If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, then the Fender American Performer and Player series are the best to look at if you want a true Fender electric guitar. But is the American Performer worth the extra money compared to the Player series version?
In this article I’ll compare the differences between Fender Player and American Performer Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmaster and Mustangs so you can figure out which is the best guitar for you.
Contents:
- The Key Differences
- The Similarities
- What about Player Plus Models?
- Comparing Specific Models
- Stratocaster
- Telecaster
- Jazzmaster
- Mustang
The Key Differences
Fender American Performer and Player series guitars have different pickups, bridges, tuning machines and fret sizes. Fender Player series guitars are made in Mexico unlike the American Performer models. Guitars in both series have the same neck shape, wood type, fret number, scale length and strings.
Here is a table comparing the key features of Fender Player and American Performer guitars.
| Feature | Fender Player | Fender American Performer |
| Manufactured In | Mexico | USA |
| Pickups | Fender Player Alnico | Yosemite |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Fretboard Wood | Pau Ferro/ Maple | Rosewood/ Maple |
| Tuning Machines | Standard Cast | Fender ClassicGear |
| Headstock | Standard | Oversized ‘70s Style |
| Truss Rod Nut | 3/16” Hex Adjustment | 1/8” American Series |
| Left-Handed Versions | Yes | No |
| Gig Bag Included | No | Yes |
| Average Price (USA) | $850-980 | $1400-$1500 |
| Average Price (UK) | £560-£850 | £1250-£1350 |
Some Fender Player models are available in left and right-handed versions, whereas Fender American Performer guitars are only available in right-handed versions. Here is a table highlighting which shapes and pickup configurations are available in each series.
| Model | Fender Player | Fender American Performer |
| Stratocaster (SSS) | Right and Left-Hand | Right-Hand Only |
| Stratocaster (HSS) | Right-Hand Only | Right-Hand Only |
| Telecaster (SS) | Right and Left-Hand | Right-Hand Only |
| Telecaster (SH) | Not Available | Right-Hand Only |
| Telecaster (HH) | Right-Hand Only | Not Available |
| Jazzmaster | Right-Hand Only | Right-Hand Only |
| Mustang | Right-Hand Only | Right-Hand Only |
| Jaguar | Right-Hand Only | Not Available |
The Similarities
Although there are several differences between the models, there are some features which stay the same throughout the range when looking at Fender Player and American Performer guitars. All Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster and Mustang models from both series share the following features:
- Alder bodies and maple necks
- Satin neck finishes
- C-shape necks
- Scale length, fingerboard radius, nut width and fret number
- Synthetic bone nuts
- Dot inlays
- Fender USA 9-gauge strings
- Chrome/ nickel hardware finish
- Standard neck heel (not sculpted)
What About Player Plus Models?
Fender make two main variants of the Player series models:
- Player Plus
- Plus Top
Plus Top models have the same features as the standard Player series models, the difference between the two is cosmetic. Player Plus Top guitars have a more premium maple cap unlike the regular Player guitars which just have an alder body. This makes the Player Plus Top models approximately $50-$100 more expensive, or £50-£75 in the UK.
Player Plus series guitars have several upgraded features compared to the standard Player series guitars. These include noiseless pickups, extra switching, a wider nut, rolled fingerboard edges, locking tunes and a gig-bag incuded.
If you want to learn more about the Player Plus series, check out my article comparing Fender Player and Player Plus guitars.
Comparing Specific Models
In addition to their being some key differences and similarities between the two series which can be observed across all the different shapes, there are also a few mode specific differences such as the bridge type, pickup configurations, switching options and color choices.
Let’s now compare each model individually in the following order:
- Stratocaster
- Telecaster
- Jazzmaster
- Mustang
Stratocaster Models
The Fender American Performer Stratocaster has upgraded tuners, a vintage-style 6-point tremolo, oversized ’70s style headstock, jumbo frets and Yosemite pickups whereas the Fender Player Stratocaster has a 2-point tremolo, standard headstock, medium jumbo frets and Player series alnico pickups.
Check out my comparison between 2-point and 6-point tremolo systems to learn more about this topic.
The Fender American Performer has Yosemite pickups which sound fuller but also slightly clearer in comparison to the alnico V pickups in the Player series model.
The Fender American Performer Strat has a push-pull tone pot unlike the Player version. On the SSS version, this allows you to activate either the bridge and neck pickup together (without the middle) or all three pickups at the same time. On the HSS version, it coil splits the humbucker pickup. You also get these switching options on Player Plus versions but not on regular Player series models.
Check out this YouTube video to hear both guitars in action.
Check out this table highlighting all the key differences between the Fender Player and American Performer Stratocaster models.
| Feature | Player Stratocaster | American Performer Stratocaster |
| Fretboard | Maple/ Pau Ferro | Maple/ Rosewood |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Satin/ Gloss |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Truss Rod Nut | 3/16” Hex Adjustment | 1/8” American Series |
| Pickups | Player Series Alnico V | Yosemite |
| Push/ Pull Tone Pot | No | Yes |
| Bridge | 2-Point Tremolo | 6-Point Tremolo |
| Tuning Machines | Standard Cast | Fender ClassicGear |
| Headstock | Standard | Oversized ‘70s |
| Gigbag Included | No | Yes |
| Made In | Mexico | USA |
| Color Options | Black Polar White Sunburst Buttercream Tidepool Capri Orange Silver | Honey Burst (SSS) Arctic White (SSS) Lake Placid Blue (SSS) 3 Color Sunburst (HSS) Black (HSS) Aubergine (HSS) Surf Green (HSS) |
Here are Amazon links to each version so you can compare the current prices:
Check out my complete comparison between Mexican and American Stratocasters for more information.
Telecaster Models
The Fender American Performer Telecaster is available with either SS or SH pickup configurations, whilst the Fender Player Telecaster comes with either an SS or HH pickup configuration. The Player series Tele has a 6-saddle bridge which makes intonating the guitar more accurate compared to the 3-saddle bridge on the American Performer.
Check out my article comparing the 3-saddle and 6-saddle Telecaster bridge to learn about the pros and cons of each design.
The Fender Player series Telecaster has alnico V pickups which has more upper-mids and treble than the Yosemite pickups in the Fender American Performer Tele. The American Performer sounds a bit fuller but not quite as “glassy” compared to the Player series version.
On the SH version of the American Performer, you get a push-pull tone pot which allows you to coil-split the humbucker. There isn’t a coil-split function on the regular Player Telecaster, but there is on the Player Plus version.
Take a look at this YouTube video comparing the tones of the Fender American Performer and Player Tele.
Check out this table highlighting all the key differences between the Fender Player and American Performer Telecaster models.
| Feature | Player Telecaster | American Performer Telecaster |
| Pickup Configurations | SS/ HH | SS/ SH |
| Fretboard | Maple/ Pau Ferro | Maple/ Rosewood |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Satin/ Gloss |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Truss Rod Nut | 3/16” Hex Adjustment | 1/8” American Series |
| Pickups | Player Series Alnico V | Yosemite |
| Push/ Pull Tone Pot | No | Only on SH model |
| Bridge | 6-Saddle String-Through | 3-Saddle String-Through |
| Tuning Machines | Standard Cast | Fender ClassicGear |
| Headstock | Standard | Oversized ‘70s |
| Gigbag Included | No | Yes |
| Made In | Mexico | USA |
| Color Options | Butterscotch Blonde Black Tidepool Polar White Capri Orange Sunburst | Honeyburst (SS) Sonic Blue (SS) Vintage White (SS/ SH) 3-Color Sunburst (SH) Surf Green (SH) Aubergine (SH) |
Here are Amazon links to each version so you can compare the current prices:
Jazzmaster Models
The Fender American Performer and Player Jazzmaster models are quite different. The Player series version has two humbucker pickups giving it a warmer and fuller tone compared to the two single coil pickups on the American Performer Jazzmaster which sound brighter but thinner.
Neither guitar has the rhythm/ lead circuit which is commonly seen on other versions of the Jazzmaster. However, the Player series Jazzmaster does have a push-pull tone pot allows you to split the humbuckers to achieve single-coil type tones, making it a bit more versatile than the American Performer version.
The Player series Jazzmaster has the iconic floating tail piece tremolo system, whereas the American Performer Jazzmaster has a synchronised tremolo, similar to what you’d see on a Strat which is better at staying in tune.
Check out this table highlighting all the key differences between the Fender Player and American Performer Jazzmaster models.
| Feature | Player Jazzmaster | American Performer Jazzmaster |
| Pickup Configuration | HH | SS |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Rosewood |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Satin/ Gloss |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Truss Rod Nut | 3/16” Hex Adjustment | 1/8” American Series |
| Pickups | Player Series Alnico II | Yosemite |
| Push/ Pull Tone Pot | Yes | No |
| Bridge | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style w/ Floating Tail Piece | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style w/ Synchronised Tremolo |
| Tuning Machines | Standard Cast | Fender ClassicGear |
| Pickguard | 3-Ply | 4-Ply |
| Headstock | Standard | Oversized ‘70s |
| Gigbag Included | No | Yes |
| Made In | Mexico | USA |
| Color Options | Buttercream Polar White Capri Orange 3-Color Sunburst | Lake Placid Blue Vintage White 3-Color Sunburst |
Here are Amazon links to each version so you can compare the current prices:
Mustang Models
The tones of the Player and American Performer Mustang are considerably different due to the pickup configurations. The Player Mustang has two P90 pickups which sound warmer and fuller than the two single coils seen in the American Performer Mustang.
The Player series Mustang is the only model which does not have a modern C neck and instead has a slightly thicker standard C-shape neck. The American Performer Mustang has the slimmer modern C-shape neck seen on most other models.
The other main difference is that the Player Mustang has a hardtail bridge whereas the American Performer has a tremolo bridge.
Check out this table highlighting all the key differences between the Fender Player and American Performer Mustang models.
| Feature | Player Mustang | American Performer Mustang |
| Pickup Configuration | P90 P90 | SS |
| Fretboard | Pau Ferro | Rosewood |
| Body Finish | Gloss | Satin/ Gloss |
| Neck Shape | C-Shape | Modern-C |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Jumbo |
| Pickups | Mustang MP-90 | Yosemite |
| Push/ Pull Tone Pot | Yes | No |
| Bridge | 6-Saddle String-Through Hardtail | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style w/ Synchronised Tremolo |
| Tuning Machines | Standard Cast | Fender Classic Gear |
| Pickguard | 3-Ply | 4-Ply |
| Gigbag Included | No | Yes |
| Made In | Mexico | USA |
| Color Options | Burgundy Mist Metallic Seafoam Green Aged Natural | Sonic Blue Vintage White 3-Color Sunburst |
Here are links to each version so you can compare the current prices:
- Fender American Performer Mustang (Amazon)
- Fender Player Mustang (Guitar Center)
Here are some more articles you might find useful: