We experimented and had hit songs as well!, If you think filter pedals are dull you need to hear the new Old Blood Noise Endeavours Float, Road Worn for less? Fenders vintage spec Stratocasters arent usually 100% faithful to the original and we appreciate this. This is definitely one of the best Strats for players that want to experiment with different sounds, whilst retaining all the guitars functionality. One thing we would say is that if you can afford it, go for the next range up. Thankfully, we found during testing that they still offer up plenty of chances for players to find their own sound within this guitar. Many players find that a humbucker in the bridge position gives them the best of both worlds as they can switch from a big, beefy sound to a more delicate, chimey tone at the flick of a switch. Weve included what we think are the 9 best Strats with a range of different specs, styles, finishes and more in this guide in price order to help you find the one. Squiers Classic Vibe series has always been regarded as great and affordable range of instruments, and thankfully thats still the case. If that is your thing, though, then this is emphatically the Strat for you. This setup may look like that of a traditional Strat, but the three pickups incorporated in a Player Plus Strat are noiseless, single coil sized humbuckers. Even the slightest difference a fingerboard radius, neck profile or headstock size can change the whole feel of your instrument so its important to have a think about what you want and need. There was a problem. Hearing Yourself Too Well Is Almost as Bad as Not Hearing Yourself Well Enough: Gretchen Menn Talks Stage Volume. Please refresh the page and try again. Its important to get the right blend between cheap and playable for a beginner guitarist, as a cheap-but-nasty Stratocaster is enough to put off any budding electric guitarist. Extra contouring on the back of the body gave our fretting hand access all areas, and the 10" - 14" fingerboard radius offered us a combo of old school chording comfort and super slick above octave noodling during our testing. With its two hot humbuckers, its better suited to heavier styles of music than its single-coil equipped counterpart. The body a lightweight two-piece Alder affair is outrageously comfortable on a strap, and the acoustic resonance it has is simply astounding. If you know the work of Eric Johnson, you wont be surprised to find out that not just any Strat will do for him. Or is it? published 24 February 22, We countdown 11 of the best Strat guitars - from budget to pro - that showcase arguably the most iconic guitar of all time. Between $500 and $1,500 is the intermediate price tag. This guitar is about as 50s as it gets. Its also worth taking into consideration that even though some Fender Stratocasters will be vintage or modern inspired, most of the time, its only inspiration. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Well, this just got even better. The tuners are also solid enough that you neednt worry too much about your tuning stability once your strings are settled and youve played a song or two. The guitar is overall very well built, feeling very solid, well set-up and reliable straight out of the box. Strats can often sound a little hollow, but the pickups on this guitar do quite the opposite. Love the Fender Stratocaster? The product list in this guide is in price order, to help you find the right guitar for your budget but if youre not sure what that budget should be, then let us help. You neednt be. A wide range humbucker is also available in the bridge position - offering expansive, vast tones with some extra power. Most offer between 30-45 days to return an item, as long as its in original condition. Concerned about buying a Strat online without playing it first? $1,500 and over is pro territory, in our book. A tasteful blend of modern and classic, the Pro II range offers the traditional alder/maple combination, with a roasted pine body available on one iteration. The Ultra is the guitar equivalent of a muscle car. Heres why you can trust us. Its one of the most expensive mass-produced guitars that Fender makes, and with the price tag comes entry to a seemingly pretty elite club. The American Ultra Strat (opens in new tab) has modern features and super smooth playability in mind, plus there are some pretty cool signature Strats from the likes of Tom Morello and Ed OBrien. Leos response to this was the Fender Strat - an electric guitar with three single-coil pickups, a tremolo (technically vibrato) unit and a slightly more thinline body. (Bridge Pickup), Five-Way Pickip Selector Switch, Nickel/Chrome Recessed Floyd Rose FRT-02000 Double Locking Vibrato, Deluxe Tuners, Black (Optional "Soul Power" Decal Included), Alder Or Ash With Gloss Polyurethane Finish, Maple With Satin Urethane Finish (Gloss Urethane Headstock Face), Ultra Double Tap Humbucker (Bridge), Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat Single Coil (Neck/Middle), Master Volume With S-1 Switch, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. The upshot of all this lack of output was tone, lots of sweet tone. The level of finish is top class making a USA Stratocaster a must-have for those who appreciate attention to detail. H.E.R is best known for her Grammy-winning performances stunning crowds with her smooth, soulful R&B. For the modern Strat enthusiast, it doesnt get much better. If all you know is that you want a Strat, then you cant really go wrong with that rule. Black (With Pau Ferro Fingerboard); 3-Colour Sunburst, Capri Orange, Polar White, Tidepool (With Maple Fingerboard), 3-Colour Sunburst, Black, Silver ( With Pau Ferro Fingerboard); 3-Colour Sunburst, Black, Buttercream, Capri Orange, Polar White, Tidepool (With Maple Fingerboard), Maple With Satin Urethane Finish (Gloss Urethane Headstock Face), Bolt-On, 3 x Vintage Style '50s Single Coil Hot Strat, Master Volume With S-1 Switch, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. Answering those questions will help you find the right Strat for you. Fender Stratocaster Vs Telecaster: Which Is Right For You? You get the standard three single coil loaded item as shown in the pretty picture above. The Squier Classic Vibe range is your friend. Anything that could have changed on Strat probably has been - pickups, neck profiles, finishes, hardware - everything! Brown Sunburst Only (With Indian Laurel Fingerboard) **, 2-colour Sunburst, Black (With Maple Fingerboard); Brown Sunburst, Black, Competition Orange, Race Red, Slick Silver, Surf Green (With Indian Laurel Fingerboard), Maple With Tinted Gloss Urethane Finish, Bolt-On, Fender Designed Alnico Humbucker (Bridge), Fender Designed Alnico Single Coil (Neck/Middle), Master Volume, Tone 1(Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Bridge/Middle Pickups), Five-Way Pickup Selector Switch, Nickel Vintage Style Synchronized Vibrato, Vintage Style Tuners, Walnut (With Indian Laurel Fingerboard); Black (With Maple Fingerboard), Maple With Gloss Urethane Finish Or Pau Ferro, 3 x Player Series Alnico 5 Strat Single Coils, Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2 (Bridge Pickup), Five-Way Pickup Selector Switch, Nickel/Chrome 2-Point Synchronized Vibrato With Bent Steel Saddles, Sealed Tuners, Yes. As the price increases, we might be tempted to take a look at some of Fenders made-in-Mexico guitars, but as far as electric guitars under $500 go, the Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster is a hard one to beat. Best of all, this guitar is reliable and much more so than most other Strat clones at this price point. The American Original 60s Stratocaster feels like a time capsule guitar. Lots of clarity, brightness and punch with that signature quack that the Strat has become so well known for. Luckily for us, the upgrades between the original and mark two ranges were not only noticeable, but feel, sound and look great. Over the years, the Fender Strat has taken on an iconic status and is arguably the most recognisable electric guitar ever made. However, if youre looking for a more contemporary sound, fear not - there are Strats out there that have you covered too. GuitarPlayer is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We found that these pickups sound incredible both clean and dirty during our testing, but that they added an extra warmth and low-mid bump to our tone which felt super supportive whilst playing. Thank you for signing up to Musicradar. At this point, if youre not 100% sure that the guitar will grab a beginners attention fully, then wed suggest spending no more than around $300, but generally, the more you spend, the nicer the instrument. Its fitted with a very interesting combination of pickups - a Seymour Duncan JB Jr in the bridge gave us beefy humbucker tones in position 1, a Texas Special in the middle provided that funky snap we know from the Strat, and a Sustainer in the neck position brought us the (actually usable) crazy that we always wanted from Fender's most iconic model. You can have that too. After that, it actually decreases resistance, sending more output to your amp. The main upgrade on this model against the previous is the introduction of Fenders V-Mod II pickups. Fender American Performer Stratocaster, 10. A nyatoh body, while not a 50s inspired spec choice, provides the perfect base for a trio of frankly brilliant Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups which we feel bring the 50s vibe in droves. Please refresh the page and try again. S-1 switching makes the guitar so versatile, Best Stratocasters: Guitar Players choice, Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Middle Pickup), 5-way pickup selector switch, Chrome Vintage Style Synchronized Vibrato, Standard Die-Cast Tuners, 2-color Sunburst, Black (With Maple Fingerboard); Brown Sunburst, Black, Competition Orange, Race Red, Slick Silver, Surf Green (With Indian Laurel Fingerboard), Master Volume, Tone 1, Tone 2, 5-way pickup selector, Nickel 6-saddle Vintage-style Tremolo, Vintage style tuners, Fiesta Red, White Blonde, 2-Color Burst, Black, Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle pickups), tone 2 (bridge pickup), 5-way pickup selector switch, Nickel/Chrome, 2-point Synchronized tremolo w/ bent steel saddles, standard cast/sealed tuners, 3-color sunburst, Black, Tidepool, Buttercream, Polar White, Capri Orange, Silver, 3x Player Plus Noiseless Strat single-coils, Master volume, Tone 1, Tone 2 (with push/pull), 5-way pickup selector, Nickel/Chrome, 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles, Deluxe locking tuners, Opal Spark, Olympic White, Aged Candy Apple Red, Tequila Sunrise, 3-color Sunburst, Nickel/Chrome, Vintage style tuners, 6-saddle vintage-style tremolo, Master Volume, 2x Tone, 5-way pickup selector, Nickel/chrome-plated 2-point Synchronized vibrato w/ bent steel saddles, Fender Standard cast/sealed staggered tuners, 3-colour sunburst, Black, Dark Night, Mercury, Miami Blue, Mystic Surf Green, Olympic White, Roasted Pine, Sienna Sunburst, Master volume, Tone 1, Tone 2, 5-way pickup selector, Nickel/Chrome, Pure Vintage 6-saddle Synchronized tremolo, Pure Vintage tuners, Shell Pink, 3-color Sunburst, Olympic White, 3x specially voiced Eric Johnson single-coils, Master volume, tone 1, tone 2, 5-way pickup selector, Nickel/chrome, 6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo, Vintage-style staggered tuners, 3x Ultra noiseless vintage strat single-coil, Master volume (w/ S-1 switch), Tone 1, Tone 2, Nickel/Chrome, 2-Point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo with Pop-In Arm, Deluxe cast/sealed locking tuners, how we test gear and service at Guitar Player. Wed perhaps argue that wed like more from the Player Series now its that much closer to a grand than before, but all in all weve no real complaints. The Ultra Luxe offers players an impressive and modern playing experience, whether thats from the Ultra noiseless vintage single-coils, D-shaped neck with Ultra satin finish, the 10-14 compound fingerboard radius or any other aspects of the Ultra Luxes design. Ed Mitchell The neck profile is still the modern 'C', however - so don't worry too much about this guitar feeling alien. Fenders Player series took over from the Standard series in 2018 as Fenders most affordable Mexican-made model and in the four years following has enabled huge numbers of guitarists to make their mark. Read more abouthow we test music making gear and services at MusicRadar. The hardware is vintage-inspired too, but the more modern 9.5 fingerboard radius enables straightforward playing with no issue. There's a Stratocaster for everyone, Superior Squier Classic Vibe guitars aren't that more expensive, Affordable classic from the era that taste, and build quality, forgot, Sexy '70s look without the shoddy build quality. New York, These pups are described by tone junkies as "Gray Bottom" single coils. The finish options on the Original look somehow even better in person than in any image, and with a coating of Nitrocellulose lacquer instead of the usual Polyurethane, were looking forward to seeing how this guitar develops after being played for a while. Trust us. Maple With Satin Urethane Finish, Bolt-on, Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Middle Pickup), Chrome Vintage Style Synchronized Vibrato, Standard Die-Cast Tuners, Yes. You will receive a verification email shortly. Do you want something with low output pickups that give you a nice clear, clean sound, or something with hotter pickups that will break up a little quicker? Heres why you can trust us. In the budget guitar sphere, a couple of hundred bucks can really make a difference. Thank you for signing up to The Pick. Spec'd by Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave and The Nightwatchman guitarist Tom Morello, this new Stratocaster isn't your average rock star vanity project. You want space-age modernism with a set of face-melting active pickups? We dont think youll regret it at all. If you like a bright, snappy response, choose maple. This can all be adjusted with action tweaks and playing style though. The easy way to answer the question is this. Well, here are the. The clues in the spec. All rights reserved. Fenders top-spec Strats are crafted in Corona, California and for those who want the very best Strat without creeping into Custom Shop prices, this is where you ought to be looking. If taking a visit to Fenders Custom Shop is taking things a little too far, then the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is the guitar you should be paying attention to. While it all boils down to personal preference, the general consensus is that a smaller radius lends itself better to chord work, and a larger, or wider radius can be more comfortable for lead players. It has been used by an enormous range of players, covering pretty much every genre imaginable - Buddy Holly, Jim Root, The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hank Marvin, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton - the list really does go on. We'd expect to see a nitrocellulose finish at this price but Fender has chosen harder wearing polyurethane and urethane for the body and neck. BA1 1UA. A lot of thought has gone into the pickup selection, the hardware, and the playability. Think about the style of music youll use it to play mostly. For those guitarists who are trying to do things on a budget whether youre just starting out, or a seasoned player looking for a great backup electric guitar the Affinity Strat is one to pay attention to. As a great blend of vintage and modern specs, the H.E.R Strat could be unbeatable. The 1950s was full of artistic and creative innovation, but nothing has stood the test of time quite like the Fender Strat. There's also a push/pull function that gives access to a Tele-style neck and bridge pickup combo, or all three pups engaged. Read the full Fender Player Stratocaster review. During our testing, we found the two-point trem to be smooth while also prioritizing tuning stability, and while the bent steel saddles are a little crude when compared to the modern accoutrements on the Player Strat, they do their job with little trouble. Fender's S-1 switch is also present to add more tonal options. Ok, you're never going to mistake every Affinity in a lineup for a USA built Fender but these are serious giggable guitars that'll set you on the road to brand loyalty, just as crafty old Fender intended. We found playability to be enhanced with a pleasantly plump Modern C neck profile, 9.5" fingerboard radius, and 22 big ass frets. The CV 50s Strat offers players a glimpse into the Strat of yesteryear, while keeping some of the modern days more useful features, specs and manufacturing practices. Yeah, its kind of expensive, but its essentially a Strat with all the best vintage bits, and none of the features you wont enjoy. Weve put together this handy guide so you can see whats on offer right now. The idea is you get a vintage looking Strat but you can choose original or modern spec. ana popovic blues guitar singer guitarist serbian thursday players td stage concert bing performs heat stand blind release tour play If having the big F on your headstock is a must, then the Player series is where youll start. There are a few factors you should consider when looking to buy one of the best Stratocasters. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For those that like the look and feel of an old guitar, a few Vintera models are now available in a Road Worn finish. You will receive a verification email shortly. Were talking locking tuners, super impressive gradient finishes, push/pull tone controls, along with a 12 fingerboard radius and rolled fret edges. Need more eye candy? The big CBS headstock shape screams hard rock, funk, leather jackets, getting juiced up on Spangles and hijacking your dad's souped up Ford Cortina. Fender has tweaked and tuned this thing to be the best playing Strat since whenever. If you prefer a lower action, a bit more grunt in your dirt channel and more tuning stability, go modified. The locking tuners will make all the difference when you take a dive. The Fender Strat has had nearly 70 years of tweaking and tinkering so there is quite a lot to consider when looking to buy one. The contoured poplar body plays host to a slim bolt-on maple neck with a tinted gloss finish for an aged vibe. Read the full Fender American Ultra Stratocaster review. The paint job, along with the noiseless pickups, has the potential to cause a stir or two among die-hard Strat fans, but this Strat is all-in-all one of the best on the market. Fender's Player series of Stratocasters has been one of their most successful to date, acting as an affordable, high quality point of entry for those who want 'Fender' on the headstock. Note: there's a HSS version in the catalogue with Fender's Double Tap humbucker in the bridge position. Well, Sherlock they're grey on the bottom. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The latter guitar also has the S-1 switch for expanded tonal range. One of the main changes in the Player Plus series is to the electronics. A beginner should be spending no more than $500/500 on a Stratocaster. Weve seen various different passive and active sets of pickups and electronics, carved tops, different body and neck materials, different fingerboard radii and neck profiles all of which have helped to keep the Stratocaster relevant for the guitarists of today. You want ultra-traditional? Read the full Fender American Performer Stratocaster review. There's a great range of finishes available but the best news is the comfortable C shape neck and option of Indian Laurel or maple 9.5" radius fingerboard. We felt that, at times, the noiseless pickups sounded a bit too perfect, but its hard to criticize when something is just a bit too good. We guitar lovers know full well that there are few guitars more iconic than one of the best Stratocasters. Aside from that, this guitar represents the best if it's era with accurate Pure Vintage hardware and your classic Olympic White as one of three available nitrocellulose finishes. The neck and middle pickups are smooth and sophisticated and during testing we found that they interact delightfully with a bit of dirt too. Speaking of tones, the three single-coil pickups onboard are specially voiced for the man himself. In Mexico, Fenders more budget-friendly Stratocasters are created, and while they dont cost quite as much as their US-made counterparts, the quality of each instrument is impressive, and constantly improving. Watch Captain Beefheart Guitarist Jeff Cottons New Does It Work for You? Music Video, Want an affordable amp? By As youd expect from an $850 Strat, the hardware is solid, well made and reliable. Sitting in Squiers second tier of electric guitars above the super-budget Bullet series, the Affinity range offers a level of finish that you wouldnt usually see on a guitar under $250. Squiers Classic Vibe series is improving hugely every year, with some models now rivaling lower-end Mexican-made Strats in terms of build quality and value for money. That said, it does come fitted with a two-way switch that enables coil-split for some more traditional Strat tones. For a whiff over a grand you can have the iconic Strat, with all of the modernizing modifications youd want to make. Although the returns begin to diminish a little when looking at spending $1,500 on a Strat, wed still say that its worth spending as much as you comfortably can, as much as anything from an investment standpoint. Available is SSS and HSS pickup layouts, the Squier Affinity packs in a lot of Strat goodness for such a low price. The bones of the guitar are mostly identical to the Player series. The idea behind it was to have the ability to create a sonic palette almost akin to a keyboard or synth, and its used by Ed himself on some of the biggest stages around the world. Weve included some expert buying advice at the end of this guide, so if youd like to read more about the best Stratocasters and what to consider when buying one, then read on. As there are only two pickups, you do miss out on the classic positions 2 and 4 Strat tones, but if youre more into the heavier side of things, that probably wont matter too much. The extra attention to detail is worth it. The alder body/maple neck combination is one of legend, and with a maple fingerboard involved too? GuitarPlayer is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. stratocaster sunburst

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