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Post subject: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:47 pm
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Has anyone had a chance to try these out? Are they a worthwhile upgrade over the current MIM Standards?


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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 4:10 pm
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If you prefer a two post trem and 22 frets that alone would suggest something over and above the previous Standard.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:12 pm
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Check out Phil McKnights comparison

https://youtu.be/i9HiWuFhkVI

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 9:52 pm
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I'm not the OP but I am thinking about buying another Strat and have some interest in the Player Series. It looks interesting so now I'm going to have play one and check out the neck. Thanks for the video, DetroitBlues.

BTW - I think Fender should include a gig bag too.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 1:10 am
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Marky Forrest wrote:
...

BTW - I think Fender should include a gig bag too.


Difficult call. I have gig bags comming out of my ears so would prefer not to pay for another one just to clutter the place up. The "free" ones aren't the same quality as the ones you buy, even the Fender branded ones in my experience so I think you are better buying one myself.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:36 am
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John Sims wrote:
Marky Forrest wrote:
...
BTW - I think Fender should include a gig bag too.

Difficult call. I have gig bags comming out of my ears so would prefer not to pay for another one just to clutter the place up. The "free" ones aren't the same quality as the ones you buy, even the Fender branded ones in my experience so I think you are better buying one myself.

Agreed.
I'm not unhappy with the "free" bag that came with my AmSpec, but the cost difference, both for the bag and HSC, exceed the street prices of the products. I would rather have them knock the cost down by $50, then put another $100 with that to buy a Fender ABS case, or whatever amount to get whatever $75-$250 case.
It's not 1975 anymore and most anything under $1200 no longer includes an HSC, and most under $800 no longer include a gig bag.

OTOH, it's not 1975 anymore, but we can still buy a VERY nice guitar for under $800! My '78 included HSC, and IIRC I paid Whittier Music $600 for it. What's $600 in 1978 dollars with inflation? About $2400. Today we can buy a Player with Fender ABS HSC for $800.

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Last edited by CB91710 on Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:15 am
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DetroitBlues wrote:
Check out Phil McKnights comparison

https://youtu.be/i9HiWuFhkVI


Thanks guys, this video indeed gives a very thorough comparison. I'm feeling like I'm going to have to take a new Players Strat for a test drive, at least.


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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:00 pm
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CB91710 wrote:
John Sims wrote:
Marky Forrest wrote:
...
BTW - I think Fender should include a gig bag too.

Difficult call. I have gig bags comming out of my ears so would prefer not to pay for another one just to clutter the place up. The "free" ones aren't the same quality as the ones you buy, even the Fender branded ones in my experience so I think you are better buying one myself.

Agreed.
I'm not unhappy with the "free" bag that came with my AmSpec, but the cost difference, both for the bag and HSC, exceed the street prices of the products. I would rather have them knock the cost down by $50, then put another $100 with that to buy a Fender ABS case, or whatever amount to get whatever $75-$250 case.
It's not 1975 anymore and most anything under $1200 no longer includes an HSC, and most under $800 no longer include a gig bag.

OTOH, it's not 1975 anymore, but we can still buy a VERY nice guitar for under $800! My '78 included HSC, and IIRC I paid Whittier Music $600 for it. What's $600 in 1978 dollars with inflation? Today we can buy a Player with Fender ABS HSC for $800.


I'm with this...I'd rather save a few dollars on the guitar and put it toward a decent hardshell case.


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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:23 pm
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CB91710 wrote:
I'm not unhappy with the "free" bag that came with my AmSpec, but the cost difference, both for the bag and HSC, exceed the street prices of the products. I would rather have them knock the cost down by $50, then put another $100 with that to buy a Fender ABS case, or whatever amount to get whatever $75-$250 case.


I think the Player Series offers excellent value and that's one reason why I'm thinking of buying one. I don't need another Strat but it appears to be a great guitar for the money. I certainly don't need another gig bag laying around, either. All my guitars live in their HSC. When I said I think they should come with a gig bag, my thinking was was that we are just getting a little less for our money. I've been playing since I was 12 and I'm 65 now so I'm old school. To me, it seems like everywhere I turn I'm getting less for my money than I used to.

Maybe Fender could offer their nice ABS case for $50.00 discount with the purchase of this guitar. That would make me feel 100% better about buying this guitar. Or, maybe I'm just too damn old and not keeping up with the times. Either way, I respect your opinions and I hope you respect mine.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:49 pm
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schnepf13 wrote:
Has anyone had a chance to try these out? Are they a worthwhile upgrade over the current MIM Standards?


I've had the Player Strats about 3 weeks now....and I'm loving it!

- The Alnico /ups sound great! Find them not too bright compared to Texas Specials I had on my AmSpec before
- The neck is gloss finished at the front and satin finished at the back makes for a really nice neck for a MIM

The Player, IMHO, is the closest MIM strat to a MIA strat. The neck is still not 100% MIA but close. The pick ups don't need upgrading, it sounds great as it is. The only thing I upgraded were the tuners, just because I love locking tuners. My Player gets equal playing hours with my Am Pro and can hold its own against its american cousin.

Haven't had a MIM Standard, but I'll take the Player any day over an American Special!


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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:39 pm
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Marky Forrest wrote:
Maybe Fender could offer their nice ABS case for $50.00 discount with the purchase of this guitar. That would make me feel 100% better about buying this guitar. Or, maybe I'm just too damn old and not keeping up with the times. Either way, I respect your opinions and I hope you respect mine.

This is a good idea. The Player Strat seems to be a nice guitar but with the price getting close to $700 a case would be nice. Offering some sort of discount coupon seems like a good compromise.


Last edited by schnepf13 on Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:41 pm
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BluesmanAsWell wrote:
schnepf13 wrote:
Has anyone had a chance to try these out? Are they a worthwhile upgrade over the current MIM Standards?


I've had the Player Strats about 3 weeks now....and I'm loving it!

- The Alnico /ups sound great! Find them not too bright compared to Texas Specials I had on my AmSpec before
- The neck is gloss finished at the front and satin finished at the back makes for a really nice neck for a MIM

The Player, IMHO, is the closest MIM strat to a MIA strat. The neck is still not 100% MIA but close. The pick ups don't need upgrading, it sounds great as it is. The only thing I upgraded were the tuners, just because I love locking tuners. My Player gets equal playing hours with my Am Pro and can hold its own against its american cousin.

Haven't had a MIM Standard, but I'll take the Player any day over an American Special!


Thanks for the info! I'm thinking it might be time to upgrade my 2001 MIM Strat. I'm intrigued enough by the positive review and the above comparison video to at least check these out.


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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 1:05 am
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My understanding is MiM quality has improved as the years have progressed so 2001 to 2018 could see a difference specification aside.

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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:34 am
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John Sims wrote:
My understanding is MiM quality has improved as the years have progressed so 2001 to 2018 could see a difference specification aside.

Yes, they did upgrade the MIM Standard a few years back. Medium jumbo frets, and I think an improved trem block. I've A-B'd the newer models with the older ones and didn't see/hear/feel enough of a difference to upgrade. But with the new pickups and 2-point bridge, there might be enough of a difference now to take the plunge.


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Post subject: Re: New Player Stratocasters
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:57 am
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Quote:
I'll take the Player any day over an American Special!
Rather depends what features you want though, doesn't it, Bluesman? I bought a cheap AmSpec and immediately had it refretted to medium jumbos. Also fitted a Switchcraft jack. Still a cheap US Strat.

Now it's perfect for me: Great vintage colour (not nitro but pretty thin), 2 string trees, light weight, great neck, vintage-looking trem (which may be cheap but sounds fine to me), the Texas Specials (love 'em!), no Micro Tilt (never wanted or used). Probably more but that's off the top of my head; it's one of my favourite Strats and I'd buy another tomorrow (if I needed one!).

But obviously if you want/need different features, the MIM might well suit, and I have to say - even in GB - prices are keen. Tempting!

Cheers - Peter.


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