The Lead III came out in 1982; at the same time Fender started offering them in other colors than wine red and black and even using white plastic parts on some colors. I just got a reissue HM strat. I will get a lead III … Fender really goes to town whenever it's time to revise its pride and joy, and this Player Series Stratocaster is no exception. But I will wait for one of MF’s coupons and get it for around $450 to $500. Fender Lead. Fender knows the audience it’s aiming for with the Player series, and based on the performance of our review Stratocaster, it’s hit the bull’s-eye. Oldheads will probably recall this oddity from 1979. Fender Player Lead III review A lost Fender double-cut from the '70s makes its return £599; $599.99; By ... talking about the Stratocaster – Leo Fender's most-celebrated design – in a review about the Fender Lead III. Introduced in 2018, the Player Series quickly became Fender’s foundational line. If you're in the market for an affordable Fender brings back the Lead III with classic features and a variety of finishes! The neck pickup is pure sonic butter with its glassy chime and slightly scooped midrange, and sounds absolutely fantastic both clean and overdriven. To kick off this Fender Player Stratocaster review, let’s first take a look at some of the specs that make this guitar so great. The Lead II model comes equipped with Alnico 5 neck and bridge single coils from the Player Series Stratocaster, and the tones produced are fairly similar. Style and versatility in a simple and comfortable package is what the Lead III is all about. Fender created the Lead III for a variety of players, and it shows even with it's return 40 years later! Tinted neck with “C” profile. Fender has me going on a nostalgia trip these days. I love it. This is a popular and comfortable neck profile for chords, leads, and all types of playing – a favorite among Stratocaster players. I’m gonna get a Lead III. Wish we could have the old pickups though. Similarly, Fender’s Parallel Universe Volume 2 will offer reissues of cult classics while its American Original and Player series will serve up new models. The entire line was discontinued at the end of 1982, but there might have been some run-out production in early 1983 as Fender was in the process of streamlining their lineup. As a nod to its roots, Fender is relaunching the Player Lead series with two guitars: Player Lead II and Player Lead III. Marrying classic looks with modern features, this popular series offered updated versions of our most iconic models – including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass – designed to empower players to take the next step in their musical journeys. Sure, there will be those who’ll knock some of the non-1950s aspects of this guitar, but I say try it before you deny it. I like he fact that it’s a hardtail.