Guitar of the Week 13: The Return of ROSEWOOD! The NEW Fender Player II Stratocaster HSS

[@jeremymcguire2324]

There's a lot of good KZbin people that review guitars but this style is spot on. What he's doing is like talking with a friend about a new guitar. Other than playing it I can get a well rounded perspective of it. Well done man.

[@rocktorrocks]

I got to hold a player I and II side by side at my local Guitar Center. Def preferred the feel of the player II. The rolled edges is very subtle though, idk if I’d pick player II just for that. But the maple necks also seem to have a darker tinted finish which looks more premium and it had a better set up but that could vary by individual guitar.

[@CJ-jh9ri]

I have rolled edged on my MIJ and now I don’t know how I lived without em.

[@joesmith8398]

Yeah , me too, but I didn't enjoy the shoddy fretwork or the poorly cut string slots on the nut. 🤔

[@eddiejr540]

I really like these player II’s and I love the rosewood…but the best thing about them is the discounts we could get on the player I’s 😎

[@rocktorrocks]

Yup! Guitar Center had them for $611 recently iirc.

[@gbodas1]

Been following you since the chibson videos. Your GOTD videos make Monday’s something to look forward to. Thank you Sir!

[@mwalker3547]

The Sunburst with the rosewood neck is absolutely beautiful. That segue into The Wind Cries Mary was awesome.

[@stevensonnewberry8724]

You're so right. Having that humbucker is like insurance against noise plus extra beef if you need it. Good review & nice playin.

[@Joke1Time]

Nice demo! Great playing :)

[@ianhoyle8459]

I have a 2015 Olympic White, maple board American Special Strat which is a beautiful guitar I bought new but it doesn’t really cut it. So I recently bought a used 2011 Squire Classic Vibe 3TS and it is so much more alive ‘Strat’ sounding and seems of an equal quality build. 🤘

[@youKnowWho3311]

Just bought my son a players. We modded with VegaTrem and a SD Hotrails in the bridge. The guitar rips and feels awesome. It's a pro level instrument for not a lot of money.

[@tommya5957]

I agree, the bridge humbucker adds options. Too bad no matter now many times Fender adds new models, they never include a left handed version with a humbucker....still waiting Fender!!!

[@robertlennox3607]

Same, it’s always been my frustration with Fender that they don’t do lefty HSS. I’m getting an American Pro 2 soon in dark night with rosewood board.

[@dstarling61]

The tuners are now 18:1. Really liking the Birch Green with the Rosewood

[@ozarkpipertony8396]

Love that HSS configuration and yes, love the Rosewood fretboard. Always appreciate your videos Steve didn't realize I hadn't sub'd so new sub 🤘. I'll take the blew because it will get a small blew down the road anyway. The American Strats are really nice but honestly I find it difficult to justify the price difference in this MIM Player II and an American strat. It's nice to KNOW you have a U.S.A made strat but the sound and playability is just amazing. Id even say the older MIJ Strats (90's) are exceptional also. I have a 1993 MIJ. strat and put high dollar noiseless single coils in it and it sounds better than my 86 U.S.A. made strat. Nothing like a strat and both mine are the same color you're playing. Love that color.

[@MKRISING75]

I agree with you Steve 3 color sunburst is my favorite strat color 🤟🏻and for $829 is a great price!

[@robertclarkguitar]

Rolled edges too. Yesh i have my 2015 classic vibe squier. "SQUIAH" LOL Alder ,Rosewood. Rolled edges. But i got mine from someone second hand music go round ad listed as a squier se. 169..back in 2019. I sprinted to the checkout as it looked like someone really put some time into it. Took it apart and all. Legit. Scored. Lol. Didnt get the stock tone rider like sytle pups though but had some 500k pots with ceramic cloth wired mitey mites. Sss. Insane i kept that loaded guard tortoise and bought a loaded fender player series new guard and dropped in it. Tuners are barely turn and they move style. Not sure why and stiff. But man they stay in tune ...the whole guitar had a perfect feel. They lightly sanded the headstock edges and top minimally. It is a guitar i wont let go of. Well maybe for a Harley Benton HSS modern Strat they released. Im a sucker for the fusion line and those new strats are killer. Lol. 😅

[@iamanovercomer3253]

A great color guitar ❗ but Fender should be giving a gig bag with it ‼️

[@sassycat]

The rolled edge fingerboard definitely has my interest. Can't wait to see you play it Saturday night. 😺👍

[@leokimvideo]

I followed the link to look at Price and Specs. This beauty doesn't look like a cheap guitar but the US price seems very low. Mexico?. Pixxy where I live a USA made Fender is a very pricy guitar. A Fender custom shop guitar is popping up between $6K to $7K in Australia. The guitar you show here in Oz has a RRP $1,499. So yeah the US price is magic, much lower. In Oz for $1,499 you can buy a Ibanez Iceman or a Epiphone Les Paul or a Epiphone SG or a Jackson X series or a bunch of different PRS guitars. All these guitars can be haggled down to say $1300 ish. The price range for new guitars in a good guitar shop ranges between $250 to $10K in Oz. So yeah this guitar for how it sounds and presents seems like good value.

[@SlicedInThree]

Yes it's a Mexican Strat. Anything in the player or player plus series are MIM.

[@zaphodrahja]

Riffsandlicks has them RRP $1349 AUD on sale for $1189 polar white and others for $1199, not bad when you consider exchange rate comes out around 800 US.

[@zaphodrahja]

Sorry it's Belfield that has the others P2 HSS"s for $1199, Riffsanslicks has the P2 SSS's for $1139

[@iamanovercomer3253]

Check out Vola guitars ‼️👍 You get more for the money ‼️

[@leokimvideo]

@@zaphodrahja Turramurra Music which is my local music shop has it for $1149, and if you're lucky you will see Midnight Oils songwriter Jim Moginie there. Back when I was a kid this Sydney Music Mecca was also a record bar. That's where I bought Kiss Love Gun, Destroyer and ACDC Back in Black.

[@drewwesley9506]

Playability to me is the most important. I hear hints of Zep, Hendrix, PJ, ACDC, Bells outro. How's the HSS vs the trad HSS? Wouldn't have noticed the "blem" in a million years. Would the guitar have been free if there were 8-16 of them? What do you think of entry ones like Squier Debut?

[@christopheranderson2158]

Man, I really love the amp tones you use! They really let the character of the guitars you demo come through and the difference in pickups are very apparent! Looks like you are using amps sims on your computer or controlling a modeler……which ones? They sound great!

[@rickenglish8038]

I have the same guitar and I love it. Great playing!!!

[@grahamjarman]

it plays easy and smooth ?

[@cowdaddy4595]

I like the way Steve makes an expression like he is taking a good deal when he is playing

[@kensolo6793]

Hi Steve - that's no blem, that's the first relic mark!

[@jaimemonroyofficial]

Why do I hear you @Steve from Boston? You make every guitar sound far better. 🔥🔥🔥

[@jamesmarcin4787]

Great demo Steve. Sweet guitar. I bought an Ultra Stratocaster HSS in Texas Tea recently. Its a fantastic guitar. I would like to get this new Players series 2 with all single coils. The White Blonde that Sweetwater is offering is coming out in a few months.

[@ce152capt100]

Thanks for demonstrating that this guitar can do the heavy stuff.

[@MarcCoteMusic]

Just an FYI, Steve... it's actually 22 frets, not 21. The vintage 21 fret layout is a no-go for me... I need that extra fret. But this guitar is really nice... I especially like the dark Rosewood fingerboard. It's so much nicer than Pao Ferro, which always looked cheap to me. And it's an HSS... I've got to have at least a bridge humbucker, if not neck and bridge, even though I spend probably 3/4 of every gig on the middle pickup.

[@SFBGuitar]

Aw, jeez. Did I say 21? Man, I have to stop recording late at night. It's brain fart central.

[@MarcCoteMusic]

@@SFBGuitar - LOL. Not to worry, I've got your back, Steve.

[@grahamjarman]

is it push pull to single coil?

[@papablue3015]

My absolute favorite 3 color sunburst! Thanks Steve 🤘

[@worthmoremusic]

An $800+ guitar and still no bone nut ! (shaking my head)

[@Tfmizzle]

You've got a black belt in shredding!

[@davidallen346]

Bring back the Texas special and the Peatly Gates plus HSS Fender roadhouse strat, that's what I'm saying!!!

[@mikeemerson8816]

ok steve, you talked me into it... i just ordered mine from empire music!! i liked yours so much that i had to have one just like it!!

[@mhw6160]

Brilliant demo. I really enjoyed that Steve. Been a fan of your channel since Chibson, Pixxy etc. These guitar of the day videos are great. I'd like you to check out an Epiphone SG Custom. Have my eyes on these. Always wondered why Epiphone never made an Angus Young signature model. Now their quality is up there this could be the time.

[@milosstoiljkovic9505]

I guess all guitars are beautiful in some way. This one is perfect, AFAIK.

[@alanguitars]

Blem = Discount, Relic = pay more. Maybe I should shop for a relic'd guitar and ask for a blem discount.

[@Stephenmichaelsguitar]

Player II blew me away. Had to buy the SSS Coral Red. Didn’t need it, but it’s all I’ve been playing for a week plus. The neck is insane…

[@nicholassmith6405]

Trying to decide between a player 2 HSS or SSS strat as my first “real guitar”. I really like the versatility of the of the HSS but also just love that signature strat sound. Which would you recommend for a middle aged beginner looking to take the next step?

[@Cobra_Scythe]

Im really contemplating on getting this fender strat player 2 or an epiphone les paul standard 60s, im realy gravitating towards rhe epi but ugh I CANT DECIDE BRO,

[@GaryBertolo]

Steve, you must extreme sonically hearing, in order to hear the slight out of tunings. Shoot, I have to wear hearing aid, (thanks to the US ARMY). Yet I can't pick out thoses nuances. Thanks ¡¤¡

[@ro307805]

Nice!!

[@kerricollings4525]

Your sound is incredible! What effects and amp are you using?

[@Rico__B]

Great review-looks great.

[@kenhall6525]

Beautiful Steve, but I prefer a Maple neck and board

[@kaskas55]

Lovely tones

[@WJ_RedSG]

What effects are you using? Sounds great!

[@retropuffer2986]

Nice guitar Steve!

[@JoeBlimey]

Steve, what gauge strings did you put on them? They sound more meaty than the 9s that came on my guitar, which sound thin.

[@davidkelter8379]

I sincerely hope they put out an HSH Player 2.

[@AndyK.23]

Sounds great Steve! How does it compare to that Sonic blue 2012 "Designed by the Custom Shop" one you got a year or so ago?

[@jmartini8875]

I ordered the aged cherry burst with a maple board. Won't ship to me for a while. I'm hopeful my pickups sound like the one's that you have.

[@Zumuljaka]

I want to order the same guitar!!

[@davidraymond8994]

I was thinking of getting the Stratocaster Ultra Luxe HSS with Floyd Rose. What do you think of those? How would it compare to something like a Frankie?

[@salsplace]

Looks like a wonderful guitar. Looking at the Birch Green one. So no split coil on the humbucker?

[@SFBGuitar]

Unfortunately, no split on the humbucker. It does split at position 2 of the blade switch when combined with the middle pickup, but no way to coil cut when just on the bridge.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Yeah thats a great looking strat !

[@roncarter2188]

What are they using for the humbucker? Sounding pretty tasty!

[@TheRealSandleford]

Strings it came with? may be a little better with others?

[@Vdi_Studio]

Hi Steve. I loved your video and you already have a new subscriber. Do you know if stratocaster guitars with mahogany bodies will be heavier than the one you have? I'm a little worried about this aspect of the guitar since I'm determined to buy the Transparent Cherry and they only sell it with a mahogany body. Thank you so much. You are the best.

[@ramos.nitrorc]

how is the tuning stability??

[@Stratmanable]

I have a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Strat. The laurel fretboardlooks and feels just fine.

[@bustanorms2028]

nice sound

[@TheBbtlegit]

That guitar sounds good.

[@lasersauceretroarchives6544]

Rosewood are always FTW fretboards. I don't get why Epiphones switch to Indian Laurels. Always Rosewood for me.

[@robertspreitzer8126]

Because Rosewood is scarce.

[@rocknrollresignation93]

No reason for Epiphone not be using Rosewood again

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

​@@rocknrollresignation93 Because my logging truck broke down on the way delivering them a load of logs. Got her up and going again after 3 years. Should make some nice dried out fretboard wood.

[@oswaldofajardo2573]

Does this one have Push/pull option for coil splitting ??

[@8rooks]

No it doesn't, the HSS player plus does tho.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

Wanted a left handed got the Kramer Alnico 5 pick ups on list not bridge ceramic middle ceramic neck pick up fell apart when I took it out some sideways thing painted gold can’t remove the cover. it is all sealed in there put a different set of pick ups much better

[@sboy1955]

Deep dark rosewood 👍🏽👍🏽

[@derickcraft3437]

How do I learn to play guitar like you before I kick the bucket I wonder ......cheers from Dubai

[@ERICKFLAGPRODUCOES]

very good guitar

[@joesmith8398]

Gee golly whiz, Fender is using Rosewood fretboards on their MIM geetars ?!? Wow, what innovators and leaders !!! ( Sarcasm )

[@randomcommenterurl]

You use the mouse with your left hand? But strum with right 🤔

[@vincenta1074]

Guitar players will pay extra for a relic finish And lose their minds over a small blemish

[@Coppercustomz]

2 point trem, They might as well went the distance with a Floyd

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

I’m a lefty only sss in star burst or white come on fender

[@JamesPetroff]

I love it when it has the yellow in the sunburst like in the sixties. I had a Squier like that, but gave it to my son.

[@craig.encinitas]

What is up…Dudes!?

[@MarkantoneeWilliams-wz9zm]

Tasty licks

[@j7cc]

I like this one ! 👌🍷☘️

[@JuddLofthouse]

Nice 👍

[@mikewoodward364]

Nice

[@GaryBertolo]

Are you playing through a Fryette (VHT), Dang you sound super natural!!! ¡¥¡

[@marknolker8811]

No case..no bag....probably why there was a "blem" ....

[@bozeeke]

Aside from the black, white and 3 tone sunburst that are a staple of every series of strats and the one with the transparent sunburst finish, the rest of these guitars have awful colors this year.

[@tymanngruter1808]

Because they are out off pau ferro i hope! 👏👏👏

[@ripley7t429]

Even after all these years, I still cannot stand those types of saddles, lol. Everything else looks good. They could have sprung a few dollars more for a better nut as well.

[@iancurrie8844]

I’ve got American guitars with bone nuts and some older ones with the synthetic. The synethic usually works better to be honest.

[@jamesnorton7601]

Fine Instrument Steve. Maybe you could get the wonderful people at Zzounds to send you a Blood Eagle from Wylde Audio. Dying to hear one.

[@tbone2451]

Very disappointed in the color options.

[@Kenneth-e6t]

Sounds good to me blemish or not

[@GaryBertolo]

I love bleams ... is that the typical plastic nut. Give me the giant discount. No decent bag or case ... thats just LAMEO!!! It costs how mucho??? Made in ??? ¡¥¡

[@iancurrie8844]

Some issues with the player ii. I’d spend the extra money on the pro ii.

[@Stephenmichaelsguitar]

Have both. No issues with the player ii.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

I have a 2015 pro' outta the starts I've owned and currently owned, it's the least I bonded with' is still like new and is for sale.

[@kkrsnn5632]

Those aged plastics looks bad. Apart from that the rest is ok.

[@bobdillon1138]

Out of tune guitars are like fingernails on a chalk board Nice at least one reviewer isn't tone deaf like most others.

[@zofo264]

That seems cheap for a Strat.

[@ralphschueler9437]

What distortion pedal will you use in I really like that sound

[@Mr86tango]

What amp or software is he playing through? Thanks!

[@deandee8082]

and some would buff the blem out