#1
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Player series Tele
How does the Fender MIM Player Telecaster compare to the US made Professional II (which I assume is the new American Standard). I have played guitar for many years and have an American Standard Strat and am thinking of getting a Tele. I like the standard 60's Tele tone. I understand the price difference...how would they compare if price was not important.
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1980 Ovation Legend Larrivee L09 Yamaha CG142S Classical Fender 1996 American Standard Strat Epiphone Elitist Casino Kanai Lal Sitar |
#2
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MIM Fenders have always been great guitars and compare favourably with their USA made counterparts is my experience. (Excellent value although I've noticed new MIM guitar prices are nearly on par with US made guitars these days).
Lots of great YouTube reviews! Difficult to go wrong! Last edited by Steel and wood; 01-02-2021 at 10:17 PM. |
#3
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I think they compare favorably...BUT my experience has been that the neck woods may not be as seasoned or as good quality - I have had more fret sprout and neck bending with MIMs. Also, I have had to replace some parts - sometimes the tuners and jacks are junk. Your mileage may vary.
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#4
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The Player series guitars are very good, I have a Deluxe Player strat and it's top notch. Fit and finish are excellent and the satin neck is great. The electronics are the same as what goes into American Fenders. The pickups are also an improvement over the older MIM's. Changing the tuners out for locking tuners is the only upgrade you may consider if locking tuners are a necessity for you ($50). Fret sprout is a product of keeping a guitar in a climate much drier than what is originally fretted in (think: heated home up north in the winter) and is not a sign of poor construction.
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#5
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#6
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i was looking hard at the VINTERA® '60S TELECASTER® MODIFIED but i just can't wrap my eyes around the colors. i like a maple neck and natural or sunburst body. am i weird or what? i have researched all the fenders and just about the time i have my mind made up i find somehing i don't like.
the weird thing is i'm not even an electric player but i look at all the reviews and youtubes and think i know something. i've had the american special and liked it. ordered the performer and cancelled the order. think i'm going with the telecaster nashville deluxe. who knows? something will happen when that stimulus check gets here. think i'm pretty much settled on this one. https://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN0147502 |
#7
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I'm more an acoustic player, But I've settled on a 2016 Deluxe Nashville (last year for rr fretboard I believe) and a '19 Player (inexpensive from CL).
The Nashville has a 12" board and is wired for Tele pickup selections plus a couple of positions for Strat tones. I owned a '13 American Telecaster at one time. Great pickups, but this Player is, imho, a better overall guitar. |
#8
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Quote:
One difference is simply price - right now that difference is +/-$800. Not a small amount. The US made Professional II is somewhat the equivalent of the old Standard, and the Player series much the same as a typical MIM. If you want a whole lot of opinions, I would recommend visiting the TDPRI forum (telecaster discussion page reissue), where there are quite a few threads with very cogent opinions, either way. TDPRI is a relatively gracious forum with some very deep experience in telecasters. A few of the differences in specs: the Pro II has the noiseless pickups and the "traditional" 3-saddle bridge. the Player series has "traditional" single coil pickups and the 6-saddle bridge. A number of players prefer the 6-saddle, because you don't need any special experience to get intonation spot on. You can get there with a 3-saddle, but it's a bit of a balancing act. I prefer the 3-saddle for the way it looks. Shallow me. IMO, the single coil pickup is part of the essence and appeal of any telecaster sound. Same sort of applies to Strats, for the kind of strat sounds. I have a good friend, stellar player, who has been playing telecasters for 50 years and he prefers the noiseless pickups. Different strokes. I like the single coils and I don't mind the small amount of noise, because that gets lost in a band mix and once I start playing, I never hear it. Historically, American made is perceived to be higher quality - but in recent years, that gap has narrowed considerably and many people profess to prefer MIM or feel that the price differential doesn't yield that incremental value. As most people would recommend, having the actual samples in hand is much preferable, although easier said than done in these times. If at all possible, trying any particular guitar through your own amp would be ideal. Some of the vendors return policies make this an option. Statistically, it seems there are certainly good or better guitars, even in the same model. It just happens, but maybe less so anymore, with CNC machines being involved and improved factory processes. Good luck with whatever you decide. |
#9
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Freerangetrout is spot on. You need to hold and play both. It's the best way to determine if the look, feel, and playability is worth the cost difference to you. Either one is a good guitar.
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Martin 000-16 McPherson Sable Fender Player Telecaster |