Electric guitars

Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK

The Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK pairs a Seymour Duncan HSS pickup set with a hardtail bridge and practical coil-splitting controls. Its specifications suit players seeking a versatile Strat-style guitar without a vibrato system.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK: Technical Review

The Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK is a black, hardtail electric guitar listed at $1,099. Its specification centers on an alder body, a maple neck, an ebony fingerboard and three Seymour Duncan pickups in an HSS arrangement. Fender lists the model as available since September 2026, with item number 636678. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is limited to the published specifications. There is no user feedback or playing test to report.

The HSS layout combines a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 humbucker at the bridge with two Custom Flat Strat single-coil pickups. The middle pickup is the SSL-6 RWRP, while the neck position uses an SSL-6. This gives the guitar a different pickup type at the bridge from the two single-coil positions, a configuration that offers distinct options across the five-way selector. The listed specifications do not provide output measurements, magnet details or frequency response, so those characteristics cannot be assessed from the data alone.

Body, neck and fingerboard

The body is alder, finished in black, with no separate top listed. A three-ply black pickguard and black hardware keep the visible components within the same color scheme. The bolt-on maple neck has a Modern C profile. That profile name describes Fender's stated shape, but the specification gives no neck thickness measurements, so it is not possible to compare its dimensions precisely with other necks.

The ebony fingerboard has a 305 mm (12-inch) radius and 22 jumbo frets. The 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale length is a familiar full-size electric guitar scale. At the nut, the width is 42 mm (1.65 inches), and the nut material is synthetic bone. These figures establish the main dimensions, but they do not specify fret wire measurements, fingerboard edge treatment or setup details such as action. Those factors can affect the feel of an individual instrument and cannot be inferred here.

Pickup switching and controls

Control hardware consists of a master volume, two tone controls with push-pull coil-splitting functions, and a five-way pickup selector. The coil-split feature is part of the stated control specification. Fender's listing does not explain which pickup or pickups are affected by each push-pull control, nor does it provide a switching chart. Buyers who need to know the exact combinations should confirm the wiring details with Fender or a dealer before purchase.

The selector provides five positions for working with the three-pickup layout. Together with the coil-splitting controls, the system gives players several ways to configure the humbucker and single coils. The precise tones, volume balance and noise behavior are not documented in the supplied data. They should be treated as matters for an in-person trial rather than promised outcomes.

Bridge, tuners and included accessories

Instead of a vibrato unit, the guitar uses a six-saddle hardtail bridge with strings passing through the body and block saddles. This is a fixed-bridge design, so the specifications do not describe a tremolo arm or moving bridge mechanism. The tuners are sealed Deluxe cast locking machine heads. The listing identifies the bridge and locking tuners, but does not state the bridge material, saddle adjustment range or tuning ratio.

Fender includes a Deluxe gig bag. No hard case is included. The specified strings are Fender USA 250LR nickel-plated steel, in a.009-.046 gauge set. That gives the buyer a clear reference for the factory string gauge, although the listing does not confirm whether every instrument ships with that exact set after setup or handling.

What the specifications establish

The model's clearest technical points are its Seymour Duncan HSS pickup arrangement, hardtail construction, locking tuners and stated neck and fingerboard dimensions. It has 22 jumbo frets, a 12-inch fingerboard radius, and a standard 25.5-inch scale length. The included gig bag is useful for transport, while the absence of a hard case is worth noting for buyers who need more substantial storage protection.

At $1,099, the published data supports a feature-based assessment, not a verdict on sound, finish quality, setup or long-term reliability. There are no customer comments to draw on, and no hands-on test results were provided. Anyone comparing this guitar with another model should check the exact coil-split wiring, neck measurements and included protection, then play the instrument if possible. Those details will help determine whether its specific hardware and layout suit the intended use.

Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK, front view
8.0/ 10 overall score
$1,099current price at the retailer
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Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Seymour Duncan HSS pickup set combines a JB bridge humbucker with two Custom Flat Strat single-coil pickups.
  • Hardtail bridge and locking tuners offer a straightforward, stable setup.
  • Ebony fingerboard, 22 jumbo frets, and a Modern C maple neck provide a well-equipped playing surface.
  • Push-pull tone controls add coil-splitting flexibility, and a deluxe gig bag is included.

What bugged me

  • The hardtail bridge does not provide a vibrato system.
  • A hardshell case is not included.
  • The 9-46 string set may not suit players who prefer heavier strings.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players seeking an HSS pickup layout with coil-splitting options. Also suited to guitarists who prefer a hardtail bridge and want an included gig bag.

Look elsewhere if

Not for players who need a vibrato bridge for pitch effects. Also less suitable for buyers who require a hardshell case in the package.
RockFunkPop

Suggested level: Intermediate

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Specifications

Color
Black
Body
Alder
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony
Frets
22
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
HSS
Tremolo
None
Incl. bag
Yes
Including case
No

Up close

Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK, detail 2Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK, detail 3Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK, detail 4Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

Does this guitar have a vibrato system?

No. It has a six-saddle hardtail bridge with strings routed through the body.

What pickups are installed?

It has a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 bridge humbucker, an SSL-6 RWRP middle single-coil pickup, and an SSL-6 neck single-coil pickup.

Can the bridge humbucker be split?

The two tone controls have push-pull functions for coil splitting.

What is included with the guitar?

A deluxe gig bag is included. A hardshell case is not.

What is the scale length and fret count?

The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches, and the guitar has 22 jumbo frets.

The last word from the bench

This model offers a distinctive pickup combination, with a JB humbucker at the bridge and two Strat-style single-coil pickups. Push-pull tone controls provide coil-splitting options, while the five-way switch supports familiar pickup selection. The hardtail bridge keeps the design simple but rules out vibrato use. At a listed price of 1099, it is worth considering for players who prioritize its pickup setup, ebony fingerboard, and included gig bag.

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Fender Player II Adv Strat HSS HT BLK

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