Meteora Player

In the mean time, the Fender camp is getting everyone's attention by including the Meteora into the Player Plus Series (main diff - this one has a whammy bridge). This has to be the most radical & acceptable Fender body design of late & it's doing rather well namely because that outline facilitates playability. I played the Alternate Reality Meteora & deemed that one very player friendly despite that shape. I prefer the Meteora to the Jagstang. 

Pic: Fender International

Not really new player

Fender launched this quite recently; the Player Plus Strat in a cool gradation fade finish concept.

In the mean time, the Kiesel, LTD, Ibanez & PRS camps, among others, are wondering what the fuss is about. Really. My encounters with Fender throughout the years - they are quite hesitant to break away & manifest daring / bold colours till other brands did so before them. It's like they are waiting to see if it's a safe venture & they don't quite mind being late into the game.

Pics: Kiesel / Ibanez / PRS / ESP

Player Plus

These were released late summer in three different pickup manifestations as seen above. The rest are essential LP features less the satin finish & richlite fretboard. Price-wise, listing for a little short of $2.7K (at Swee Lee), the PP won't find a ready pool of fans owing to the aforementioned specs. If I were to be looking for an LP in this price range, I'd opt for the LP Classic (2016 - 2017 range) instead as it sports a rosewood fretboard for about the same asking price. Also, the Tribute range benefits from the satin finish more than any others due to the no frills features. The BFG did a take on this finish type which proved to be unpopular among players who are after a road-worthy attribute. I personally prefer the bare satin option but not on instruments in the higher price brackets.