T H E GA S STATION 98 Words Michael Astley-Brown / Photography Olly Curtis FENDER PLAYER SERIES ROUND-UP Say goodbye to the Standards and hello to the Player Series as the biggest name in guitars revamps its mid-priced made-in-Mexico line TOTAL GUITAR AUGUST 2018 TGR308.gear_test.
THE TG TEST 99 A t this point in time, most players are familiar with Fender’s aspirational path for guitar players: you start with a Squier, then upgrade to a made-inMexico Standard model, before making your way into ‘it will be mine’ American-made territory. It’s a stairway to six-string heaven that’s courted guitarists for as long as most of us care to remember.
T H E GA S STATION The Alnico V Tele single coils on the Fender Player Telecaster pack a serious punch £549 FENDER PLAYER TELECASTER Old faithful gets a makeover AT A GLANCE BODY: Alder NECK: Maple SCALE: 648mm (25.5") 100 FINGERBOARD: Maple FRETS: 22 PICKUPS: 2x Player T he humble Telecaster remains the guitar world’s most enduring workhorse, and its Mexican-built 2018 incarnation is in rude health. Key additions this time around include a 22nd fret, all-purpose 241mm (9.
THE TG TEST There is little to fault on the build quality of the Fender Player Stratocaster £549 FENDER PLAYER STRATOCASTER Smooth as Buttercream AT A GLANCE BODY: Alder NECK: Maple SCALE: 648mm (25.5") 101 FINGERBOARD: Pau ferro FRETS: 22 PICKUPS: 3x Player W hen it comes to its pride and joy, Fender really goes to town, and the Player Strat is no exception.
FENDER PLAYER JAGUAR The Jaguar is one of the Player line’s more intriguing offerings £599 Cat got your tone? AT A GLANCE BODY: Alder NECK: Maple SCALE: 610mm (24") FINGERBOARD: Pau ferro 102 FRETS: 22 PICKUPS: Player T he Jaguar has always been a curio among Fender’s range, and its Player edition is one of the line’s more intriguing offerings. Rather than the traditional SS layout, Fender has spec’d an Alnico 3 humbucker in the bridge and Alnico 2 single coil in the neck.
T H E GA S STATION FINAL VERDICT Which T-style is the right one for you? T he Player Series marks a real commitment to the mid-priced market from Fender, particularly given there are no unpleasant price hikes to contend with – although we would argue that you’d expect an included FENDER PLAYER TELECASTER gigbag at this price.
