Fender Player Series Stratocaster SSS Review
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2021
- Hi Everyone,
Christos here, aka, THE FRAG.
Welcome to my YT channel, where I discuss all things guitars, bass and music. I am very humbled and thankful and hopefully I can inspire people to pick up a musical instrument and play.
Please hit subscribe, as I am releasing new videos regularly. Please also hit the like button, and leave any comments respectfully.
Today, I am reviewing my most recent acquisition, the Fender Player Series Stratocaster (made in Mexico) SSS. The video commences with a go over of the guitar's specifications, then moves to my thoughts on the quality of the guitar from the Fender Mexican factory. Finally, I then conclude with some discussion on post-purchase upgrades I intend to do. I also chuck in some tips and suggestions. Here are some links to CZcams videos where I reviewed my other Fender Player Series Stratocaster (made in Mexico) HSH finished in stunning Butter Cream, as well as jamming along to a classic track to give you an indication of its tonal qualities.
• Fender Player Series S... First review
• Review of my UPGRADED ... Follow up review with upgrades
• IRON MAIDEN - WASTED Y... Jamming along to Iron Maiden's, Wasted Years
Keep safe and stay positive during these times. Bless you all.
Thank you so much for your video and explaining the neck radius.
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep ROCKING! 🤘🎸🎸🤘
This was soooooo informative! My player strat is currently in with a mate getting a setup done (I bought it in 2019) but when I get it back I have a few mods planned for it. Replacing the saddles was never something I had considered but I'll be doing that for sure.
Thank you for sharing your comments. I found the Gotoh bridge saddles significantly improved intonation and string resonance. Enjoy your mods journey. Keep rocking. 🤘🎸
I just purchased this very same guitar, and I'm very impressed with it so far.
Awesome, Peter. Thank you for sharing your story. They're great guitars. Keep ROCKING! 🤘🎸🎸🤘
Great Review Pal! I’m actually going to start doing instrument reviews! Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much Mat for your comment. It's a great feeling providing insights that help others. Keep ROCKING. 🤘 🤘 🤘
Hey Christos, absolutely love the video, it’s very informative and gives a real good review of the guitar. Looking to get the same guitar but with the maple neck. Beside the guitar, could you do a video about the pedals (if any) and amps you like to play?
Hey Michael, thank you for your kind words. I enjoy making videos to help inform others, and so blessed to receive positive feedback like yours. I will post videos on my pedals and amp. But for now, I use an Engl Ritchie Blackmore 100 watt head through an Engl horizontal 212 cab loaded with Celestion V30s, and just using a Maxon Vintage Overdrive OD-820. Sometimes I use an MXR Stereo Chorus. Finally, I use Pig Hog cables too. Hope that adds further perspective. Keep ROCKING! 🤘 🤘 🎸🎸
Great review!
Thanks, Theodor. Keep ROCKING 🤘 🎸 🤘 🎸
Great review! subbed
Thanks, ROTTER! Keep ROCKING! 🎸 🤘🎸🤘
Hi thank you for this review. Decided to get one.
Awesome! You will love it! 🤘🎸🤘🎸
@@christosfragias592 Thanks again. I'm actually looking for steel saddles now as you suggested. But i'm seeing two different sizes. There's a 10.5mm spacing, and another is the 10.8mm. Would you know which one is the correct size? Thank you.
For locking tuners: All short posts...
That thing looks awesome
graphtec string trees were the only thing I changed on mine. I was very happy with everything else. PUs sound lovely too.
Awesome. Thanks, and keep ROCKING! 🎸 🤘
Interesting. I have a 2019 almost identical Player strat (except it has maple fretboard). When I got it some of the high frets were buzzing and no amount of truss-roddery would fix it. I took it to a tech and he identified some fret levelling which need doing. After that, the action is superbly low and there's no buzz. To improve tuning stability when using the bar, I put the Fender locking tuners on plus a graphtech set of bridge saddles, plus I replaced the string tree for a nicer one. The guitar is superbly tuning- stable now, and I love it!
Thanks Phil for your comment. I too have the same issue regarding string buzzing. I noticed the frets seem very coarse on the surface, and I have fret erasers of different gradings which I will use soon to work on. And I also bought a Graphtech string tree to replace as well. Once done, I will post another video showcasing these, and other modifications. Till then, stay safe, and keep Rocking! 🤘🎸🤘🎸
I Really enjoy my Fender Stratocaster👍
Thank you. And so you should. I hope you enjoy many years from your Fender Stratocaster. Keep ROCKING! 🤘🎸🎸🤘
Cool video 👍 All the upgrades you mentioned sound good, except I wouldn't put a hot rails in the neck and lose that tone. Especially if you have a strat with a humbucker in the neck position already.
Thanks, Ben. I will be posting a video soon reviewing all upgrades. I am pleased to say the Hot Rails in the neck, at least on my guitar, sound great! Keep ROCKING!🤘🎸🤘🎸
Wonderful guitar, I replaced the standard tuners for vintage ones, same 2 pin installation method
Thanks, Carlos. Hope you are enjoying your guitar. Keep 🤘 Rocking!
My favourite feature of this video is Bogorodica Trojeručia...
You are 100% correct on the vintage Bridge saddles, I absolutely HATE them. They should be melted down and made into something useful, like a spoon. I don't get why anyone chooses to use them when Fender has offered many better ones for years. Good review. As far as string tree the ones which have a rounded butterfly surface are great. My original butterfly strung trees cross section were flat. Good mod.
I like the bridge saddle replacement idea. Easier to keep clean. I would also recommend Grover locking tuners. Best I have ever used (although even these are being copied in Asia). I always set up my own guitars. I don't enjoy it but you don't need any skills except patience and it's free. Also, locking tuners make string changes a piece of cake.
Thanks Kim, for your comment. And good on you for doing your own work to your guitar. It's a gratifying feeling when you finish, and get it right. Yes, sometimes you need the patience of a saint. 🙏🤣
Yesterday, I swapped out the stock pickups for Seymour Duncan Hot Rails (neck and bridge), and the stock tuners for Fender Locking Tuners. It now sounds and plays beautifully. I also filed down the low E and A slots on the nut, as both strings were sitting higher from changing up to 10-46 gauge. As when I was pressing down, notes were playing too sharp. I will be posting more videos on this guitar to review upgrades and sounds. Stay tuned, and keep ROCKING! 🤘🎸🤘🎸
@@christosfragias592 I have had guitars for a few years, and I've been through the process of buying and selling and being indecisive with different guitars, turns out after going through that phase my favourites are the Stratocasters & ES-335's. I have the same player series because I wanted the Eric Clapton Blackie guitar that I can't ever justify, So I went with the maple board and the black finish, though I went with the HSS configuration, just told myself I want the most versatility.
Hi, nice looking guitar. Which fender player do you like better your hsh or the sss? Now we need some of your nice playing to go along with that nice strat😆
Cheers from the far North Coast
Thanks so much for your comment. I like my HSH as it plays really nicely. And has a nice tone. The SSS, I plan to change the pickups to Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in the neck and bridge. The SSS has a slightly different fretboard grain and texture and feels a little less smoother when playing. But both great guitars. I will post some videos soon. Keep ROCKING! 🎸🤘🎸🤘
@@christosfragias592 thank you for your reply. My player tobacco burst pau ferro that I ordered a few days ago is on it's way and I do have a loaded pickguard from a 2001 with american standard strat pickups that has the hotter bridge pickup and delta tone ready to drop in to my new players. I also had a look on e-bay at your mentioned brass chromed gotoh saddle blocks which are on my purchase list and perhaps a cold rolled tremolow steel block depending on the sustain of the guitar. Thanks
@@Alfonzo862 cool! You're going to have one awesome guitar when you're finished. Enjoy! 🤘🎸🤘🎸
@@christosfragias592 thank you
Ive a mim standard from 2018 i bought as my first electirc ever. It is my precious one but after playing mostly others ive bought cheaper the frets now seems on the MIM to be way lower to the fret which makes me wonder if it was ever leveled due to high fret or its just me. It plays well ans again is my favorite but my fingers feel the fretboard when fretting more than my Classic Vibe 60s (2015) and my Harley Benton Fusion t. I guess its just the medium jumbos are made this way?They seem like they are not worn looking perhaps its just me. I bought it 3 months old. The owner sold it to me with a hard fender case all together for 450 shipped and the date shows dec 2017 built. Which means it was the last run and possibly last of the batches they made before the player series. Mine is the Limited Run Or FSR Black Strat looks like Gilmours...Has the ceramic standard pups.
I might one day get it refretted anyway if I can with stainless steel jumbo 😮
gday from wigan england, i just bought one and every word you said is true i,m absolutely made up with it
Hi Thomas, and thank you for your kind words. I lived in the UK for 9 years, and loved it (Hertfordshire then Buckinghamshire.) Very pleased to hear you are enjoying your new guitar. Keep ROCKING 🎸 🤘 🎸 🤘
@@christosfragias592 will do and you in oz
Hi Christos my Fender player likes yours
but my pickup is HSS
I have to say , the Alnico 2 humbacking not good to me
so I change the bridge pickup
Hi there, and thanks for sharing your story. Hope you are well. Keep ROCKING! 🎸🤘🎸🤘
are these pickups better than texas special?
Sorry, but I can't say. I haven't tried the Texas Specials.
Nowadays om astoniished at al the bewildernind og strat copies, wheo o bought my firsst fender therebwas only one stratocastre model. The real thong. Fullerton ,cal . O can even remember its no,, l 21 151,
I just got one ..and I wanna know is yours super heavy?
Hi there. Mine was pretty heavy. When I added the Seymour Duncan pickups and the Gotoh bridge saddles and the Fender locking tuners, it gained a little bit more weight.
@@christosfragias592 oh wow yea it sure did .. ok so ..now I have another question then .. how bad is it playing keeping tha. Body n neck even .. I have to play sitting down cause of injuries iv received in life so I think that's y I notice the weight embalance so much .. thank you for your videos andvyourvtimevand love 4 music ..
Weight in details?
Aussie Aussie Aussie
Thunder ⛈️ from Downunder 🇦🇺🪃 🇦🇺🪃🤘🎸🎸🤘
Is that a Black Sticker on the Guitar? I hope it is so you can remove it.
Great information on this beauty too, nice one buddy. 👏👏👏
Hi there. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the black sticker is put on there by Fender and provides the name of the series. It is removable and is on the plastic film covering the pick guard. Keep ROCKING 🤘 🎸🤘🎸🤘
@@christosfragias592 Thanks for your quick reply, just one more question before I buy one of these later…….does the fretboard have a Lacquered Glossy/Satin finish or none at all? I’ve seen some Pau Ferro fretboards with Lacquered finishes about.
Thanks again Christos.
@@ilovesmysangsomsangsom3500 only the maple ones gave a glossy neck
@@L0Lc0h3n I know now as I’ve got one with a PF neck
@@ilovesmysangsomsangsom3500 nice I’ve got one with the maple neck
Good revieu of my fender strat
Hello fellow Aussie
Hi There. Thank you, and hope you like my videos. Please, subscribe to my channel.
Not sure its practical to spend that much on a case for this guitar. You can pretty much get the American performer (which comes with a decent gig bag) for the same money
Hi Steve, and thanks for your comment. In Australia, an American Performer is twice as much as the Player series. Plus, the joy of doing work to my guitar, and a more affordable one at that, is all the more fun. With the American Performer option, I still would have to work on it, and that would be to costly. Equally, I like the Fender cases. Keep ROCKING. 🤘
Lol , Sorry mate , with only 130 subscriber's I don't think anyone would think you're endorsed by Fender.
Nice guitar though.
Actually, now 137. Every new subscriber is an endorsement in itself, for which I am thankful. You never know where the journey leads to.
Sorry, I fell asleep 5 mins in.
Hopefully, you dreamt of Fender guitars! 🤪
@christosfragias592 great comeback, and probably a lot more of a well mannered comeback than I deserved after my rude comment. Hopefully I didn't offend. I should be thanking people like yourself for posting helpful videos. Best of luck with the guitar.
@stevecarey8671 All good. I appreciate that not everyone will like or agree with everything I post, but keeping it respectful is what counts most. Keep ROCKING! 🤘🎸🎸🤘
Your volume is way to low
that's not a whale, it has a horn, it's a narwhal. fake whale. that's like removing a gibson label and putting a epiphone sticker on it. narwhals are better than whales, they're the unicorns of the fish world.
Thank you for clarifying. And now, back to the review... 🐋 🐳 🤣
@@christosfragias592 oh I see, you want to avoid the important stuff and focus on the insignificant.... okay then, if it's like that...