Fender Player Plus Stratocaster highlights its suitability for home recording and versatility. The guitar boasts a comfortable modern design, stable tuning with locking tuning machines and a two-point tremolo, a new noiseless pickup for clear sound, a versatile sound range with unique wiring options, and a variety of color options. However, it uses a Pau Ferro fretboard, which produces a harder sound, and its modern design might not resonate with classic Fender enthusiasts. When compared to the Player Stratocaster, the Player Plus offers more modern features at a slightly higher price.
Hello, I’m Yosh, an ex-musical instrument store employee (@Yosh_Guitars).
● If you’re looking for a guitar ideal for home recording or social media,
● Want a versatile guitar that isn’t too modern,
● Or if you’re looking to upgrade from a guitar around $500 to something more comfortable to play,
I recommend the Fender Player Plus Stratocaster. At first glance, I wasn’t expecting much based on its specs and preliminary information. However, after trying it out, I was genuinely impressed.
Pros of Player Plus Stratocaster
Easy-to-Play Modern Design
The fretboard has a slightly flat 12-inch radius, medium jumbo-sized frets, and a modern C-shaped neck with rounded edges, making it very comfortable to play.
Stable Tuning with Locking Tuning Machines and Two-Point Tremolo
The tremolo bridge is supported at two points, ensuring smooth arm movement. The locking Tuning Machines also contribute to stable tuning and make string changes quick and easy.
Newly Developed Dedicated Noiseless Pickup
The Player Plus series features the newly developed Player Plus Noiseless™ Strat® pickup. As the name suggests, it eliminates the humming noise typical of single-coil pickups, producing a clear and crisp sound. It’s also great with distortion and works well with effect pedals, making it suitable for modern genres and home recording.
Sound Variations That Can Accommodate Any Genre.
The Player Plus Stratocaster offers two models: one with three single pickups and another HSS model with a humbucker in the rear.
The second tone pot is push-pull, allowing for unique wiring options in addition to the traditional Stratocaster pickup selector. In the SSS model, when the rear or the rear+center half-tone is selected, pulling the tone pot adds the front pickup. This means you can achieve a Telecaster-like half-tone with the front+center, and a tone with all three pickups connected in parallel. In the HSS model, pulling the tone pot allows for coil tapping of the rear Player Plus Humbucking pickup, making it function like a regular Stratocaster with three single pickups.
Additionally, the volume control is equipped with the treble bleed circuit, which was well-received in the American Professional II. This ensures that the highs don’t drop off even when the volume is turned down.
Cons of Player Plus Stratocaster
Pau Ferro Fretboards Disliked by Old-School Fans
Currently, Fender does not offer rosewood fretboard models, and instead, the commonly used substitute is the Pau Ferro fretboard. While Fender claims it’s similar in appearance and sound to rosewood, the sound produced by Pau Ferro is harder in quality. This means there are fretboards in both Maple and Pau Ferro, but there isn’t a significant difference in sound. In my opinion, you can choose based on appearance, including body color, without any concerns.
Less of the Classic Fender Feel Due to Its Modernity
The Player Plus series is designed for modern playability and sound, which might disappoint those looking for the classic Fender style.
Historically, Fender’s modern style series, such as the American-made Deluxe, Elite, and Ultra haven’t exactly been best-sellers. The distinctiveness and charm of the traditional Fender style are highly sought after. Moreover, the price range for the American-made modern Fender styles has typically been over $2,000, and at that price point, there are many competing modern-style guitars from other brands. However, the Player Plus series, priced in the early $1,000 range, offers a modern style that has fewer alternatives from other brands, fulfilling a different set of needs than before.
Comparison with Player Stratocaster
| Specification | Player Plus | Player |
|---|---|---|
| Market Price | SSS: $1,099.99 HSS: $1,129.99 | SSS: $849.99 HSS: $879.99 |
| Country of Manufacture | Mexico | Mexico |
| Body | Alder | Alder |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyester | Gloss Polyester |
| Neck | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane | Satin Urethane |
| Neck Shape | Modern C | Modern C |
| Fretboard | Maple or Pau Ferro | Maple or Pau Ferro |
| Fretboard Radius | 12″ (305mm) | 9.5″ (241 mm) |
| Frets | 22, Medium Jumbo | 22, Medium Jumbo |
| Nut Width | 1.685″ (42.8mm) | 1.650″ (42 mm) |
| Pegs | Locking/Deluxe Cast | Standard Cast |
| Scale | 25.5″ (648mm) | 25.5″ (648mm) |
| Bridge | 2-point support/Block Saddle | 2-point support/Pressed Saddle |
| Pickups | Player Plus Noiseless Strat | Player Alnico 5 Strat |
| Controls | Volume, Tone1 (Front/Middle), Tone2 (Rear) | Volume, Tone1 (Front/Middle), Tone2 (Rear) |
| Tone Push-Pull | SSS: Add Front PU, HSS: Rear Humbucker Coil Tap | None |
This is a comparison with the Player series, which is currently the most affordable under the Fender brand. In conclusion, the Player series retains the classic Fender characteristics, while the Player Plus series leans more toward modern convenience. There’s a price difference of about $160, which seems reasonable overall.
Having tried both, the most significant difference I felt was in playability. The Player Plus series, in particular, has features like rounded neck edges that make it more comfortable to play, indicating that extra care has been taken beyond just the specifications.
Another major difference is in the sound and its variations. The sound of the Player Stratocaster is slightly lower in output, producing a classic Fender sound with its distinctiveness. On the other hand, the Player Plus Stratocaster, with its noiseless pickups, produces a clear and balanced sound. It also offers sound variations with its push-pull pot, making it suitable for a wide range of genres and home recordings.
You can listen to a sound comparison from 15:20 in this video. I hope my impressions come across.
Conclusion
Having tried the actual instrument, my honest impression is that it’s a product of higher quality than I imagined and has a unique position with few competitors. I wasn’t expecting much (no offense), so I’m genuinely impressed.
While it doesn’t quite match high-end guitars, it offers comfortable playability suitable for shred playing. It pairs well with an effect pedal and digital equipment, making it a versatile guitar that can handle various genres.
For those who find the Schecter SD-2 or Ibanez RG too modern in both appearance and functionality, the Player Plus Stratocaster might be just the right balance.
The Player Plus Stratocaster is recommended for:
- Those looking for a backup guitar suitable for home recording, such as one with single coils.
- Those who want a versatile and convenient guitar but have been wary of ones that are too modern.
- Non-guitarist players, like bassists, who want to own one electric guitar.
By the way, if you’re looking for the Player Plus Stratocaster, you might come across a model called “Player Stratocaster HSS Plus Top.” This is not part of the Player Plus series but is from the Player series with a maple grain on the body, labeled “Plus Top.” In essence, it’s a Player series, so be cautious.
