Fender has announced the new Player Series electric guitars and basses, a replacement for their long-running Standard Series. The Player family offers upgraded features, new specifications and new models. The Player guitars and basses also represent the most affordable choice for anyone looking for a Fender logo on their headstock.
The Player family includes all of the usual suspects: Strats, Teles, Jazz Basses and Precision Basses. It also includes the Jazzmaster, Jaguar (with an HS configuration!), Jaguar Bass, a fretless Jazz Bass and a 5-string Jazz Bass, among other models.
The Player guitars and basses also herald the introduction of some new colors including Polar White, Sonic Red, Buttercream, Sage Green Metallic and Tidepool.
How is the Player Series different from the Standard Series? Let’s take a look at some of the uniform features found on all models.
First, Fender has re-voiced their pickups from the ground-up, reflecting a vintage-inspired sound. Whereas the pickups found on the Standard models featured ceramic magnets, the Player model pickups feature Alnico magnets. This results in a warmer, more pleasing sound, that will make you think these guitars and basses are much more expensive than they are.
Like the Standard series, Fender’s Player models feature maple, Modern “C” necks with a 9.5” radius. Where they diverge is on the number of frets. The new Player models have 22 Medium Jumbo frets as compared with the 21 found on the Standard models.
As we move up the neck, we’ll find synthetic bone nuts on each model. If you look closely at the logo found on the headstocks you’ll recognize Fender’s ‘50s-style “Spaghetti logo”, as found on some of their higher-end American-made models.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at each available model in the Player series.
Fender Player Stratocaster
The Fender Player Stratocaster is available in a variety of different configurations. These include the standard SSS model (also available left-handed, or with a Plus Top), an HSH configuration, an HSS (also available with a Plus Top). They’ve even released a Floyd Rose HSS model with Pau Ferro or maple fingerboard, a great choice for the whammy-lovers amongst us.
The Player Series Strats feature alder bodies with gloss polyester finishes, and satin urethane finished neck backs. Each model (exempting the Floyd Rose model) features an updated 2-point tremolo design which offers smoother travel and better tuning stability, as compared to the 6-point design found on the Standard series.
Each Fender Player Stratocaster is available with a choice of maple or Pau Ferro fingerboard.
Fender Player Telecaster
The Fender Player Telecaster is available in two distinct models: a standard SS configuration (with Alnico 5 pickups) and an HH configuration (with Alnico 2 humbuckers). Both models feature standard string-through-body bridges, with bent-steel saddles for precise tuning intonation. One byproduct of this design is added sustain, which will help your playing cut through the mix.
One notable feature found on the HH configuration is a push-pull tone pot. This allows you to access some split coil tones, adding further tonal versatility.
Each Fender Player Telecaster is available with a choice of maple or Pau Ferro fingerboard. The standard SS configuration can also be purchased as a left-handed model.
Fender Player Jaguar
Fender’s Player Jaguar is a first for a Fender Jaguar: an HS configuration. In the neck position is a Player Series Alnico 2 Jaguar single-coil pickup. In the bridge pickup is a Player Series Alnico 3, with coil splitting available via a slide switch. Pickup switching comes via a 3-postion blade switch: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2: Bridge and Neck Pickups and Position 3. Neck Pickup.
The Player Jaguar features a 6-saddle, vintage-style adjustable bridge with floating tremolo tailpiece, great for adding dynamic expression to your sound.
The Fender Player Jaguar is available in 3 Color Sunburst, Black, Tidepool and Sonic Red. Each model features a Pau Ferro fingerboard.
Fender Player Jazzmaster
The Fender Player Jazzmaster features an HH configuration, with two Player Series Alnico 2 Humbuckers. These humbuckers provide a huge, warm sound, that’s both modern and classic Fender. And if you’re looking for a bit more vintage vibe, a push-pull pot gives you immediate access to classic Fender single-coil sound.
Like the Player Jaguar, the Player Jazzmaster features a 6-saddle, vintage-style adjustable bridge with a “floating” tremolo tailpiece.
The Fender Player Jazzmaster is available with a Pau Ferro fingerboard in Polar White, 3-Color Sunburst, Sage Green Metallic and Buttercream.
Fender Player Jazz Bass
The new Player Jazz Bass is available in three configurations: a standard 4-string model, a 5-string model and a fretless model. Each of the models features Player Series Alnico 5 Single-Coil Jazz Bass pickups in the bridge and middle position.
While the 4-string and fretless models feature 4-saddle standard bridges, the 5-string model features a vintage-style bridge. These work in tandem with the standard open-gear tuners to provide stable tuning and accurate intonation. Finally, while the 4- and 5-string models feature 20 Medium Jumbo frets, the fretless model offers inlaid fret line markers.
The 4-string Player Jazz Bass is also available in a left-handed model.
Fender Player Precision Bass
The Fender Player Precision Bass offers classic P-Bass sound at a budget-friendly pricepoint. The Player Series Alnico 5 split single-coil Precision Bass pickup provides plenty of legendary Fender bass tone, with vintage tone and modern punch.
Like the Jazz Bass, the Precision Bass features 4-saddle standard bridges and standard open-gear tuning machines. It is available with a maple or Pao Ferro fingerboard.
Fender Player Jaguar Bass
Fender’s Player Jaguar Bass is a fantastic choice for any bassist looking for a flexible bass guitar that’s capable of offering authentic J-Bass and P-Bass tones. The Player Jaguar Bass features a Player Series Alnico 5 Single-Coil Jazz Bass pickup in the bridge and a Player Series Alnico 5 split single-coil Precision Bass in the Middle position.
Standard open-gear tuners, 4-saddle standard bridge and vintage style J-Bass knobs give this bass plenty of Fender vibe.
The Fender Player Jaguar Bass is available in Tidepool, Sage Green Metallic and Sonic Red.