Fender Player Series Stratocaster (Is A Strat Made in Mexico Good Value For Money?) 

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I picked up a 2003 MIM Strat a few years ago for $250. Put in a set of Texas Special pickups and it has become my main Strat while my 1978 American stays home in the safety of it's case.

I have a 75th anniversary green burst. Absolutely love it. So playable

I am one of those beginners who got one of these as a first guitar (not rich, just older, so I have a little more cash to spend). I absolutely love it, and didn't realize how spoiled I was until I tried a cheaper Affinity strat in a store. I also think it has helped me progress faster as a player since I don't have to wrestle with the potential problems of a cheaper guitar (like fret sprout).

If it looks, sounds, feels, smells and tastes like a good strat then it is! There is a reason why a standard Fender Mexican instrument continue to sell so well year after year - they do the job well!

You have the best sense of humor and you tell the whole truth about the product. I truly appreciate being able to rely on these videos. Please keep up the excellent work. 🙌

I've recently received this beautiful sage green metallic Mexican made Strat ( fender Players Series ) as a gift and it's been an ongoing love affair ever since. Don't know much about strat's, I'm a Gibson Guy but I know a good instrument when I hear it, and even when she's not plugged in she rings like a Bell! I haven't had the chance to put her through her paces, but I can't wait. Thanks so much for posting this beauty, now I know alittle more about what I have. ❤

Really enjoyed your review and especially your tone and playing, excellent video. Thank you👍🎸

I bought mine from Sweetwater and paid an extra $300 for their Plec Pro treatment and I love it. Money well spent.

I have seen those opening licks so many times that really must get around to learning them... great review as always of course...

They had it on sale at Guitar Center. $549 plus tax, which brought it to $598 and change. It was perfect. Very low action and good intonation. A proper strat at a great price. Very happy with my purchase.

I own 3 Player Plus Top Stratocaster HSS’s and I couldn’t be happier! They are gorgeous! The quality of MIM Fenders has greatly improved over the years almost rivaling American made guitars. I also own 3 other MIM Strats and they are great too! I am no longer a MIM snob!

Thank you for the helpful review. I bought the Fender Player Strat with the blue fade finish, maple neck and HSS. I am very pleased.

I would agree that only is it the best value for money Strat, but just a great Stratocaster period. I got one 2 months ago, got it set up and had a Hot Rails put in the bridge. Plays so awesome and I love the versatility of getting everything from Hendrix, SRV, Clapton and Iron Maiden sounds.

I love mine. I got it for $539, they said it was a scratch and dent but it was flawless. I put some Fender locking tuners on it, a Fender bone nut and used Black ink on the fretboard to darken it. The fretboard is a Pau Ferro but after darkening it, it looks like Rosewood. Frets 8 and 9 were a little high but it had zero fret sprout. I filed the high frets and did a setup and it's absolutely a great guitar. I did nothing to the pickups or electronics as they are quite good already.

I got my son one of these in 2018 in the same color and did a video on it. It’s still one of my most popular videos! He still has it, still loves it and it’s a great guitar. All of the changes were improvements! Great job! 🎸🤘🏻🤓

I had the Buddy Guy Polkadot for a while(mex) -these are even better . Incredible sounds you are coaxing Elmo! Lovely tones. Roughish and sweet.

So glad you mention the single coil buzz, it's expected, but I believe you're the first one to specifically mention it in a review of the Player Series in the videos I've watched so far. Will look at the HSS and can upgrade to noiseless or Seymour Duncan Stack Strat pickups. Thanks for a great review!

After watching your video I bought one and I´m really glad I´ve followed your advice! Thx for your great videos

The “I’ll see the light tonight” bit got me by surprise. Spot on! 👌

Just got my Vintage Stratocaster Mexico 1999 today. Its a different between day and night in comparison to my squier affinity. Awesome ❤️❤️❤️

Excellent demo Sir. Really putting the guitar through it's paces to show what it's capable of playability wise. Then the player can just decide what pickups they prefer. I actually like the pickups in mine because they're very different from the Lace Sensors in my '94 Strat Plus. Love the neck and in between settings but I think the bridge pup crunches up pretty decent with the tone rolled back. Well done! Thanks.

As soon as you played the Yngwie and Hendrix: SOLD! You're a great player! Great review!

I enjoy your review man 👊🔥

I have Fender stratocaster mim with roasted maple fingerboard. They put custom shop 50's pickups sss. I was blown away how great they sound. I didn't think they would rock but they're fantastic. No issues except the tremolo bar needed a spring to hold it in place. Fiesta red. I have an American strat and this one plays just as good if not better. Love your videos and playing.

I was thinking about buying this guitar. Now... I'm pretty sure! Thanks for demoing all the sounds it can provide!

I just got the Blue Burst HSS on sale and love it. New in box for $699, and it plays way ahead of it’s class. I’m playing it nearly as much as my Les Paul Classic. It seems so much easier to play and really fun.

Bought a 2017 MIM....dropped in a 920D custom loaded pick guard with Seymour Duncan humbuckers, it has toggles for split coil, added locking tuners and an American trem and brass trem block....awesome!!

Great video, great review, great playing, keep it up sir!

I have that same blue strat. Got a cherry with my purchase. My neck is nearly all curly and spalted. Dropped a Wilkinson trem and loaded Lace pickguard in it with locking tuners. Dream guitar to play.

Just got one of these, guy hardly used it, still had the film on the pickguard. Absolutely love it.

Just got a shell pink Player Strat and I love it. It’s a big upgrade from my $200 Washburn strat copy. The quality on mine is great. No issues so far.

Great review as always! Thanks!

Waiting for the surf pearl version to be delivered any minute now. Great review and your playing is great too as usual.

Just got one in HSS arrangement. I've had it for a few days. Over the years I've gathered a gibson, an antique ibanez (1983 roadstar 2) and a PRS. This MIM strat is already my favorite and objectively the best

Hello Elmo, I need one like this🤩 Thanks you very much for your excellent job👍

I just recently got a HSS floyd rose strat and I love it, got it off ebay for a lot cheaper and it sounds great and feels great too

You got great great chops my friend and some stunning tones from that player strat. Gonna plug mine in and try that Jeff Beck thing ; )

They are $849 here in the states states.

Sounds pretty good to me and I've been playing Stratocasters for more decades than you are old!

I own a metallic silver 'Fender Player Stratocaster' . Only using the stock pickups, I can get a rather close John Mayer tone out of it using the neck p/up, and then a combo of both middle and neck pickup being selected. Thanks also for your review on the Roland Micro Cube. I ended up getting one. Amazing tone for such a tiny amp!

Excellent review Elmo, I would love to see you review some other strats like CHARVEL, JACKSON, SCHECTER and LTD by ESP that are all close to that same Price Range givebor take a Hundo or so either way….Forgive me if u have already reviewed any of those… n maybe I missed it? …but if not, I would def like to see u play any of those Brands n hear ur opinion of any or all of the above vs that Fender Player. Bc I value your opinion very highly based on your talent, personal wisdom n tastes in Vintage Marshall Tone! I am a Les Paul guy and have always played those live but I feel as if my tastes are changing with age n experience. So I’m considering getting a Strat, would ❤️ to have that YJM model but it’s out of my price range at the moment. Absolutely ❤️ the Channel! Keep up the great work my friend. Much ❤and Respect! All the Best from way over here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.A. 🇺🇸 Sincerely, Scott McClusky Hotter than Hell - KISS

professional level guitar

i have one of these in the same color, Lake Placid blue, arriving on wednesday. really hyped to play it since its my first guitar with real single coils

Very inspiring playing 🤘 you could tell you liked the guitar!!

The time when Mexican Strats had solid colours only, five piece bodies, 21 fret necks, low cost electronics with 16mm diameter pots and skinny lightweight inertia blocks are long gone. The Player series are quality, well made and nicely finished instruments. They are all routed HSH so make great modding platforms for left-handed guitarists starved of choice for affordable HSS and HSH Strats. I have converted two SSS Player Strats (one into HSS and one into HSH). Took the opportunity to install left hand taper pots and treble bleed circuits, Graphtec nuts and string trees, Fender locking tuners and D’Addario NYXL 09-42 strings.

such chops !

This is my guitar! Love it to bits

Wow liking the guitar skills pal 👍

Great video! The Player Strats are well worth the money IMO. Fantastic guitars for the price and the pickups are decent I think, can even get good distortion from them using a (wait for it) Boss Metal Zone of all things.

I love this Strat, it's Perfect for me to Learn on, before leaping into my next Guitar, the American Ultra Lux Profession...

With a cheaper strat, good feel is almost more important than sound because the sound can be so easily modified on a strat

Great demo Elmo. I really like the LPB with maple finish and have considered getting that exact model. Although I've been a life long Gibson player, I do also have a 2012 Vintage Modified Squier strat in aged white with black cover SD designed pickups that plays well. A very Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow era looking guitar ... which was what drew me to it.

I bought a seafoam green Mexi Strat, with the roasted maple neck and LOVE IT. As you say its BRILLIANT! The roasted maple neck has a very dense feel, I'd be curious if anyone else experienced the sane. I bought it to have a traditional Strat as most all my other guitars are super strats. I didn't expect to love it so much. I'm getting a second one, HSS and its getting a Floyd Rose locking nut, and my locking block. I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with this purchase.

I have a 2010 MIM Strat, upgraded with alnico pick ups, I allways enjoy to play it, along with my American Vintage Strat and my Custom Shop Strat. The newest version are so good right out of the box.

wow, are those the stock pick ups? they have a pretty nice sustain. thanks.

Elmo - you always have great videos - thanks for sharing as always! I've had my eye on this guitar (love the satin finish). I love the SSS configuration - I mean, that is arguably what a Strat is (and should be). I have seen some videos with the HSS configuration that started having me think the SSS might be too limited. But thank you for demonstrating what this SSS guitar can do! When you ripped into Vai and Yngwie, my eyes totally opened at the possibilities. What was your setup to get that level of gain? Was it a combination of certain effects pedal or all amp? Thanks!

I have two because , when I tried one at the shop, immediately I felt it “ mine feeling” I felt the neck more right for my hand like no neck before ! With this guitar you can do some upgrades later, so you don’t have to buy an expensive model . Later I put a preloaded dimarzio pickguard with hs3/4 , high wood saddles “ save palm “ because the original saddles screw hurts your palm and locking tuning machine . On The second one I put a preloaded fury pickguard , but I don’t like them...and for now I put that guitar in stand by. The final sacrilege ... I have a yjm signature 2nd series strat ..that I played for years, but now I feel “ my strat “ the player series , I am in total feeling with it.

My first proper electric once it was clear I was hooked was an MIJ FotoFlame 62 reissue which I still own and love all these years later. I own some Mexican Strats now I’m old and can treat myself now and again and I have to say they are pretty good, the neck profiles are really nice. The only thing I don’t like are the pickups, they sound too harsh to my ears but are easily replaced. But one thing all of the competitors cannot replicate is the headstock shape and Fender logo. Before my first proper Strat I would dream of owning a ‘real’ Fender Strat which is what all my heroes played. This has no bearing in the overall quality but it mattered to me then and that’s the leverage Fender have. Nice looking Strat and great vid (including the Vai piece)👌

Love my MIM Strat & my Epiphone Les Paul Deluxe.Both play and sound great for my needs. Peace

great playing! great guitar, great tone, and i couldn't believe i heard some danny gatton! cool!

I scored a Fiesta red special edition in a trade. I am loving it honestly more than my American strat. The guy said he upgraded the pickups . I haven't taken it apart yet. Too busy playing it. The Fiesta red looks a little more Capri...strange color and a mint scratch plate really make it sexy. I have had a couple players before that I sold or traded but this one is a keeper. It was plecked as well.

Thanks Vera

I have a 2019 HSS Players Series Strat and my trem arm hits the tone knob also. No problem, I'll fix it. This is a great guitar. Great job Fender.

I have 2 of the sisters to this one, the Fender Classic 60ties and a Fender Hendrix Tribute Strat. Both from Mexico and both are really nice instruments. I have expensive guitars too, from Ibanez over Schecter etc, so i can compare it. Ive also owned a US Strat but by now ive sold that one. It was an 80ties model and i didnt really like it. Over the time ive upgraded both of the Strats with varius other pieces from Fender, like the Classic got Fender 69 Vintage PUs, a steel block and the Fender US Vintage saddles as well as tuners. And really, this is a beast of guitar. It costs still a lot less than the original US Vintage strat but has basically the identical hardware now. That would be 1100 Euro here wth the pick ups. Compared to over 2k for the original. The Hendrix Strat has amazing PUs already, no need to change. But i did the rest like the other on has, so the original Fender Vintage hardware. It comes to some 1100 Euros too, with all that and is an amazing instrument too. One doesnt need to do this, they were fine before already. But i just want to make sure ppl know that they can get US hardware for these Mexico Strats too. The same hardware they have in the 2200 Euro guitars. And you can get one piece by the next one. Saddles for 50 Euro, a few months the steel block for another 50. Etc etc. Until you have an US instrument for half of the price of an US instrument. PS: for everyone who is interested in this, there is a noticable difference in the hardware quality between a Mexiko/US Standard vs the "Fender Original Vintage" stuff, no doubt. You can see, feel and hear it. They also have a very different length (the vintage are way shorter and have slightly different steel color, the saddle bridge where the string rests has also a wider area between the 2 screws (without having a different width that at least the Mexico Vintage Stuff. There is a difference between US Standard widths and Vintage (no matter if US or Mexico) so be careful. Dont blindly buy, it may not fit. Btw, im not advertising for Fender or something ^^ The price tag is not low, so a beginner surely doesnt have to do this and probably wont notice a difference anyway. But if you have your Mexico Fender already a few years and think about upgrading to an US instrument, you can save lots of money this way. Maybe up to 50%, because the hardware itself stayed same in price, while the US intruments raised by 400 Euro compared to some years ago. Germany prices btw. PS 2: The classic was more expensive for me than the Players mentioned here, not sure why. In Germany that was 750 Euro. And the Hendrix 900 Euro new. At the time i bought the Classic, the Player Series was at 850 Euro.

I like Elmo, I admire his guitar playing and I appreciate his opinion. I'm glad what I heard here because I have a white, hss, pau ferro Fender Player which was my dream. I'm a guitar fan, but I don't play professionally. I bought it for worship and to learn something. It's like an icon for me. Btw. the color of your student's guitar is also very nice. I also recently bought a Marshall DSL20HR and an ORI412A loudspeaker :-) I didn't buy everything right away. What can I say? I don't have much experience to compare specific models and I would definitely find something that I could change in the timbre of the sound, but it sounds like Fender and Marshall. So far, I don't use any pedals. Objectively, my guitar, unfortunately, has sharp edges, but the frets are already worn out and will be replaced with steel ones. The saddle is probably not well polished either, but let's skip it ... it's a mass-produced guitar. We have a good violin maker in Poland who specializes in this and, before replacing the frets, he grinds the fingerboard to restore its radius, which has been minimally warped. It's normal and such things happen, and as you can see, you can find a better refined copy. The humbacker in this guitar is not a strong humbacker, it just has more midrange tones. This is AlNiCo II, of which the singles are AlNiCo V. V are the strongest magnets, II are medium, and III are the weakest - they are cobalt-free. I read it on the Fender website. They thought it well, it makes the sound more consistent. Singles on stronger magnets and humb on weaker ones. Greetings.

I bought an HSS version in early 2020 and have purchased 4 more guitars ever since (I know, don't judge me), all of them higher-end and Japanese/American, etc. It still holds its own and it remains extremely playable. I won't sell it and I've learnt to love it for what it is. I think it is not perfect but it is a good benchmark of what a good guitar is. A basic package that does the job. I only use the bar for some vibrato on this one and the tuning stability is outstanding. You will knock it out of tune if you do some crazy whammy bar tricks, though. I have an Ultra as well. The difference is so negligable that I'm more likely to sell the Ultra. Not joking.

I got mine in 2020. Amidst the raging ronademic. I've realized that the guitar is sometimes, many times, the guitars tone is as important as what you plug it into. I almost did a pickup mod where I would have swapped out the neck and middle pickups to vmod ii. Since trying out a few different amps, I've grown to really like it. I just changed the nut. First time I can use the trem and it stays in tune.

Cool. I bought Jackson js12 after 20 years not playing guitar and after that i visited local music store to try out different guitars. That strat felt so good compered to my 200€ Jackson. Could be my next guitar. Thanks for the review.

I think any good guitarist can take a cheap guitar and make it sound good

Man I cant decide between the white one, The tidepool one and the Silver one. I want it to be the love of my life in every way 😵‍💫

Thanks Elmo. Another good video. I have just sorted a set of pickups from a player Strat to go into a Jet Strat. Comes with pots and switch. These sound perfect for my needs. Was offered some serious high end ones but couldn’t justify as I spent only £99 on the Jet JS300. Second hand but in as new condition. ! The pickups in the Jet are fine but bit too pokey for me long term. Think they are ceramics where these are Alnico 5s I believe. Take care man. Thanks again.

Suscribed around 0:24 just for that glorious intro!

I`d love a no bs review video from you between this Fender Player and the new Cutlas CT 50 I think, the ones with roasted maple necks/locking tuners etc :) I reckon that would be a dope comparison :D Awesome vids btw man

Just bought and I love it, as soon as I picked it up in the store I loved the feel then I plugged it in it was sold! They should fix the trem problem yes and a bone nut would be nice but neither of these things deterred me from buying it. Wee spring in the trem hole fixed that problem.

Well,I bought a Fiesta Red/White Player Series back in 2019 and I'll just say this. I bought a Polar White Player with a maple fretboard a couple of weeks ago to go with the first one,my MIJ Squier and partscaster :)

Honestly I think you can make any guitar sound good thru your Plexi... keep Rockin’ Elmo🤟🏻🎸🎶 Cheers

These guitars are the bomb. Fender hit it out of the park with these.

Just bought this guitar in sonic red, pickups sound incredible!

Loved it, still not sure SSS vs. HSS though! :

I've just got a Player Strat for the first time in 40+ years of playing. Initially I thought mmm, it's pretty average. But two weeks on it's now my go to guitar. It's such a friendly instrument, comfy to hold close, easy to play, and it sounds exciting. The only mods I felt the need to do were Fender locking staggered tuners, Graphtech nut and a modern vibrato with locking block saddles, as I didn't like the jagged vintage saddles or angled whammy bar. I've made it mine and it's a keeper. :)

This strat is better than the American Special some years ago. Two point trem (not the be all and end all but a big selling point for Fender for some reason) 'F' logo, skunk stripe, tone control for bridge pickup, V single coil pickups. Mine looks and feels like it was made in America. These are far better value than the American made guitars IMHO. I gig with mine no problem, it cost £499.

Really like your approach, you have luthier’s guitar that cost a lot, but like you said, it does the job (of a strat) and I like that, it is humble and totally true, even if we like very expensive and stunning guitars, we can perform professionally with any mid price guitars since the playability is perfect

thank you for an honest review. BTW What is the pedal or effect that you used in the intro. Nice....

Hello from Arizona. Nice video (as always). You showed more sides to your playing. It's been very obvious to me for some time that you are a very accomplished player. I think that maybe the haters hate on you because they can't play the stuff you play. I can't (but I don't hate you). :-)

One other thing you can become so obsessed with an instrument that you can forget who plays who. I want to see more people creating music and finding new ways of approaching the instrument, than having it it as a status symbol. Like when the did the clay tell the potter that it wants to be a vase Do you need a $5000 dollar lense to take a great photo, so how much do you need to spend on a guitar to make great music, and what about your amp, or music software? Does that get the same attention? My point is the guitar is a good starting point, but it's not the whole picture of what great sounds or songs are going to come out of just the guitar. Jmho.

have almost decided to get one of these later this year. I need a guitar that does clean tones well and scratches the Clapton and Yngwie itch but that I can still afford (technically I could buy an Yngwie strat but that kind of money is hard to justify). Sort of torn about the trem (I have grown used to floyds but there are benefits to a non-locking trem in a non-floating setup) and the frets (would like them as jumbo as possible if I'm not getting scallops).

Mexi strats are great especially these days. Classic Series 50's/60's, Classic Player, moreso the Road worn series, some signature models like Jimmie Vaughan, Dave Murray etc. are all brilliant IMHO and somehow feel proper, able to withstand abuse. I think since the Classic Series and Charvels, the mim stuff has skyrocketed in quality. I can compare against an early 90's strat mim that was also nice but not on this level. Really, between the upper class mim and squier cv or other affordable strats, I feel there's a very big gap in basic construction and durability. If you're planning to keep, get a used mim with your favourite specs and upgrade as you see fit. It's well worth it, it will keep on keeping on. Same thing goes for the 2008-2010 run of Charvel USA models. Not the most refined stuff ever, but basics were shockingly solid and they used to go for ~800 which is crazy given the current usa select fetch 2000+ without being especially better.

Top channel and thanks for your advice and you got some awesome skills.I gravitate to the iconic brand. The Fender name is synonymous with air. It's called a "Real" strat. 3rd hand 1998 Godin artisan signature 2 peice 1/2 inch yes 1/2 inch birds eye violin burst maple cap over maple body, birds eye maple neck, schaller 2 point gold tremolo and gold locking keys, 1/4 inch ebony fret board Godin sss rail pick ups, strap locks, original Godin strap and hard case all stock at 500 of your euros 65% drop from new, changed my mind.Hell I see the player series just 2 yrs after being introduced here in New Zealand has risen 10%. All good I play my Godin and get brand shamed but reminds me of the ugly duckling story. I'm practicing hard and having fun.

You are a Beast of a player bro. I have feelings for Strats

10:05 - the moment I subscribed!

Will likely add a Players Strat to my Epi LP Standard Pro … have owned many “Made in America” Fenders or Gibsons in the past. I’m at a point where I’m just looking for good value. Both Epiphone and Fender have made incredible strides in their build quality in the more “budget friendly” category. I’d probably toss in a set of Texas Special pickups as I’ve done in previous strats.

I have a 2019 player series,i.adore it

Love your videos man, this was awesome : "is it the best, is it good, I don't know"

I haven't tried the Player series one yet but I've played several Standard series strats and they were all amazing guitars. I've also owned two American Standards and I can't say any of them were any better apart from the two point bridge, wich the new Player series has so.....

The Wah pedal and the Fender bridge sound great together.

I love the strat as a concept and have owned many Fender strats and other strats. I would never buy a Fender just to have the name as it's become the world's most ubiquitous guitar. But if I can find a good MIM strat at a good price I'll get it. I've owned a number of American and Mexican strats and have had nothing but good experiences with MIM strats. I've also been wanting to go back to a single coil tone in the last year but my axes are all double humbucker. I love good humbuckers but so much of the music I want to play these days is a single coil sort of tone like Robin Trower, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson 70s era Uli Roth and Frank Marino. Nothing punches through a mix like a good single coil. By nature they are more expressive than humbuckers which cancel out more frequencies than they add.

I got one on sale. Put a set of Custom Shop 69’s in it, locking tuners, Bone Nut, Decked the trem and polished the frets... the best guitar I’ve ever owned.

The trem bar is supposed to take a little spring down the bottom of the hole... to stop the trem from flopping around. Very easy to lose when trem is removed.

I bought one online and the mistake was I didn’t play it before (lockdown) first one had really sharp frets and sent it back. 2nd one was better but I put American machine heads on it. The stock ones didn’t stay in tune for me. Also it needed a lot of setting up. It’s nice but try them out as they differ