Three of our favourite Fender player Strats have big discounts in the mega Guitar Center pre-Black Friday sale

Your passage to Strat ownership just got a whole lot more affordable with Guitar Center’s pre-Black Friday sale. They’ve knocked off up to $210 dollars off a select number of Fender Player Stratocasters, meaning you can pick one up for as little as $599. You don’t want to hang about though, because this deal is set to end on November 15.

The Player series comprises Fender’s entry-level instruments, but don’t let that put you off, these guitars are beautifully specced, authentic Strats in every conceivable way. The specs differ slightly from model to model, but essentially, you’re getting an alder body with all the right curves in all the right places, a 5-way selector switch, Alnico pickups, a two-point bridge with bent steel saddles, and a modern C-shape neck with either a maple or pau ferro fingerboard. Some models also boast an HSS configuration, which can be coil split.

Crucially, these Player guitars have that unique, bell-like Strat sound absolutely nailed. Frankly, spend more, and any improvements in tone will be marginal, these guitars are just that good. So, if you’re looking for that priceless Fender Strat sound, you’ll find it right now at Guitar Center for just $599.

Fender Player deals: Save up to $210 Guitar Center
An authentic Fender Stratocaster for just $599? Step this way! Guitar Center is discounting some choice Fender Player Strats by up to $210, which makes them an absolute steal. Spec and discounts differ slightly from model to model but whichever one you choose you’ll own a guitar with classic Strat features, such as an alder body, five-way selector switch, alnico pickups, and a fast, satin neck. Go for the time-honoured SSS configuration or choose a humbucker-loaded HSS model instead for a bit more oomph and depth. Just don’t delay, this deal ends on November 15.

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Nothing sounds or plays like a Strat, but configurations can vary quite widely. Some changes are subtle and others, like the addition of a humbucker, are more significant. So, which Fender Player Stratocaster should you buy in this sale? To help you, here’s our pick.

Best for pure, unadulterated Strat tone this classic alder-bodied Fender Player Stratocaster with maple fingerboard is hard to beat. It may look a million dollars in its smart black livery but, yep, it’s now only $599 thanks to a hearty $200 discount. 

Pickup configuration is the quintessential SSS with a five-way selector switch – what else? Those pups are Alnico 5, and Fender has voiced them to provide buckets of sustain and an even-balanced tone with loads of Strat sparkle. They sound wonderfully dirty, yet clean up nicely with dynamic playing. If you’re searching for the archetypal Strat, at a very accessible price point, then look no further.

This Fender Player Strat with roasted maple fingerboard and Fat '50s pickups is so, so tempting at just $749.99 ($200 off). We know that’s a slight increase on the base model, but sonically those Custom Shop Fat ‘50s pickups elevate this guitar to another level. Fender uses custom magnets wound with enamel-coated wire to give these pickups a warm, full tone with enhanced low end and a touch more midrange. The difference is subtle, but a few minutes with one of these guitars is enough to appreciate the vintage vibe they’ve got going on.

The roasted maple fingerboard won’t influence tone or playability but it’s a lovely feature to have, one that’s usually reserved for guitars with a much higher price tag. 

There are three colours to choose from – Fiesta Red, Surf Green or Black. Whichever you choose, we reckon it’s going to be a keeper.

Fancy a bit more warmth from a Strat? A little more tonal variation and a lot more power? Then the Fender Player Strat HSS Plus Top with maple fingerboard fits the bill perfectly. That Alnico II humbucker in the bridge position has been voiced to provide a warm, beefy tone that’s got plenty of grit when you need it, but will turn sweet and musical once the gain is dialled back. Switch to position two on the five-way switch and Fender’s auto-split feature will split the humbucker, giving you that classic Strat bridge ‘n middle single coil tone too.

The other obvious upgrade from the base Player model is the stunning flamed maple cap that sits atop the alder body. It’s more than just a looker – the maple cap, along with the maple neck and fingerboard, improves the tonal balance of this humbucker-equipped Strat by extending the bell-like high end, adding punch to the mids and improving clarity and articulation across the board. This beautiful, feature-laden Strat is an absolute bargain at $649 ($210 off).

Keep it locked to our Black Friday guitar deals and Guitar Center Black Friday deals pages for all the latest savings.