I personally think the ES335 is a large body, and quite a departure for a Strat guy. For a lot of guitarists, the Fender MIM Player Telecaster and Stratocaster are more practical from a cost perspective. The necks of the Strat and Tele are both Fender’s “Deep C Shape”, and both are made of maple with the option for either a one-piece all-maple neck or a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The Stratocaster and Telecaster at a Glance Before you start arguing that some Teles have Bigsbys or extra pickups or that some Strats have hardtail bridges, keep in mind that the table above shows the high-level comparison between the current Fender American Standard offerings for both models. A longer scale length results in more space between the frets and greater string tension making it a little more challenging to play for smaller hands. Telecasters, on the other hand, are known for rock and blues but regarded among the best electric guitars for country music. Thread Status: Not open for further replies. It's a seamless transition that allows kids to learn on a Loog and then play any guitar. Understanding the Stratocaster Selector Switch. a Tele Vs a Strat, both amazing guitars but.. which is your favourite!.. READ MORE: What Is Fingerboard Radius? Be sure to check out Fender's website for the latest information on their gear. Guitar Gopher (author) on November 09, 2014: Thanks Matt! Question: Is a hardtail Stratocaster considered a "real" Strat and is the sound different? Remember that the guitars compared above are the basic American Professional versions. The Stratocaster bridge is attached to springs that connect with the body of the guitar and allow the player to increase or decrease tension on the strings, creating a vibrato effect. Most experienced players will tell you, even though the two guitars might look similar on paper, the feel and sound of a Stratocaster versus a Telecaster are very different. The Strat ships with Fender Dura-Tone 860CL coated phosphor bronze (0.011 to 0.052) acoustic strings and we restrung ours with Elixir Nanoweb-coated phosphor bronze Custom Lights of the same gauge; both sets use a wound third string. 5. The body joins the neck in exactly the same place on both guitars. READ MORE: Ash vs. Alder: What's the Diff? If you don’t know much about either, how do you decide? When it comes to sound, the Thinlineis noticeably warmer and rounder compared to the usual bright and twangy solid body version. Our interactive gear guide, FindYour.Fender.com, matches you with the perfect model by learning about your sound & style. The shapes of the guitar bodies are different, and due to the shape of the upper horn perhaps the Stratocaster allows a little more access to the higher registers, but the difference is minimal and probably doesn’t affect most players. Though string tension is greater, due to their additio… The final word on Stratocaster vs. Telecaster. The Strat has a double cutaway design, whereas the Tele has a single cutaway. • For example: Start with a classic – like the full-bodied Mahogany Dreadnought in Position 5A – and hear the harmonic complexities as it shifts into a tone that recalls a slotted headstock, short-scale Rosewood Concert model in Position 5B. Both guitars feature 22 narrow-tall frets, the same 25.5” scale, and the same 1.685" nut width and the same 9.5" fretboard radius. Amazingly, traditional versions of the Stratocaster and Telecaster have gone largely unchanged for more than 60 years, and their popularity shows no signs of waning. Then there’s the pickup switch, which again is a little different between the two guitars. Go out and play guitars and decide for yourself what you like. 3. Stratocasters might be more known for rock and blues. I saw that guitar as something only country guys played, and at the time that was largely true. Both bridges have six adjustable saddles, but where the Tele bridge is one piece that extends beneath the bridge pickup, the Strat bridge is a smaller 2-point tremolo system. For those looking to purchase a first Fender or Squier Tele or Strat, there are a few differences that could help you choose between this iconic pair. I own both guitars - I have a 2007 Strat and a 2014 Telecaster - both American Standard models. Here a wooden block is installed in the spring cavity, again preventing the tremolo from moving. The 5-way Strat pickup selector is easier to use because it's smaller and angled towards the player. In addition to its sleek contours that make it eternally comfortable to play, the Strat has another cutout on the upper horn for better access to the upper notes. The Stratocaster has three V-Mod single-coil Strat pickups, where the Telecaster has a pair of V-Mode Tele pickups. Ash, mahogany and other tonewoods have also been used. Here are a few things to consider if you are trying to decide between these two great guitars. As for the body silhouettes, both are instantly recognizable. Both have six adjustable saddles (vintage Teles had three saddles), but the Telecaster’s houses the bridge pickup, while the Strat bridge is a two-point tremolo system. Twang-loving country legends like Luther Perkins and Buck Owens helped bring the Telecaster sound to the masses, influencing rock players like Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and George Harrison who would, in turn, change the face of music in the 1960s and beyond. Didn't want to modify the totally stock condition of my US Strat by putting in a different humbucker and wiring it to split with the middle pickup. Strat sound vs. Tele sound Discussion in 'Telecaster Discussion Forum' started by Turtletwang, Oct 30, 2006. Dec 9, 2011 #10 I feel like the difference in tone is the materials the pickup hangs on. By contrast, the Stratocaster has dedicated tone knobs for the middle and bridge pickups, allowing users to tweak their tone a little. Both guitars come with single-coil pickups specifically designed to get the most out of their sound. ), READ MORE: Understanding the Stratocaster Selector Switch Both guitars have master volume controls, but where the Telecaster has only one tone control, the Strat has one tone knob dedicated to the middle pickup, and one to the bridge pickup. Both the modern Telecaster and Stratocaster bolt-on necks largely feature 22 frets and a 25.5” scale, with identical nut width and 9.5” fretboard radius. This, combined with the aforementioned 5-way versus 3-way switching makes the Stratocaster a little more versatile when it comes to the array of available sounds. Controls: The Telecaster features two controls – a master volume and a master tone control and a three-position pickup selector switch, while the Stratocaster features a master volume and two tone controls, one for the neck pickup and one for the middle and bridge pickups. In terms of acoustic emulations, it will take a little bit of time to get used to the new sound. So how does the semi-hollow version impact on tone? This makes the Stratocaster a bit tougher to keep in tune, but a good setup goes a long way toward maintaining the tuning stability of either guitar. It's just not true. The Stratocaster also has body contours making it a little more comfortable to play. 4. This, combined with the aforementioned 5-way versus 3-way switching makes the Stratocaster a little more versatile when it comes to the array of available sounds. Some players feel it adds a little depth and resonance to their sound. Don’t let stereotypes make your decision for you. The Strat bridge is attached to springs that allow the player to raise or lower the pitch of the strings through the use of a “whammy bar.". Stratocaster: Telecaster: Body: Strat has a sleeker, rounded double-cutaway design that makes the accessing of the higher frets much easier. Of course that's just my opinion, based on my playing style. As for a semi to try, I like the Gibby ES137 ...or a myriad of the Epi offerings. Some guitarists believe a heavier headstock allows for greater sustain and better tone. Fender is among the best guitar companies in the world. the Telecaster does not have contours and is essentially a slab of wood - which a lot of players prefer. But I have had many Strats and many Teles. A Tele can mimic a big-bodied jazz guitar, a country pedal steel, and a Les Paul. One of the most notable differences between the Strat and Tele, is the bridge type. Ding Ding Ding its the battle of the titans! Messages 8,976. I grabbed a refinished '66 Jag a couple of years back - I thought it would be nice to have a real 60s Fender, but I couldn't afford a Strat or Tele. A great Stratocaster will pump out what guitar connoisseurs describe as "glassy" tones. (Fender also makes Stratocaster and Telecaster models with humbucking pickup options. As you might guess, red alder is the one used for guitars in general — and Fender guitars in particular. A big difference between the Stratocaster and the Les Paul is their scale length—the length of the strings measured from the nut to the bridge. You may notice a slight increase in sustain and resonance with a hardtail, where a Strat with a tremolo will sound a little tighter. ... American Standard Strat and Tele are presented, discussed and, most importantly, played so that you can hear what they sound like for yourself. To control those electronics, both guitars have a master volume control, while the Telecaster has one tone control. And oftentimes, players sit somewhere in between. READ MORE: Decoding Standard Pickup Arrangements. Can't beat that jangle and good for slide too (ask Joe Walsh). 2. To seasoned players, the Les Paul and Strat are like apples and oranges, polar opposites in terms of look, feel and sound. Clarity of sound is consistently better with the Telecaster. Many believe that a … Mar 10, 2011 #12 Slimjw, you are now my new best friend. Guitar Gopher is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of experience as a musician. With all of the different models and options it can be confusing, and hopefully, this article will help you better sort out the differences between the two guitars. If you really want a Strat to sound like a Tele, get a singlecoil bridge pup with a Tele-style baseplate. READ MORE: How the Strat Came to Have Two Heads. If you intend to try it and aren’t experienced with guitar setup and repair you’ll want to leave this job to a guitar tech. The Stratocaster has a larger headstock. The Telecaster vs Stratocaster battle comes down to where you are as a player and where you intend to go. It's not so much where the body joins the neck, but the shape of the body itself. The Telecaster vs Stratocaster battle comes down to where you are as a player and where you intend to go. Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways. Beginners would do well to start out with the Telecaster . Loved your article by the way but I would choose a Tele every time. Here again, the Stratocaster offers a little more flexibility when it comes to tone. Fender PlayStep-by-step lessons. Controls: The Telecaster features two controls – a master volume and a master tone control and a three-position pickup selector switch, while the Stratocaster features a master volume and two tone controls, one for the neck pickup and one for the middle and bridge pickups. Strat pickups should sound warm and woody with a hint of 'plink', like flicking the rim of a wine glass with your fingernail. Telecaster wiring has always had tone control for the rear pickup. Back in my teens, I wouldn't think of even touching a Telecaster. This has an impact on both sound and playability. Both guitars have master volume controls, but where the Telecaster has only one tone control, the Strat has one tone knob dedicated to the middle pickup, and one to the bridge pickup. Introduced in 1954, the guitar piqued curiosity when Buddy Holly played one on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1957, but truly gained global acclaim in the hands of 1960s virtuosos like Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Robin Trower and Eric Clapton. The Thinlinestill recreates the classic chime and twang only now a slightly more hollow and rounder variation of the classic Tele sound. The bridge is probably the most glaring distinction here. Stratocaster: Telecaster: Body: Strat has a sleeker, rounded double-cutaway design that makes the accessing of the higher frets much easier. harpinon Member. Both guitars are fairly simple under the hood, sticking to the basic blueprint outlined by Fender so many years ago. 2. Stratocaster Electronics vs. Telecaster Electronics. Both are loved by players in almost every imaginable genre of music, and both have been endorsed by numerous icons of the guitar world. Tele wins here. The Strat’s bridge allows you to use a tremolo arm to add a vibrato effect to your playing, without using an effects pedal. They each have a master volume control, but where the Tele only has one tone control, the Strat has dedicated tone knobs for the middle and bridge pickups. Both guitars have a rich history and countless devotees, but the feel and sound can differ greatly. 6. A demonstration of the fender Telecaster and Stratocaster, this video is part One and the clean tones going through a Vox AC15. The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele / ˈ t ɛ l i /, is the world's first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music. Jet Age Eric Member. ... American Standard Strat and Tele are presented, discussed and, most importantly, played so that you can hear what they sound like for yourself. The switching, however, is another story. Some players feel that a blocked or decked tremolo results in better tuning stability, as well as the aforementioned improved sustain and resonance. Here is a basic guide between the two. Since it grows from Southeast Alaska to Central California and almost always within 125 miles of the Pacific Coast, a plentiful and affordable supply existed practically in … These play great and sound like they should. Note that both the Strat and Tele come in versions equipped with humbucking pickups. telecaster vs stratocaster versatility This means the Strat has more options and more available tones when it comes to switching between pickups, and employing different pickup configurations. Overall I think the difference is minimal, but some players swear by one or the other. This is why finger placement and everything you learn on a Loog can be applied on a 6-string guitar too. Because of the three-pickup setup and five-way switch, many consider the Stratocaster’s sound to be slightly more versatile than Telecaster guitars — but keep in mind that many top-tier guitarists still use the Strat for country and the Telecaster for rock. Throughout the ages, guitarists have gravitated towards either the Strat or the Tele. The Telecaster has always carried a three-way switch, but after guitarists found that they could get more tonal versatility by jamming the Strat’s original three-way switch in between the first and second position and second and third position, Fender outfitted it with a standard five-way selector. The Telecaster has a pleasing neck, with high quality neck-only tones. Stratocaster vs Telecaster. Neither the Telecaster or the Stratocaster are primarily designed for metal and hard rock, but the Tele is usually a better choice. You make a great point, but you left out the rest of my sentence in the quote: "...but the difference is minimal and probably doesn’t affect most players." When comparing the Mim (made in Mexico) versions, to similar guitars in its price range such as the PRS, Schecter, ESP or Jackson, it’s more than comparable in sound … Both guitars are beloved by casual players and iconic artists alike around the world and have been used to create just about every genre of music imagineable. The Telecaster and the Stratocaster — two instruments that set the standard for electric guitars since their inception in the 1950s. The Telecaster and Stratocaster have very distinct body shapes. Didn't get any Strat character out of positions 1 or 2. From its Squier line of guitars to custom shop models for pros, they build a Strat or Tele for every level of player. What’s more, it is mounted on the Tele’s metal bridge plate, which can give it a more powerful tone. The Stratocaster has a flatter sound. They're not a one-trick pony, but neither do they sound like a Tele or a Strat. Both guitars have been used successfully in every genre imaginable. Jeez, to think that this would have cost more than a Strat or Tele when new is just unbelievable. Telecaster and Stratocaster bodies are mostly constructed from alder — a lightweight, closed-pore wood with a resonant, balanced tone that imparts excellent sustain and sharp attack. The Stratocaster is a harder rock version. Messages 7,671. Les Paul vs Stratocaster vs Telecaster: The Ultimate Electric Guitar Comparison. If you decide you like the feel of a Telecaster but prefer the sound of a Strat, no doubt with minimal searching you can track down a Fender with pickups and specs more to your liking. The Strat has two tone controls, where the Tele only has one. Again, I think it’s minimal, but I suggest you try out both types of Stratocasters and decide for yourself. But the Stratocaster has a noticeably larger headstock, whether the original iteration or the bulky one that was used from 1965-81. Strings & String Height- some players put this at the very top of the list. For me, I've always felt like shape of the body of the bass-side made the Tele a little clumsier when fretting the highest notes. February 13, 2021. Telecaster has one piece that extends right below the bridge pickup, whereas the Stratocaster bridge that has a two-point tremolo system. Since modern Fender Strats have 9.5-inch radius fingerboards and vintage spec is 7.25 inches, the unwound strings must be set higher for optimum Strat tone than they might be on guitars with a flatter fingerboard radius. The Stratocaster and Telecaster are legendary Fender guitars, and two of the most popular instruments in the music industry. Telecaster is much more versatile, whereas Stratocaster offers a broader palette of tones. When it comes to the Stratocaster and the Telecaster, no matter which is their favorite many players simply prefer to have a few of each! Telecaster is easier to play and tune, whereas Stratocaster is more comfortable to hold. Can't decide between a Strat or a Tele? Perhaps try another Strat, but if yours is good, no reason that it being a mexi makes it any less worthy. This is my take on the rather old argument of Stratocaster vs. Telecaster and which I personally think is the better guitar. Strat wins here. Some guitarists claim that the larger Strat headstock gives the guitar more sustain and tone, but that debate has raged for years. The Strat gives the visual ILLUSION of a deeper cutaway because of its extended upper horn. This is the kind of discussion that can cause massive arguments in guitar forums, but the truth is most players probably won’t notice a difference. But the Tele does not have this option. Stratocasters and Telecasters are both great guitars, but if you're like most guitarists you’ll eventually find yourself gravitating to one or the other. At Winter NAMM 2020, Fender introduced a new American Stratocaster variant to its recently launched Acoustasonic series following the Telecaster model (announced at NAMM 2019).Both of the models feature the same wood, finish, pickups, strings, neck shape and more. Literally. Many players choose only to upgrade one or two of the pickups in a Fender Standard model which is also an option for any Squier. The Strat has a 5-way pickup selector switch, where the Tele has a 3-way. Fender really does offer a ton of different options for both guitars. Maybe you read all of the above and you’re still confused. Fender Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS) Looking for a beginner guitar? The Telecaster typically has two single-coil pickups, with the bridge pickup being wider and longer than its Strat counterpart. The “Beer Gut” contour on the back and chamber in the front makes it easier to rest the hands in front and the guitar on the stomach more comfortably, thus, being more convenient to play for long hours. 3. You’ll be well on your way to finding the right guitar for you. The fingerboard radius and, to a lesser extent, the condition of the frets determine how low the action can go. Other guitar players may notice no difference at all. Both the Stratocaster and Telecaster typically feature an Alder body. I'm also a '60's hippie who loves country music. It’s difficult to compare a Mexican Fender’s performance to the American Stratocaster that is priced $500 more. Which guitar suits you best, a Telecaster or a Stratocaster? The switches & controls are absurd - very counter-intuitive. Loog guitars use the first three strings of a guitar: same strings, same tuning. Dancing to Bob Wills & favorite Colorado band, Dusty Drapes and the Dusters. It really depends on your playing style and musical taste. Even though the necks are similar, most players will tell you there is a definite difference in the feel of each guitar. You can only be truly informed after playing them yourself. 4. Many Stratocaster players also “deck” their tremolos. The choice between maple and rosewood fingerboards is up to the individual guitar player, and one isn't inherently better than the other. As an older age beginner my idols (James Burton, Steve Cropper, even Jerry Garcia at one point). So far both guitars seem pretty similar, but from here out the differences become more evident. Just to make things even more confusing, countless versions of each guitar exist, both those offered by Fender and those created by players themselves. The Strat’s length is classic Fender at 648mm (25.5 inches); the PRS sticks to its original 635mm (25-inch) scale. Another method is to “block” the tremolo. That, I think, is the root of any sound difference. Really good article, but the author is in error when he states: "perhaps the Stratocaster allows a little more access to the higher registers". While they are both awesome guitars, each has its own vibe and has more firmly carved its niche in certain styles of music. Beginners would do well to start out with the Telecaster . After all, what matters is figuring out which guitar is better for you, not knowing what the neck is made out of! One of these guitars is probably better suited to you. Many players "block" the bridge of their Strats, effectively turning it into a fixed bridge more similar to the Telecaster. For heavier styles of music, some players prefer Stratocasters equipped with Floyd Rose tremolo systems. In this comparison of Fender Acoustasonic Stratocaster vs Acoustasonic Telecaster guitar, … This twangy tone has immortalized the Telecaster for producing the best country lead tones with models adopting the single-coil pickup in the bridge position.

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