This guide to the best Fender Stratocasters will help you find a great Fender Strat guitar. This instrument is one of the most iconic brands of all time, but it can be confusing because there are so many models to choose from.
I’ve been playing guitar for many years, and the Fender Stratocaster is my favorite instrument. I know how difficult it can be to find one that works for what you need. This guide is designed to help you find a great Fender Strat.
Quick Look: Best Fender Stratocasters
★ #1 Best Fender Stratocasters Overall: Fender American Ultra HSS Stratocaster ★
- Best Cheap Fender Stratocasters: Fender Player Stratocaster
- Best Fender Stratocaster Under $1,500: Fender American
- Best Fender Stratocasters Under $800: Fender Player Stratocaster
- Best Fender Ultra Stratocaster: Fender Ultra HSS
- Best Fender Player Stratocaster: Fender Player Stratocaster
- Best Fender Professional Stratocaster: Fender Profesional II
- Best Fender Performer Stratocaster: Fender American Performer
- Best Fender Artist Series Stratocaster: Eric Johnson Thinline
I’ve included instruments here for all playing levels. No matter if you’re a beginner or an advanced player, there’s a great Fender Stratocaster out there for you.
About Fender Stratocasters
Fender has been making instruments since 1946. Their two most iconic guitars are the Fender Stratocaster and the Fender Telecaster. Many different players use these instruments.
Some of the most famous Fender Stratocaster players are Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Buddy Guy. The Stratocaster is an excellent guitar and one of the most iconic brands.
The traditional Fender Stratocaster has three single-coil pickups and a tremolo bridge. Some newer versions include humbucking pickups, which give the instrument more options.
See More: Best Fender Telecasters Buyer’s Guide
Things to Consider When Choosing a Fender Stratocaster
There are a few things to keep in mind when you purchase a Fender Stratocaster. Here’s what you need to know before buying your instrument.
Size
Fender Stratocasters come in one basic size. Most players want a full-size guitar. There are smaller models for beginners for students through the Fender Squier series.
The Overall Tone & Sound
When you purchase a Fender Stratocaster, it’s ideal for many different forms of music. It excels at rock, blues, country, and similar styles. If you want more of a heavy metal sound, considered picking up a Fender HSS Strat.
Price
Fender Stratocasters vary in price ranges. Here are some basic price ranges that you need to know about before you buy.
- Beginner: $700+
- Intermediate: $1,000+
- Advanced: $1,400+
It’s important to note that your instrument’s cost increases depending upon the various features you get with it. A beginner may not want all the features that an advanced player does.
Pickups
Fender Stratocasters traditionally have three single-coil pickups. These sound great with light distortion, and they excel with clean tones. Some Stratocasters now come with humbucking pickups, which are more suited for hard rock.
Types of Fender Stratocasters
Fender has a wide range of different Stratocasters. I’ve listed the main ones here, which are the most popular.
You’ll have to decide what type of Stratocaster you want based on each one’s features.
Fender Ultra Stratocaster
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster is an advanced Strat designed for intermediate or advanced players who want full features in their instrument. These guitars tend to cost quite a lot, but you’ll get an excellent sound.
Fender Player Stratocaster
A Player Stratocaster is a lower-cost Strat, but it still has great features. This instrument is perfect for a beginner or an intermediate player who is just starting with the Fender Strat and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money.
Fender Professional Stratocaster
The Fender Professional is a mid-range Stratocaster that’s suited for both intermediate and advanced players. It costs a little bit more but gives you great features.
American Performer Statocaster
The American Performer Strat is another lower-cost Stratocaster design for beginners or intermediate players who don’t want to spend a lot of money. You still get the same Fender tone with one of these instruments.
Artist Series Stratocaster
Artist Series Stratocasters are modeled after the instruments used by famous players. Some famous Artist Series guitarists are Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Ritchie Blackmore, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix.
Vintera Stratocaster
These guitars are modeled after the famous Fender Stratocasters from the 1950s through the 1970s. These guitars are ideal if you want more of a vintage sound from your guitar.
Custom Stratocaster
Fender also has a custom shop where you can have a custom guitar specifically designed to meet your own requirements. The final cost will be determined by the parts that you get for your guitar.
10 Best Fender Stratocasters
Here is a list of the 10 best Fender Stratocasters. I’ve listed guitars for all abilities and price ranges, so you should be able to find a guitar that’s right for you.
Fender Ultra Stratocaster HSS
- Type: Ultra HSS
- Pickups: 1 x humbucking 2 x single coil
- Material & finish: Maple, alder, rosewood, satin finish
- Best for: Professionals that need a high-quality Strat
One of the best Stratocasters by Fender is the Ultra HSS. This guitar features one humbucking pickup and two single-coils. This gives you a wide range of different tones. It comes with a synchronized tremolo bridge as well as a hardshell case.
✅ Good pickups
✅ Locking tuners
✅ Tapered heel
✅ Hardshell case
❌ Expensive
❌ May not appeal to vintage players
Why I Recommend It
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster gives you a lot of modern improvements. This guitar has locking tuners, so you’ll stay in tune better. The D profile neck has a taper at the bottom, so it’s easier to hit the higher frets.
I like the pickup configuration because the humbucking pickup gives you more tones suitable for many guitar styles. You also get two single-coil pickups and the ability to tap the humbucking pickup to make it a single coil as well.
Fender Player Stratocaster
- Type: Player Series
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyester
- Best for: Beginners or intermediate players
This Stratocaster is a great first Fender for a beginner or intermediate player. It has three excellent single-coil pickups, a full set of controls, and a great playing neck. The Fender Player Stratocaster has a reasonable price.
✅ Sealed tuners
✅ Comfortable neck
✅ Good tone
✅ Low price
❌ Synthetic nut
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
I like the Fender Player mainly because of its price. You get all of the basics of a Fender Stratocaster without the added cost. It has three great Alnico single-coil pickups, a fast-playing C profile neck with 22 frets, and a great tone.
It may lack some of the bells and whistles of the more advanced models, but it’s a great instrument capable of a wide range of different sounds. You’ll feel like a professional in no time when you play this guitar.
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster
- Type: Player Series
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate/advanced players with a higher budget
The Fender American Professional II Stratocaster has upgraded V-Mod pickups, which improve the tone of the guitar. It has a comfortable C profile neck, 22 frets, and a contoured heel to improve playability.
✅ Great pickups
✅ Easy to play neck
✅ Push-pull tone
✅ Contoured neck heel
❌ Expensive
❌ Sound may not appeal to some
Why I Recommend It
This is an amazing Fender Stratocaster. I like the push tone control, which allows you to put the neck pickup in any position. The V-Mod pickups give you the classic Fender tone that everyone likes.
The bridge on this model has been upgraded, which gives the guitar a little bit more brightness. The neck has a little more contour, so it’s easier to play. The guitar is perfect for both vintage as well as modern tones.
Fender American Performer/Gig Bag
- Type: Performer Series
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, rosewood, gloss urethane finish
- Best for: Beginners or intermediate players
The Fender Performer Stratocaster offers the player a lot for under $1,000. The guitar has three single-coil pickups and a synchronized vintage bridge. It’s made of solid wood, and the neck has 22 jumbo frets.
❌ Case could be better
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
I like the Performer Stratocaster because it’s moderately priced yet has everything you need to sound great. It’s got a comfortable C-shaped neck and three great Yosemite pickups that have a good range and punch.
You get a push/pull tone circuit, which puts the neck pickup in any position. This circuit gives you more tonal options than regular Stratocasters. The neck is nice and comfortable for chords as well as solos.
Fender Player Stratocaster Package
- Type: Fender Player Series
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that want a full guitar package
The Fender Player Stratocaster Package guitar is one of the best Fender Stratocasters for beginners. You’ll get a lot for your money and not just the guitar. The package includes a guitar, a ton of accessories, and a perfect lesson subscription for beginners.
✅ Hardshell case
✅ Great guitar
✅ Plenty of accessories
✅ Lessons included
❌ Some accessories could be better
❌ No amp
Why I Recommend It
I like this package a lot because it ships with a great Fender Player guitar, a nice hardshell case, and accessories like picks, a strap, a cable, a tuner, and a capo. It even comes with a lesson subscription to Fender Play, an online lesson site.
The Player Stratocaster has a good neck and three excellent single-coil pickups. The two-point tremolo stays in tune longer, and you get 22 jumbo frets on a modern C-profile which is comfortable to play. This is a great deal.
Fender Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster
- Type: Artist Series (Eric Johnson)
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, nitrocellulose gloss finish
- Best for: Advanced that want a great artist signature guitar
The Fender Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster gives you both acoustic and electric tones. It has three Eric Johnson signature single-coil pickups and a fast neck. You’ll be playing like a rock god in no time.
✅ Acoustic/electric tones
✅ Great pickups
✅ Vintage tremolo
✅ Hardshell case
❌ Expensive
❌ Some may not like the design
Why I Recommend It
The Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster is a unique guitar, and it sounds great for many different styles. I like the signature pickups on this model, and the guitar is lightweight thanks to the semi-hollow body.
The V profile neck is smooth and comfortable for both rhythm guitar work as well as solos. It has an excellent tremolo and machine heads, which stabilize the tuning of this great guitar.
Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster
- Type: Artist Series (Yngwie Malmsteen)
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, nitrocellulose gloss finish
- Best for: Advanced that want a great artist signature guitar
The Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster is a shredding monster with scalloped frets for fast playing. It has a vintage tremolo that stays in tune, an easy-to-play C profile neck, and Seymour Duncan pickups.
✅ Scalloped fretboard
✅ Super jumbo frets
✅ C shape neck
✅ Vintage tremolo
❌ Some may not like the neck
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
The highlight of the Malmsteen Stratocaster is the scalloped fretboard. The scooped neck makes it easier to play fast guitar lines, although it takes getting used to. If you like fast guitar, this neck can get you there.
Another highlight is the Seymour Duncan pickups. These are high output pickups that are great for rock and metal styles. This is an amazing guitar, and it comes with a hardshell case to protect your purchase.
Fender Player HSS Stratocaster
- Type: Player Series
- Pickups: 1 x humbucking 2 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyester finish
- Best for: Those that want a cheaper HSS Strat
The Fender Player HSS Stratocaster is a good guitar for rock and metal players. It has a comfortable C profile neck and a great set of pickups. You get an authentic Fender tone, yet the guitar is capable of a wide range of modern tones as well.
✅ 2 point tremolo
✅ C profile neck
✅ Great pickups
✅ Jumbo frets
❌ A bit expensive
❌ May not appeal to purists
Why I Recommend It
My main guitar is a Fender HHS Strat, and I love the tones that this guitar can produce. The addition of a humbucker opens the guitar up to many different tones. The neck is smooth, and it’s very comfortable to play.
The body is contoured so it won’t fatigue you as much, and the synchronized tremolo won’t go out of tune even if you’re doing dive bombs on the guitar. The instrument is affordable and sounds great, so try one today.
Fender Vintera 1950s Stratocaster
- Type: Vintera Series
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyester finish
- Best for: Players that want a vintage style guitar
For those that want a vintage feel, the Vintera 1950s Stratocaster series by Fender is a clear winner. This guitar features the famous Fender tremolo, three great-sounding single-coil pickups, and a fast neck. You’ll sound great with this guitar.
✅ Vintage feel
✅ Great pickups
✅ Synchronized tremolo
✅ Tim Shaw pickups
❌ Could use more frets
❌ Case could be better
Why I Recommend It
I like the Vintera series as it sticks pretty close to the classic Stratocasters of the 50s-70s. These guitars have vintage looks and appeal. The 50s Vintera is my favorite because I like the looks of it. This is the guitar from the early rock era.
It has vintage 50s single-coil pickups, a synchronized tremolo, a V-shaped maple neck, and 21 vintage frets. It’s a great guitar if you want that vintage feel and playability. It comes with a deluxe gig bag.
Fender Ultra Stratocaster
- Type: Ultra Series
- Pickups: 3 x single coil
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyester finish
- Best for: Players that want a vintage style guitar
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster is a great-sounding guitar. This model features three noiseless single-coil pickups and a pop-in tremolo. It has a modern D profile neck, and it ships with a hardshell case.
✅ D shape neck
✅ Noiseless pickups
✅ Deluxe tremolo
✅ Hardshell case
❌ Expensive
❌ Purists may not like it
Why I Recommend It
Fender has made a great guitar in the Ultra. I like the noiseless pickups, which don’t produce that annoying single-coil hum. The tremolo is easy to use as it pops into the bridge, so you don’t have to fight with the tremolo arm.
The D profile neck has a taper, so you get easy access to the 22 medium-jumbo frets on this model. The guitar comes with locking machine heads, which makes changing strings easier. This is a modern guitar for today’s players.
Fender Stratocasters Aesthetics & Build
Here’s what you need to know about the build of a Fender Stratocaster. Please keep these points in mind before you order one, as they can help you pick out the right instrument for you.
Material
Fender Stratocasters use a few main types of wood for most models. Here’s what you need to know.
- Alder: Fender bodies are usually alder because this wood gives good resonance and tone. Older models used ashwood, but it’s only used on a few guitars now.
- Maple: This wood is solid and used on Fender guitar necks. It’s smooth and comfortable to play.
- Rosewood: Some Fenders have rosewood fingerboards. This wood is smooth on the fingers for effortless movement up and down the fretboard.
Finish
There are several finishes used on electric guitars. Here’s what you can expect with your new Fender guitar.
- Lacquer: Many electric guitars have a lacquer finish. It’s hard, durable, and long-lasting.
- Nitrocellulose lacquer: Many Fender guitars feature nitrocellulose lacquer as it’s durable, has a great shine, and gives your Fender that awesome look players love.
- Poly finish: Many guitars, including Fender guitars, have poly or polyester finish. It’s easy to apply, looks great, and has a nice shine and good durability. Polyurethane is a common type.
Color
When looking for the best Fender Stratocasters, you don’t have to worry about color. Common Fender colors are sunburst, black, red, white, and blue. There are also other colors available for Fender guitars, so you can have your pick.
Pickups
Fender Stratocasters usually have three single-coil pickups. Some models may not have pickups that you like, so you might want to change them. There are also other models that include a humbucking pickup.
The pickup configuration that you choose is up to you. A combination of single-coil and humbucking pickups will give you the most tonal variety, and with only single-coil pickups, you’ll get the Vintage Fender sound you want.
Tremolo System
Fender guitars come standard with a tremolo system. This is not a locking nut tremolo, so the guitar doesn’t stay in tune as well. Some models, however, do feature a locking nut tremolo system.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions about Fender Stratocasters that should help you make the right decision when purchasing one of these instruments.
How Much Do Fender Stratocasters Cost?
Fender guitars can be expensive. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay. Guitars with added features cost more. An average Fender is $800-$1,200.
- Beginner: $700+
- Intermediate: $1,000+
- Advanced: $1,400+
What Are the Main Difference in Fender Guitar Models?
A Fender Stratocaster is basically the same guitar no matter what model you buy, but there can be subtle differences. For example, one guitar might have better pickups, a faster neck, or better wood.
It’s up to you to determine the different features that you prefer for your Fender Stratocaster. You may have to play several guitars until you find one that works for what you need.
A Fender Strat that uses high quality materials costs a lot more than a basic model. A basic one can still sound amazing, but you may want more features that will add to the guitar’s cost.
How Can I Make My Strat Play Better?
You should have your guitar set up by a professional if it doesn’t play the way you expect it to. Most guitars play fine out of the box, but a professional setup can help. A guitar technician can set up things such as intonation.
You should also use a high-quality amplifier, a fresh set of guitar strings, and a good quality cable to ensure that you get a proper signal that improves your guitar’s overall tone.
What Strings Should I Use?
I suggest that you start with a gauge 009 for your Fender Stratocaster. This makes bending strings a lot easier. If you have more experience with the instrument, you can try other gauges, but 009s will work for most players.
You can experiment with different string gauges. There are many custom sets available, and you can mix and match strings from different sets to find your own personal preferences.
What Are the Best Fender Stratocasters?
Here are the top three best Fender Stratocasters. I have picked sone for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players, so you’ll find a guitar here that works the best for you.
Fender Player Stratocaster Package: Best for Beginners
The Fender Player Stratocaster Package comes with an amazing guitar, a hardshell case, strings, picks, other accessories, and a lesson subscription package. It’s a huge bargain for beginners.
Fender American Professional II: Best for Intermediate Players
The Fender American Professional II will give an intermediate player or even a professional a solid and dependable guitar. These have great pickups, an easy-playing neck, and the Fender tone you want.
Fender Ultra Stratocaster HSS: Best for Professionals
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster HSS can do it all. It has one humbucker and two single-coils for plenty of tones. The D profile neck is comfortable, and it’s tapered for easy fret access. It also comes with locking tuners for simple string changes.
Where Are Fender Stratocasters Made?
Fender guitars are made in the United States and Mexico. The USA models cost more than the Mexican ones and tend to be better, although the Mexican ones are fine guitars on their own.
What Is the Best Sounding Fender Stratocasters?
The Fender Ultra Stratocaster is currently the best model, as it features classic tones as well as modern improvements. It’s an expensive guitar, but worth the price if you have the money to spend.
Where to Buy Fender Stratocasters
There are several different places where you can purchase Fender Stratocasters. Buying online is always a good idea because you can pick and choose from different models. Here’s what you can expect.
Amazon
I like making purchases from Amazon. They have a huge selection, and the prices are always good. They ship items fast, and I like to read the reviews before I buy. You can’t go wrong shopping from here, and they have guarantees, too.
Online Music Retailers
Guitarcenter and Sweetwater are two other locations where you can purchase Fender guitars. They have good prices and fast shipping times. I like the large selection of the products both of these retailers offer you.
Your Local Music Store
Your local music store probably has some Fender Stratocasters in stock. Keep in mind that your store may not have all models, so you may have to wait for the guitar you want for some time.
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In Conclusion
Thank you for reading my guide to the best Fender Stratocasters. These are excellent guitars that you’ll love playing for many years. I’m always happy with my Fender purchases.
Please like, comment, and share this article. Talk to me about Fender guitars or guitars in general. I’d love to hear from you at any time. Now, play that new Fender!
