Radical Roots

FENDER PLAYER PLUS METEORA HH

- Chris Gill

FENDER COULD PROBABLY do fine just offering variations of its four core models (the Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster and Jaguar), the most recent of which was introduced 60 years ago in 1962. The popularity of those perennials seems like it would make the job of a guitar designer at Fender the music industry equivalent of the Maytag repairman, but actually Fender has introduced some very cool new models over the years. One of Fender’s most recent successful ventures was the Meteora, introduced as part of their Parallel Universe Collection back in 2018 with a Tele-style pickup configuration and evolving into the limited-edition Alternate Reality series version with dual humbuckers and string-thru-body tailpiece in 2019. The Meteora’s radical offset body design proved to be a success, so it’s back again a third time as an affordable Player Plus series model, with a few changes that promise to make it the most desirable Meteora yet. Like the previous version, the dual-humbucker format remains but the Tune-O-Matic-style bridge is replaced by a two-point vibrato. Combining several classic style elements with a forward-looking design, the Fender Player Plus Meteora is a great choice for guitarists who love the feel and vibe of a Fender but want something bolder and more modern in terms of looks and sound.

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