Guitar giant Fender has announced the launch of its highly anticipated Player II Modified series today, an exciting expansion of its popular Player II line. This new collection of electric guitars and basses aims to democratize sought-after modifications, offering players factory-installed upgrades previously found on more premium instruments or achieved through aftermarket customization.
Player II Modified Series
Building on the success of the Player II series, which debuted last year to critical acclaim with enhanced body options, rolled fretboard edges, and rosewood fingerboards, the range injects a dose of modern performance and versatility into these already well-regarded instruments.
- Fender Player II Modified Series at Andertons
- Fender Player II Modified Series at Gear4Music
- Fender Player II Modified Series at Sweetwater
The key focus of the new collection is to provide “performance-driven upgrades” that elevate the playing experience.
This includes the introduction of speedy satin urethane-finished necks for enhanced playability, newly designed Player II Modified Noiseless pickups promising classic Fender tones without unwanted hum, and locking tuners with tapered shafts for improved tuning stability.
Floyd Rose
Further bolstering the feature set are additions such as treble bleed circuitry for consistent tone at all volume levels, brass block saddles for improved sustain and resonance, and, notably, the inclusion of a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system on the HSS Stratocaster model, catering to players who demand expressive whammy bar capabilities.
Fender emphasizes that these upgrades directly address players’ most common modifications to their instruments. Justin Norvell, EVP of Product at Fender, stated,
“From the early days of players hot-rodding their Strat and Tele guitars to today’s musicians pushing sonic boundaries, Fender has always embraced the art of reinvention. Leo Fender intentionally designed our instruments with modularity in mind – allowing them to evolve alongside the player and enabling more personalization than any other brand. Player II Modified carries that spirit forward, offering modern upgrades like our new Player II Modified noiseless pickups and locking tuners for rock-solid stability.”
Models
The new series encompasses a range of iconic Fender models, including the Stratocaster, HSS Stratocaster, HSS Floyd Rose Stratocaster, Telecaster (available in both SS and HS configurations), Active Precision Bass, and Active Jazz Bass.
Alder Bodies
Across the guitar models, players can expect alder bodies, comfortable modern “C” profile maple necks, and the choice of maple or rosewood fingerboards (with a flatter 12″ radius on the HSS Floyd Rose Stratocaster).
All guitars feature rolled fingerboard edges, 22 medium jumbo frets, and TUSQ nuts. A notable upgrade on the Stratocaster models is the wider travel for the chambered tremolo blocks, allowing for more expressive vibrato techniques.
The Noiseless pickups are wired to versatile push/pull pots, unlocking many sonic possibilities, including coil-splitting and unique pickup combinations not typically found on standard models.
For instance, the neck pickup can be added to positions one and two on the regular Stratocaster. The Telecaster models offer similar wiring enhancements with parallel/series switching.
Precision & Jazz Bass
The bass models in the Player II Modified series also receive significant upgrades, including HiMass bridges for increased sustain and stability, Player II Noiseless pickups voiced for modern clarity, tapered shaft tuners, and onboard EQ sections with active preamps, allowing bassists to shape their tone precisely.
Visually, the series introduces a vibrant palette of new finishes, including Dusk, Harvest Green Metallic, Electric Blue, Olympic Pearl, and Sunshine Yellow, offering players a wide array of aesthetic choices.
Pricing
With prices starting at $999, these products aim to bridge the gap between the company’s core offerings and the world of personalized guitar modifications, bringing professional-level features to a broader audience straight from the factory.
- Fender Player II Modified Series at Andertons
- Fender Player II Modified Series at Gear4Music
- Fender Player II Modified Series at Sweetwater
More Information
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