Stratocaster guitars have been on the market since the early 50s when Fender launched this innovative model.Over time , the Stratocaster became the icon of the classic electric guitar and today there are hundreds of models and variations for sale. Sometimes it is difficult to choose a guitar when there are so many similar products. That is why in this article we will show the 10 of the best stratocaster guitars that you can get today.
Clarification: It is not a hierarchical order list, they are simply put in an order to have a way of presenting the guitars. Below everything you can leave your vote for the best stratum.
Contents
10 of the Best Stratocaster GuitarsFender Player StratocasterSquier Affinity StratocasterFender Vintera 50s StratocasterSquier Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50sFender American Professional StandardSquier Contemporary Stratocaster HHFender American Performer StratocasterSquier Vintage Modified StratocasterSquier Bullet Stratocaster HSSSquier Standard Strat
Stratocaster Guitars: BudgetGu itarras Stratocaster: Fender vs SquierHistory of Stratocaster GuitarsThoughts finals
10 of the Best Stratocaster Guitars
Fender Player Stratocaster
The Fender Player Stratocaster is an improved version of the Fender Standard Stratocaster. The new re-designed pickups with Alnico 5 magnet make its sound sound like a traditional Stratocaster guitar. The neck is made of maple with a maple fingerboard and finish in polyurethane, which allows the hand to slide smoothly. It now comes with an added fret for playing high solos, adding a total of 22 frets on the fingerboard (the standard one had 21 frets). It has a nice vintage design that comes in various colors; arctic white, buttercream, sunburst and tidepool. If you want a guitar that sounds just like a real Stratocaster should sound, you should go for the Fender Player Stratocaster. It is the ideal guitar to feel the Fender Strat sound.
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Squier Affinity Stratocaster
The Squier Affinity Stratocaster is a unique guitar that offers excellent value at an affordable cost. Rather than buying any other cheap replica, the Squier by Fender Affinity is the best option for an affordable guitar. The body of the Affinity is made of poplar with a polyurethane finish, and its neck is made of maple with a maple fingerboard. The “C”-shaped neck with a 9.5-inch radius makes it very comfortable to play. Just as a Stratocaster should be. The quality of all its finishes, pegs and materials are of very good quality, more than good for its price. Its three single-coil pickups provide the authentic Strato sound. It is not a guitar that is just for beginners, but it offers an excellent value for its price
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Fender Vintera 50s Stratocaster
If you are looking for a guitar with the original 50s Stratocaster style, the Fender Vintera 50s will be an excellent choice. This guitar was created by Fender to look and sound like a golden era Stratocaster. The three single-coil pickups are vintage-style and sound very similar to the originals from the 50s. Unlike today’s classic Stratocasters that have a “C”-shaped neck and 9.25-inch radius, the headstock 50s seeks to imitate the original model. This guitar has a “soft V” shaped neck and the radius is 7.25″. You can feel the classic feel of the original 1954 Stratocaster. It is simply a beautiful guitar that shows the native side of Stratocaster.
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Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s
The Classic Vibe series is Squier’s most “Premium” series. This Squier Classic Vibe Strat 50s is a high-end guitar at an affordable cost. Without a doubt, it competes with Fender guitars that come out two or three times more than it. It is another version that was inspired by the original guitar from the 50s. Its Alnico III pickups give it a clear and bright tone with incredible sustain. . The synchronized tremolo allows you to make vibratos without detuning the guitar. It is a guitar that does not need any updates or improvements. As it comes, it is a durable guitar that will last a lifetime.
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Fender American Professional Standard
Fender guitars made in the United States are known for being top of the range. There are probably no other guitars better than the American Fender on this earth. But as great as they are, you also have to pay for their price. In fact, it is the most expensive guitar on the list. The Professional series is designed for a wide range of players with very different styles. One of the improvements of this series over the “Standard” is the pickups. The three single coil pickups are V-Mod designed by Tim Shaw. The neck of this guitar has the modern “deep C” shape, which is actually a common “C” shape but slightly deeper. This is a guitar for guitarists. professionals who want to exploit their full potential.
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Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH
The Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH is a guitar inspired by the 80s. A guitar with a double coil designed for rock and punk. Its design comes in various colors, but the pickups always come in the shape of a zebra. That is, one black pill and one white pill. This makes it stand out and highly attractive. With a very rudimentary control set, a potentiometer for volume, another for tone and the classic 3-position selector, they make a simple strato guitar ideal for rock. Its pickups are double coil type humbuckers Ceramics are perfect for a crunchy, powerful tone. If you like rock and Strats, there’s no way to go wrong with the Squier Contemporary HH. Plus, its price is affordable.
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Fender American Performer Stratocaster
Another of the amazing guitars made in the United States is the Fender American Performer Stratocaster. The American Performer is an entry series for the American Fender. That is to say, it is among the most affordable for being American. The three pickups on this guitar are Yosemite single coil; They are simply impressive. Only these microphones can have compression and crunch like these. It is equipped with a Greasebucket tone circuit that maintains gain and clarity. Its high-quality ClassicGear headstock is Fender’s own with a chrome finish. It is an American guitar that offers a solution for the most demanding guitarists.
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Squier Vintage Modified Stratocaster
The Vintage Modified is a very good quality Squier series. The three Duncan SC-101 pickups are an improved version of the simple Squier pickups. These pickups sound wonderful. Then, the electronics are the basics; three volume and tone controls, five-position pickup selector and vintage-style tuners. Its body is made of basswood with a glossy polyester finish and the classic maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It is a great vintage-type guitar with characteristics improved.
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Squier Bullet Stratocaster HSS
The Bullet series is the most economical of the Squier series. But it is an excellent entry-level guitar. This version, the Bullet HSS, is a modified version of the classic Bullet Strato. The difference with the standard Bullet is that this version has a double pickup. I am usually very skeptical when you see a Stratocaster guitar modified like this, but the Bullet HSS is an extraordinary guitar. It is called “HSS” because of its pickups – Humbucker – Simple – Simple. The neck pickup is the one that is double. This dual pickup gives you a fuller, more powerful sound than the single pickup version. You can check this video to compare both versions. The Bullet HSS is an excellent guitar at a very affordable price, offering great value on a small budget.
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Squier Standard Strat
Last, but not worst, is the Squier Standard Strat. This guitar has the traditional Stratocaster aesthetic and offers a great solution for its price. It is equipped with three single Alnico magnet pickups, with a selector switch of five positions. The two-point synchronized tremolo allows you to make vibratos and have some fun with the guitar. I understand that this guitar was discontinued, but it is still available on the used market.
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Stratocaster Guitars: Budget
One of the basic factors when choosing a guitar is the budget. Starting on a budget, you can start to rule out guitars and be left with a smaller range. Essentially, if you have a low-medium budget, Squier’s Bullet, Affinity and Standard series are excellent proposals that offer great value. Then, if you have a budget Squier’s Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified series are the best options. These guitars sound incredibly good. So much so, that they are equal to Fender MIM. If you have a medium-high budget, you can start checking out the Fender ones made in Mexico. The Fender Player Stratocaster was ranked as the best guitar due to its price/quality ratio. Its price is around $700 and it is a tremendous guitar that demonstrates the authentic Fender. At the highest level of the pyramid, are the Fender guitars made in the United States. These guitars start at $1000 and are tremendous guitars. They are made for the most demanding guitarists.
Stratocaster Guitars: Fender vs Squier
One of the biggest discussions is whether Squier are as good as Fender. In our previous article we explained the differences between Fender and Squier. Broadly speaking, there are Squiers that are as good as a Fender, and there are other Fenders that sound like a $100 guitar. Today, Squier offers excellent models at affordable prices. That increased its fame and hundreds of advanced guitarists look for these guitars. It is also very common to change the Squier pickups among the most demanding guitarists. In this way, you lower your costs and get a sound that suits you. So, although Squier guitars have inferior finishes than Fender guitars, they are an excellent option and sound very good.
History of Stratocaster Guitars
The Stratocaster guitar was released in 1954 as the first guitar with three pickups and a tremolo vibration system. The Stratocaster was designed by Leo Fender and his team. So when we talk about Strats, we are talking about Fender’s own models. Of course, other brands later replicated that model. In reality, Stratocasters were a response to the needs of guitarists with the Telecaster. The Telecaster was created in 1950 by Fender. But guitarists began to ask for other details, and they created the Stratocaster. The first Fender Stratocaster model was in 1954 and had a solid design. The body was made of ash, the neck was a single piece of maple and Kluson SafeTiPost tuners. Then, over the years, they began to innovate with different woods, materials, colors and electronics.
Final thoughts
Stratocaster guitars are simply amazing. The choice of guitar is personal. In this list we show 10 of the best Stratocaster guitars that are roaming the market. But there are guitars that are more suitable for some and others for others. With any of these guitars there is no way to go wrong. Each one offers amazing value for its category. Leave your vote for the best stratum, or if you think it’s another one below in the comments!