new fender stratocaster 2022

Hearing Yourself Too Well Is Almost as Bad as Not Hearing Yourself Well Enough: Gretchen Menn Talks Stage Volume. One thing we would say is that if you can afford it, go for the next range up. If youre a true fan of Eric Johnson, though or just like a blend of vintage and modern specs, then you wont go far wrong with this Fender Stratocaster. The easy way to answer the question is this. The contoured poplar body plays host to a slim bolt-on maple neck with a tinted gloss finish for an aged vibe. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Looks and sound of a traditional Strat, on a budget, Affordable and highly versatile guitar with the Fender name on the headstock, 9.5 fingerboard radius is super comfortable, Cheapest made-in-Mexico model and costs nearly $1,000, Based on a classic, crafted for the modern player, 12 fingerboard radius is great for legato. Heres why you can trust us. Some may prefer the vintage spec un-modified version, One of the best Strats out there for heavy rock and metal, The best Stratocaster if you want a US-built guitar on a budget, Not everyone loves vintage bent steel saddles, A versatile signature Strat with a bunch of tricks up its sleeve, The slab body sets it apart from the Strat pack. 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. The Ultra is the guitar equivalent of a muscle car. This guitar isn't about recreating the past. Ed Mitchell Concerned about buying a Strat online without playing it first? Strats can often sound a little hollow, but the pickups on this guitar do quite the opposite. The contours and cavities are carved to late 50s spec, and with the tinted soft V profile neck and the 57 style bridge setup? You might already know this but the Fender Vintera guitars come in two formats: regular and modified. Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS, 11. The American Professional II range from Fender came as a bit of a surprise, as the not-too-old Professional series seemed to cover all the ground we couldve asked for. 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. Thankfully, we found during testing that they still offer up plenty of chances for players to find their own sound within this guitar. The neck profile is a gorgeous deep C which is a comfortable handful. 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. A wide range humbucker is also available in the bridge position - offering expansive, vast tones with some extra power. 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. Read the full Fender Player Plus Series Telecaster and Stratocaster review. The upshot of all this lack of output was tone, lots of sweet tone. Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. There's a bunch of these Player Strats on offer. Squier are now making guitars with aged hardware, Vince Clarke on sequencers: "the revolution in electronic music didnt happen with the DX7 or the Prophet-5 it happened with the sequencer", Epiphones new Power Players Les Paul and SG beginner guitars are hard to beat, See Slash audition for a teenage band in new commercial. An alder body and maple neck are standard, as is the case with the vast majority of Strats, and three single-coil pickups continue the traditional theme or not. A USA Stratocaster will always hold its value better than a Mexican-made equivalent. 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. We found playability to be enhanced with a pleasantly plump Modern C neck profile, 9.5" fingerboard radius, and 22 big ass frets. The output is higher than that of most Strat sets, making the Player series a highly versatile choice for anyone looking to get a little more from their guitar. The 1950s was full of artistic and creative innovation, but nothing has stood the test of time quite like the Fender Strat. What all these options have in common is a well sorted alder chassis and a slick, satin finish maple neck with a comfortable C profile and easy to navigate Pau Ferro or maple 9.5" radius fingerboard. The Yosemite single coils were specifically designed for this model. 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. 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. This signature Strat comes courtesy of one of musics most unassuming players. Contributions from The locking tuners will make all the difference when you take a dive. In the budget guitar sphere, a couple of hundred bucks can really make a difference. You get the standard three single coil loaded item as shown in the pretty picture above. Three vintage noiseless single-coils are mounted on this model, and although some noiseless pickups can cause an upset, these offer a thoroughly enjoyable vintage vibe that just sounds much cleaner than usual. Original spec gets you a Soft V profile neck, 21 vintage frets, a 7.25" radius fingerboard, '50s voiced pickups and an old school six point Synchronized vibrato. "Michael Jackson Was the Most Driven Individual Ive Ever Seen": Erick Walls Reflects on His Five Favorite Sessions, "Its the Basis for Everything I Do Because it Tells the Truth": How Joan Jett Combined Punk Toughness and Ear-Candy Pop Smarts on Bad Reputation, Best Guitar Amps Under $500 in 2022: Earth-Shattering Tones That Wont Break The Bank. This Squier guitar is built way better than many of its original '70s American ancestors. While it sits a fair way down the Stratocaster family tree, this thing screams traditional Strat whether its the looks, the chunky headstock or the sound it produces thanks to the three standard Strat single-coil pickups. It doesnt always have to be one or the other with the Stratocaster you can have the guitar of your dreams if youre willing to search for it. If you know the work of Eric Johnson, you wont be surprised to find out that not just any Strat will do for him. 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. Some options, like the H.E.R signature Strat for instance, have vintage-spec hardware, but are also equipped with modern features like noiseless pickups. 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. If having the big F on your headstock is a must, then the Player series is where youll start. The Player Plus series takes that to the next level. 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. Love the Fender Stratocaster? 21 narrow tall frets on a maple neck and maple fingerboard help to ignite that 50s charm, along with the finishes available and while the fingerboard radius is a more modern 9.5, we found the CV 50s to be more playable than budget guitars with more old-school radii. With its two hot humbuckers, its better suited to heavier styles of music than its single-coil equipped counterpart. The latter guitar also has the S-1 switch for expanded tonal range. 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. The vast majority of Squier and Fender Stratocasters are divided into either vintage or modern inspired, so figuring out what you like and what you dont like can help you narrow down your selection massively. Necks tended to be thicker in the 50s, and got thinner in the 60s. (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. They still produce a pretty traditional Strat-esque tone, but with some extra refinements. Most offer between 30-45 days to return an item, as long as its in original condition. Iconic tone, effortless to play or a bit too good? Although the vast majority of Strats sing from the same design hymn sheet, there can be huge variation in spec, feel, sound and playing experience. As also featured on the standard Ultra Strat, the Ultra Luxe comes with a set of three Ultra noiseless vintage Strat single-coils. Bath However, if youre looking for a more contemporary sound, fear not - there are Strats out there that have you covered too. Think about the style of music youll use it to play mostly. This can all be adjusted with action tweaks and playing style though. Weve looked at all the options - vintage and modern alike, as well as signature models from some of the biggest players in the world, and covering all budgets. If youre on a sub $500 budget, then Squier is the way to go, and if you can spend more, then go for a Fender. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. A lot of thought has gone into the pickup selection, the hardware, and the playability. Yields get a tad more warmth from the Indian Laurel timber. The model is just as popular today as it ever was, so here we take a look at the best Stratocasters out there right now. As youd expect from an $850 Strat, the hardware is solid, well made and reliable. 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. Although the 9.5" fingerboard radius isn't quite period correct, we felt that the improved playability from the flatter radius made things a little more comfortable. Fender has also made Stratocasters in Japan since late 1981, which are largely considered to be on par with many high-end Mexican and lower-spec US-made models. 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. Another big question to ask yourself is whether your playing (or physical) style suits a vintage set of specs over a modern set, or vice versa. 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. Need more eye candy? Which one's for you? Whether youre a beginner or a pro, this guide to the best Stratocasters will be sure to help you find the one thats right for you. 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. Finally, there's the double locking Floyd Rose vibrato and HSS pickup spec model. The thing is absolutely bursting with features including the Greasebucket tone circuit that allows you to dial out the treble without causing muddiness or losing gain. It does get a little more nuanced however, when you start looking into the specs of guitars. While the skill of each luthier may be equivalent for all of Fenders factories, the materials used in California are what makes each USA Strat such an impressive instrument. They wanted something different to the fairly bulky, heavy Telecaster with two pickups. The Squier Classic Vibe range is your friend. GuitarPlayer is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Check out our favorite Fender and Squier models of this iconic double-cut. You can have that too. The main upgrade on this model against the previous is the introduction of Fenders V-Mod II pickups. The guitars fingerboard has a huge impact on how it looks, but it also imparts a little tonal flavour too - maple tends to be a little brighter than rosewood, or pau ferro as is often found at the more budget end of things. By The tremolo, while not the most smooth, does a stellar job considering the cost. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Or is it? Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. If the Player series wasnt quite enough modernism to suit you, then youll be thankful for the Player Plus range of Stratocasters. A 12 radius and medium jumbo frets adorn this EJ model, and while were not surprised that one of the masters of legato playing prefers a flatter fingerboard, it really wasnt our thing. 'F@&k you, I won't do what you tell me!' The American Original 60s Stratocaster feels like a time capsule guitar. This edit to the traditional design makes the Player Plus series great for the modern guitarist. The Ultra Luxe has a few features that set it apart from the rest and its these features we liked the most. After the introduction of the Fender Esquire in 1950, which then evolved into the Telecaster, guitar players started wanting a little more. The 50s specs finally end when we get to the fingerboard. Squiers Classic Vibe series has always been regarded as great and affordable range of instruments, and thankfully thats still the case. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). There are all sorts of differences between the various models on the market at the moment, including the price, so weve listed the guitars in order from the least to the most expensive. Trust us. The constant regeneration and refinement to the Stratocaster has meant we now have guitars on the market with all of the best bits, and none of the worst and whos going to complain about that? Well, Sherlock they're grey on the bottom. 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? If youre looking to buy one of the best Stratocasters on a budget, then wed have to say that the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster 50s is your best bet. (Bridge Pickup), Five-Way Pickup Selector Switch, Nickel/Chrome 2-Point Synchronized Vibrato With Vintage Style Stamped Steel Saddles, Vintage Style Locking Tuners, 3x Fender Noiseless single-coil sized humbuckers on SSS models, HSS models have 1x Wide Range humbucker, 5-position blade switch and push/pull knob, Nickel/chrome-plated 2-point vibrato (with steel baseplate and die-cast block) and steel block saddles, F logo rear lock tuners, Opal Spark, 3-Colour Sunburst, Olympic Pearl, Aged Candy Apple Red and Tequila Sunrise, Master Volume, Master TBX Tone, Three-Way Pickup Selector Switch, 2-Way Mini Toggle (Engages Single-Coil Mode), Black 2-Point Synchronized Vibrato With Block Saddles, Gotoh Sealed Tuners, Maple With Satin Urethane Finish, Bolt-On, Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2 With Greasebucket Circuit (Bridge Pickup), Five-Way Pickup Selector Switch, Nickel/Chrome Vintage Style Synchronized Vibrato, Classic Gear Tuners, Arctic White, Honey Burst (With Rosewood Fingerboard); Penny, Satin Lake Placid Blue (With Maple Fingerboard), Seymour Duncan JB Jr (Bridge), Custom Shop Texas Special Single-Coil Strat (Middle), Sustainer Driver (Neck), Master Volume, Master Tone, Intensity Control, Active Sustainer On/Off Switch, Fundamental/Harmonic/Blend Switch For Sustainer, Nickel/Chrome 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Trem, Vintage-Style Tuners, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Strat Humbucker (bridge), Fender Vintage Noiseless Single Coil (Neck/Middle), Master Volume (Neck Pickup), Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. For those with more cash to splash, wed recommend the Fender Ultra Luxe Stratocaster (opens in new tab). (Bridge/Middle Pickups), Nickel/Chrome Pure Vintage Synchronized Vibrato, Pure Vintage Single Line Fender Deluxe Tuners, Shell Pink, Olympic White, 3-Colour Sunburst, 7. Its based on a 1964 Strat, as the Fender logo on the headstock suggests, but its been crafted for the modern guitarist. For those that like the look and feel of an old guitar, a few Vintera models are now available in a Road Worn finish. Since it was revealed in 1954, the Strat has undergone many changes. That said, it does come fitted with a two-way switch that enables coil-split for some more traditional Strat tones. MusicRadar is supported by its audience. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, It's true. Yeah, its kind of expensive, but its essentially a Strat with all the best vintage bits, and none of the features you wont enjoy. The hardware is vintage-inspired too, but the more modern 9.5 fingerboard radius enables straightforward playing with no issue. You'll find a repro set of '65 Gray Bottoms on the Fender American Original 60s Stratocaster, and, during testing, we felt that the wood of this guitar really came through when using these pups. Finding the best Stratocaster for you will be just as much about how it feels, as well as how it sounds. Fenders American Original 60s Strat is a fairly new addition to the Stratocaster family but what it lacks in pedigree it makes up for in well pedigree. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. The alder body/maple neck combination is one of legend, and with a maple fingerboard involved too? The Performer is the most affordable USA built Fender Stratocaster you can buy. Whilst the EOB performs incredibly well as a regular Strat, its capable of creating sounds that you simply wouldnt be able to on most other guitars. Fair enough, but you might be missing out on a great guitar. The Player Plus Top comes enhanced with a maple veneer top and the choice of a SSS and HSS pickup format. We were able to play the augmented D profile neck and compound 10-14 radius fingerboard happily for hours on end, and its the sheer comfort of this guitar which sets it apart from the others. Were talking locking tuners, super impressive gradient finishes, push/pull tone controls, along with a 12 fingerboard radius and rolled fret edges. H.E.R is best known for her Grammy-winning performances stunning crowds with her smooth, soulful R&B. A beginner should be spending no more than $500/500 on a Stratocaster. 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. During our testing we found they do exactly what we expected, rounding off the harsh top-end that is well known to plague most Strats. Although the body shape has stayed exactly the same, Fender has re-engineered the Stratocaster on a few occasions since its introduction in 1954. 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. There was a problem. 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. Note: there's a HSS version in the catalogue with Fender's Double Tap humbucker in the bridge position. At this price point, youve got the American Professional II Strat staring you in the face, as well as a fair few artist models including the featured Eric Johnson Maple Strat. Fender doesnt just make its budget Strats in the far east. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There are a few factors you should consider when looking to buy one of the best Stratocasters. During testing, we found that the 9.5" to 14" (241mm to 355.6mm) compound fingerboard radius made for easy chord fretting over the first few frets, and a super low, choke-free action beyond the twelfth fret. 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. Get the latest news, reviews and product advice straight to your inbox. 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.

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