Fender Player II Strat HSS RW 3TS

Fender Player II Strat HSS RW 3TS review

The Fender Player II Strat HSS RW 3TS pairs a familiar Stratocaster shape with a humbucker at the bridge and two single-coil pickups. Its combination of a rosewood fingerboard, three-color sunburst finish, and vintage-white controls gives it a traditional look, while the pickup arrangement offers more range than a standard three-single-coil layout. Listed at $775, it sits in a price bracket where fit, setup, and sound all matter.

The guitar has an alder body and a maple bolt-on neck, with 22 medium-jumbo frets and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius. The neck has a Modern C profile, a 42 mm synthetic-bone nut, and white dot inlays. Its 25.5-inch scale is standard for this style. Fender supplies nickel-plated steel strings in a.009 to.042 gauge. A gig bag or case is not included.

Feel, finish, and setup

Player reports describe a comfortable, relatively slim neck that lets the fretting hand move easily. One owner noted smooth fret ends and rounded fingerboard edges, while another found the natural-feeling maple neck finish comfortable rather than sticky. The dark rosewood fingerboard also drew praise for its appearance, especially alongside the sunburst body and parchment-colored pickguard. These are subjective impressions, but they point to a guitar that can feel polished and inviting straight out of the box.

Setup experiences vary. Some owners received instruments that played well with little adjustment, and one reported stable tuning through forceful playing and bends. Others made small setup changes, including adjusting neck relief or bridge settings. One returned an example because its low E string buzzed, with the nut suspected but not confirmed as the cause. These accounts do not establish a general fault, but they make a careful inspection worthwhile. Check for string buzz, tuning stability, fret issues, and a properly seated bridge when the guitar arrives.

One particularly serious report described the two-point tremolo bridge arriving partly out of its mounting position, with the metal block wedged at an angle in the body cavity. The owner managed to reseat it after loosening a mounting screw and found no further damage. That is an isolated report, not proof of a recurring defect, but it is more than a routine setup adjustment. Inspect the bridge before playing, and contact the seller if anything appears displaced or damaged.

HSS pickups and playing range

The pickup set consists of a Player Series Alnico 2 humbucker at the bridge and two Player Series Alnico 5 single-coils in the middle and neck positions. A five-way switch selects the available combinations, with a master volume and two tone controls for adjustment. In player accounts, the single-coils deliver a recognizable Strat-style character, though one reviewer described them as rounder and less sharp than some other Strat pickups.

The bridge humbucker adds a thicker, more forceful sound for rock-oriented parts. Owners found it punchy without becoming muddy, and one was pleasantly surprised that its volume was not dramatically louder than the single-coils. Pickup height can help manage the balance, while the guitar's volume control and external effects provide further options. The HSS layout makes this a practical choice for players who want traditional neck and middle sounds but need a stronger bridge voice.

The controls and pickup options offer flexibility, though the guitar's final sound depends on the amplifier, effects, and playing technique as well as the pickups. Feedback suggests it can cover varied styles without demanding a complicated control setup. Players who prefer the more even, bright character of three single-coils may still want to compare it with the SSS version before buying.

Tremolo and hardware

The two-point synchronized tremolo has bent-steel saddles, and the guitar uses Fender ClassicGear tuners with nickel and chrome hardware. One reviewer dismissed concerns about sharp saddle adjustment screws, finding them no worse than those on other Fender instruments. That is a personal assessment, and players who rest their picking hand heavily on the bridge should check how the saddles feel in their own playing position.

There are mixed views on the aged-looking plastic parts. Some owners like the warm color against the sunburst finish; another felt the yellowed appearance looked cheap on a new guitar. Because that reaction comes down to taste, the product photos may not settle it. Seeing the finish in person, if possible, can help.

Verdict

The Fender Player II Strat HSS RW 3TS offers a comfortable neck, a classic-looking rosewood and sunburst combination, and a useful humbucker-and-single-coil setup. Multiple owners praised its playability, finish, and overall value, including players who compared it favorably with more expensive guitars. The reports of a buzzing low string and a displaced tremolo on individual examples deserve attention, but they do not outweigh the positive playing impressions across the feedback provided. At $775, it is a compelling option for players seeking a versatile Strat-style guitar, provided the specific instrument passes a careful setup and condition check.