Modern Performance in a Classic Package
If you've ever wondered what happens when Fender takes five decades of Stratocaster wisdom and tailors it for today's player, the Player II Stratocaster HSS in Coral Red is your answer. This isn't a museum piece or a beginner's placeholder—it's a working guitar built for players who need versatility without the guesswork. The HSS pickup configuration gives you the glassy, bell-like chime of two Alnico V single-coils in the neck and middle positions, plus an Alnico II humbucker at the bridge for when you need more muscle. The neck feels broken-in right out of the box thanks to rolled fingerboard edges, and that new Coral Red finish—pulled from Fender's archives—looks fantastic against the parchment pickguard and aged white plastics.
This guitar is built in Fender's Ensenada, Mexico facility, and the attention to detail shows. The contoured alder body balances nicely on the strap, the Modern "C" neck profile fits a wide range of hand sizes, and the 9.5-inch fingerboard radius sits in that sweet spot between vintage curve and modern flatness. Whether you're working through chord progressions, bending strings up high, or switching between clean and overdriven tones mid-song, the Player II HSS keeps up without fuss.
Pickups That Cover the Bases
The HSS configuration is one of the most versatile setups you can put on a Stratocaster, and Fender's Player Series pickups deliver exactly what you'd hope for. The two Alnico V single-coils in the neck and middle positions give you that classic Strat sparkle—crisp, articulate, and responsive to your picking dynamics. Flip to the bridge humbucker (loaded with Alnico II magnets), and you get a punchier, thicker tone that doesn't lose clarity even when you add gain. The 5-way blade switch unlocks all the familiar Strat positions, including that glorious "quack" in position 4 when the middle and neck pickups combine.
Two tone controls give you independent shaping—Tone 1 governs the neck and middle pickups, while Tone 2 adjusts the bridge humbucker. The master volume knob sits right where you need it for quick swells. There's no coil-splitting on this model, so the humbucker stays a humbucker, but that simplicity means one less thing to think about when you're focused on playing.
A Neck Built for Speed and Comfort
Fender made some smart updates to the Player II series, and the neck is where you'll feel them most. The Modern "C" profile is medium in depth—comfortable for rhythm work, fast enough for leads—and the satin urethane finish on the back keeps your hand gliding smoothly up and down the neck. The rosewood fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius with 22 medium jumbo frets, giving you enough real estate for big bends without fighting against too much curve.
But the real game-changer? Rolled fingerboard edges. Fender hand-rolls the edges on every Player II, giving the fretboard a slightly worn-in feel that makes the guitar more inviting from the first time you pick it up. It's a small detail that makes a noticeable difference, especially during long playing sessions. The 25.5-inch scale length is classic Fender, delivering balanced string tension and that signature Strat snap. The synthetic bone nut is pre-cut to 1.650 inches wide, keeping string spacing consistent across the fretboard.
Hardware That Holds Its Own
The 2-point synchronized tremolo bridge with bent steel saddles is a workhorse. It's stable enough for everyday playing, responsive enough for vibrato and subtle pitch bends, and returns to pitch reliably thanks to the ClassicGear tuning machines with their 18:1 gear ratio. Those tuners combine vintage Fender looks with modern functionality, making fine-tuning easier and keeping the guitar in tune even after aggressive whammy bar use.
The gloss polyester finish on the alder body looks sharp and protects the wood without adding unnecessary weight. Nickel/chrome hardware keeps things classic, and the parchment pickguard with aged white pickup covers and knobs give the Coral Red finish a warm, vintage-inspired aesthetic. Fender ships this guitar with Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel strings (.009-.042), a great all-around gauge for this style of guitar.
Product Features:
- Alder body with gloss polyester finish in Coral Red
- HSS pickup configuration: Player Series Alnico II humbucker (bridge), Player Series Alnico V single-coils (neck and middle)
- Maple neck with Modern "C" profile and satin urethane back finish
- Rosewood fingerboard with 9.5-inch radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, and hand-rolled edges
- 25.5-inch scale length with 1.650-inch synthetic bone nut
- 5-way blade switch with master volume, two independent tone controls
- 2-point synchronized tremolo bridge with bent steel saddles
- Fender ClassicGear tuning machines with 18:1 gear ratio
- Nickel/chrome hardware with 3-ply parchment pickguard
- Factory strung with Fender USA 250L strings (.009-.042)
Brand: Fender
Model: Player II Stratocaster HSS
SKU: 0140540558
Condition: New
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