PLAYER STRATOCASTER

One of the best Fender Stratocasters in the mid-price range.

RRP: $1,349

Body: Alder

Neck: Maple

Scale: 25.5 inches

Fingerboard: Maple

Frets: 22

Pickups: Player Series Alnico 5 Strat Single-Coil Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2 (Bridge Pickup)

Hardware: Nickel/Chrome

PROS

• Unbeatable value for money.

• More power thanks to Player Series Alnico 5 Strat Single-Coil pickups.

CONS

• Some might prefer lower-output single-coils.

Replacing the Mexican Standard series in 2018, the Player range has been widely praised for bringing everything you’d want out of a Strat to a more affordable price-point. The Alnico 5 pickups are voiced similar to the SRV-inspired Texas Hot singlecoils, perfect for a slightly thicker Strat snarl that loses none of its bite when pushed.

Best of all, there are options for a remarkably vintage-looking Buttercream finish and HSS configurations to compliment a Modern C-shaped neck profile with a 9.5-inch-radius fingerboard and a two-point tremolo bridge with bent-steel saddles. Ultimately, you’re getting a Strat that can do it all and look the part without breaking the bank.