Fender Player Series Strat vs. Fender American Professional Strat [No Talking]

[@ianshongtrs]

I've owned both. I say get the Player and use the money you would have spent on the Professional and put it towards a nice tube amp.

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

so newbie here, thanks for the info. I am going to buy one of those polar whites or butter scotch colors

[@nichohells]

Bro, those new modeling amps are getting so realistic nowadays e.g. Fender Mustang GT 200

[@gsas]

Is there a difference between action and neck shape?

[@pats2058]

@@gsas The Am Pro has a "Deep C" neck which is .0820" at the 1st fret, .920" at the 12th fret. The Player strat has a "Modern C" neck which is .820" at the 1st fret and .870" at the 12th. A bit of difference at the 12th fret, but you may or may not be able to tell. Everyone is different, hands are different, grip, blahblahblah. The Am Pro "Deep C" neck feels fuller and has rounder shoulders. It's an absolutely fantastic neck, very comfortable, fast and smooth. It has a satin finish. The "Modern C" is thinner, feels flatter. It's very comfortable as well, but I prefer the Am Pro neck. Your mileage may vary! Of course, it would be best to try both out in person but in these COVID times, it's not realistic. Or find an online retailer with a generous return policy. I hope this helps!

[@benjaminvalencia4228]

@@gsas action is a function of your setup, neck shape is a result of design. You can change the one but not the other. Your question is about apples and buffalos, very different beasts.

[@Olegstuff21986]

Wow, the Player sounds extremely close to the American Professional! Thanks for the demo!

[@umbrellapopband]

Both sound the same to me but that sienna sunburst is just so beautiful

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

The Sienna burst on the Am Pro is beautiful, but I got the Player with the plus top aged cherry and like it as much. I installed Fender locking tuners, and I though the string height off the nut was way to high so I had a professional luthier install a graph Tech nut and string tree. The action is incredible now.

[@TrixiLovesYou]

Finally someone who demos these guitars with an amount of distortion and plays chords. Thank you.

[@DC7ify]

you sir have saved me multiple times these past years! I love how you really give details on each Fender guitar and tested each one with the exact same play style right after the other to give us a true side by side comparison. Last year I bought a new HSS player series after a long time researching for that all around Fender rock sound. This year I was going for a more SSS classic Fender sound and found myself a used but great player Fender again. These Player series to me are just perfect for the price if you dont want to spend so much money!

[@0dollarman672]

I like that you plugged both strats direct to DAW without any preamp nor efx, also you played the same phrases, which is a fair compaison between the both, thank you very much for this!!

[@alkeoghmusic]

Yep. More of this please.

[@pats2058]

THIS is how you do a comparison video! Bravo! Both strats sound amazing, subtle differences in tone. The Am Pro pups sound like they have a bit more mids. The build quality on the Am Pro line is incredible.

[@MadebyMiike]

Thanks Pat and thanks for watching!

[@OverDrive_clips]

I just bought a player series Polar White... absolutely love it. Had a few setup issues but was an easy fix. Great guitars for the money. I highly recommend getting one if you don't want to lay 2k on a strat.

[@mattcobb1350]

Man I I just picked up my polar white player yesterday and I'm spellbound by it

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

A few months ago I got the Fender Player HSS Plus Top Aged Cherry Strat. I installed Fender locking tuners and a Graph Tech string tree. I though the string height off the nut was way to high so I had a professional luthier install a graph Tech nut and lowered the string height off the nut. The action is incredible now. The only other thing I plan on doing to it is having a tortoise shell pick guard installed. I could not be happier with this guitar. It plays like butter now and sounds as good as the Am Pro...

[@tccgrad1999]

American definitely sounds fuller to me. Would be happy with either one. Can always upgrade pickups and pots.

[@christopherpackham732]

Lovely demos. Really beautiful playing. I got my old 1990's American Strat out of the loft recently as my son is now old enough to start learning, and I've got time in my life for guitars again. Instead of doing the mountain of repairs to get it working, I was thinking about a new Strat. That Mexican Player blows me away. Really impressive.

[@randywoolum2648]

Everyone is going solely on sound, and most Strats sound 90% the same, but you have to remember, one player's touch is going to make most all guitars sound similar, and the build quality of these guitars is probably where you'll notice some differences

[@crier70]

The most sought after and versatile series is the Fender Player. These guitars are made in Mexico at the Ensenada factory and are a direct replacement for the Mexican Standard from 1980-2018. Among the Mexican series, the Player guitars are the most balanced: they are not as "old" as Vintera, and not "modern" as Deluxe. Player are designed to meet the needs of most guitarists. For instance: • Modern "C" neck profile. Statistically comfortable for most guitarists. • Alnico pickups. More authentic "bluesy" sound than the ceramic magnets used on the Mexican Standard. Therefore, the sound is better.

[@GradyElla]

The biggest difference between a Player and an American Professional is 50 miles and $1,000! My MIM Strat is just plain gorgeous. It plays perfectly, it sounds incredible and I wouldn't give it up for anything. I still scratch my head sometimes wondering why Fender seems to be shooting themselves in the foot by having both of these instruments out in the same market, even usually displayed side by side in the same music store! If you have not really spent time with a MIM Strat, you have no business commenting here, but if you have, you know exactly what I am talking about! Great guitars, can't beat a MIM Strat. No way.

[@sanaullahsiddiqui5961]

mim is mexican right?

[@GradyElla]

@@sanaullahsiddiqui5961 It is indeed. Spot on to Fender specs. I have owned "American" Strats and now own just this one MIM tobacco sunburst made in 2018. I am a convert! Don't know what made me look but I will never regret the decision to do so. There is NOTHING about my "American" made instruments that make me question my choice. Still play my "American Professional" butterscotch blonde Telecaster at every gig but for the money, nothing touches this Stratocaster.

[@mcfek7575]

Both Sound like a strat

[@rogerchanning]

Get the player. Just as good and half the price. Plus it’s still a Fender

[@maxsalmon1573]

You can hear a difference between a Gibson and Epiphone (not so big but still) , but you can't hear a difference between Mexican fender and american fender. I got a player serie and it's really really good

[@b.t.1632]

I have an American Standard from early 2000s that was about $1000 new back then, and a Player from 2019, $650. Both with maple necks. The American feels A LITTLE smoother on the fret board and A LITTLE better balanced in weight, but tone is pretty much indistinguishable to me. The American standard has a nicer finish a much nicer bridge, and came with a hard case. But honestly, with what American strats are going for these days, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Player Series. Both are gig worthy with a good set up.

[@BassGuyRy]

The American sounded nicer, but it's the feel, playability and finish thst make them truly stand out.

[@eiliatabrizi7316]

If you turn the treble down and add a little gain from the guitar knob, you will get the exact same tone. If you can even notice the difference. Theres hardly any

[@GuilhermeTeixeira]

Best comparison video I've ever seen. Kudos!

[@MrArnoldarnold]

Almost a 1000 dollar price difference for the same sound. I can’t tell a huge difference. They sound 95% the same.

[@redautumn5441]

that’s what i’m sayin, i’m going with the player series

[@valle4483]

@@redautumn5441 How are you enjoying that player series?

[@redautumn5441]

@@valle4483 i actually did a bit more research and opted for the squier classic vibe and it plays like a dream. my friend owns a player series and honestly, there is no notable or significant difference. the squires are going for about $429 so it’s the best bang for ur buck :)

[@valle4483]

@@redautumn5441 Awesome man! Yeah the squiers sure are a great bang for the buck option, but I think these player series instruments are great if you just want a guitar that says Fender on the headstock haha

[@LesPaul2006]

It will be better if you swap the Player's pickups. Then you'll have a guitar for life.

[@frinchk]

I sold my American professional an bought 2 new player special for the money: a strat and a tele. I am more than happy. My Am Pro was a big deception.

[@soofitnsexy]

cmonnnnn really?? what are the main differences?? thanks

[@valentinpau1434]

Oh really?? 😮 Could you tell me why?

[@frinchk]

The new AM pro was out of tune up to the 10th fret, even after 2 setups and after having fixed the tremolo. And I do not like the sound. For me it was not straty enough. But that is very subjective, of course. I also do not like this big neck. C shaped, I think it was...

[@MrInfinite43]

Hes not wrong, I have an American Deluxe w N3s, isnt terribly different than my 19 Player series, tone wise

[@TypicallyUniqueOfficial]

Player ftw, if I'm spending an extra $850 I want to hear an incredible difference. The player actually sounds better for whatever reason.

[@propmaster101]

I’ve owned both. The difference is night and day when it comes to feel. The American one is much more playable. And the pickups in the American sound better too

[@padawan9127]

@@propmaster101 what you can never get from these videos is feel. They always say “no talking” like it’s a good thing, but what the thing actually feels like is a massive element

[@peopledonotexist]

it sounds more modern. the pro sounds like a classic strat sound.

[@uchennasunday7037]

@@propmaster101 who cares about feel? If you play a guitar long enough, you will definitely get the feel. I’m sorry I can justify spending $2000 on my American strat

[@propmaster101]

@@uchennasunday7037 how the guitar feels in your hand is very important🤣 If u played a mex strat with a crappy neck for two years and whenever I played another guitar I immediately felt the difference in quality. You can get a good used American start for like 1000.

[@joerusso8950]

I like the tones of the professional it seems fuller and layered with more character The player sounds similar but just bright and cheaper tone

[@jincongchu2335]

Buddy you really make top-notch gear comparison videos!

[@JoeBlimey]

Thanks very much for this comparison. The Player Series is very close to original.

[@JoonKimDMD]

I just started to play the electric guitar and bought player series as my first guitar. I was thinking about upgrading(?) to American series but my under developed ears can't tell any difference. Hopefully, I would be able to build the skill to differentiate them someday and upgrade.

[@maxhenry9724]

Sounds like you are wanting to fall victim to snobbery. Tone and feel are subjective, everyone has his own preference but some chose to listen to those who fancy themselves as a connoisseur of tone. Most of these blowhards could not tell the difference if they were not able to see the instrument. What you like is what you like. I do prefer the AmPro but I completely understand how the sound and feel of Mexican Fenders are other individuals favorites.

[@LuisMendoza-ny3bm]

that warmth tone of the professional. just seems so tasty...

[@ben.g.414]

Its not just about sound its about feel. A guitar has to feel good to make you want to play it. They do sound very similar though. The player just has slightly higher highs to me compared to the warmer sounding professional. But you could chuck better pickups than both of these guitars into the player for about 350 and buy a decent amp with the left overs. But how a guitar feels to me is important.

[@MrAMF50]

You make a good point having owned both I know what you mean. The feel difference is much more than the tone difference.

[@siderealbeast]

this is how comparisions should be made

[@christopherfrankling6587]

Very useful thanks! I'm likely trying a Player tomorrow and as a lefty it's a right pain finding anywhere that has the 2 both in stock to do a side by side.

[@james.kaloki]

I even wore headphones to confirm this but I think they sound similar or maybe im just crazy lol

[@soofitnsexy]

u krazy man!!!

[@bluwng]

Ugghh, I’ve said this a million times, an instrument is about, quality, feel and playability. In an electric guitar the sound can be altered in so many ways and so easily but you can’t make it play better than what it is. What if they both sound identical but one feels like hell to play, would you still buy it? In this case they both play well, I have an issue with the mind set of Sound.

[@johnhutchison2283]

I think the Mexican strat sounds a little brighter but the American sounds a tad warmer and fuller but to be completely honest they sound exactly the same to the most people I would have no doubt shout out to fender for the great guitars and Mike for the great guitar playing thanks for the video man.

[@LesPaul2006]

There is the tiniest edge on the low midrange for the American. Nothing that a pickup change cannot fix for the Player.

[@zendog000]

I really can't note any difference. Thank you so much Miike. Likely tomorrow I purchase the MIM player; hopefully it will still be on sale. Not sure if I should get any humbuckers as part of the pup configuration. We play mainly blues and country.

[@JWS1968]

They sound the same to me.

[@benitobanana3943]

don't sound 1000 dollars more i've try it & found it very cumfortable

[@GuitarType01]

I own a Player Strat in black and I’m very happy with it. I say to anyone, get this and put heavy strings (11 or 12’s) and you won’t be disappointed

[@martinlopezruiz7875]

i prefer the sound of the player series one, that's why i got it, it's called saving money :)

[@tymoore9093]

i will be buying the player series in orange :)

[@giacomor.9232]

I'd like to compare them to my 2005 american series stratocaster

[@lofijunky]

i loved the brightness of the american professional. it was close though!

[@felixfranzen7578]

They sound exactly the same! No one can tell the diffrence in a blind test. And not in a live setting or in an album mix either. Actually few people can hear a diffrence between a tele and at strat if they can't see what guitar is played. But the one that feels best. The blue one is prettier though.

[@brianlebrun2382]

The Player is a nice guitar and comfortable to play. That being said I've had issues from day one. It was purchased new and the neck was badly bowed, it wouldn't stay in tune, and now I'm battling the nut. It's not cut deep enough and notes played around the third fret are sharp indicating the nut slot too high. The pickups are bright, much brighter than the ceramics and sometimes too bright. The bridge/middle position creates a really high almost buzzing sound but it's gone when I just use the humbucker at the bridge and that pickup is incredible. BTW it's the HSH configuration. In the end I'm really up in the air about keeping it. I have a 1994 '62 MIJ reissue that blows it away so it might become expendable. I had an American Pro last year but gave it up. Kinda wishing I hadn't.

[@Juno58]

My Player 3ts PF HSS has no issues, it came out of the box with a good setup and a good finish. I looove my Strat!

[@Juhde1800]

It's just the high frequency like just a little bit. The Professional one has a smooth high frequency. If you listen carefully at the neck+mid position. Professional has a smooth high freq ,like more glassy.

[@fredborges2354]

Superb video, I bought both of them in different combinations, HSS maple for the player and 3 SC RW for the performer, quite different guitars, love both as much , they're just great, the sunburst mexican is even more comfortable, but heavier, and looks killer !

[@LEON4PRES]

I also like the darker tone of rosewood fingerboard’s.

[@wizman2378]

I have both and my American professional 2 blows my Mexican strat out of the water. Sound, feel, EVERYTHING. Not sure if its worth the extra thousand bucks, but I find it funny that the coolest colors (mine is Miami Blue/ Maple Fretboard) are only available in the American Professional Series. Both are GREAT guitars, but I'll probably never play my Mexican again unless I have set to an off the wall tuning

[@mariocastellanos8231]

I own both and they are amazing guitars.

[@andreirodriguez]

In my opinion once you have a Fender (even the basic series) what makes an actual difference is the pedals and amp or sound card

[@Kurtis11266]

Professional is definitely better (obviously) but it's so subtle I couldn't even notice it without headphones on , not worth the extra money for me personally, thanks for the video!

[@amirrezarezaie]

The only difference is the labor cost...

[@bigredracingteam9642]

And the hardware. And the hard-case instead of a gig-bag. And the wood. And the finish.

[@LEON4PRES]

Hitch at the top of the comments got it right. A good tube amp makes WAY more difference than the guitar. I’ve got a pro strat and tube amp but I want a player with HSH configuration.

[@redautumn5441]

i enjoy the tone of the player series a bit better

[@iused2bfast153]

Is the Player series not a post-2008 American Std with 1.65" nut?? Bridge, tuners and pickups look identical to me if you compare the hardware?

[@cullenstine7135]

Pardon my ignorance, but I can’t really tell a huge difference at all between the two. However I do love the color options of the American pro better 😅

[@aloppa7691]

Nice comparison! Could you tell us wich song did you play?

[@awesome3604]

Dudeeee the finish on American professional u have ……🥰🥰😍😍😍😍😍😍😍… is it available for player series?

[@leonardogonzalezquiroz5491]

great video. Tome su like buen hombre :) Edit: What amp do you use for this shootout?

[@dannyharrington4978]

Best Fender I've ever owed.

[@laranjiinha77]

Did you have made this comparison with stock strings?

[@samdaman117]

they both sound basically identical

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!

[@C00LHAND702]

I picked up a player series, having issues with the selector switch though.

[@ozererdogan4749]

It's a matter of budget but after 5 or 6 songs, a real qualified fender makes the difference. Great video btw. Thank you

[@trogsguitarist1284]

I like these tunes and the feel you play with. Whats the amp you are using? :-)

[@MadebyMiike]

All Kemper!

[@44scoots]

Could you tell the difference if you did not know the price? The "lower cost" always fools people.

[@timholtguitar6999]

Player series pickups are a touch hotter. You get some nicer features and build quality with the American…all about what makes it worth it to you.

[@webmaster21]

Ive played both In a musical store on Fender Squier amp lamp. I really liked Players tone more than American. I am gonna start from American this time and See is it gonna be the same. On Phone i cant See a diffrence in tone but when i play it on beetter speaker then American sounds brighter for sure.

[@finanteducacion3717]

- It is not an incredible difference, but if you listen with studio monitors, you can notice it. IMO, American =8/10, Mexican =6.5/10. The sound of MIA is just more defined and clear, Mexican is more plastic, however, it you put the same pick ups on the MIM maybe there won't be difference. I think testing with the same pick ups will be more fair comparison.

[@joeb564]

Both nice. Depends on how much you want to spend.

[@daviddalziel884]

I tried a Player against a G and L around the same price point and the G and L pickups blew me away but the finish -fret ends sharp and switches -felt inferior to the Fender . I have an old Deluxe HSS I bought second hand -noiseless pickups and it sounds less bright than both guitars in the video . Still fancy a SSS style so might re-visit the Player .

[@surfinjim]

I had the exact opposite as far as build quality: smooth fretboard edges and fret ends on the G&L, sharp on the MIM. Maybe I was lucky with my G&L...

[@atpaulo2009]

I love Fender and all the history envolved but I really prefer my brazilian Tagima t635 with Hs4. 200 dollars.

[@zonakmahanta]

What is your opinion about the build quality of the both guitars?

[@MadebyMiike]

The Pro is better. It feels more sophisticated, everything seems more robust. Having said that, the neck is a baseball bat, you definitely have to try it out (it's really thick). The Player was good, but over-priced for what it does. Also: sharp neck edges.

[@zonakmahanta]

@@MadebyMiike ... thanks...I got the player and thought of putting some tall SS frets...I love the neck

[@soofitnsexy]

@@MadebyMiike love your honesty

[@pats2058]

There's not a lot of difference in the neck on both. Both the Am Pro and Player are .820" at the 1st fret. The 12th fret differs a bit with .920" for the Am Pro and .870" on the Player. The "Deep C" on the Pro is fuller and has rounder shoulders. The "Modern C" will feel a bit flatter, thinner. It's noticeable enough, for me personally. The build quality on the Am Pro is unbelievable. I've had mixed experiences with MIM Fenders.

[@dwainmcbain5263]

I would have the Pro playing rhythm and the Player on lead.

[@30robe]

Belli entrambi gli strumenti: a parte il prezzo che differenzia i due prodotti, sicuramente la Professional II ha un suono più rotondo, più pieno nell’esprimere le tonalità evidenziate dall’ottimo chitarrista. Forse sono solo sfumature, ma nulla togliendo alla Player che a mio avviso è un ottimo prodotto, chi può spendere acquisterei la Professional II. BEL CONFRONTO 👍🏻😃😃😃👏👏👏

[@macaomartinez]

Nice video, I think the sound is close enough, but the main difference between these guitars would be the playing confort i think, what's your opinion on that, is there a huge difference ?

[@MadebyMiike]

Hey Sam, yes there is. In short: Player has sharp fret edges but good neck shape, while the Pro has really nice rounded edges, but you have to like the thicker "Deep C" neck. I speak in detail about that in my "Huuuge Stratocaster Shootout" if you want to know more! Thanks for watching! - Miike

[@kyeljohndavid7850]

@@MadebyMiike Thanks Mike for this feedback I was on the fence on getting the professional but upon seeing your review Ill be going with the player and just fix the sharp fret edges. This is much cheaper than double the price

[@MadebyMiike]

@@kyeljohndavid7850 If you can wait 2 more weeks! I found a better guitar than the Player strat, shooting the video for it as we speak!

[@kyeljohndavid7850]

Alright then. Looking forward to it!

[@idhammunandar9851]

@@MadebyMiike hello mike have you found the better gitar than player

[@JunkBondTrader]

I perceive, very subtly, a bit more of a resonate sound with the American. Probably won't make or break any performance, or recording, or get you laid more. Player all day!

[@LukeIversArch]

I closed my eyes and I couldn't tell the difference

[@andredegraaf1643]

Well for a $1000 less and same tone and overall apparent quality as the USA version, my vote goes to the Player. Just debating with myself if I need to upgrade from my ultra cheap Strat copy which plays just fine and is about 8 times less money than the Player.

[@DC180]

How do these compare to the Made in Japan Aerodyne II Stratocaster HSS

[@watchfan6180]

Are you sure this is a proper comparison? When you play them they sound different, both sound good.

[@MadebyMiike]

What do you mean?

[@Juno58]

The american may be a bit better, but is it worth nearly 1000 bucks? Not for me.

[@kenshopusa1385]

Strat Player 🤗🤗🤗

[@alafenetre81]

It'd more logical to have a $100 difference between the two...

[@kadenzook3826]

Subscribed!

[@JunkBondTrader]

I almost got the Player strat... But I went with an Epiphone Casino for about the same price. If you're in the market for a mid range guitar, check out the Casino. It is _very_ different than the strat, however. If you want a lead guitar, go with the Strat.. Or Epiphone SG... For better rhythm and full sound, the Casino is great, and also is very worthy for playing leads.

[@Juno58]

If someone wants a two humbucker Lespaulish guitar, try Ibanes Artist series. I got an AR 420, sounds better than the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Pro i had before.

[@darrenj.griffiths9507]

I actually prefer the player series. The Pro 2 sounds very thin and too much ringing considering the £1k extra cost. I think the Fender Players (MN HSS in particular) are going to be VERY hard to beat considering their cost. And tone wise, the noticeable difference between those and the flagship is the thin tone and , as said, the unnecessary ringing which makes the Pro 2 sound kind of horrible. On the plus side for the Pro 2, you do get the full Fender sound (no fx) with a bit of attitude and authenticity, buy to conclude, not enough to justify the extra thousand quid (bucks). That's my personal opinion, of course.

[@User-ew6cs]

0:11 0:24

[@fionn8057]

What's the name of the song at 3' in?

[@Chrishagen]

The player uses metric system parts too, USA imperial. The two guitars are actually very different although both sound great

[@marcbourdages6478]

Here 1169$ for the player and 1500$ in sale for the pro whit the case !!!!! I thy both and leave whit the pro !!!!!

[@orangegoblin2162]

Fender Player sounds better to me...

[@coolchetang]

@Mike You need to compare smaller sections of a song for real comparison. Playing a long duration on one and then switching to another one, it's hard to compare.

[@cookiemonster2949]

Trebly peaks in player is annoying. Usa sounds much better and balanced. Worths the extra bucks.

[@MadebyMiike]

True that!

[@rielynthetrain4786]

The American has a bit more Twang to it, but that’s about it

[@DeltaJazzUK]

Well I was rooting for the cheapie but the Pro is clearly superior tonally. The Player is thinner sounding and even a bit ratty. Once in a musical context though the differences are far less apparent.

[@thatnorwegianguy1986]

Just switched out the mikes on my player and that's all really not a big deal

[@behradgudarzi388]

Player is so good

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

what color did you get?

[@MrWinyu777]

Fender mean ....Just the Text said USA or MEXICO , But the sound great the same.