Fender Player Plus vs Fender American Ultra - Are American Fenders ALWAYS Better?

The links below may be outdated, use the links above to start browsing the website.


It's fair to say that the new Fender Player Plus electric guitars are the Mexican counterpart to the Fender American Ultra Range. So how do they compare? Are American Fenders always better, and is the Player Plus the American Ultra on a Budget?
To get our answers we blindfolded Chappers and gave him both Player Plus & Ultra guitars for him to test! The results are interesting...

🎥 Looking to watch something else? Check out a ❓mystery❓ video here!

🎥 If you live outside the UK check out this video on how to order from Andertons!

⏰ Timestamps ⏰
» 0:00 A Special Intro Jam
» 0:30 What are We Doing Today?
» 1:45 What are the differences between Player Plus & Ultra?
» 2:52 Let's Start with the Player Plus Tele
» 6:07 How Does the American Ultra Compare?
» 8:45 Moving on to the Strats with the Player Plus!
» 11:35 Finally, the American Ultra Stratocaster!
» 14:10 Blindfold Off! What Does Chappers Think Now?
» 17:23 Have We Finally Beaten Chappers?!

📺 Looking for more exclusive content? Sign up to Andertons Extra!

📱 Why not give us a follow on our social channels?

🎸 Want To Jam Along? Check out our Backing Tracks!

You've watched the videos & seen the store, now join the Andertons Family with our exclusive, official merchandise! With free UK delivery on all orders containing only a T-Shirt, Hoodie or Jumper & super low international shipping costs, there is no better time to be an Andertons fan than now!

Make sure to subscribe to Andertons TV for more great videos!

#Andertons #Fender #FenderPlayerPlus

[patrickcarroll]

I've said it before. I'll say it again. I don't think Lee realizes how good of a host he is. He sets the tone of silly, light-hearted, sarcastic, and informative better than anyone on YouTube. I think it's genius and I look forward to it everyday.

[caseyodonnell]

Rob has shown over the years that he has an amazing ability to know what he's playing/listening to; way beyond just dumb luck. This was a great video and very clearly illustrates just how good the MIM stuff has become over the years. There's never been a better time to be getting into guitar because at basically any price point you can get a very decently made instrument. Thanks guys!

[TheLadsBandLive]

First, Rob’s blindfold playing is truly amazing, and second, this is a testament to how good “lower-end” guitars have become.

[rrparker]

Best. Blindfold. Challenge. Ever. Having him take off the mask and play them again was a brilliant idea. This made me so happy! lol

[Ben_Mdws]

Was hoping you guys would do a video along these lines and it didn’t disappoint. Excellent stuff.

[xzn]

I bought a Player Plus the other week and I can 100% guarantee that's the best Fender playing experience I've had my whole life ('though I never tried an Ultra). I wasn't even planning on buying a guitar that day, but despite that I brought home that very Strat displayed in this video.

[CaanDo]

Kudos for honest comparisons I love that the Integrity of the show matters more than the results. Great job Andertons.

[fawkesandhound]

Always fun to see you together guys! What I like to keep in mind is, unless you’re going to play your guitar blindfolded, you have to love the look too.

[DiegoApunto]

There is just some chemistry between the two of you that makes your videos the greatest.
Thank so much for them.

[enthused]

I think this just goes to show that especially since the introduction of the "player series" a few years back, these Made in Mexico Fenders really do compete head-on with the American Fenders in terms of finish quality, playability, and hardware/component quality.

[byst]

This seems like a non sequitur but there's a book by Jonathan Haidt called "The Righteous Mind" where he outlines research that suggests the brain always Intuits first, then rationalizes second. Your demo seems to confirm this, as Rob's intuitions were different with and without the blindfold. When he could see which guitar was more expensive, his intuition led him to rationalize why it's more expensive. Anyways it's always cool to see how far guitars have come and that it honestly doesn't matter what you get as long as you like it!

[TheMenFromUGLY]

Great video guys. I have a 2020 Strat Ultra which i love to bits but recently came to the conclusion after doing my own back 2 back, that my Partscaster is actually better (mainly due to the neck - US replacement). Hard to take due to the difference in cost 😲 Keep doing what you're doing. Love these challenges.

[dougrussell]

Great experiment!
It seems to me that once a factory (in any country) has been making guitars for a decent number of years, they will have experienced guitar builders, and a Mexican builder with 10 years' experience should be as good as a US one with 10 years' experience.
My favourite among my guitars is a Japanese build (the recent MIJ Tele Deluxe with tremolo), I'd place that above my American Original. And I'd put my Mexican Player above the American Performer.

[sixstringsam]

theses blindfold challenges are iconic! keep doing them!

[mikepj]

That was awesome!!! By far my favorite blindfold challenge. I always said that your eyes tell you everything. Great seeing Chappers back.

[joeblo]

The dynamic duo! My heart warms each time i see these 2 chaps in the studio, such great personalities, great tone, and amazing playing. <3

[bldallas]

Great comparison and interesting results. I’d also like to see you do the same thing with a 60s Vibe Squire Strat and a MiM Fender Strat.

[Nessiechomp]

I totally adored those clean sounds from the MiM strat's neck. So bright and just lovely. Honestly really preferred it to the American one.

[rowbags]

Rob's reaction at the end was hilarious, but I actually prefer the sound of the MIMs. I've listened on three different systems now and it's been the same each time. It was fascinating how Rob changed his opinion 180 degrees when he could actually see the guitars, but (for me, at least) it was totally understandable why he chose the MIMs when blindfolded if things sounded the same in room as on YouTube.

[grahamroden]

Definitely the best music channel on YouTube. I’d love to see another diminishing returns video especially in light of the new releases by Fender and Gibson