Fender Player 2 Stratocaster vs Artist AS72 - Review

[@FredrickPeterson]

Thanks for the review! I've wanted a comparison between the Artist signature range and a Fender series guitar. I'm happy to see the Artist guitars seem to be high quality, at a much better price point.

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks! Yep 👍🏼 no complaints from me so far. I have another Artist on the way to me now and I’m hoping it’s as good as this one

[@toksandman]

Great review, really appreciate your fair unbiased opinion. On that note I ordered the 15th anniversary Obsidian last year, should arrive in early February, looking forward to playing it.

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks! I’d love to see the obsidian in the flesh. I reckon it would look great 👍🏼

[@MustangBasssman]

i have the exact same Player ll Strat and love it. Well played and demoed

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks! I understand why you love it.

[@Philip-t2y]

Thanks for your reviews of the $600 Artist AS72, John. A radius of 14inches sounds flat for a vintagey-styled guitar. Do you notice any increased fatigue playing rhythm when you use it compared to the more rounded 9.5's or 11's that you play? Or is it more that it just has a different feel? Any additional thoughts you have on the AS72's flatter radius would be welcome. Thanks - enjoy your videos.

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks, Philip! At first I thought I wouldn’t like the 14inch but honestly I adapted to it in minutes. I certainly haven’t noticed any extra fatigue. But it is quite a thin neck and I find it super easy to play. Especially with the stainless steel frets. Definitely has a different feel to a traditional fender but everyone’s different and it’s very personal. I don’t have any complaints with the Artist. Let me know if you want to know anything else!

[@Philip-t2y]

@@johnfalzon Cool. Thanks John. I don't know much about fret hardware - what feeling do the stainless steel frets give you - smooth with bends or something? Thanks again.

[@johnfalzon]

@ well the fret wire is large which allows for a light touch which is nice and yeah the stainless steel makes bends easy and they never wear out

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Awesome looking, Sounding Guitars and Demo/Review comparison video. I have the older Artist Guitars ST62 Fiesta Red Strat, and it's amazing. These newer 'up spec'd' Artist Guitars range must be Exeptional guitars as all my other ones are fantastic. Have my eye on one of the Latest Range Artist Guitars .... or 2 .. or 3 ... or 4 .... lol. And Also seriously have fallen for The Fender Player II Strat in the Hailea Yellow, Maple FretBoard, aged plastics ... Stunning .... I reckon anyway ..... Oh .. Or The Birch Green is catching my eye too now. lol. Gotta start saving..... and maybe even pass on The Artist Guitars to get A Fender (my first). All the Best. Cheers

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks mate! I’m glad you liked it. I don’t have any previous experience with Artist but this one is excellent. The player II is also amazing. I’m partial to the Birch Green. I’d love to get my hands on a chambered one.

[@kvp2249]

random question, is this an original song you used to compare guitars. really liked it

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks! Yes just something I came up with.

[@wookster77]

Is the neck width wider in the Artist? I read that it is and wondered if it's a bit harder to play those chords that use the thumb wrappe around to the low E.

[@johnfalzon]

Ok, just pulled out the digital calipers: Nut width: Fender - 41.9mm Artist - 42mm. Width at 1st fret: Both 43mm Width at 12th fret: Fender - 51.5mm Artist 52.3mm. So yes, the Artist is slightly wider but the neck is thinner so that may make it easier in some situations.

[@wookster77]

@@johnfalzon Thanks!

[@650thunderbird]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnfalzon]

Thanks!

[@antilaw9911]

Flatter radius does not mean faster playing. I have small/medium hands and i can play way faster on normal traditional neck/fretboard. Them wide flat necks are taylored for those with larger long fingers. This is a very misleading misnomer from guitar manufacturers. Charvel does this too as others. They will advertise as being able to play faster. But in truth, its only for larger hands. I have this same new player ii and its great! Manufacturers need to correct how they advertise these fretboard profiles and offer both modern high radius and traditional.