Fender Player Stratocaster - Tidepool with Maple Fingerboard Review

Strat

I do like this guitar!

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Player's Series Strat - Great Guitar

Many thanks to my Sales Engineer, Ryan Clapper, for his help on getting me this Strat. Ryan has fixed me up with some great guitars over the years and I appreciate his expertise and sales service. Ryan said he'd expedite delivery on this one and I got the guitar the very next day after I purchased it - thanks, Ryan! Also the Strat arrived double-boxed in perfect condition - no damage,… read more dings, etc. Thank you! This Strat is a nice guitar for a decent price. The alder body makes for great tone and the Alnico V pickups give me the Strat sounds I want. This is my first all-maple neck and fingerboard - I got the Tidepool color with maple fingerboard. The maple fingerboard plays nice and smooth. To me it has a slightly sharper attack compared to a rosewood fingerboard, but I adjust everything on the tone knobs and amp to smooth out the sound. I like the satin feel on the back of the neck and the modern C shape, all very comfortable for me all up and down the fretboard. The only thing I would say about the frets is that bending feels a little "rough" at this point but probably with more playing everything will begin to smooth out. The frets are decent, with no sharp frets, but could be a little bit larger for me. Not sure how well they will hold up over time. I think this guitar will give me a lot of years of use. I'm getting locking tuners now, but the only reason is because Sweetwater offered $85 in Bonus Bucks for this color/neck combination and I figured locking tuners would be a free upgrade. Will see how the nut holds up, as it is basically plastic. But the notes sound clear and full, so I feel like I'm getting good tone with this midrange model. I'm happy with this Strat. It's great for someone who wants a Fender that's a step above Fender's lower-priced models and also for someone who may not be able to afford a high-end Strat at this point.

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Very Happy, First Rate Instrument

Fender and Sweetwater did great. I've played it every day since it came. Thanks Stuart!

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Beyond Expectations !

They must have knocked QA and quality of Mexican Fenders up over a notch, amazing guitar. Flawless build, no need for setup. Frets and intonation were perfect and love the Tidepool finish.I had a Fender performer strat and this one plays much better ! And kudos to Sweetwater for sending me an excellent guitar ! 4th guitar purchase in the past 6 months all have been out of the park… read more !

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Fender Player Stratocaster SSS Tidepool

I recently purchased this guitar, and I love it! First, the pictures on Sweetwater's sight, and even on Fender's sight do not do it justice. The color is beautiful! I am learning guitar, so I didn't want to go with an American made and break the bank, but I still wanted something that was substantial enough to incentivize playing and that would encourage me to keep going. I shopped… read more around at different stores and online sights, but Sweetwater seemed to be the right place for me. I also purchased a subscription to Fender Play, and have been putting in time everyday. I've learned some good exercises for stretching out my fingers, which is good because I don't have the largest hands. I've learned some chords, and even a couple riffs. I'm feeling good about it. I have no aspirations of being a rock star, or even performing live at all, but I've always loved music. I've always wanted to learn guitar, and I figured now is as good of a time as any! The uploaded photo is actually one that was sent to me by the sales engineer, Michael, and is better than anything I had as far as lighting goes.

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