I’e been drooling over the Tidepool Player Strat, so this video is relevant to my interests.

Get Them here: Fender Player Jazzmaster - Candy Apple Red Fender Player Jazzmaster - Candy Apple Red Thomann - thmn.to/thoprod/561136?offid=1&affid=288 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/R5RVAX Player Plus Stratocaster HSS - Fiesta Red Thomann - thmn.to/thoprod/561159?offid=1&affid=288 Sweetwater - sweetwater.sjv.io/Vm4Xzj

Great post, mate! I have a Player Jazzmaster and I love it! It's so versatile. It's my go-to guitar because it can do anything! :)

You're killing it with these videos Andy!

My only gripe is the switch to Pau Ferro. I know it’s out of necessity but rosewood looks and feels so much better. Hope they can make the switch back

Fiesta red and yummy silica gel, it’s like Christmas! Love seeing the band Andy

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

hahaha, thanks mate! More band stuff to come.

Great sound samples! I’d have to go with the strat for my tastes.

Great video Andy (as always). I have the Tele Player Plus in my collection and honestly found the quality to be a bit patchy. I own a range of Fenders (2008 Highway One Strat, 2011 MIJ Pawn Shop ‘51 Strat, 2011 American Special Tele, 2011 MIM Blacktop Jag, 2012 MIM Cabronita Tele, 2017 American Pro Strat, 2021 MIM Player Plus Tele, 2022 American Performer Tele) so I’ve some experience of their products over that time. I feel that the biggest area where quality has slipped is the neck and fret work - which is a shame because that’s what makes the first impression on you. The MIM & MIJ guitars from a decade ago are beautifully finished in this area - super smooth frets & gorgeous feel. My most recent MIM, the Player Plus Tele, initially had to be returned because the first one I received was really bad. The string spacing on the nut left the high E string hanging over the edge of the fret bevels and one fret had a razor-sharp burr on it that sliced my finger (I wondered what the funny red stains on my t-shirt were when I tried to play it the first time). I know that this area of finishing and setup is probably the most labour intensive in the build process but, as far as customer experience is concerned, it’s also the most vital so maybe a false economy to cut corners there. Having said all that, I still consider myself to be principally a Fender fanboy (especially of the USA guitars) and I revel in the feel of a good one. Now, my Gibsons…. well that’s a whole different nightmare 😢

I love watching you put these instruments to their intended use! No better way to test a guitar. Also I have that same pair of Chuck Taylors and they’re awesome 😎🤘🏻

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Sean! These Chucks are necessary for someone like me with lower back pain

Every time I've seen Scowl play they use Fenders, and they always look so dang cool. I'm easily sold things, so now I really want a Fender offset. I really liked that bright sound, I play hardcore punk and love a bright, aggressive sound and that seems to do it really well. Maybe once my amp is paid off there will be a Jag or Jazzmaster in my future. Or, hopefully, an HH offset telecaster if Fender decide to put them out.

That Stratocaster is so nice... I love it!

Great video. I'm not sure why Fender doesn't actually put Jazzmaster pickups in the Jazzmaster, though.

@teknomanning

Жыл бұрын

That is not a jazzmaster

@somethingelsedoesmatter

Жыл бұрын

They make many different Jazzmasters. Why not one with humbuckers? I have the Polar White and thought the humbuckers retained more of the Jazzmaster character than the pickups that came stock in my MIJ Traditional 60's Jazzmaster (which is overall a much better guitar, and killer with proper Jazzmaster picksups installed).

Great video!

Oh... damn, I'm in a meeting for the next few hours... looking forward to this as I'm in the market for a strat style guitar.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

If you are after one with Fender on the headstock, the player plus is a strong contender.

@marcdaslama

Жыл бұрын

​@@TheGuitarGeek Not particular. I'm open to almost everything. currently checking what is avaible with the specs I'd like to have.

@marcdaslama

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek It was a strong contender, but I decided to go cheaper moneywise. Yesterday I bought a Squier CV Strat.

Love my player jazzmaster. It's the cmi one so it's got the classic jazzmaster pickups!

I would love to see you demo the Fender Player series Jaguar. They also have a candy apple red version this year. I purchased the Jazzmaster but sent it back because the high E string kept sliding off the fret board.

@Xanax1402

5 ай бұрын

Had the same issue. Fixed it with adjusting one screw on the tremolo..

I think, from memory, the bigger difference (in the neck) is in the rolled edges, wider at the nut and flatter radius of the player plus. So yeah, more time will have been spent on the neck for the player plus plus and might suit your style more. The hardware upgrades are nice too... but I think if I was to buy with my eyeballs I'd have the Jazzmaster too.

@Tiptronics

Жыл бұрын

Yup thats pretty much it, Depending on the pickups there are more switching options on some variants and minor hardware upgrades (locking tuners) Just traded in my player plus meteora for a cme player jazzmaster, best decision for me personally - the fireball pickups were so MEH and the switching came faulty from the factory. The neck was very nice but almost TOO easy to play - characterless you could say? Depends what you are into. The quality of the setup on the meteora was MARGINALLY better, by that I mean the fret ends were much neater - but the nut was overhanging 🤷‍♂️ Honestly the jazzmaster player neck is perfect anyway, it feels like a dream and the difference between radius is so negligible in reality. THAT SAID The inflated prices of player series guitars makes it hard to say that are “good value” and despite being essentially perfect guitars without the fancy wood choices and so on, it’s embarrassing what fender is offering compared to smaller brands. Sire is cheaper and feels the same level of quality overall. Affordable guitars are just so good now - you can see brands are “holding back” just to keep american made guitars looking worth the ludicrous money - most people of my age don’t care where it is made but quality per pound(or dollar/euroetc) It’s just a shame they don’t do a jazzmaster 🤷‍♂️ or an SG Edit - for reference the jazzmaster was like 800/900 quid and the meteora was about the same when I bought it last year. The jazzmaster has american pickups though so I guess it’s equal “value” Hard to say how much it’s inflated but i’d say roughly 100-200 pounds over the last year or so

Having just traded some stuff to buy a player plus, I have to say I couldn't be happier. The player tele i tried was good but the finish, pickups, tuners, push-pull switching and gig bag was absolutely worth the difference imho.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

I agree the Player Plus has a serious edge

Wouldn’t go back on my player plus HSS Silverburst Strat. Once you get a set up the done it sounds great. Will be switching it the pau ferry board for maple soon.

I have a Fender MIM Strat Player version and it was good. But a month ago took to a shop for a service. They found a couple of things that were missed at QC. Now its plays so so better and brighter. So maybe Player Plus versions just have a little more TLC before shipping.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

I think that’s exactly the case. It not so much about what goes into the guitars but how much attention the guitars are given

Proud owner of the Player Jazzmaster. You are absolutely right on all points raised. I didn't intend on getting mine but I got a great deal on one with a dented back. At the time I wasn't aware of all the problems associated with Jazzmasters. I had to shim the neck like you mentioned. The bridge also took me on a journey. I couldn't justify dropping the money on a mastery bridge so I came up with a cheaper solution. Also string spacing is an issue on these. You know what makes it worth the headache? That alnico 2 neck humbucker. It's so good. Also the split coil tones on these are great compared to other guitars in my opinion.

@laughingthrushmusic5269

6 ай бұрын

What was the cheaper bridge fix?

@grayskald

6 ай бұрын

@@laughingthrushmusic5269 I replied to this but my comment contained a link so maybe that's not allowed? I've seen a few examples on forums of people doing the same as me. The basic idea is you leave the bridge in place and remove the saddles. Replace the saddles with a one piece bar style bridge for a Gretsch guitar. Search for a Bigsby Compensated Bridge for Gretsch. You place that on the bridge base and the string tension holds it in place. Just make sure you get one with correct string spacing and correct compensation for wound / unwound G. The one I got needed to be sanded flat on the bottom. To intonate you just move it back or forward similar to an archtop guitar. If having it move while playing is a concern I was worried about this also but mine hasn't budged and I am a pretty heavy handed player. The holes also line up nicely so you are still able to raise and lower the bridge. I also think it is a nice visual improvement. It is also super comfortable on your picking hand if you are into palm muting. Not a perfect system but it solves the issues I had with the stock bridge which was mostly string spacing and buzzing. This paired with shimming the neck has made this guitar a joy to play. It also improved the unplugged volume and tonality. I should also mention I'm using standard 10s so heavy gauge strings are not needed for this mod either.

I know this is an odd takeaway from a guitar video, that's actually well structured & having a band practice run through for these guitars is genuinely a great idea,, but all I got out of this was whoever Andy/his wife (more likely) bought that blue shirt has a great eye & great taste.

are you playing Counting crows 'round here on the clean sound test?

How do you feel the strat compares to similar priced offerings from ibanez, prs, etc?

I would prefer the more Sultans of Swingi guitar. As a Player Plus, it is the better deal compared to the Player Jazzmaster. Rolled fret board edges, better tuning machines, and noiseless pickups (I love them). Oh, and it comes with a "Deluxe" Gig Bag.

Red guitars sound better. It's just science. Loved the band clips and of course the usual lovely lovely riffage throughout!

Is the JM routed where you can install original pickup or just for the Humbucker?

800€, is it worth it? i`m not too familar with fender guitars but there is a very affordable Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniv. for 350€ @ thomann, is it compareable? looks like something special to me.. and many thanks to the austrian oak again here 🤣🎸

I went and purchased the Fender Player Buttercream 2020 edition, my volume button doesn't seem to kick in until the nr 3 on the dial. Is this normal, or do I have a defective pot.

The player plus series is definitly an upgrade in some ways. It has rolled edges but it's also a satin maple neck. The player jazzmaster has a pau ferro board which to me feels horribly. I remember trying out a player strat with pau ferro board and putting it away after literally 2 chords. I'm not one to snob about finish, materials or radius but pau ferro disgusted me

Mine is an ‘08 “Standard” MIM Telecaster … a natural-finish “Special-Edition”, but still a Mexican Telecaster. I have over 70 guitars … that Tele is my #1.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

Have you tried these new ones? I’d love to know how they compare

@davidkastin4240

Жыл бұрын

Hail Mary Recordings. I have many electric guitars, over 40. I also have a MIM Tele and Strat. They are both excellent and have never let me down. They are among the best in my collection.

@davidkastin4240

Жыл бұрын

Both are Standard Series. Tele I bought new in 2016 and the Strat is a 15 I bought in 16 used but brand new condition, practically stole it for what I paid, worth triple now 😎

I had a player duo-sonic in surf pearl and absolutely loved it. Needed some money so was forced to sell it. Ended up buying a player Mustang in sonic blue and it's awful, the neck and fretboard is horrible. Really disappointed will definitely be swapping it back soon as I can afford it. Appreciate this video isn't about those guitars sorry just made me think me when I saw the player offset jazzmaster.

Sure, the Jazzmaster needs a bit more work, but - it's a Jazzmaster. That alone makes it the choice between these two. :P I do own the Polar White version, which I got for $709 CAD, which was a steal. Barely more than the Squier Classic Vibe (which I also have). I do like it quite a lot, after a setup. However, at regular price of $1200 CAD, I'd first recommend spending a tiny bit more and importing a MIJ Traditional 60's Jazzmaster. By far my favourite guitar I own, and you can feel the quality difference immediately compared to the Squiers and MIM.

A lot of red! 🔥

Please tell how to download the architect software

Got the HSS Sonic Blue on sale from Guitar Center (unopened box!) early this year. A bit disappointed with it: fret sprout, a crack in the paint by the neck heel, and a loose neck fit (w/c I hear is common with Fender). Maybe I'm just unlucky. Didn't exchange it anymore as I was just on a biz trip in the US.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

That’s a real shame. Could you at least fix it?

@bogartmc

Жыл бұрын

That's the plan - file, dress and sand/polish the fret ends (w/c are rough btw) and wick some CA glue on the paint crack so that it won't peel off 🤞. Don't get me wrong, I'm relatively new to guitars and it's my first decent one and I still love it.

A couple of years ago I had three Fender player telecasters in my hands. All of them ended up returned due to terrible quality issues. Ended up buying a performer telecaster which is excellent. I will not be buying a Mexican Fender again.

The Strat seems to be far better , the sound of it seems to be more detailed. But what did Joe Bonamassa say? You can play every music on every guitar as long as its work and its loud.😄

Are those Humbis in the Jazzmaster the same alnico ll pups, that are in my Lead lll?

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

Both guitars have player series humbuckers so... yes!

@gearViewmirror

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek Great pickups, thanks Andy🎸🤘 (still rocking the DC Junior Ferris Blue😁👍)

Sorry to be negative, but I really wish Fender would drop their schtick. Just about everyone knows that style of knob should not be used with push-pull pots for exactly the reason you mentioned. Furthermore, just about everyone knows that humbuckers mount just fine with two screws placed symmetrically. Finally, just about everyone knows that Strat's bridge pickup is Wide Ran…oh, they repurposed an iconic aesthetic which they recently treated as selling point for more expensive guitars rather than provide a typical humbucker as they did with the Jazzmaster.

I knew you were going to say fender strat .. ❤️

Sharp neck edges on the side that meets your palm, that was my experience. Unacceptable on anything with a Fender logo.

So is there value in those fender players?

Pickups on the jazzmaster don't sound too much different from each other? Ya probably get away with having one of them!

Fiesta Red,more like Marinara Sauce,maybe Tomato 🍅

Someone give Steve a strap.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

Yeah…. He just added strap locks so we had a bit of an issue 😂

@andsoistopped

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek lol.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

@@andsoistopped so now i had to go buy ANOTHER spare strap....

@andsoistopped

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek 🤩🤩

@SROXX79

Жыл бұрын

😂

Yummy silica gel? So that explains it. Lol

Andy, I am a horrible bigot, trained by popular magazine’s 70’s guitar myths. I play necks that do not have bolts. Why? Sustain. This does not reflect on your excellent reviews.

fender do absolutely nothing thats value,leo will be spinning in his grave seeing the way theve gone

@PaulCooksStuff

Жыл бұрын

The launch price under Leo in 1954 was $250. A month's wages were $300. Inflation adjusted to 2023 purchasing power parity, the price would be $2,819.36. Fender offer a far wider range at price points Leo could only dream of.

@dougiedrever7168

Жыл бұрын

@@PaulCooksStuff i have magazines from the 80s where fenders were bout £250, no 5/7 piece bodies with veneers but it does go against leos whole ethic of affordable guitars that are easy fixed if something goes,alder as a tone wood? they only did that because they couldnt get ash and alder was a cheap alternative, they didnt give a fuck about it,was what ever was cheapest, same goes for that legendary paf shit, gibson just hammered them out, grab two coils stick them together, its all guitar snobbery down to logo on headstock, pure bullshit that allows said companies to stick out sub standard instruments at inflated price for a name on headstock

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

@@dougiedrever7168 Your style of communication negates your points. You have some interesting arguments here but they are sadly lost in the sea of aggression.

@PaulCooksStuff

Жыл бұрын

@@dougiedrever7168As I've already shown you, Leo's guitars were far less affordable than current Fender offerings. Its also rose tinted urban myth that Leo's ethos was about guitars being easily fixed. Fender didn't originally sell replacement necks until many years later when enterprising third parties started buying whole guitars to break them down for parts, and sell them on. Fender reacted by selling replacement necks themselves. The idea didn't feature anywhere in Leo's original business plan. He made them easy for himself to manufacture, he never intended making it easy for anyone else to repair.

@dougiedrever7168

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek ok, justify 2k for a tele/strat/p bass with three piece body, just because it says fender on the headstock? Or made in the USA? It's bullshit, you get depressed when a harley benton at 2 hundered euro has a three piece body, big companies are taking the piss because of the name on the headstock

I mostly just follow Andy on insta, should have been watching these vids lol