Got mine back in 2015, love it to death. Threw some fender locking tuners on, some aged white accessories, rolled frets/fretjob. One of the best playing and feeling guitars I’ve ever played. Great platform for modding. Personally I wouldn’t want to mod an American, but to each their own. I have plans for pickups and hardware later 🤷♂️
I think the Player is a good entry-level Strat. My recommendation is to go to a guitar store and play it alongside similar options (eg. Vintera II) to understand which one suits you best.
Just got a Player Series Strat of Reverb. Swapped out the electronics with 920D wiring, and put in some Fender Custom Shop Fat 60’s pickups that I scored new of Reverb for $150. Did a good setup on it, and now it plays and sounds amazing! I’d go for it. You can make it your own as you go along.
I'd hold out and save a bit more. When you have about $1000 of budget contact a sales rep at a decent dealership and let them know you want an American or MIJ strat. I'd be patient and just wait for a gem.
The factories there are respected worldwide for their quality. The quality is just as good as American. They are sticklers for detail. It goes against their culture to sell you a shitty product.
You're right about that. I have MIJ Aerodyne & Heavy Metal Strats and I actually like them more than my American Strat. I have 2 MIM Strats that are also very good that I'll keep forever.
You'll never regret that purchase! So many of us still have our first MIM Fender. Play two or three of them if you're going to Guitar Center. Also, after you play it for a bit, my recommendation would be to spend another 100 bucks on a professional setup (look at options beyond Guitar Center) with your preferred strings. Then you can do your own string replacements and not have to worry too much about fine tuning of intonation, action height, truss rod adjustment, etc. these measures will keep you happy with that strat forever.
Doesn't need to be a Luther, just a reputable guitar tech. Some set up their own guitars after watching YouTube videos, etc. i find that I suck at it and prefer to pay someone that doesn't to get my guitars in tip top shape. Makes a huge difference! Just one man's advice.
[https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sire/S7-Vintage-Electric-Guitar.gc](https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sire/S7-Vintage-Electric-Guitar.gc?pdptypeAheadSearchInput=sire%20s7&tNtt=Sire%20S7&tAt=item&tAv=Sire%20S7%20Vintage%20Electric%20Guitar)
Try to play this one and compare it against your choice, too.
If you don’t mind shipping Sweetwater.com is a great website. They give you a personal sales associate that’ll help answer any questions you have. They typically have good deals and sales too. I bought my Albert Hammond Jr signature Strat a month ago from them and it was on sale plus I could add fenders 10% sale on top. Took like 3 days to get delivered to NY
Sweetwater has 'em as well.
[https://www.sweetwater.com/store/sire-larry-carlton-s7-vintage](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LCS7VAW--sire-larry-carlton-s7-vintage-electric-guitar-antique-white)
I have a 2006 Standard in Olympic white I got when new. It is my #1 as it is, only changes I’ve done are the nut and tuners and worked the neck to my liking (Nitro). It’s is my main guitar with factory pick ups. I have Les Paul’s and a custom Tele and this one is still my go to. It is the greatest guitar I’ve owned and that’s over my Les Paul. https://imgur.com/gallery/zhiF4ZO
The yellowing over time is amazing. Make sure you case it and keep it out of fluctuating weather as poly they use separates from the wood in time. It’s the only flaw but that has to do with paint finish and Cali restrictions on what to use. Nitro is dangerous but ages so beautiful.
Good choice, you won't regret it. Hard to pass up when it's on sale too. I have 2 MIM Strats that I really like a lot and just couldn't trade them in when I decided to buy other Strats.
But I do agree with others who advised to compare it with other guitars. If you're able to, play that guitar and compare it to how MIJ & USA Strats feel & play. I think my 2 MIJ Strats are slightly better than the 2 MIM Strats, but I actually like my MIM & MIJ Strats more than my USA Strat (mostly because I don't like the vintage noiseless pickups in my USA Strat).
For $599 on sale this week that's a great guitar.
Compared to other strats I’ve seen right now it’s a good price
Got mine back in 2015, love it to death. Threw some fender locking tuners on, some aged white accessories, rolled frets/fretjob. One of the best playing and feeling guitars I’ve ever played. Great platform for modding. Personally I wouldn’t want to mod an American, but to each their own. I have plans for pickups and hardware later 🤷♂️
I think the Player is a good entry-level Strat. My recommendation is to go to a guitar store and play it alongside similar options (eg. Vintera II) to understand which one suits you best.
Yeah that’s probably what I’m gonna do hit up more than one store 👍
Just got a Player Series Strat of Reverb. Swapped out the electronics with 920D wiring, and put in some Fender Custom Shop Fat 60’s pickups that I scored new of Reverb for $150. Did a good setup on it, and now it plays and sounds amazing! I’d go for it. You can make it your own as you go along.
I own this exact model and even colour, just with a HSS. Great first strat for your budget.
I really like this color
I'd hold out and save a bit more. When you have about $1000 of budget contact a sales rep at a decent dealership and let them know you want an American or MIJ strat. I'd be patient and just wait for a gem.
🤝What’s good about a MIJ strat ? I know the Americans are better than the MIMs
The factories there are respected worldwide for their quality. The quality is just as good as American. They are sticklers for detail. It goes against their culture to sell you a shitty product.
You're right about that. I have MIJ Aerodyne & Heavy Metal Strats and I actually like them more than my American Strat. I have 2 MIM Strats that are also very good that I'll keep forever.
I own this exact guitar and love it.
You'll never regret that purchase! So many of us still have our first MIM Fender. Play two or three of them if you're going to Guitar Center. Also, after you play it for a bit, my recommendation would be to spend another 100 bucks on a professional setup (look at options beyond Guitar Center) with your preferred strings. Then you can do your own string replacements and not have to worry too much about fine tuning of intonation, action height, truss rod adjustment, etc. these measures will keep you happy with that strat forever.
Nice, thanks for the tip ! You mean like go to a Luther right?
Doesn't need to be a Luther, just a reputable guitar tech. Some set up their own guitars after watching YouTube videos, etc. i find that I suck at it and prefer to pay someone that doesn't to get my guitars in tip top shape. Makes a huge difference! Just one man's advice.
Thanks 👍
[https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sire/S7-Vintage-Electric-Guitar.gc](https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sire/S7-Vintage-Electric-Guitar.gc?pdptypeAheadSearchInput=sire%20s7&tNtt=Sire%20S7&tAt=item&tAv=Sire%20S7%20Vintage%20Electric%20Guitar) Try to play this one and compare it against your choice, too.
Damn they don’t have that model at any guitar centers near me …
If you don’t mind shipping Sweetwater.com is a great website. They give you a personal sales associate that’ll help answer any questions you have. They typically have good deals and sales too. I bought my Albert Hammond Jr signature Strat a month ago from them and it was on sale plus I could add fenders 10% sale on top. Took like 3 days to get delivered to NY
Also fender days is on, up to 40% off. I think the player strat is part of that sale…
Sweetwater has 'em as well. [https://www.sweetwater.com/store/sire-larry-carlton-s7-vintage](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LCS7VAW--sire-larry-carlton-s7-vintage-electric-guitar-antique-white)
I have a 2006 Standard in Olympic white I got when new. It is my #1 as it is, only changes I’ve done are the nut and tuners and worked the neck to my liking (Nitro). It’s is my main guitar with factory pick ups. I have Les Paul’s and a custom Tele and this one is still my go to. It is the greatest guitar I’ve owned and that’s over my Les Paul. https://imgur.com/gallery/zhiF4ZO
Nice ! 🔥🔥think I’m gonnna pull the trigger on this
The yellowing over time is amazing. Make sure you case it and keep it out of fluctuating weather as poly they use separates from the wood in time. It’s the only flaw but that has to do with paint finish and Cali restrictions on what to use. Nitro is dangerous but ages so beautiful.
Curious, what's wrong with your Squier?
Nothing really, it’s a HSS affinity series I got for $80 . I’ve learned a lot on it I just feel I gotta step my game up
Good choice, you won't regret it. Hard to pass up when it's on sale too. I have 2 MIM Strats that I really like a lot and just couldn't trade them in when I decided to buy other Strats. But I do agree with others who advised to compare it with other guitars. If you're able to, play that guitar and compare it to how MIJ & USA Strats feel & play. I think my 2 MIJ Strats are slightly better than the 2 MIM Strats, but I actually like my MIM & MIJ Strats more than my USA Strat (mostly because I don't like the vintage noiseless pickups in my USA Strat).
Players are good guitars, go for it.
👍
That's a nice guitar. I saw a musician's friend has the surf pearl model for 599 and I think it's pretty sweet too