Other than the fact that one is made in Mexico while the other in Indonesia, the main difference is in the body wood, optional Rosewood fingerboards and pickups.
The Player II range are built using Alder, Chambered Ash or Chambered Mahogany. 3 tonewoods which are unanimous with the Fender brand. The Fender Standard is crafted with Poplar which although isn’t traditionally used on Fender instruments, it is a tonewood which is frequently used with other big brands due to the fact that tonal its nearly identical to Alder (Fender’s most common body wood) and secondly, it weighs significantly less compared to standard cuts of Alder actually resulting in a better sounding instrument with nicer sustain!
The Fender Player II also comes with the option of a Rosewood fingerboard whereas the Standard Series offers Indian Laurel. Again Rosewood and Laurel are often regarded as being tonally similar however many do feel that the Rosewood fingerboard on the Player II offers a more warmer and rounder tone with a more premium playing experience.
The other big difference is the Player II comes equipped with Alnico pickups, again Fenders more traditional pickup choice. To some its a delicate subject but in reality both are just as good as each other, they just offer slightly different flavours of the same thing. Fender regularly use Ceramic magnet pickups on more modern models. They produce a slightly more compressed signal with a higher output which not only covers the classic Fender tones, it also nails more modern playing styles and gain structures.
All in all, both the Fender Standard Series and Fender Player II are excellent choices for those after a high-quality Fender on a budget. The Fender Player II is a more expensive instrument built with more traditional Fender tonewoods and generally made with an increase in overall build quality. However the Fender Standard Series hold there own offering an excellent all-round option for those after the best guitar or bass for the least amount of cash.

Fender Standard Series vs. Squier
Squier are renowned for building some exceptional electric guitars and basses but how does the Fender Standard Series compare?
Like Fender, Squier offers both vintage and Contemporary variations each aimed at different types of players and playing styles. Also like Fender, Squier offers a number of different models each aimed at different playing levels and price brackets.
Comparing the Fender Standard Series to Squier guitars and basses is actually more difficult than it sounds. This is because there are two ways to approach a direct comparison. The first and perhaps most obvious is to compare the Fender Standard Series to Squier’s most top-tier instruments, the Classic Vibe series. However, this poses the issue that these two series are nearly complete opposites to each other. The Classic Vibe series are vintage reproductions of classic models meaning the hardware and pickups are very specific to what it replicating whereas the Fender is more of a modern iteration.
The second option would be to find the model in the Squier range whose specs closest match the Fender. Which in this case would be the Squier Affinity Series. Like the Fender Standard Series, the Squier Affinity Series features a Poplar body with a satin finish C-shape Maple neck along with an optional Laurel fingerboard, modern-styled hardware and ceramic pickups. However, this almost seems unfair as the Affinity instruments fall under the super affordable category while the Fender Standard is well over double the price.
Fender Standard Series vs. Squier Classic Vibe
As previously described, both are very different styles of instrument so comparing is difficult. The Squier features vintage-styled hardware and pickups with a vintage correct gloss finished neck. The Fender has more contemporary voiced pickups and hardware and has a satin-finished neck.
On the whole, both ranges feel and sound excellent and a lot of it would be down to personal preference on tone and feel however on the whole, the Fender Standard Series does feel like a more expensive instrument.
Fender Standard Series vs. Squier Affinity
As expected the Fender feels like a step above. Its hardware feels more fluid and stable, the pickups ring sweeter and on the whole the build quality feels like it’s over double the price, but this was to be expected. As previously stated, this is an unfair comparison and for the money, the Squier Affinity series is an exceptional entry-level instrument.
Conclusion
I’m sold on the Fender Standard Series and think it’s a great addition to the Fender lineup. A lot of people will ask why but after really diving deep I feel that the Fender Standard range very neatly fits into a gap that wasn’t filled and offers people a good alternative at a good price to what’s already available. I think they are an excellent choice for those who really want to invest in a quality instrument at the very start of their journey and as someone who works as a musician and regularly worries about things going wrong, I think the Fender Standard series is a perfect choice as a backup to my more expensive Fenders.

Want to know more?
Fender Standard Series Guitars & Basses
What’s New with Fender Player II
Buying Your First Beginners Guitar
Leo Fender Legacy – Part 1 Fender Musical Instrument Corporation
Responses & Questions