"It's a notch more hot-rodded to squeeze maximum versatility from the classic Strat format." We review the Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster

The latest iteration of Fender’s evolved Strat for the hard-working modern player has arrived in the form of the Player II Modified Stratocaster, and it packs some thoughtful punches for the relatively accessible price. In what we might call a twofold advance of the long-running Player series from Fender’s Ensenada factory in Mexico, the Player II Modified takes it all a notch more hot-rodded from the standard Player II Stratocaster that was unveiled last July, adding a handful of features that seek to squeeze maximum versatility from the instrument without broadly changing the classic format.

All of which is to say, glimpsed from across the room this is still entirely recognizable as the instrument Leo & co. released way back in 1954. But on closer examination it’s definitely not your grandmother’s Stratocaster.

The most notable additions here when compared to the existing standard Player II include the three Player II Noiseless pickups in place of the Alnico V single-coils, block saddles in place of vintage-style bent-steel, a push-pull switch on the bridge pickup’s tone knob that adds the neck pickup to any switch position that doesn’t normally include it, and locking short post tuners in place of the vintage-look ClassicGear units.

Other less-obvious changes include the use of Fender’s Modern String Tree, a Tusq nut in place of synthetic bone, and a broadly different color palette. Dipping into the latter, our review sample comes in the appealingly deep and rich Harvest Green Metallic, done in gloss polyurethane over a solid alder body and complemented by a three-ply black pickguard and black plastics that hark back to some of the earlier Strat cosmetic alterations of the ’70s.

The one-piece maple neck (also offered with the sunburst-finished model, while rosewood is used for the model in black finish) is carved to Fender’s Modern-C profile, a universally appealing shape with a rounded feel and a medium depth. A fast-feeling satin polyurethane finish on the neck back partners with a gloss on the fingerboard and neck, while comfortably rolled fingerboard edges and 22 well-dressed medium-jumbo frets all ease the playing experience. Truss-rod adjustment access is at the headstock, another convenience that most modern Fenders outside the Vintage Reissue series have given us.

The guitar’s two-point vibrato (something Fender habitually calls a “tremolo”) represents another nod to modernity that’s also found on the standard Player II. Set up with a slight tip-up as Leo intended, it delivers smooth action and good return-to-pitch stability with moderate use, aided by the Tusq nut and locking tuners.

The three single-coil pickups in this SSS version of the Player II Modified Stratocaster were newly designed specifically for the model, aiming for traditional Strat tones with hum-free performance, just as the name implies. They’re wired through a five-way switch, a master volume control with treble-bleed network to maintain highs as you roll it down, one tone that acts on the neck and middle pickups together, and another tone which acts on the bridge pickup along (the latter that aforementioned “add-neck” push-pull switch).

The guitar arrived playing smoothly right out of its Fender gigbag, with an easy medium-low action and not a hint of a snaggy fret end in sight. It sustained well even played unplugged, with a full, balanced acoustic tone and decent volume for a solidbody electric.

Tested through a tweed Deluxe-style 1x12 combo, a Vox-ish 65amps London tube head and 2x12 cab, and a Fractal FM9 into headphones, the Player II Modified Stratocaster delivered archetypal Strat tones aplenty: bright, glassy, snappy and quacky… and did I already say “bright”? There’s a boatload of treble in these Player II Noiseless pickups—partnered by an admirable lack of hum — but hey, that’s what the tone controls are for.

With the tone knobs rolled down a little and the amps’ EQ dialed to suit, the Player II Modified Stratocaster revealed greater depths in its firm, bouncy lows and classically scooped midrange. It’s a sonic package well suited to sparkling cleans that excel at everything from surfy instrumentals to country twang to rock balladry, yet it all translates well into eviscerating lead tones through a cranked amp, or the Friedman Small Box and Thorpy Peacekeeper overdrives I tested it with.

Putting just a little hair on it, the Player II Modified Stratocaster delivers the kind of rootsy, rock and roll grind or trenchant blues that Fender’s dual-cutaway, three-pickup design has long excelled at. Given a lot of hair, it takes more easily to heavier rock than some, considering the lack of hum and eviscerating clarity in the delivery.

All in all, if you’re the kind of player who’s quick to modify a “standard” template to suit modern stylistic demands, yet eager for a hefty dose of traditional Strat magic, the new Player II Modified Stratocaster is worth checking out. It leans a little bright and spiky, but that can be dealt with, and playability, fit, finish, and function are all excellent for the price range.

SPECIFICATIONS

CONTACT Fender.com

PRICE $999 street

NUT Tusq, 1.65" wide

NECK Maple, 25.5" scale length, Modern-C profile

FRETBOARD Maple, 9.5" radius

FRETS 22 medium-jumbo

TUNERS Fender Short Post locking tuners

BODY Solid alder

BRIDGE Two-point Synchronized Tremolo with block saddles and chamfered tremolo block

PICKUPS Three Fender Player II Noiseless single-coil pickups

CONTROLS Volume and two Tone controls, five-way switch, push-pull add-neck on bridge Tone

FACTORY STRINGS Fender USA 250LR Nickel Plated Steel .009–.046

WEIGHT 7.8 lbs

BUILT (country of origin) Mexico

KUDOS A versatile take on the traditional Stratocaster with handy built-in modifications to suit the modern player.

CONCERNS It leans toward a very bright delivery, but that can be tamed as needed.