Choosing the perfect guitar to start playing can be a right of passage. Is the famed Fender Stratocaster a good guitar for beginners? Although it always depends on the player, there’s an excellent reason this style is so well known. The designers, Leo Fender, Freddie Tavere, and George Fullerton, put a lot of work into these incredible instruments. It wasn’t a simple process. The inventors went through multiple iterations trying to create the best sound and look, and it paid off in the end. The Fender Strat is universally known. Some of the best guitarists in history have proudly played a Stratocaster. Moreover, they are often imitated because the design was such a success. I’ll teach you a little about the history and give new players some suggestions on choosing your first Fender Stratocaster.
Is a Fender Stratocaster a good guitar for beginners? A Fender Stratocaster is a very good guitar for beginners. Although you may think that grabbing a cheap knockoff for your first axe is a good move, it’s not. Better quality instruments produce a richer sound. You should always start as you plan to go on and get the best guitar you can afford if you want to play well.
Is a Fender Stratocaster Worth It
A Fender Stratocaster is more than just a good guitar for beginners. These superb instruments are well-engineered and produce beautiful music. Additionally, a well-cared-for Fender Strat retains almost all of its original value. Depending on the model, yours may be worth more than you paid for it someday.
Although few musicians ever achieve fame, a musician with a Fender Stratocaster who gets famous will also increase their particular guitar’s value. That’s a great reason to keep practicing and shoot for your dreams. Plus, those who don’t achieve star status will still have outstanding instruments for decades to come.
An American-made Standard Stratocaster is special on its own. Leo Fender, Freddie Tavere, and George Fullerton’s efforts were not in vain, and the end product, the Fender Stratocaster, is an icon in the music industry because of its high-quality design and musical prowess.
If you dream of playing a Fender Strat for packed coliseums or merely want to start your music education right, then this is the instrument for you. There are few guitars that I can say unequivocally are always worth it, but FS is one of those.
A Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Stratocaster is perfect for that old-school look even when you’re a brand new player. This natural maple wood guitar has a vintage-tinted gloss neck finish and nickel-plated hardware. You’ll love the sound quality of this impressive re-imagined 1970’s inspired axe. To have Amazon deliver to your door, click here.
Should a Beginner Buy An Expensive Guitar
It is normal to hesitate over larger purchases. Undoubtedly you could pick up a generic guitar at some thrift shop for a few bucks, but it almost certainly won’t have the quality any musician deserves. Furthermore, when you start to play, using the best quality equipment you can afford is a smart decision.
You may not be ready to buy one of the worlds’ most well-known guitars, played by a true master, but a standard Fender Stratocaster is a great way to kick off your musical career. Unfortunately, many new musicians are worried that it’s too much instrument to handle. The truth is that getting a quality instrument will help you learn rather than hindering your progress. Choosing an FS as your first guitar is a decision you will be happy you made. Once you’ve played the best, sub-par guitars, just don’t stack up.
What Makes a Stratocaster a Stratocaster
Whichever Stratocaster you choose, some things make this incredible instrument different from every other guitar out there. More than just the world-renown of the name, Fender Stratocasters are great for beginners and pros alike because of how it’s designed. Leo Fender set out to make the perfect guitar, and he went through many different versions before finally settling on the one that would become an icon.
Spinditty describes it well, “The classic Strat design is the alder body, one-piece maple neck, three single-coil pickups, and synchronized tremolo system. However, there are many stock variations you can look to if you want something a bit off the beaten path. The rosewood fingerboard is one option, of course. There are guitars with a humbucker in the bridge position and two single-coils, those with a pair of humbuckers and a single between them, and those with only two humbuckers. You can get a Strat with a Floyd Rose tremolo or an ash body.”
One of the best ‘features’ of a Stratocaster is the numerous options. This is truly a versatile instrument. The classic shape and design are fantastic, exactly as they are from the factory. However, you can change out parts quickly. Upgrading at will isn’t something every guitar can offer.
As you learn and play, you will develop your own style and preferences. Naturally, this will lead to a unique perspective on what makes the best guitar. With a Fender Stratocaster, you can make modifications and upgrade the parts to suit your needs and make your dream guitar a reality.
A gorgeous Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster from Amazon looks great and plays better. You get ten color choices to match your aesthetic. Moreover, you get the strap, gig bag, picks, and more. Everything you need to plug into your favorite amp and start playing is included. Made from maple and rosewood, you’ll appreciate the clear tone and your Austin Bazaar instructional DVD. Best of all, you get a free trial of Fender Play with this model. To learn more, click here.
Best Fender Stratocaster for Beginners
There are so many variations on the classic Fender Stratocaster. Merely choosing one can be a big decision. Fortunately, all Fender Stratocasters are good guitars for beginners. However, some make exquisite instruments for players who are getting started.
The Squier line Fender Stratocasters are excellent for beginners. Many of these guitars come new with gig bags, picks, straps, and more. Plus, it’s a cost-efficient line that doesn’t sacrifice any of the qualities that make FS the best. The Squiers are versatile and varied, just like other Fender Strats, and starting with any one of them will get a new musician off on the right track.
I recommend a Squier by Fender Bullet Stratocaster Beginner Hard Tail for any aspiring musician. Made from popular maple and redwood, this beautiful guitar is a great starter piece that you’ll still be proud to play years from now. The hardtail bridge is engineered for enhanced tuning stability and sustain. Plus, you get a classically comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile for easier hold. You’ll wear your hands out as you practice anyhow, but the shaped neck will make things a little easier. Read the outstanding Amazon reviews right here.
Are Mexican Fender Strats Any Good
Mexican-made Fender Strats are a mixed bag. There are both advantages and disadvantages to choosing a non-US-made Fender Stratocaster, but they are still good guitars for beginners. On the one hand, the Mexican models lose their value once they’re purchased. In fact, they only retain about sixty-five percent of the original value, even if you keep them in perfect condition. That’s not great if you plan to sell your first guitar later when you upgrade.
On the other hand, a Mexican Fender Strat is more economical. Plus, there are a huge number of guitar players in Mexico. While the American factory is less likely to have an actual guitar player make your instrument, in Mexico, it is almost statistically impossible for it to go through production without one or two musicians working on it.
Many players insist that the MIM (Mexican) Fender Strats don’t sound as good. I would argue that the tonal difference has to do with the woods available in Mexico versus the US, and any guitar will sound better as it ages and you upgrade both the instrument and your skills. It’s worth testing one out if you find it in a shop, but grab an MIA (Made in America) FS for your first guitar.
Final Thoughts
Guitar Crash Course: Stratocaster Basics | Fender Play LIVE | Fender – YouTube
If you’re googling a Fender Stratocaster and don’t know whether it’s a good starter guitar, pull the trigger. You will not regret picking up a superb instrument once you start playing. Anyone can have the knockoff, so-so experience, but a Fender Stratocaster is a part of guitar history. This is the stuff legends are made of, and you deserve a good guitar.
As you learn more about playing and have the chance to try out other guitars, you’ll start to really hear the difference. Although there are other great guitars, most generics aren’t worth it in the end. However, a Fender Stratocaster is always a worthy choice. Whether you become a famous professional guitarist or not, you’ll still love playing a high-quality guitar.
Fender Stratocasters come in so many colors and variations, it’s easy to find one that will suit your needs and style. The best Fenders are practically priceless, and it’s the design, plus the player that gives them so much value.