Fender is one of the best-known guitar manufacturers. They’re known for their guitars, amplifiers, and other music accessories. This guide to the best Fender electric guitars will help you find an excellent Fender guitar.
Fender is my favorite guitar, and I’ve been playing them since I was a kid. My first real electric guitar was a Fender Squier. I played that instrument for many years. I’ve always loved the sound of the Fender, and I play it to this day.
Quick Look: Best Fender Electric Guitars
★ #1 Best Fender Guitar Overall: American Ultra Stratocaster HSS★
- Best Cheap Fender Electric Guitar: Fender Squier Stratocaster
- Best Fender Electric Guitar Under $1,000: Fender Stratocaster
- Best Fender Electric Guitar Under $500: Fender Squier Classic Vibe
- Best Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar: Fender American Ultra
- Best Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar: Fender American Professional
- Best Fender Special Edition Electric Guitar: Fender Special Edition
- Best Fender Signature Series Electric Guitar: Fender Eric Clapton
You have a wide choice when it comes to Fender electric guitars. They have instruments suited to all tastes and styles of music. I’ve included a wide range of Fender guitars for your consideration in this guide.
About Fender Electric Guitars
Fender builds both acoustic and electric guitars. They’re one of the best-known musical instrument brands. They also make great amplifiers and guitar accessories such as picks, strings, guitar cables, and so on.
The company has been in operation since 1946. One of their first instruments was the Broadcaster, which then became the Telecaster. They also produce the famous Stratocaster, Mustang, and Jazzmaster guitars.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Fender Electric Guitar
Here are a few things to consider when you’re looking for the best Fender electric guitars for your requirements. You have many options when it comes to your new guitar, so keep these points in mind before you buy.
Size
Fender guitars are full-sized instruments. The lower-cost Fender Squier line has some smaller instruments designed for children or younger players, but the regular guitars are adult-sized guitars.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Fender guitars have a great tone and sound. Most models come with single-coil pickups, but there are models now with humbuckers as well. They’re excellent guitars for rock, blues, country, jazz, and many other styles.
Fender guitars are known for their clean tones. They sound amazing through a clean channel but also have the punch you need for distorted tones. Buy a Fender with humbuckers, and you can crank up the gain for harder rock.
Price
Fender guitars come in a wide range of prices. There are guitars available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players. Here’s a general pricing guide for Fender guitars. I’ve also included the budget Squier lineup.
- Beginner: $250-$400
- Intermediate: $400-$1200
- Advanced: $1200-$2000+
Pickups
Original Fender guitars came with single-coil pickups. Today, there are more options with a broader range of Fender guitars with humbucking pickups or a combination of humbucking and single-coils.
Guitar Type
The two most common Fender guitars are the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Both guitars are excellent options. The Strat is ideal for rock, blues, country, jazz, and similar styles. It has a smooth and even tone.
The Telecaster has more bite and twang to it. This guitar is quite popular with country as well as blues players. It’s also used frequently in rock music.
The Jazzmaster and Mustang are options if you want something different from the two main types. Fender also offers signature models from your favorite artists and the Squier lineup, which is a lower-cost guitar.
Types of Fender Electric Guitars
Here’s a guide to the basic types of Fender electric guitars that you’ll encounter in the market. There’s a wide range of different models to choose from within these categories.
Squier Fender Electric Guitars
Squier is the lower-end Fender model. These have the same basic features as a full Fender guitar but at a lower price. These are great entry-level guitars for beginners or those with a limited budget.
Stratocaster Fender Electric Guitars
The Stratocaster is one of the flagship Fender designs. They come in many configurations. Three single coils are standard, but you can also get them with humbucking pickups and other parts to suit your needs.
See more: Best Fender Stratocaster Buyer’s Guide
Telecaster Fender Electric Guitars
The Telecaster is another famous guitar that’s suited to country, blues, rock, and similar styles. It has a distinctive twang to it that’s quite recognizable when you hear it. It comes standard with single-coil pickups.
See more: Best Fender Telecasters Buyer’s Guide
Special Edition Fender Electric Guitars
These guitars may only appear for a limited time. They have different configurations and are made for a specific purpose. Fender often launches special editions of their flagship Stratocaster and Telecaster models.
Jazzmaster Fender Electric Guitars
The Jazzmaster has a unique shape and is a favorite guitar for alternative rock guitar players. They have more switches and options when compared with other Fender guitars.
Mustang Fender Electric Guitars
The Mustang is an alternative to the familiar Stat or Tele guitar. These tend to have simple controls and are ideal for rock guitar and similar styles. They come with or without tremolos and have different pickup options.
Signature Series Fender Electric Guitars
The Fender Signature Series features guitars modeled after the exact specifications of the artist. You’ll play the same guitar that your favorite player uses when you order a Signature Fender guitar.
10 Best Fender Electric Guitars
This guide will help beginner, intermediate, and advanced players find an excellent Fender guitar. Whether you want a solid Stratocaster, Telecaster, or a different Fender guitar, this guide will help you out.
Fender Squier Stratocaster Pack
- Type: Stratocaster body
- What’s included: Guitar, amp, gig bag, and accessories
- Pickups: 3 single-coils
- Material & finish: Poplar, laurel, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Total beginners or those on a budget
The Fender Squier Stratocaster Pack is the perfect introduction to the Fender lineup for today’s player. This is a beginner guitar that’s suited for smaller kids or those on a limited budget.
The guitar has the same basic 3-single coils, volume control, and two tone controls as a full-featured Fender Stratocaster. You get the feel and playability of a real Fender with this starter package.
✅ Beginner friendly
✅ Lots of accessories
✅ Good tone
✅ Low price
❌ Some accessories could be better
❌ Basic guitar
Why I Recommend It
I recommend this guitar for beginners, as it gives you all you need to get started. My first guitar was a Squier, and it inspired me to play. The guitar is comfortable and has a decent tone, despite the low cost.
The amp is a bit poor, so you might want to pick up another one. However, this pack is a great deal and far better than some of the other packs on the market. This is one of the best cheap Fender electric guitars designed for beginners.
Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS
- Type: Stratocaster
- What’s included: Guitar, gig bag, tremolo arm
- Pickups: 2 x single-coil, 1 x humbucker
- Material & finish: Alder, rosewood, maple, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Intermediate and professional players
The Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS is a top-quality guitar. The HSS configuration allows you to do more with your guitar. It’s got extras such as a push-pull tone pot for even more great tones.
The modern C neck is comfortable, and you get 22 jumbo frets that are smooth no matter what position you play at. Use the whammy bar for tricks and dive bombs as you play. The American Performer is an excellent guitar.
✅ Good pickups
✅ Great tone
✅ Easy playing
✅ Moderate price
❌ Synthetic nut is a bit cheap
❌ No hardshell case
Why I Recommend It
I like this Stratocaster for the HSS pickup configuration. This opens up the player to more styles, such as hard rock, which is difficult on a regular single-coil Strat. In addition, the humbucker gives the guitar more bite and attack.
The added pull-push tone control allows you to change the pickups back to three single coils if you like. The neck is comfortable and easy to play at all positions. This is the perfect Stratocaster for any player.
Fender American Professional II Telecaster
- Type: Telecaster
- What’s included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: 2 single-coils
- Material & finish: Maple, roasted pine, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Professional players looking for superior Telecaster tone
The Fender Telecaster is a workhorse guitar, and the Professional II Telecaster is a high-quality guitar. It’s got a great neck, superior-sounding pickups, and all the Fender Tele twang that you need to sound amazing.
The C-profile neck and frets are enhanced on this model, so it offers you exceptional comfort when playing. You’ll be soloing and playing all your favorite songs in no time with this superior Telecaster model from Fender.
✅ Solid tone
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Good frets
✅ Excellent pickups
❌ Expensive
❌ Not ideal for all styles
Why I Recommend It
I like this Telecaster because it’s got enhanced Tim Shaw single-coil pickups. The V-mod II pickups sound great whether you’re playing clean or using some overdrive. They have that famous Telecaster twang that players love.
The narrow-tall frets on this model make playing up and down the fretboard easy. You have more control over your notes than ever before with these great frets. This is a great-sounding and easy-playing Telecaster for pros.
Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS
- Type: Stratocaster
- What’s included: Guitar, hardshell case
- Pickups: 1 x humbucking, 2 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Texas tea, alder, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Professionals that want the ultimate Fender Stratocaster
The Ultra Stratocaster has modern improvements to make the Stratocaster even better. This instrument has noiseless pickups, a low profile heel, a rolled compound radius fingerboard, and a modern D profile neck.
This Stratocaster may cost a lot, but it has the sound, tone, and playability you want out of a modern guitar. This instrument has everything that the modern professional guitar player needs to sound amazing.
✅ Great tone
✅ Modern appeal
✅ Low profile heel
✅ Easy playing
❌ Expensive
❌ Not for purists
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster is a very nice guitar. I love the low-profile heel, which makes playing up the neck easier. The D-profile neck makes chording smooth no matter what position you’re playing at.
The Humbucking pickups give you more sound options, and there’s a coil tap so you can get three single-coil tones when you need them. There’s no traditional Fender hum from these outstanding pickups.
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster
- Type: Telecaster
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickups: 2 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Pine, maple, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players
The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster gives you a vintage tone and feel for one low price. It’s got all the standard features of a real Telecaster, but at a lower entry-level cost. This guitar feels great, and it’s easy to play.
The Alnico single-coil pickups give you that vintage Fender Telecaster twang that’s so famous. The C-profile neck is easy to play on, and you get 21 frets. It’s got vintage tuners and a gloss polyurethane finish.
✅ Good tone
✅ Nice neck
✅ Reasonable price
✅ Good pickups
❌ No case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
I’ve played many Squier guitars, and the Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster provided a lot of value for the money. It sounds great through an amplifier, and you’ll enjoy an authentic Telecaster tone without breaking your bank account.
This is an excellent introductory guitar into the Telecaster lineup from Fender. The Squier models are nice to play when compared to many lower-cost brands on the market.
Fender Player Stratocaster
- Type: Stratocaster
- What’s included: Guitar
- Pickups: 3 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyester
- Best for: Intermediate guitar players
The Fender Player Stratocaster is a moderately priced guitar with the tone and sound you expect from Fender. This guitar has three Alnico pickups that sound amazing and an east-to-play C-shaped neck.
You get a standard Fender tremolo bridge for dive bombs and tricks. It comes with standard Fender machine heads, a synthetic bone nut, and a gloss polyester finish. This guitar is ready for today’s player.
✅ Moderate price
✅ Solid Fender tone
✅ Good pickups
✅ Tremolo
❌ No case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Player Stratocaster is the ideal guitar for the intermediate player. It’s got excellent Alnico 5 single-coil pickups, which make this instrument ideal for many different guitar styles.
I like the affordability of the guitar, as it’s not too expensive yet it plays like a Fender. You get that same Fender tone at a lower cost. The modern C-shape neck is comfortable at all positions. This is an excellent next-level guitar.
Fender Ultra Telecaster
- Type: Telecaster
- What’s included: Guitar, hardshell case
- Pickups: 2 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss
- Best for: Professional Telecaster players
The Fender Ultra Telecaster is a superior guitar for today’s player. You get two noiseless single-coil pickups, so your guitar sounds clean through any amplifier. The compound radius fingerboard makes the neck easy to play.
The tapered neck heel makes it easy to hit all of the notes higher up the fretboard, so you won’t struggle with solos. The satin finish makes the guitar smooth and comfortable whether you’re sitting down or standing up.
✅ Noiseless pickups
✅ Compound radius fingerboard
✅ Tapered neck heel
✅ Bone nut
❌ Expensive
❌ Purists may not like it
Why I Recommend It
I’m impressed with the new Fender Ultra Telecaster. You get the same classic Tele tone, but the guitar has a lot of improvements. You’ll spend a lot on these upgrades, but it’s worth it if you want a modern Tele.
The pickups are the best part as they eliminate the hum and buzz associated with older pickups. This guitar sounds great through any amp and can accommodate both clean and distorted settings with ease.
Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster
- Type: Stratocaster
- What’s included: Guitar, tweed case
- Pickups: 3 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Eric Clapton fans
The Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster is designed to Eric’s specifications. The guitar has three noiseless single coils for smooth hum-free tones. The tone control has a midrange boost and TBX tone circuitry.
The neck is a comfortable V shape, which is easy to play up and down the maple fingerboard. The tremolo is blocked, so the tuning stays stable at all positions. It comes with a nice tweed case to protect your investment.
✅ Soft V shape neck
✅ Noiseless pickups
✅ Vintage case
✅ Midrange boost
❌ Expensive
❌ Blocked tremolo
Why I Recommend It
The Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster has a lot of nice extras, which make this the ideal Strat. The tone control boost and TBX circuitry give the player more options in terms of their tone, as you can dial in many unique sounds.
The V-shaped neck is another excellent addition because it’s smooth and comfortable to play up and down the fretboard. I also like the noiseless pickups. This is an excellent guitar for any fan of Eric Clapton or the blues.
Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster
- Type: Jazzmaster
- What’s included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: 2 x single-coil Jazzmaster
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, rosewood
- Best for: Jazzmaster fans that want a superior guitar
The Fender American professional II Jazzmaster is a modern take on the Jazzmaster guitar. It’s got two excellent V-mod II single-coils with a tap function so you can dial in vintage as well as modern sounds.
The Panorama tremolo system gives you room for tricks and dive bombs as you play. The C-profile neck allows for effortless chording or solos. The redesigned neck-heel keeps your hand comfortable at higher frets.
✅ Great pickups
✅ Tremolo
✅ C profile neck
✅ Bridge pickup tap function
❌ Expensive
❌ Lots of switches
Why I Recommend It
The America Professional II Jazzmaster is an excellent guitar for those that want something a bit different. I like the bridge pickup tap function. You can get a great distorted tone out of it for more of a vintage sound.
The rolled fingerboard edges make the guitar comfortable while you’re playing at all positions. The tremolo on the guitar also gives you sounds that you can’t get on other Fender guitars. For Jazzmaster fans, this guitar is a great buy.
Fender Special Custom Edition Telecaster FMT HH
- Type: Telecaster
- What’s included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Mahogany, flamed maple, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Rock guitar players
The Fender Special Edition Custom FMT HH Telecaster is the ideal guitar for the rock guitar player. It’s got two big humbucking pickups for huge tones. Use the coil tap feature to dial in single-coil sounds as well.
The C-shape neck is comfortable with 22 jumbo frets. The set neck and graphite nut give the guitar a lot of extra sustain. Controls are simple, with one tone, one volume, and one pickup switch.
✅ Excellent pickups
✅ Big tone
✅ Fast neck
✅ Set neck
❌ Not a pure Telecaster
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
I like the Fender Special Edition Custom FMT HH Telecaster because it’s nothing like a Tele. If you like the feel of the Tele body but are a fan of hard rock, this guitar is ideal. The humbuckers give this guitar the growl you want.
The mahogany body gives it a lot of sustain, and the C-shape neck feels comfortable at all positions. The set neck makes it easier to solo higher up the fretboard on this guitar. This guitar is the perfect setup for hard-rock players.
Fender Electric Guitars Aesthetics & Build
This part of the guide is all about the build and aesthetics of Fender guitars and what you can expect when purchasing one of these fantastic instruments.
Material
Fender electric guitars are made primarily of ash and alder wood. Ash gives a warm sustain and extra treble tones. Alder wood is more commonly used for Fenders. It features a bright tone and a good midrange. Most current Fender guitars are made with alder wood.
The necks are made from maple, as this hardwood is long-lasting. The fretboard is either solid maple or has a strip of rosewood. The fingerboard wood is usually a personal player preference.
Finish
There are a few finishes used for Fender guitars that you need to be aware of.
- Gloss polyester: This finish is thick and hard with incredible shine. The finish ages well and keeps the guitar looking nice for years. The finish resists scratching.
- Nitrocellulose lacquer: Used on older Fender guitars, it gives a tough finish that’s fast drying. The downside is the finish cracks and yellows with age. This finish isn’t used on many Fender guitars today.
- Polyurethane: This finish is tough and long-lasting. It doesn’t crack or yellow like nitrocellulose lacquer. This finish is used on quite a few Fender models.
Color
Fender electric guitars come in a wide range of colors. Black, white, sunburst, red, natural wood grain, and blue are the most popular colors. There’s a wide range of different choices, so you’ll find a color that you like.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions about Fender electric guitars that you need to know about. This part of the guide will help you pick out the best Fender for you.
How Much Do Fender Electric Guitars Cost?
Here’s what you can expect to pay when you order a Fender electric guitar. Please keep in mind that this is only a general guide.
- Beginner: $250-$400
- Intermediate: $400-$1200
- Advanced: $1200-$2000+
What Pickups Should I Get for My Fender?
Most Fender models have single-coil pickups, although quite a few models now have humbucking pickups. The model you buy will depend upon your playing style. Three single-coils for rock, blues, and country work the best.
If you like hard rock, get a Fender with two humbucking pickups or a combination of humbucking and single-coils. The Stratocaster HSS is an excellent modern rock guitar with the addition of the humbucker.
What Are the Best Fender Electric Guitars?
Here’s a list of three of the best Fender electric guitars for beginners, intermediate and advanced players. You’ll find a guitar for any need when you shop with Fender.
Fender Squier Stratocaster Pack: Best for Beginners
The Squier Stratocaster pack is ideal for beginners, as you get a quality guitar, accessories, a gig bag, and a small amplifier. This is everything the first-time player needs to get started with the guitar, and the pack has a low price.
Fender Player Stratocaster: Best for Intermediate Players
The Fender Player Stratocaster is a good choice for intermediate players. The guitar has a modest price yet plays just as well as a more expensive Fender. They have good pickups, easy-playing necks, and tons of Fender tones.
Fender Ultra Telecaster/Strat: Best for Professional Players
Both the Fender Ultra Stratocaster and Fender Ultra Telecaster are ideal picks for pros. The necks are smooth and comfortable with tapered heels for easy access to higher frets. They come with noiseless pickups and have a great tone for any professional setting.
Where Are Fender Electric Guitars Made?
Fender guitars are made in Corona, California. Some models come from Mexico, Indonesia, China, and a few other locations. The American models tend to be the best but are more expensive.
What Is the Best Sounding Fender Electric Guitars?
The Stratocaster and Telecaster Ultra models are currently the best-sounding Fender guitars. They have many modern improvements that give these guitars a great feel and easy playability.
Where to Buy Fender Electric Guitars
There are a few locations where you can purchase Fender electric guitars. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
Amazon
Amazon is an excellent online retailer for musical products. They have a wide selection, fast shipping, and reliable customer service. You should get your order within a few days and can send products back if they’re damaged in transit.
Online Music Retailers
Guitar Center and Sweetwater are two alternatives to Amazon. Both online retailers have a good selection of products and carry most major brands, including Fender guitars. They ship fast and have good customer service.
Your Local Music Store
Your local music store probably has a lot of Fender guitars but may not have the exact model you’re looking for. You can still go and check to see what selection they have. Also, stores may be able to special order a guitar they don’t have in stock.
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Conclusion
Thank you for reading my guide to the best Fender electric guitars. You’ll find a great Fender whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitar player. These instruments have stood the test of time and are reliable.
Please comment, like, and share this article. I look forward to talking to you about Fender guitars. What’s your favorite Fender model? Have fun playing your new guitar, and keep on picking.
