikalonius]

Oh, sweet, I have that vintage white performer Telecaster, but mine has a humbucker. I love that color.

[@GibsonTick]

The player is great but I bought the performer with rosewood. Best tele I've ever played.

[@danielhartman5086]

Good choice. Nice guitars

[@trevguitar8169]

Now I'm even more undecided! lol! great comparison guys cheers

[@maxmustermann-hf7vw]

well one is almost double the price soooo.. xD

[@hanyzaky3284]

I love player , it is very good value but game will be change if you swap guitars However I compared two guitars by myself on same amp and got performer with rosewood fingerboard for nice warmer tone and solid USA quality specially in fret work you can got very low action without any buzz .

[@thadlogan51]

Agreed those who chose the player just don't know tone or didn't want to spend the extra coin because of your actually play both through same amp is easy to hear how much warmer and fuller the performer sounds in real life...

[@thadlogan51]

I played both side by side. They sound very similar but the performer sounded much fuller and warmer. And the performer felt much higher quality. You can feel the sharp frets on the player... but the player is still really good... just missing the fuller sound. I actually prefer the classic vibe telecaster 50s to the player... the CV resonates much more...

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

Getting my player tide pool in March. Sweet guitar. Tnx guys

[@lesshrubb203]

I bought a Performer in January and liked it immediately. I did notice, after doing some recording, that the intonation was very sharp, getting really bad above the 12th fret. After experimenting, I realised that it was a mix of my finger pressure and the jumbo frets. Rather than changing my playing style, I adjusted the saddles on my bridge to register a true octave at the 12th fret. Simples. I now have the best guitar in the world...

[@nubaduby2]

Player best sound for me 6 saddles best for tuning.

[@iketyke7324]

Mad to see Matt Helders demoing Guitars.

[@MrAntpre]

tks guys for the lovely video. This is how we should compare gear. Apart from the pickups/electonic and the bridge/sadle and frets. Is there noticeable difference the quality of the guitars ?

[@yobhsiFehT]

Well, Player or Performer series, that's the most bass I've ever heard out of a 1x10 amp =| lol Sounds great!

[@regentsounds9044]

A massive mis-conception that even I was guilty of - they sound HUGE!

[@redjet4810]

Very nice work here. Good reviews.

[@DeffoZappo]

I immediately knew which one was which. The Mexican series are exceptional build quality but the tone is just not there. With that being said my '92 MIM is one of the best sounding Teles I ever played once I put the Pure Vintage '64 pick ups in it.

[@voiceofexperience]

The Performer looks like an actual albino guitar! The white pickguard looks cheap. The Black one is 🔥 😍, and definitely has a more "Tele" sound in the bridge position.

[@JasonSmith-jy8gf]

...and you used different amps with different mic positions because....?

[@dominiqueguegandomsongs5014]

Hey ! Does anyone else think you have an airplane crew member voice ? 😃 Nice video ( I love Teles)

[@Clive007]

different Amps, different players. Different speakers. A comparison should keep everything identical apart from the guitars being compared.

[@pleasure.93]

I love player tele series, i'

[@superxorn]

Best review of spec vs player. Very informative! Thanks a lot :=)

[@regentsounds9044]

Means a lot, sir - thank you! We're filming two more videos, tonight. Hope you enjoy them when they go up, later this week! :)

[@nathanglass512]

why does no one demo twang on a tele when that was what theyre made for??

[@voiceofexperience]

IKR? They all sound like they're trying to play "Sweet Jane" but keep getting it wrong LOL.

[@Bobbydawriter]

Very well played and very well reviewed. You probably don’t care about this particular critique I’m going to give, but, I think it would be great if you guys spoke to the camera , and to one another as if you were trying to hit the back of the theater!:) As it is we’re watching two guys sitting next to each other almost whispering like you’re in a library or bookstore. That’s my two cents you can tell me the buzz off if you want. But it puts me to sleep. Respectfully. Very respectfully. I hope you take this comment in the spirit it was interested.

[@snibelsnarf3251]

really good video, the presentation is amazing! not related, but im your 420th sub :)

[@regentsounds9044]

We appreciate the kind words and support! Thank you for subscribing! Another one of these videos drops on Friday! :)

[@gkfrandsen7739]

I had a chinese Player tele, a MIM tele, and a Charvel tele. After the glow of the low price wears off, you'll have a guitar that doesn't stay in tune or sound like a true American tele. None sounded like my USA made Fenders.

[@kcliveandlocal]

Iv'e owned both of these and the performer has way better craftsmanship and pickups. I took the player tele back because of fret sprouting and and weird electronic sounds and fret buzzing. these both were 2022 models

[@TheGreenKingdom]

Great demo guys

[@BadChizzle]

Pleasant gentlemen. Both very nice Guitars.

[@Ledzepfan88]

Please shoot out the new vintera ii nocaster with the performer

[@xf9213]

Player for shure..

[@DougGoodwin]

Very helpful demo. Both Teles sound great. I prefer the Player bridge pup and the Performer neck lipstick. The Player may be my value buy.

[@J155P]

"value"

[@kirklethbridge4477]

yosemites rule

[@enricofiori7641]

Beautiful video! In your opinion is better telecaster American performer or Vintera? Many thanks

[@MrAMF50]

Well done. The less ice pick tone on the performer bridge pup could be due to the greasebucket circuit.

[@regentsounds9044]

Cheers, Tony! Could well be. Either way, it sounds great! More reviews coming next week - please subscribe to keep up to date with our latest content! The Performer Series are likely to make an appearance quite a few more times!

[@becomeaudible1]

So not a thought to playing them with a bit of distortion? I mean, it's not like anyone would want to use them for that? Right?

[@maurice19541]

No offense to the guy on the right but the dude on the left is an outstanding player. His clean, fluid touch will make most guitars sound good. Nice job to both - Tele’s rule!

[@pawnotdaw4559]

He was good. But personally I didn’t like his over use of the volume know for tremolo effect

[@TheStrataminor]

Performer series are mostly Mexican, but assembled in the USA...they are kind of a bit sneaky as most people don't realize that they are only 'finished and dressed' in the USA but most of the guitar is made in Mexico

[@krazypedals2608]

Nah. Check their factory tour. They are made in USA as pro series

[@clemensberg8574]

Nonsense. Period.

[@obijuan1826]

That was the old Highway One series wasn’t it?

[@smwatson1512]

Great video 👍🏻 Would be good to see an amp video - Saturn v Princeton v something...

[@regentsounds9044]

Thank you for watching! You read our minds - we were discussing doing an amp comparison, soon. We'll have a look. The Supros are brilliant, so we will try to include a video on those, and maybe a Fender or two, such as a Princeton or Deluxe. I can see a video of a Princeton vs. the Tremo-Verb, and Saturn vs. a Deluxe, for example. Thanks for your input! Please do subscribe to stay tuned with future videos!

[@smwatson1512]

@@regentsounds9044 sounds good! Are you guys going to stock the new Supro Blues King range?

[@regentsounds9044]

@@smwatson1512 We're looking to stock more Supro stuff for sure, as it's brilliant! Please do give us a ring if you're interested in a particular product!

[@ericparnell4623]

Nice instrument's!

[@mikeenos4040]

Players a better value for the money. I have both . Overall difference is the profirmer has yosemite pickups and grease bucket tone circuit and combo frets. What I noticed and figured out is that the performer neck and body is made in mexico shipped to fender plant in the US and assembled. I took my performer neck off and it said players on the stamp. That's why fender can't say say made in USA , they put US on the serial number not made in USA. Most parts are imported and assembled is the American plant . It really doesn't make a difference the mexican guitars are coming out of Mexico plant are just as good. It is just the spec difference not build quality.. If you like jumbo frets and tone circuit and the yosemite pickups than that's the model for you.. To me there is not much tone difference to justify the price difference. But I do like junbo frets, that's why I g ot one .. but compared to my player2. It's not worth the 500 dollar difference. Fenders marketing scam, they advertise it as the least expensive american tele.. If your are upgrade pickup kinda guy ,buy you a player model and save your money, but experiment with pickup height first before you buy a a custom set of pickups .. especially if you play dirty with all kinds of pedals . That makes a difference than a clean player. Fender is very good at marketing hype. Every time somthing new comes out it's t h e best ever ,until it is in the hands of players for a while then the real truth comes out ... My 50 year advice is find a tele that feel good in your hand ,it's all about the neck feel , if it feels good in your hands that's the one for you , electronics and hardware is cheap upgrades for a keeper ,a lot cheaper than buying several telecasters until you find the one. That would be my first step. The neck ... I know guys that have 5 or more teles And after they finally figured out what they like best in the tele ,they realize they could have purchased a custom shop to there specs and it would be cheaper.

[@drunkaviator81]

Pickups sound too hot for my tastes in the player series. Shame as the player Strat pickups are on point.

[@1willywonker]

quality guitars performers ya daddy all day long

[@rickyl9540]

Sweet Jane - Lou Reed

[@jeremiecazorla9616]

Great vidéo as usual ! Can you do the same with Stratocasters player Vs Performer ?

[@AdamLeeGuitarist]

Next on our list, Jérémie - thank you so much for subscribing and watching! We will try and get the Strat video, done this week, hopefully!

[@jeremiecazorla9616]

@@AdamLeeGuitarist Thank you so much !

[@fernandomsteps]

Great! I was gonna suggest the same thing.

[@mrbesserwisser7447]

I go for the Player, but with a Yosemite neck PU if possible :-)

[@ioodyssey3740]

Yosemite set is only $80. Go for it! I preferred a classic bridge for mine. Got a Fender bridge with Wilkinson compensated saddles for under $25 on ebay and installed in half an hour just yesterday. yeehaa!!

[@marccarter7844]

I have a Player Series Tele. No set up at all. Loose Machine heads, input jack, neck out of line, awful action. The action to this detail was shocking. othing was inspected by the looks of it when this left. The frets were great. Woods used are the same as in the USA. The factories are 3 hours apart, lol. A new Gohto Bridge, Tuners, Classic 52 pickups, decent set up, it's playing and sounding amazing. Cost me the same as the American in the end!

[@ralex3697]

Both sound nice I like the Player a bit better, less bright

[@keithclark486]

That's why they make a tone knob. You can take away but you can't add.

[@eddiedevriesz]

What's the song in the beginning?

[@1888gp]

the americans are better end of ..ive got a 50’s vintera telecaster and an american performer strat ,the pick ups on the usa guitars are much better ,the mexican tele was amazing until i got the american strat ,now i hardly play it

[@Clive007]

Vintera is made in Mexico!

[@1888gp]

@@Clive007 yeah im aware of that ..maybe read my comment again asshole

[@ioodyssey3740]

vibrational

[@collin9673]

Player sounds thin

[@vpsaxman]

Not really. Plus the the Player was plugged into a 10 inch speaker and the Performer into a 12...

[@brenlouissurio2404]

@@vpsaxman That sounds unfair because it's the amp that makes difference.

[@vpsaxman]

@@brenlouissurio2404 Yeah and 10 inch speakers never sound right IMO.

[@darenrandell9707]

Bren Louis Surio Before they started the comparison they explained that they would play both guitars through the 10inch speaker...

[@ioodyssey3740]

So spend double on the Performer and be happy!

[@soulvaccination8679]

Good job..But I’m a broke hobo

[@frankcline66]

The player series sounds muffled, could be the amp or mic used and it could be his playing style.

[@kristonterbutt7373]

Thanks for this video, i bought the Fender Player ( same colour as in the video) and it reassured me why I chose it over the Performer. Price points aside, i like the upper mid- boost and it is spanky enough for my taste. I am however kicking myself that i didnt look at the double humbucker player Tele with the split coil, have watched a few vids on it and yeah, for a hundred quid extra i could have had the best of both worlds. Can or have done a review on this version of the player tele series? Still extremely happy with my Black Player Tele but would love to see a comparison. Cheers and thanks.

[@vpsaxman]

Split coil never sound as good as single coils so don't feel bad about your choice.

[@pstrokeslibsarctic]

Split coil sucks, single coil is better

[@ioodyssey3740]

Last year I chose a split coil PRS over the tele. Then last week I was at a shop and played a player tele -- . Now I own a player and love the sound, which I simply could not get on the split coil humbucker... I still love the PRS but now I finally have my tele fix satisfied. :)