Fender Player II Strat LH MN AQB

Fender Player II Strat LH MN AQB review

The Fender Player II Strat LH MN AQB is a left-handed, six-string Strat-style electric guitar with an alder body, a maple neck, and a maple fingerboard. Its SSS pickup layout pairs three Player Series Alnico 5 single-coil pickups with a five-way switch, while a two-point synchronized tremolo provides pitch movement. Fender lists the guitar at 759, with availability beginning in October 2024.

The model's Aquatone Blue finish is a notable part of its appeal, although one owner says the product photos did not accurately convey the color. In person, they found it closer to a faded, blue-leaning surf green than the more saturated blue shown online. That description is subjective, and the reviewer also noted that the shade was difficult to capture in photographs. Buyers who care about the exact color would be wise to see one in person if possible.

Neck, dimensions, and hardware

The bolt-on maple neck has a Modern C profile, a 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale, and a 42 mm (1.65-inch) nut width. Its maple fingerboard has a 241 mm (9.5-inch) radius, black position markers, and 22 medium-jumbo frets. These specifications give the guitar a familiar contemporary Strat layout. The model is built for left-handed players, so the controls and playing orientation are arranged accordingly.

The bridge is a two-point synchronized tremolo fitted with bent-steel saddles. Fender ClassicGear tuning machines and nickel/chrome hardware complete the setup. The guitar ships with Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel strings in.009 to.042 gauge. A gig bag and hard case are not included, so buyers should account for separate protection during transport and storage.

One owner reported that the guitar arrived well packed and needed only a small adjustment to the string height before it was ready to play. They praised the tuning machines for feeling substantial and holding tuning well. The same reviewer found the saddle height-adjustment screws sharp at the edges, a detail worth checking during setup. These comments describe an individual instrument, rather than a guarantee that every example will arrive with identical setup or finish.

Pickup layout and playing impressions

The three Player Series Alnico 5 single-coil pickups are controlled by one master volume knob, two tone controls, and a five-way selector. That arrangement offers the familiar range of Strat-style pickup combinations. The available specifications do not list individual output measurements, so the practical tonal observations come from the owner's experience rather than laboratory testing.

That player described the sound as recognizably Stratocaster-like, with bright, ringing treble from the bridge pickup and a fuller neck-pickup voice when using light overdrive. They felt the Player II pickups had more output than the vintage pickups in their older Strat, and considered that a useful change. The guitar also worked well for them through a Marshall JVM410H and a Headrush Prime. Their comments point to classic single-coil territory, rather than a purpose-built high-gain metal instrument.

A second owner, who usually favored Gibson guitars, described the Mexican-made instrument as solid and well built. They considered it good value and mentioned that they sometimes needed to retune it more often than an American Strat, attributing that possibility to the bridge. That is one player's comparison, not a measured assessment of tuning stability. The first reviewer, by contrast, was pleased with the tuning machines' performance.

What to consider before buying

• Left-handed configuration: The model is specifically designed for left-handed players.
• Traditional pickup format: Three single-coil pickups and a five-way switch provide the familiar Strat-style control layout.
• Maple construction: Both the neck and fingerboard are maple, paired with an alder body.
• Included accessories: Neither a gig bag nor a hard case is supplied.
• Color expectations: An owner found the Aquatone Blue finish less saturated in person than it appeared in product photos.

Verdict

The Fender Player II Strat LH MN AQB is a left-handed Strat-style guitar with a straightforward specification: alder body, maple neck and fingerboard, three Alnico 5 single-coil pickups, and a two-point tremolo. Owner feedback is encouraging on build feel, setup, tuning machines, and familiar Strat tones. The main practical cautions are the lack of an included case, the reported sharp saddle screws, and the difference one reviewer saw between the online finish photos and the instrument in person. At a listed price of 759, it is worth considering for left-handed players looking for a traditional Strat layout with a distinctive finish.