Fender 2018 MIM Player Series

[CallMeAl]

How does everyone feel about the fret work on their Players? I just tried 3 (2 Ps and a J) and they all had chunky, boxy fret ends. Not exactly sharp, but I could really feel them.

My main bass has a Peavey neck, and I've done my own fret work on it.... so IDK if I've really rounded them down, or maybe it's the medium jumbo frets I'm noticing. I was really GASing for a Player, but this was kind of a turn off!

 

[Kro]

How does everyone feel about the fret work on their Players? I just tried 3 (2 Ps and a J) and they all had chunky, boxy fret ends. Not exactly sharp, but I could really feel them.

My main bass has a Peavey neck, and I've done my own fret work on it.... so IDK if I've really rounded them down, or maybe it's the medium jumbo frets I'm noticing. I was really GASing for a Player, but this was kind of a turn off!

The two that I tested, one of which I briefly owned, actually had very nice fret and fretboard work. Comparable to my American Standard that I eventually ended up going with even.

For a lower priced bass I was surprised by how nice it was, but I realize I may have just gotten lucky.

See here:
First NBD in 10 yrs: Fender Player Series Precision. Impressed!

And here:
Fender 2018 MIM Player Series

 

[vaesto]

In my expirience 3 of 3 Players had problematic fret ends. They just felt too much, some even scratched my fingers. And fretboard edge wasn't rounded at all which imho makes the neck uncomfortable to play. The worst thing - all this semi-finished mess is covered with lacquer, self fixing it would void the warranty, though.

 

[Ian774]

No fret issue with my current Player, nor with my previous one. The fretboard is not rounded like an American one so it might be a bit less comfy, but it doesn’t bother me.

 

[mbell75]

How does everyone feel about the fret work on their Players? I just tried 3 (2 Ps and a J) and they all had chunky, boxy fret ends. Not exactly sharp, but I could really feel them.

They are terrible IMO. I had to return two different Player Series because of neck and fret issues, one was a maple board P and the other a Pau Ferro J. I have played about a dozen of them in store and most have had fret and neck issues, only 2-3 did not. Thats not a good percentage IMO, especially when they have raised prices. Fenders QC on their MIM basses has been awful the last 4-5 years and Im done buying them. Perfectly happy with my new Yamaha BB234. A much better bass all around with an actual rosewood board and it was only $299. Im willing to give the new Vintera series a look but the prices are far too high for a MIM Fender. I'll scoop one up used in a few months if they are better made than the Players, they better be.

 

[scottm]

I’m on my third one, and as much as I want to keep it... all the ones I’ve received have been junk.
Not sure why when my American Professional P bass and two Squire basses are top notch.
I’m glad that there have been others though that have really enjoyed theirs and have had no issues.

-ScottM

 

[Bass]

Does anyone know the date of release for orange and silver Players? Fender has not yet updated their website.

 

[Levitamin]

Does anyone know the date of release for orange and silver Players? Fender has not yet updated their website.

I really love both of those colors. Looks like they're only doing Ps and Js, though.

 

[OllyW]

How is that new bridge compared to stock?

It arrived with a damaged standard bridge so I swapped it for the high mass Fender bridge straight away, once I’d negotiated a discount from the retailer and didn’t get to plug it in before I fitted it.
I’ve got a few basses with them fitted, not sure if they make a lot of difference sound wise but I find them more stable than the standard bridge. I’ve had the barrel screws in the standard bridges come loose on a few occasions but the high mass ones haven’t shifted at all.

 

[Ian774]

Does anyone know the date of release for orange and silver Players? Fender has not yet updated their website.

Link for pics?!

Thanks

 

[OllyW]

Link for pics?!

Thanks

There are pictures of a Capri Orange Player Jazz in this thread...

NBD - Fender Player Jazz Capri Orange

 

[Bass]

Link for pics?!

Thanks

Link to a silver jazz:

Link Removed

 

[CallMeAl]

The two that I tested, one of which I briefly owned, actually had very nice fret and fretboard work. Comparable to my American Standard that I eventually ended up going with even.

For a lower priced bass I was surprised by how nice it was, but I realize I may have just gotten lucky.

See here:
First NBD in 10 yrs: Fender Player Series Precision. Impressed!

And here:
Fender 2018 MIM Player Series

In my expirience 3 of 3 Players had problematic fret ends. They just felt too much, some even scratched my fingers. And fretboard edge wasn't rounded at all which imho makes the neck uncomfortable to play. The worst thing - all this semi-finished mess is covered with lacquer, self fixing it would void the warranty, though.

No fret issue with my current Player, nor with my previous one. The fretboard is not rounded like an American one so it might be a bit less comfy, but it doesn’t bother me.

They are terrible IMO. I had to return two different Player Series because of neck and fret issues, one was a maple board P and the other a Pau Ferro J. I have played about a dozen of them in store and most have had fret and neck issues, only 2-3 did not. Thats not a good percentage IMO, especially when they have raised prices. Fenders QC on their MIM basses has been awful the last 4-5 years and Im done buying them. Perfectly happy with my new Yamaha BB234. A much better bass all around with an actual rosewood board and it was only $299. Im willing to give the new Vintera series a look but the prices are far too high for a MIM Fender. I'll scoop one up used in a few months if they are better made than the Players, they better be.

I’m on my third one, and as much as I want to keep it... all the ones I’ve received have been junk.
Not sure why when my American Professional P bass and two Squire basses are top notch.
I’m glad that there have been others though that have really enjoyed theirs and have had no issues.

-ScottM

Thanks for the feedback!

I tried a bunch of players when they first came out, 2 or 3 each of P and J, and a Jag. I liked all, but didnt spend a lot of time with them. I left it with setting my sights on getting one eventually.

In the meantime, I've taught myself fret work and neck refinishing. On this Peavey neck I've leveled & rounded frets, sanded the board edge to give just a touch of a rolled edge, satin finish... so when I tested these basses again, I realised I like the peavey more, all that elbow grease paid off. I paid +/- $200 for this parts bass, so if I pay the price for a Player, I dont really want to do all that work again!

I've looked up specs for this peavey neck, AFAIK, it came with .106×.043 frets, just about medium jumbo. And my squier standard also has medium jumbo so I dont really think its the fret size I'm noticing it's the fret finishing.

I guess I've become a neck snob!

 

[Levitamin]

It arrived with a damaged standard bridge so I swapped it for the high mass Fender bridge straight away, once I’d negotiated a discount from the retailer and didn’t get to plug it in before I fitted it.
I’ve got a few basses with them fitted, not sure if they make a lot of difference sound wise but I find them more stable than the standard bridge. I’ve had the barrel screws in the standard bridges come loose on a few occasions but the high mass ones haven’t shifted at all.

Ah. I’m having mine set up now. The bridge seems fine.

 

[Ian774]

How can we go from so many raving reviews from people all over this thread, to a few « the fret job sucks » replies over the past couple of days?
You guys must have been unlucky, second Player for me and the fret job is absolutely fine!

 

[mbell75]

How can we go from so many raving reviews from people all over this thread, to a few « the fret job sucks » replies over the past couple of days?

Because Fender Mexico has awful QC? The Squier CV line was solid up until recently too...

 

[mbell75]

Thanks for the feedback!

I tried a bunch of players when they first came out, 2 or 3 each of P and J, and a Jag. I liked all, but didnt spend a lot of time with them. I left it with setting my sights on getting one eventually.

In the meantime, I've taught myself fret work and neck refinishing. On this Peavey neck I've leveled & rounded frets, sanded the board edge to give just a touch of a rolled edge, satin finish... so when I tested these basses again, I realised I like the peavey more, all that elbow grease paid off. I paid +/- $200 for this parts bass, so if I pay the price for a Player, I dont really want to do all that work again!

I've looked up specs for this peavey neck, AFAIK, it came with .106×.043 frets, just about medium jumbo. And my squier standard also has medium jumbo so I dont really think its the fret size I'm noticing it's the fret finishing.

I guess I've become a neck snob!

No one should be having to do fret and neck work on a brand new $700 bass. It shouldn't even be acceptable on a $350 bass. You will find better quality once you move on from Fender land, believe me.

 

[CallMeAl]

No one should be having to do fret and neck work on a brand new $700 bass. It shouldn't even be acceptable on a $350 bass. You will find better quality once you move on from Fender land, believe me.

My basses were 15-20 years old when I got them, so I think what I had was good old fashioned fret sprout. But I agree, i wouldn't accept that on a new bass.

What keeps me in fender land is the neck swapping. I like a single precision pickup and a jazz neck. Pjs are ok, but not my first choice. Other than peavey fury, or higher priced g&l or lakland custom, its gonna be a fender.

But like I said I'm happy with my bass now. I have the luxury of saving up money and browsing in the interim.

 

[ruju]

How does everyone feel about the fret work on their Players? I just tried 3 (2 Ps and a J) and they all had chunky, boxy fret ends. Not exactly sharp, but I could really feel them.

My main bass has a Peavey neck, and I've done my own fret work on it.... so IDK if I've really rounded them down, or maybe it's the medium jumbo frets I'm noticing. I was really GASing for a Player, but this was kind of a turn off!

I've had a Players Precision bass in Sonic Red for close to a year now. It was near perfect when u bought it.. minor neck adjustment. Totally acceptable tolence. More if my personal setup preference.
I don't doubt that some MIM basses will squeeze through below good standards but the claims that they are all garbage are grossly misinformed, uneducated opinion from individuals that seem to pop up all to often lately.

 

[Levitamin]

Got my sage green Jaguar back from being set-up. I am really pleased with this bass. No sharp fret edges. The tech didn't have to do any fretwork or anything major. I've owned many different basses in my life, and this is one of my favorites. I'm going to put some EMG Geezer Butler pickups in this week.