Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst Demo & Overview with Melanie Faye

Today, we’ll be exploring the Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst with the talented guitarist Melanie Faye. This guitar pays homage to the original 1954 Strat with its two-color sunburst finish, but it also embodies the modern advancements of the model. With features like a comfortable C-shape neck, pau ferro fretboard, and modern Player Series single coils, this guitar blends vintage inspiration with contemporary excellence. Melanie Faye, a Nashville-raised guitarist and producer, shares her personal journey with the Stratocaster, explaining how she was drawn to Fender by her guitar idols and purchased her first Strat with her hard-earned money from a part-time job. Join us in this demo and overview to discover the impressive capabilities of the Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst.

Throughout the demo, Melanie demonstrates the guitar’s versatility through various pickup positions and effects. From the warm and blended tones of the neck and middle pickup to the bright and snappy sound of the bridge pickup, this Stratocaster offers a wide range of sonic possibilities. With its comfortable playability and nod to both the original Strat and modern advancements, the Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst is a remarkable guitar that encapsulates the legacy of the iconic Stratocaster while meeting the demands of contemporary players. Dive into this demo with Melanie Faye to witness the excellence of this instrument for yourself.

Overview of Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst

The Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst is a guitar that pays tribute to the original 1954 Strat while incorporating modern advancements in design and tone. This guitar features a comfortable C-shape neck, a pau ferro fretboard, and an alder body. It also boasts a flatter 9.5″ radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and Player Series single coils. With its two-point tremolo, 5-way pickup selector switch, and diecast tuning machines, this guitar offers a versatile playing experience.

Features and Specifications

The Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst boasts a variety of features that contribute to its exceptional playability and sound. It features a C-shape neck, which provides a comfortable and familiar feel for players. The pau ferro fretboard offers a rich and warm tone, while the alder body adds to the guitar’s resonance and sustain. The guitar also features a 9.5″ radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets, allowing for easy bending and lower action without any fretting out. The Player Series single coils offer a versatile range of tones, while the two-point tremolo, 5-way pickup selector switch, and diecast tuning machines ensure stable tuning and precise control over your sound.

Melanie Faye’s Experience with Fender

Fender Stratocasters have long been a favorite choice of guitar for many legendary musicians, including Melanie Faye’s idols like Eric Johnson. Melanie Faye, a guitarist and producer from Nashville, Tennessee, fell in love with the Stratocaster after seeing her idols play them. She purchased her first Stratocaster, a limited-edition Cerulean Blue model, with her own hard-earned money while working at a sandwich shop in high school. Faye was drawn to the idea of owning a professional-grade guitar that could also serve as a reliable instrument for gigs and tours. Her positive experience with her first Stratocaster led her to explore other models, eventually leading her to the Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst.

Demo: Fourth Position (Neck and Middle Pickup)

Melanie Faye demonstrates the sound of the neck and middle pickup combination, also known as the fourth position on the Stratocaster. This position offers a warm and quacky tone, blending the characteristics of both pickups. Faye compares the sound to a humbucker and a single coil, highlighting the unique qualities of the fourth position.

Demo: Neck Position

Next, Faye showcases the warm and balanced tonality of the neck pickup. She adds depth to the sound by using a TC electronic Hall of Fame 2 Reverb pedal, demonstrating the versatility of the pickup and its ability to create lush and atmospheric tones.

Demo: Middle Pickup Only (Tone Knob at 50%)

In this demo, Faye isolates the middle pickup to showcase its versatility and nuances. By rolling the tone knob down to 50%, she emphasizes the unique sound of this often overlooked position on a Stratocaster. The middle pickup offers a well-rounded tone that is both bright and dynamic, making it a valuable option for players.

Demo: Second Position (Middle and Bridge Pickup Combined)

Faye explores the balanced and bright sound of the middle and bridge pickup combination, known as the second position on the Stratocaster. She demonstrates both clean and distorted tones, showcasing the versatility of this position. The middle and bridge pickup combination offers a full and articulate sound that is perfect for a wide range of playing styles.

Demo: Bridge Position

Lastly, Faye highlights the bright and snappy sound of the bridge pickup, the final position on the Stratocaster. She demonstrates the range of the pickup by using overdrive and fuzz pedals, showing its ability to handle high gain and produce aggressive tones while maintaining clarity and definition.

Impressions and Conclusion

Overall, the Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst impresses with its fit, finish, and versatility. The guitar captures the history and evolution of the Stratocaster, blending vintage elements with modern advancements. Melanie Faye’s positive experience with the guitar serves as a testament to its quality and performance. Whether you’re an aspiring guitarist or a seasoned musician, the Fender Player Stratocaster Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst offers a reliable and inspiring instrument that pays homage to the iconic Stratocaster design.

You can get the Fender Player Stratocaster in Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst from Guitar Center. This guitar has a special finish that brings back the look of the original 1954 Stratocaster. But it’s not just about looks – the Player Stratocaster also has some modern updates. The neck is shaped for comfort with a C-shape, unlike the chunky D-shape of the original. The fretboard is made of pau ferro instead of maple, and the body is made of alder instead of ash. The radius is flatter at 9.5 inches, compared to the original’s 7.25 inches. It also has 22 medium-jumbo frets, while the original had only 21 small frets. The pickups are modern Player Series single coils, whereas the original had Alnico III pickups.

According to guitarist and producer Melanie Faye, this guitar is a great representation of 70 years of Strats. It has the iconic sunburst finish but also has the features of a modern guitar. Melanie got into playing guitar because of Guitar Hero III and was drawn to Fender because her idols, like Eric Johnson, play Stratocasters. She actually bought her first Strat, in Cerulean Blue, from Guitar Center. She saved up money from her job at a sandwich shop in high school to buy it.

The Fender Player Stratocaster in Anniversary 2-Color Sunburst also has some other great features. It has an updated two-point tremolo, a 5-way pickup selector switch, and sealed, diecast tuning machines.

If you want to learn more about the history of the Stratocaster, you can read A Guide to the Fender Stratocaster. And don’t forget to follow Melanie Faye on social media! You can find her at the link above.