Do you know what Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Dave Murray, The Edge, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Landau, Eric Johnson and Buddy Guy all have in common? The Fender Stratocaster.
Being the most popular electric guitar ever, there is no doubt you have heard and seen one at some point. The Stratocaster has the beauty of a racehorse yet is as solid as a mule. It has everything you require, which is uncommon in anything. It is defined by its iconic, ergonomic shape and wide range of tones, from bright and brittle to dark and smooth.
So, if you’re on the hunt for the right Stratocaster, you have come to the right place. The following guidelines list the best Fender Stratocaster series, so you will have no difficulties finding the one that best suits your musical aspirations.
Fender Player Plus Series
You can never go wrong with the modern and durable Fender Player Plus Stratocaster if you’re just starting out. However, when shopping there is no such thing as the perfect Stratocaster. One set of ears may not enjoy something that another set does. What one guitarist adores about a given guitar could be a deal-breaker for another. Because of this, every Fender Plus is special and distinctive.
The Player Plus Series includes a Stratocaster, an HSS Strat, a Telecaster, a super-versatile Nashville Telecaster, an Active Precision Bass, and four- and five-string Jazz Bass models. These feature a variety of new finishes and pro-quality updates like Noiseless pickups and rolled fingerboard edges.
You will notice them as soon as you enter your local guitar shop as some of these Fender Player Plus finish options are rather unique. There are new metallic Cosmic Jade and Opal Spark finishes, as well as Tequila Sunrise, Belair Blue, and Silver Smoke, all of which feature a new gradient burst appearance.
The altered 12″ radius and increased nut width (42.8mm) on said board give these models a brand-new vibe, at least for the company and for those whose tastes have always leaned toward the vintage, while details like the rolled fingerboard edges are nice.
With the same F-branded rear-locking tuners, an upgrade from the Player Series, and steel saddle bridges, it makes sense that these guitars share some genetic traits. While the Strat has a 2-point vibrato with a steel baseplate and die-cast block, the Fender Player Plus Telecaster has a six-saddle block construction.
Moreover, the Fender Player Plus Stratocaster and Telecaster series also have a few tricks up their sleeve. With a control circuit that has a push-pull function to connect the Telecaster’s pickups in series and the case of the Strat, you can combine the neck pickup with the bridge pickup, add the neck to the bridge and middle mix position (position 2 on your five-way blade selector), for a total of seven core sounds.
Even though The Player Plus Series may not be a revolutionary makeover, it does have a wider range of tones and a fresh look and feel. After all, it seems like Fender has succeeded in strengthening its position in the fiercely competitive market for the serious amateur/working pro instrument with this series.
Fender Vintera Stratocasters
The first three decades of the Fender Strat’s history are the inspiration for Vintera guitars. They have stylish retro fittings, finishes, hardware, and pickups, so to speak. The frets are tall and slender, the single coils have a lesser output, and the necks are thicker.
Due to their smooth tone and wide frequency range, they are the ideal choice for genres including classic rock, country, folk, and pop. The choice is entirely up to you in terms of playability. Choose from a variety of ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, or customized specs. Do you like a thick, ’50s-style U shape neck or the later, more modern, slimmer version? Then explore the stylish and incredibly hip Vintera line.
Fender Pro II Stratocasters
The American-made guitars’ hearts and souls are captured in the Professional II Stratocaster. These are a modern take on the traditional design from the 1950s, housing modern technology and contoured just slightly differently to enhance the playing experience as a whole. No clumsy playability, just the full old vibe.
Whether in the bridge, middle, or neck locations, each pickup is specially voiced for that position. The Alnico V-Mod II single coils were created by pickup master Tim Shaw to produce strong, nuanced tones and sound extremely sparkling at all volumes thanks to the treble-bleed circuit. The deep C-shaped neck with its tall, narrow frets has become the new standard for most contemporary Fender Strats. The sleek feel of a modern guitar gives off a bit of nostalgic flair.
Fender Ultra Stratocasters
The best production guitars that Fender produces are American Ultra Strats. The Californian company elevates things with logical upgrades to the previous American Elite line. The rolled fretboard edges, contoured neck heel, and most recent noiseless pickups demonstrate once more why Fender is at the top of its game.
A compound fingerboard with a 9.5 to 14-inch radius has been installed on the exquisitely constructed modern ‘C’ neck for more comfortable rhythm fretting and better control during leads. Its pickups have been modified to produce a midrange tone that is softer and sharper in the highs. Additionally, you won’t hear any additional hum thanks to cutting-edge noiseless technology.
Fender Squier Mini Stratocasters
So, if you look for a cool mini electric guitar for your little rock star, then the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster is the real deal! It crams into a smaller body the classic look and sound of a full-sized Stratocaster.
The slim, light Mini Strat is perfect for kids and players with smaller hands because it won’t make them feel uncomfortable or heavy even after intense practice sessions. The Mini Strat’s small C-shaped neck and 9.5″ fingerboard radius make it simpler for kids to manoeuvre the fretboard, whether they’re strumming introductory chords or working on scales. Also, little lefties can more easily adjust to their style thanks to the Mini Stratocaster’s left-hand model.
