Love Cooper's playing. Other channels just blast a load of dirt at you which prevents you from actually hearing the nuances of the instrument. Cooper's playing brings it all out.

In the summer of 1998 I went into Alamo Music and bought my first guitar. A 1998 Gibson SG Standard. I still have that guitar and love it to this day. I even have the original reciept. But what I want to point out is how well I was treated while there. Even though I had no idea what I was doing the staff treated me with nothing but respect and encouragment. Was a great buying experience. I came across your youtubr channel and it seems like you are all just as cool as back then. Best wished. Rich L

I love my new player plus. It is honestly, spec-wise, the tele I have been waiting my whole life for. 12" radius, slimmer neck, locking tuners, 22 frets, belly cut, it is literally everything I have ever wanted in one telecaster. I do agree about the pickups, but I figure I can always change those down the road if I want. Great review guys!

I like that Cooper has his shirt buttoned in a proper manner

Really helpful review for a specific question! Love it!

Great comparison. One minor request: In future videos it would be really nice if you could put text on screen showing the current pickup configuration (bridge, serial, etc) during the demo. Sometimes I'll hear a tone I really like, but didn't catch which position a toggle switch is in, and have to go back and re-watch. Just being able to see "Rhythm circuit" or "bridge pickup" on screen would be awesome. Keep up the great videos!

Vintage white looks absolutely sick

Another great comparison. I just recently got the mocha burst Tele Ultra and it is wildly beautiful and I so far love the noiseless pickups and the series switch. I still have my original 69 Thinline if I just must have that noisy vintage sound that I have been enjoying since I was a teenager.

Can’t go wrong with a tele in any form. Vintage or crazy modded out home brew, they are all cool. Nothing else like them.

Awesome demo! I’m in my early 40’s and play contemporary Christian. I’m currently waiting on my player plus to come in. You have made me feel a lot better about my choice. I watched alot of videos comparing the two but unfortunately couldn’t play either so not having a store close who stocks fender. I took a leap of faith and bought the player plus. Next time I am in SA I’ll have to stop by and check y’all out!

Beautiful playing and choice of music. Right on with your review thanks!

One of the best comparison videos I've ever seen.

One of my favorite Alamo videos to date. Great to see Cooper get opinionated on this one!

Good stuff, looking forward to strat video now fellas!

Great playing, great comparison, the Plus seems hard to beat as a total package.

9:32 Performer 11:10 Player Plus

Always enjoy your videos. I love my sunburst MIM tele. I play it more than my other more expensive guitars. I did however swap out the original pickups for the noiseless pickups. I just love the snappiness of the noiseless.

I chose a new performer Tele satin sonic blue and rosewood over a year old used pro 2 selling for less money. The reason was the simplicity. The performer is closer to what you would have gotten look and sound-wise from the Fender catalog back in the 50s/60s. Just 2 slabs of wood and a whole lot of mojo! No need to enhance or refine in my opinion. Just play it, love it and the older and more beat up it gets, the better!

Love these two guys

Great video!

The other elephant in the room is the jumbo frets on the Am. Perm. Completely different feel. Thanks for posting, great playing.

I just Got a Player Plus Tele earlier this week. I agree that the bridge pickup was too bright for me. I simply adjusted the bridge to taste by leveling out the pickup. That took care of the ice picky highs. I always adjust the pickups on my guitar when setting them up. I wondered why that was not mentioned during the video? Its not like you are stuck with the factory settings. Nice playing Cooper. Thanks for the entertaining Video.

I have an American Special which I absolutely love. It's my number one out of five tele's. Love the Grease Bucket tone circuit.

Really great discussion. I'm currently deciding which Strat to buy from these ranges. Player Plus or Performer. Will be demoing them this week.

I prefer the Vintera 50s modified. Basically the replacement of the Baja. It has everything you want and more. Soft v neck, ash body, custom shop pickups, 4 way toggle + 2 out of phase tones, brass saddles. Amazing!

That's some really tasty playing.

I watched the video on Cooper's review of all 3 Les Paul's (tribute, studio and standard) and I agreed with him on the neck feel of the studio vs the tribute & standard. This video will help with my Tele purchase.

Bought one in August had it pleked and changed to a black pick guard which made a huge visual difference.

Really good video, thank you. I have a Performer and it's beautiful. The Yosemite's are just gorgeous, especially on the bridge as mentioned here.

Gentlemen, I’m an old guy ( I’ve just recently realized that) from Massachusetts. I love Tele’s and I’m pretty old school about them. I would take the Performer because of the bridge, tuners and better p.u.’s. On the other hand the fact that some Tele’s are made in Mexico doesn’t bother me at all. My favorite Tele is my made in Mexico, Brad Paisley silver sparkle model with its soft V neck, light weight Paulownia wood body, brass barrel bridge, classic tuners AND a nitro finish. One thing I wish it had is a tinted neck, I don’t like those naked looking maple necks, warm them up a bit! In general, I wish Fender would go back to a nitro finish on more models. I just don’t like a guitar with a quarter inch of plastic on it. The guitars from the Mexican factory, I.m.h.o., are excellent. Every bit as good as their cousins across the border.

I am a strat guy all the way but when I played the player + I could not believe how amazing it sounded. Pick ups did not sound thin like everyone says. I plugged into a Deluxe Reverb and it just blew me away!!!!!

Just ordered the Silver Smoke. Your video convinced me. I’ve little feeling for those slick Maple fretboards. Locking tuners, push pull option, Fender name. Even tho a Squier Tele is half the price I had to choose the Fender PP. Love your channel and Cooper’s playing!

One difference I don't think you mentioned is that the Am Perf has jumbo frets vs the mediums on the Player Plus. That and the pickups seals the deal for me

59 years old live in Chicago.. I own a road worn telecaster 2021, bought about 2 months ago. It has become one of my favorites.

Hello and happy New Year fun Galore in 2022

I think you both nailed it. The Performer pups did sound sweet but the Player Plus pups also sound good and keep in mind the Player Plus pups are noiseless which still tend to not exactly sound traditional. Now factor in the Player Plus Nashville which is probably even a closer price comparison with the Performer and maybe the 3rd pup combination brings that pup difference between Player Plus and Performer closer. And what Chris said about the minor differences only being a real consideration for seasoned players is also true because when someone is on stage you almost always hear the player and not the guitar. Happy New Year guys. Good video.

What a nice solo ! Difficult to say which guitar is the best but it is sure your a real good musician ❤

Just order the player plus one last week My favorite tele yet

I have played both. Simply put the Mexicans have more output in the pick ups whereas the Performer Yosemite have more articulation and are more versatile. I find the performer with gain is clearer and punchier. Took me a week or so to get used to the Performer wide frets but I LOVE the ‘em now especially for finger picking. So basically the Mexi for me is just good for huge gain hard rock soloing stuff. I play a lot of funk rhythm stuff as well and the performer really does it so well. The neck pickup is kinda stratty. Best guitar I’ve ever owned.

Great videos, thanks! Do I have to loosen up my acoustic guitar strings when not in use?

Great video guys! Funny I spent yesterday at a Detroit music store with some buddies. One was looking for a strat.. I own several guitars but no Fender products surprisingly.. This store amazingly had quite a few new arrivals so of course I played them.. I agree with Cooper.. For the money the Plus is way ahead.. The fretboards just felt light years better.. However, I did not like sound of the noiseless pickups? That's all subjective of course. If I did, I probably would have went home with that tele.. My buddy could not find a strat he liked either.. He ended up getting a Nash.. They did not on the strat side have a plus model. Anyway let's just say I'm older than both of you guys so there's your demographic. Great video again!

wow, came for alamo vibes, stayed for the opinion!

I liked the Chevy inspired 3 on the tree comment used to describe the 3 brass saddles. Many no longer know what three on the tree means and would have even more of a problem shifting on the column.

I think your comment about the Mexican vs American gap closing is right on. I have a Player Strat in a HSH configuration that plays better than the Pro series Strat I used to have...key words, used to have in fact my 1994 '62 reissue Foto Flame Strat was better. As far as the Tele is concerned I have a Deluxe Nashville with the Fender noiseless pickups and I find that it's one of the most versatile guitars that I own. I can get a Strat-like tone or drop it to the bridge and go full Tele which was the draw to it to begin with. Nothing wrong with straight Tele tone but if I can get more for less that becomes the selling point. Thank guys, great video.

Tried Player plus, AP, Deluxe Nashville & Player plus Nashville. Looking for the best sound & feel relative to my liking. Butterscotch Nashville plus went home with me ❤️

Cool chord and fills sound killer 😎 👌

Well here is my opinion. I've got both the Tele and Strat Player Plus and absolutely love them. I feel that the difference in the neck pick-up sound can easily be adjusted already in a pre-amp, definitely with an EQ. But overall I think your conclusion on both guitars was spot on. (Not too big of a fan of the gradient. :D Got the candy apple red Tele)

I just bought 5 minutes ago the Nashville Telecaster Sunburst, Its just perfect. I use to have a Stratocaster (red and white) but it had a little accident, I was planning to buy a new one...but then I met the Nashville ..... A TELE and a STRAT in the same body..... I know im going to love this axe.... its has all that I want in a guitar (is missing a humbucker....but maybe later I may install one in the Middle..)

I wish I would’ve saw this on 2021 when I bought my player plus. I’ve pulled the pickups, tuners and bridge for vintage styles. The things I love about the Player plus are neck and rib cut. Spent about another $300 to my initial investment. The neck was finished pretty well except for sloppy lacquer ron the frets and all the pick guard screw holes were way loose almost stripped. The control plate holes were mounted wrong and the screws didn’t even hold the plate on! toothpicks and dowels anyone? The pickups are great for modern style but very hot and little dynamics. Overall I think I should have went for an American pro or the one in the video. I love my player plus, but if I knew then what I know now…

I am 33, Im from San Diego and I just bought the player plus and I love it. It did have some details tho. The frets are kind of sharp, the nut was kind of high, E string had a weird vibration, and yeah its not expensive to fix and neither it takes long but it definitely for the price, it shouldn’t come like that. In the other hand the neck for this guitar just feels amazing. the paint has this smooth finish that feels so good when playing. The perfect grip. and its also a pretty good looking guitar

The Player+ has a six saddle bridge, noiseless pickups and that’s enough for me to go for the Performer. I have an American Special Tele and two Highway One Teles.

Like you guys said, it’s versatility vs tradition. The old tried and true classic vs a modern approach. Just depends on what is important to you.

I've got that Silver Smoke beauty. My first Fender guitar. Being a Gibson guy, I wonder how people tame those harming bridges and dis balance between the body and neck but... anyway I like its sound and appearance. Just a good one for making rock ballads acoustic sound and being a part of my guitar collection) Rock on 😎🤘

After a little over 2 years owning a Vintera '50s Modified Stratocaster, I would choose the Mexican made model. I do agree that the American made model sounds great, but when the guitar looks and feels right, sometimes it brings out the sound you want when you need it. And, of course, for the lower price, swap the pickups!

I just bought the Fender Telecaster Performer Classic White. It will be my second USA 🇺🇸 Tele. Really liked this video, thanks guys.

i have an fender american special tele in 3 tone sunburst color wich i bought new for a bairgain price ( 800 euro ) , i swapped the pickguard ( from black to white ) and put an maple neck on it ( allparts lindy frailin tele neck ) , best tele ever , i really love the texas special pu's , a keeper for sure .

I've been watching a lot of Telecaster videos because I've decided that my first electric guitar is going to be a Tele. I agree that the bridge pickup of the player plus completely threw me off. And I'm also not sure about the noiseless pickups in a Tele. I'd probably go Vintera modified right now if I was gonna pull the trigger. I think that's a lot of guitar for the money. They look great and sound great. Just throw in some compensated saddles and boom.

I like a bit of both. I ordered a tequila sunrise strat the other day but I think I’ll put some Dylan Talks Tone pickups. I dunno I’ll have to play it for a while I guess. It is a wild color no doubt but I have a few more traditional strats. I’m not sure if this was my only guitar I’d go for that finish. But besides the finish they seem awesome to me. The little bit I’ve played on them at any rate.

Why do people hate on the Pao Ferro fretboards? I think they look awesome! I bought the Silver Smoke version because I’ve never seen anything like it from fender before. I love it, it’s a great guitar!

I got lucky and found a American performer in butterscotch blonde. They didn’t make very many of them. Looks just like a 52 reissue. Only thing I gotta do is change the pickups to fender originals or Seymour Duncan antiquity’s 👍🏻

I got the Silver Smoke. I didn't like any of the American Teles. I love the neck on this. Sounds great and a really eye-catching finish.

Great video as usual. I'm currently trying to figure out which tele I want to buy. Player pluses are incredible, especially for the price tag. Loved the ultra, too. Would've loved the vintera if it wasn't for the glossy neck. Wasn't a big fan of the performer, though. I want to get my hands on a pro ii to try before making a decision.

This is a video I’ve been waiting for. I own a Performer strat and love the Yosemite pickups. And I really love them on the tele you demo’d. But, the locking tuners, rounded fretboard edges, and the $300 ti put on a GTX100 are compelling. Still confused which way I want to go. Blood type? Red; sexuality? Stud. Age? Older than dirt..

Good video. That belly cut on the player plus is a plus for sure. Its like this i already have a American performer hss stratocaster. Looking at specs the neck is the same shape and the frets are jumbo on the telecaster and stratocaster. Honeyburst with rosewood fretboard American performer telecaster looks like the one for me. If it's as good as this stratocaster i couldn't see ever selling or trading it.

I had a Player Plus for a couple of months and I liked it for a while but it simply didn’t sound nor feel like a Tele. I ordered an American Performer today 😉 I did play an American Special for years and regretted selling it in the day I let her go. Cheers for the video. Alpha from Scotland. Balou

My main guitar is and has been a MIM tele that I purchased in 1998. Years later I swapped electronics out for what at the time was in the American standard, with a no load tone pot, etc. My guitar collection is large and varied, but If I can only have one guitar, this would be it. (I might try a set of these Yosemite pickups though, I’m kind of intrigued) However, I recently played a player plus and I was absolutely floored by its sound, playability and versatility. I’m a tele snob and have opinions on fretboard options, but the pao fero sounds surprisingly great. (tele’s should be maple!) My favorite Strat is my 1998 American deluxe with noiseless pickups, so maybe that’s a reason why I gravitated to the PP🤔. I’m not a big fan of the smoke grey color scheme (traditionalist), but I think it’s going home with me today.

I was able to notice the American 70s pick up was more dominant than the ones on the player plus do they sell those separately? I would love them on my schecter telecaster

Can you guys do a Performer/Pro 2 tele comparison since you have both in stock now? Inquiring minds want to know.

wow, great demo, sounds like someone threw a blanket over the amp when the Player plus started on that neck pickup. It's the American for me, it's more articulate. Thanks for making my mind up..

I have been looking for a new Tele but am finding it hard to find a decent spec model that does not have the fake orange sun tan on the neck and headstock, my budget is around the $2500 mark, and I want a gloss maple fretboard, compensated brass saddles( I have heard these can be intonated), locking tuners, do you have any suggestions?

Actually looking at an Ultra (Cobra blue to match my Strat) but considering the Performer due to it's more vintage tele vibe. I've looked at numerous Player Plus models, that was where I started but every one I have picked up had QC issue :(

It took me by surprise how much nicer the Player Plus sounded to me than the Performer when Cooper started playing the Plus. But yes, I agree with him as far as the bridge pickup, I think the Performer's bridge pup had the edge. The Plus sounded a bit shrill in the bridge position. But the tradeoff is that it's noiseless, and so you don't have to deal with the onerous 6o cycle hum. That's an important factor. Perhaps, as Cooper noted, an adjustment on the EQ of the amp (or tone control on the guitar) would have brought the Plus's bridge pup sound closer in line with the Performer's. Would have liked to hear the guitars played with some gain, as I normally don't play a bridge pickup on a Tele clean, I use neck or both for clean, the Plus had the clear edge in the neck and middle. I don't really like the vintage ashtray on the Performer, as it protrudes and digs into the side of my hand and the six saddle configuration on the Plus, while not "vintage," allows for more accurate intonation.

What do you mean, you don't like the colour?? LOL I LOVE THAT COLOUR! I tried the exact same guitar (even the colour) at a local store. I love the 12" radius too. At 74, I don't need the belly cut though, lol. But that radius is Soooo comfortable for aging hands that don't have the strength they once did. And don't forget the rolled edges of the fingerboard. IMHO its a MUCH more comfortable guitar to play. And, considering the other features, the price is incredible. Thanks for the demo.

The good old days when a Tele was a Tele and a Strat was a Strat! I use to have an old Tele from the sixties a long time ago. I foolishly sold it! Now I have a Mex Tele..It is surprisingly good!

For what it's worth, the split push pull IS on the S/H Telecaster American Performer, same everything this model is, but I understand the comparison of dual singles.

The Player Plus tele in aged candy apple red might be my next guitar...

Love Cooper's honesty. Fender is doing a balancing act and they obviously fear cannibalising their American made line-up. I find it a bit bizarre that they have the six saddles on the player, which I think is superior. A personal dislike for me with the Am performer is the jumbo frets, which I simply do not want. I went thru a whole rigmarole of considering every Tele before Christmas and ultimately came down in favour of the Am Pro II. Still would prefer the MIM saddles, but the pickups and neck are superb. Would have happily taken no push-push in exhange for knocking a hundred bucks off the price.

What about the player plus nashville with the strat pickup? I have been wanting to see you guys delve into why that one is so great (because it is), but oddly you chose the 2 pickup lesser version for this comparison. Not complaining just find it a bit odd. It can't really be the paintjob that made you choose a lesser guitar.

The American preformer Twangy is preferred for me. (Play country music). I agree that all guitars should come with case or gig bag. Personally the telecasters ($999 and up) should come with a case

Very informal and bare-bones produced comparison/contrastive video. Screen text would help immeasurably as opposed to the pasted in ad for Alamo Music (I am from San Antonio and know it well but the archaic signage is out of place and takes up valuable real estate). The criticism that the vintage white body and maple neck are monochromatic and that the other guitar is forward in its design is one that I could not disagree more with. Opinions, of course, are just subjective impressions, whether informed or otherwise. I personally value, perhaps even above all other combinations of Fender solid body models, the classic maple neck and vintage white body with the white pick-guard.

Is that an original composition Cooper is playing? It’s a jam, I want to learn it lol

Bought both with in a week , mim and performer identical standard teles . The difference in price reflected in the products is totally justified . The US model is a way better instrument. After changing the pick ups pots jack etc and a lot of fret work I made the mim stage worthy and a real go to . The mim had a great finish and neck which is why I bought it. There were a lot of other qc problems

Prices shot up!!

I had recently saved some money and was considering both the American Performer Tele or the Epiphone Greeny LP, but after hearing the Player Plus Tele I had to get it. I bought that, a 50w Boss Katana and a Marshall Bluesbreaker re-issue pedal for almost the same price as the American Performer alone (a tiny bit cheaper, actually) and I think still 200 cheaper than the Greeny.

The Performer wins hands down on the sound.I prefer the belly-tuck and for a $300 saving the PP is a no-brainer. I think that grey-black finish is cool 😎 If you're traditional then the Performer is the pick but if you're looking for modern then the Player Plus is a great choice 👌

Can a 50’s US BRIDGE fit to this Mexican with out having to fill & drill new holes for the string through & bridge mounting screws

I own the smoke Tele Player Plus and I prefer it over all the other teles I've owned. I prefer it over the Mustang vintage axe I played in the 1970s. I do play a Les Paul, too, but I prefer playing the Player Plus because it stays in tune better than any other electric guitar I've owned. My Martin D-10E (gigging guitar) stays in tune like the Player Plus as well. The only other acoustic I have that stays in tune like that is my Seagull Entourage Autumn Burst cutaway. Cooper, love your playing.

Alamo Music Center You guys should compare the different “Teles” from Schecter Guitar Research. I own a [reg] black PT ($379) and a PT Special 3TSB w/ a SC and P90 pups ($629). The latter one has multiple contours or cut-outs that even a higher end Fender Tele doesn’t have on it.

I tried a player plus but it was like an extra pound of weight. I bought the sunburst player mim tele on sale for $680 and threw in the $50 free way switch to get the fat series sound along with 2 other extra sounds. Call it a day!

Age 52... LOL. The country of origin is not my deciding factor in purchase. I'm buying the American Performer because I want the classic Tele bridge w/brass saddles. If they made the Player with the classic Tele bridge I would be all in. The Performer honyburst is my favorite look also.

The question always has been feel over sound. The search for perfection. I see a nice used AP Hum for sale cheaper than a new PP. I think that's where I will start.

yosemite pickups is really something else.. of course, besides the superb playing..

I would take the noiseless pickups over (most) tele pickups. If they’re too sharp, just drop the tone a smidge

I have the Fender elite jazz bass and ended up ripping out the noiseless pickups. The lack of hum is nice but it's not the tone for me. I'd have no issue ripping out the 4s on this either. Get the body and feel that you want, electronics and hardware can be altered. I bought the Player Plus telecaster because it basically came with better hardware than the player and I got it for the price of a player series.

I wonder if he preferred the bridge pickup on the Performer partly because of the ashtray bridge.

I really like the new style tbh. But yeah not surprised the noiseless pickuos are a problem I tried a player plus strat, and the neck was very nice and the colour good compared to a standard player, but the sound out the amp was worse as far as I’m concerned. If you have a reason to need noiseless pickups it’s good they exist, but yeah I think I’d take a player plus and add a set of Yosemite pickups to cart if it were me.

I saw a video that said the player plus was hard to adjust the bridge saddles on because the grub screws butt up against the screws holding the bridge to the body. Is this true?

Player plus Tele 3 color sunburst with a maple neck 💪

They don’t mention the neck radius on either. The p plus has a 12” radius like Gibson vs the American has a 9-1/2” Playing a 12” radius feels better for me May need to switch out the neck on my player series

Anywhere I can learn that demo song?