The Fender Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster in Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst takes the familiar Player II Strat formula and gives it a considerably more distinctive visual identity with a special metallic interpretation of Fender's classic three-tone sunburst finish.

Built around an alder body, Modern “C” maple neck and slab rosewood fingerboard, it combines traditional Stratocaster character with contemporary details including rolled fingerboard edges, 22 medium-jumbo frets, a two-point tremolo and ClassicGear tuning machines.

Three Player Series Alnico V Strat single-coil pickups provide the familiar combination of bright bridge tones, glassy in-between sounds and rounded neck-pickup cleans, while the five-way selector keeps the guitar exceptionally versatile.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, weighs 8.06 lbs and is supplied with a hardcase.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Fender
Series	Player II Limited Edition Sparkle
Model	Stratocaster
Finish	Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst
Body	Alder
Neck	Maple
Neck Profile	Modern “C”
Fingerboard	Slab Rosewood
Radius	9.5"
Frets	22 Medium Jumbo
Pickups	3 x Player Series Alnico V Strat Single-Coils
Bridge	2-Point Synchronized Tremolo
Tuners	Fender ClassicGear
Weight	8.06 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Limited-edition sparkle finish with modern Player II specification

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Fender Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and suitable for regular playing.

The individual guitar weighs 8.06 lbs.

What's Included?

✔ Fender Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster
✔ Hardcase

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

The supplied hardcase has not been confirmed as the original Fender case, so no claim of originality is made.

Condition Notes

• Very Good overall condition
• Limited Edition Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst finish
• Slab rosewood fingerboard
• 8.06 lbs actual weight
• Hardcase included
• Fully passive electronics
• No battery or external power required

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Fender has been assessed for general operation and playability.

Checks include:

• Bridge pickup operation
• Middle pickup operation
• Neck pickup operation
• Five-way selector
• Master volume
• Neck/middle tone control
• Bridge tone control
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Slab rosewood fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• ClassicGear tuners
• Two-point tremolo
• Saddles
• General hardware
• Strap buttons
• Overall playability
• Hardcase checked for general usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Tremolo setup
• Hardware
• General playing feel

Changes in string gauge or tuning may require adjustment to tremolo spring tension and intonation.

What Makes The Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster Special?

The Player II Stratocaster keeps the essential Strat formula intact while introducing subtle modern refinements designed to make it feel immediately comfortable.

The Modern “C” neck, rolled fingerboard edges, 9.5" radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets provide an approachable playing surface, while the two-point tremolo and ClassicGear tuners update the hardware without losing the traditional Stratocaster character.

What separates this particular version is the Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst finish, a limited-edition treatment inspired by Fender's history of eye-catching sparkle finishes and offering a much more dramatic visual effect than a conventional gloss sunburst.

Limited Edition Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst

The finish takes the familiar dark-to-red-to-amber progression of a classic Fender sunburst and adds a sparkle treatment that catches the light across the body.

It gives the guitar a distinctive stage presence while remaining recognisably rooted in one of Fender's most traditional colour schemes.

This limited-edition finish was released across selected Player II models rather than becoming a standard Player II colour.

Alder Body

The guitar uses a contoured alder body, one of the woods most closely associated with Fender solidbody construction.

Alder offers a well-balanced response with:

• Clear highs
• Present mids
• Controlled lows
• Strong note definition

Its tonal neutrality also allows the characteristic response of the Stratocaster pickup configuration to come through clearly.

Modern “C” Maple Neck

The maple neck uses Fender's Modern “C” profile.

This shape is designed as a versatile all-round neck rather than an exaggerated vintage or high-performance profile.

It works particularly well for:

• Chord playing
• Rhythm guitar
• Blues
• Lead work
• Pop
• Rock
• General-purpose playing

Satin Neck Finish

The back of the neck uses a satin urethane finish, reducing the sticky feel that some players experience with heavier gloss finishes.

The front face of the headstock retains a gloss finish for a more traditional Fender appearance.

Slab Rosewood Fingerboard

This limited-edition version uses a slab rosewood fingerboard.

Rosewood gives the guitar the traditional dark-board Stratocaster appearance and provides a smooth playing surface.

The fingerboard also incorporates rolled edges, helping the neck feel more comfortably broken-in.

9.5" Fingerboard Radius

The 9.5" radius is Fender's familiar modern specification.

It provides a useful balance between:

• Comfortable chord work
• Clean string bending
• Modern lead playing
• Moderate-to-low action

22 Medium-Jumbo Frets

The guitar uses 22 medium-jumbo frets.

This gives it one more fret than many vintage-style Stratocasters while maintaining a familiar Fender playing feel.

Medium-jumbo fretwire works well for:

• Bending
• Vibrato
• Lead playing
• General rhythm work

Player Series Alnico V Pickups

The Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster uses three Player Series Alnico V Strat single-coil pickups.

They deliver the broad tonal range that makes the Stratocaster such an adaptable guitar.

Bridge Pickup

The bridge position provides:

• Bright attack
• Strong definition
• Cutting rhythm tones
• Rock and blues lead sounds

Middle Pickup

The middle pickup provides a balanced voice that works particularly well for:

• Rhythm playing
• Funk
• Clean passages
• Combined pickup sounds

Neck Pickup

The neck pickup provides:

• Rounder cleans
• Blues lead tones
• Warm rhythm sounds
• Smooth overdriven leads

Five-Way Pickup Selector

The five-way switch provides:

1. Bridge pickup
2. Bridge + middle
3. Middle pickup
4. Middle + neck
5. Neck pickup

Positions two and four provide the distinctive scooped, glassy sounds closely associated with Stratocaster playing.

Updated Tone Control Layout

The electronics consist of:

• Master Volume
• Tone 1 – Neck and Middle Pickups
• Tone 2 – Bridge Pickup

Having a dedicated tone control for the bridge pickup makes it possible to soften brighter bridge sounds without affecting the other positions.

2-Point Synchronized Tremolo

The guitar uses a two-point synchronized tremolo with bent-steel saddles.

Compared with a traditional six-screw vintage bridge, the two-point mounting arrangement is designed to provide smoother pivoting action.

It can be used for:

• Gentle chord shimmer
• Traditional Strat vibrato
• Lead-expression effects
• Moderate downward pitch movement
• Pull-ups when set to float

Bent-Steel Saddles

Bent-steel saddles retain a traditional Fender-style construction while providing individual adjustment for:

• String height
• Intonation

Fender ClassicGear Tuners

ClassicGear tuning machines combine a traditional appearance with a modern internal gear ratio.

They provide:

• Smooth tuning adjustment
• Familiar Fender styling
• Fine control when tuning
• Reliable everyday operation

Black Pickguard & Aged White Plastics

One of the distinctive visual details of this limited edition is the combination of:

• 3-ply black/white/black pickguard
• Aged white pickup covers
• Aged white control knobs
• Aged white switch tip

Against the Sparkle 3-Color Sunburst finish, this gives the instrument a bolder appearance than a standard sunburst Player II Stratocaster.

Weight

8.06 lb

This is the actual measured weight of this individual guitar rather than a generic catalogue figure.

It gives the Stratocaster a reassuringly substantial feel without moving into particularly heavy territory.

Player II vs Original Player Stratocaster

The Player II generation refines the original Player Series formula with several feel-focused updates.

Key Player II features include:

• Rolled fingerboard edges
• Updated neck feel
• ClassicGear tuning machines
• Continued use of Player Series Alnico V pickups
• Two-point tremolo
• Modern “C” profile

The aim is evolutionary rather than radically different, retaining the core Mexican-made Fender Strat experience while improving comfort and hardware.

Limited Edition Sparkle vs Standard Player II

The primary distinction is the Sparkle 3-Color Sunburst finish and associated cosmetic treatment.

The underlying instrument retains the proven Player II platform, so buyers gain a visually less common Stratocaster without moving away from familiar Fender specifications.

Who Is It For?

Stratocaster players – A familiar Strat platform with contemporary refinements.

Blues guitarists – The Alnico V single coils and responsive tremolo suit expressive lead playing exceptionally well.

Rock players – The Player Series pickups have enough presence for driven amps and pedals.

Indie and alternative players – The five pickup positions interact beautifully with modulation, delay and reverb.

Funk players – Positions two and four provide classic bright, percussive rhythm tones.

Session players – The wide range of pickup combinations makes it suitable for numerous recording styles.

Players wanting a less common Fender finish – The Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst treatment gives this limited edition much more visual individuality than a standard Player II.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Pop
• Funk
• Soul
• Country
• Classic rock
• Blues rock
• Singer-songwriter
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Effects-based rigs
• Clean rhythm playing
• Lead guitar

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Fender
Series	Player II Limited Edition Sparkle
Model	Stratocaster
Finish	Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst
Body Shape	Stratocaster
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Polyester
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Profile	Modern “C”
Neck Finish	Satin Urethane with Gloss Headstock Face
Fingerboard Material	Slab Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241mm
Fingerboard Edges	Rolled
Scale Length	25.5" / 648mm
Number of Frets	22
Fret Size	Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays	White Dot
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42mm
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Bridge Pickup	Player Series Alnico V Strat Single-Coil
Middle Pickup	Player Series Alnico V Strat Single-Coil
Neck Pickup	Player Series Alnico V Strat Single-Coil
Controls	Master Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	5-Way Blade
Bridge	2-Point Synchronized Tremolo
Saddles	Bent Steel
Tuning Machines	Fender ClassicGear
Pickguard	3-Ply Black / White / Black
Pickup Covers	Aged White
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Electronics	Passive
Weight	8.06 lbs
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Limited Edition Model Note

The Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst Player II Stratocaster was introduced as part of Fender's limited-edition Player II Sparkle range.

The series launched in 2025 and applied the special finish to selected Player II guitars and basses.

This identifies the production era of the model itself but does not assign an exact manufacture date to this individual guitar without serial-number verification.

Hardcase Note

A hardcase is included.

Fender did not supply the Player II Stratocaster with a hardcase as part of its normal factory package.

The case accompanying this pre-owned guitar has not been confirmed as an original Fender case, so it is described simply as a hardcase.

Power Requirements

None.

The three Player Series Alnico V Strat pickups and traditional passive electronics require:

• No battery
• No external power supply

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 4.5/5

The Fender Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster in Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst takes an already versatile Player II platform and gives it a finish that feels considerably more special than the standard production colours.

Underneath the visual treatment is a highly usable modern Strat: alder body, Modern “C” maple neck, rolled slab rosewood fingerboard, 22 medium-jumbo frets, Alnico V single coils, two-point tremolo and ClassicGear tuners.

The Sparkle 3-Color Sunburst finish is the real visual highlight, taking one of Fender's most traditional colour schemes and giving it a much more stage-ready character.

This individual example weighs 8.06 lb, is presented in Very Good Condition and is supplied with a hardcase.

For players wanting the versatility and familiarity of a Player II Stratocaster with a more limited and distinctive appearance, this is a particularly appealing pre-owned example.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its actual condition, accessories and individual weight can be represented clearly.

On this Stratocaster, the Very Good condition grade, 8.06 lbs measured weight and included hardcase are all stated clearly.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music is Birmingham's largest independent music store, combining a major showroom with nationwide ecommerce and decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging new and pre-owned musical equipment.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with Fender and pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Fender.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current gear could be worth towards this Limited Edition Player II Stratocaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Fender Player II Stratocaster in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

Is this a limited-edition model?

Yes. This is part of Fender's Limited Edition Player II Sparkle range.

What is the finish called?

The factory finish is Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst.

Is it the same as a normal 3-Colour Sunburst?

The colour progression is inspired by Fender's classic three-colour sunburst, but this version adds a sparkle effect across the finish.

When was the Sparkle Player II series introduced?

Fender introduced the Limited Edition Player II Sparkle range in 2025.

What body wood does it use?

It has an alder body.

What fingerboard does this version have?

It has a slab rosewood fingerboard.

What neck profile does it use?

It uses Fender's Modern “C” profile.

Does the fingerboard have rolled edges?

Yes. Rolled fingerboard edges are part of the Player II specification.

What is the fingerboard radius?

It has a 9.5" radius.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 medium-jumbo frets.

What pickups are fitted?

It uses three Player Series Alnico V Strat single-coil pickups.

Are the pickups active?

No. They are passive.

How many pickup positions are available?

The five-way selector provides five pickup settings.

Does the bridge pickup have a tone control?

Yes. The Player II wiring provides a dedicated tone control for the bridge pickup.

What tremolo does it use?

It uses a two-point synchronized tremolo with bent-steel saddles.

What tuners are fitted?

It uses Fender ClassicGear tuning machines.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 8.06 lb.

Does it require a battery?

No.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase original?

The supplied hardcase has not been confirmed as an original Fender case, so no claim of originality is made.

Is the Player II suitable for blues?

Yes. The single-coil pickup response, 9.5" fingerboard and tremolo system make it particularly well suited to expressive blues playing.

Can it handle rock tones?

Yes. The Player Series Alnico V pickups have enough output and bite to work extremely well with overdrive and distortion.

Is it suitable for clean playing?

Yes. Clean Stratocaster tones are one of its strongest areas, particularly the neck pickup and positions two and four.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see how the Sparkle 3-Color Sunburst finish reacts under light or hear the five pickup positions before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment.