Fender Player II Mod Strat FR RW DSK

Fender Player II Mod Strat FR RW DSK review

The Fender Player II Mod Strat FR RW DSK is built around a familiar Strat-style format, then adds a double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo and a humbucker with a coil-split option. Its HSS pickup arrangement gives it a wider tonal range than a traditional three-single-coil setup, while the 5-way switch keeps pickup selection straightforward. At $1,055, it is aimed at players who want Fender styling and a flexible range of sounds without sticking to a strictly vintage-oriented specification.

The alder body is finished in Dusk, with a three-ply black, white, and black pickguard. The neck is maple, joined to the body with a bolt-on construction, and carries a rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays. Fender lists a Modern C neck profile, a 12-inch fingerboard radius, and 22 medium jumbo frets. The 648 mm scale is the familiar 25.5-inch length, and the nut measures 42.86 mm across. These dimensions give the guitar a recognizable Strat feel, while the flatter radius and larger frets suit players who prefer a more contemporary playing surface.

HSS pickups and practical controls

The pickup set consists of one Player II Modified humbucker at the bridge and two Player II Noiseless Strat single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. The humbucker provides a stronger output for fuller bridge sounds. The two noiseless single coils offer a different character, with more of the familiar, vintage-leaning Strat response noted in the field feedback.

Controls include a master volume with treble bleed, Tone 1, and Tone 2. A push-pull control on Tone 2 splits the humbucker, adding another usable option without requiring a separate switch. Combined with the 5-way pickup selector, this arrangement gives the player several combinations across the pickup set. It is a practical setup for moving between higher-output bridge tones and cleaner, more traditional single-coil sounds.

The control layout keeps the extra flexibility within the familiar Strat format. Players can select a pickup position with the 5-way switch and use the push-pull control to change the humbucker's configuration. The result is a broader palette than the pickup layout alone might suggest, although the exact sound will depend on the amplifier and playing style. The supplied feedback describes the humbucker as having good output and the noiseless pickups as capable of moving closer to a vintage Strat voice.

Floyd Rose setup and playing feel

The Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo is paired with a Floyd Rose R3 locking nut. Once properly adjusted, the tremolo was reported to hold tuning well. That is a useful trait for players who make regular use of the arm, but a double-locking system depends on careful setup. The field report noted that the guitar arrived with somewhat high action and that its intonation could be more precise. It also described the strings as sitting farther from the fingerboard than preferred.

Those observations point to a setup that may need attention rather than a confirmed limitation of the design. Players buying online, or anyone particular about action and intonation, should allow time for an adjustment after delivery. The supplied strings are Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel, gauged.009 to.042. The sealed standard cast tuning machines and nickel/chrome hardware complete the specification.

Finish, accessories, and value

The Dusk finish is described in the feedback as having a violet cast that is subtle rather than vivid. In some lighting it may read close to black, so shoppers expecting a strongly purple appearance should check product photos carefully. The guitar includes a deluxe gig bag, but no hard case. Fender lists the model as available since April 2025, with item number 609004.

The overall field assessment was strongly positive about the sound and the range of available configurations, while also noting that the initial setup could be more precise. The finish's restrained violet appearance was the main cosmetic reservation. At $1,055, the combination of an HSS pickup set, coil split, and Floyd Rose tremolo makes this a compelling option for players who want a versatile Fender-style guitar and do not require a strictly old-school Strat specification. The key buying consideration is setup: once the action and intonation are dialed in, the tremolo is reported to stay in tune and the pickup system offers a useful spread of tones.