Fender is not only one of the most iconic names in the guitar business, but one of the most iconic names in the music industry as a whole. The mere shape of a Stratocaster or a Telecaster has become synonymous with countless artists and scenes. If you look around at the next concert you attend, chances are you’ll be able to spot the Fender logo hiding in plain sight. Recently, the instrument and gear brand has launched the next evolution of Fender guitars: the Player II Series.
Fender’s Player II Series aims to straddle the line between honoring the old and embracing the new. It retains the playability and style Fender’s most beloved models are known for while swapping in new parts, colors, and offerings.
Still learning the ins and outs of a six-string? Your guitar tech not answering your emails? Don’t know the difference between single coil and humbucker pickups? Worry not, as here’s a full breakdown of everything you need to know about what’s new in Fender’s Player II Series. Once you’ve learned all there is to know about these amazing new instruments, enter to win yourself one — a Coral Red Fender Player II Series Stratocaster, to be exact — here!
What is Fender’s Player II Series?
Fender’s Player II Series is a new line of electric guitars and bass guitars from Fender. As the name might imply, it follows Fender’s Player I Series, which was introduced in 2018 to replace the Standard Series. The Player collection offers some of Fender’s most iconic guitars — including the Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Jazzmaster, and more — at a more accessible price point than Fender’s more premium models.
What’s the difference Between Fender’s Player II Series and Player I Series?
The differences between the Player I Series and the Player II Series are all about small modifications that culminate in big changes.
Firstly, there are the parts. When it comes to the construction of the guitars, the Player I Series offered cast/sealed tuners, standard fingerboard edges, maple or Pau Ferro fingerboards, and parchment plastic parts. Compare that to the Player II Series, which includes ClassicGear™ tuners, rolled fingerboard edges, rosewood or maple fingerboards, and aged white parts. Additionally, for the tone heads out there, the Player II Series boasts select new pickup configurations, as well as select bridges upgrades, meaning players have even more control over the specs of their instrument without having to visit the mod shop.
Then, there’s the aesthetics. Sound is, of course, the most important aspect of an axe, but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t want it to look cool as hell as well. Where the Player I Series came in a standard range of colors, the Player II Series throws it back to a more vintage selection, including Birch Green, Aquatone Blue, Coral Red, and more.
Dive further into the differences between the two Player Series here.
What Models Are Available in Fender’s Player II Series?
Fender’s Player II Series houses the Jaguar, the Jazzmaster, the Mustang, and the Telecaster. It also boasts two editions of the ever-iconic Stratocaster: one with the classic configuration of three single-coil pickups and one with a humbucker taking over the bridge slot.
Additionally, the Player II Series includes Fender’s Precision Bass and Jazz Bass, for those who prefer to live in the low end.
How Much Does Fender’s Player II Series Cost?
Compared to some of Fender’s more premium options — be it the Player Plus series, the American Vintage Series, or an artist’s signature line (like FINNEAS’ Acoustasonic Telecaster) — the Player II Series has a more approachable price tag. While the aforementioned lines might run you upwards of $2,700, the Player II Series ranges from $769.99 to $829.99, depending on the model.
Where can I buy a Fender Player II Series Guitar?
All of Fender’s Player II Series products are available now at Fender’s official website, save for the left-handed Stratocaster and left-handed Telecaster, which are both due out in October. Pick one up and learn more about the specifics of each included model here.
You can also enter to win one, as we’re giving away a Player II Series Stratocaster in Coral Red. Fill out the form below or click here to enter.