Best Fender Guitars
Top 10 picks ranked by EJ Score
Our Top Picks
Looking for the fender guitars? We've ranked the top picks based on our EJ Score system, which combines professional critic reviews and real user feedback into a single score out of 100. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this list will help you find the right fit.
Fender’s Fender Vintera II ’70s Jaguar Electric Guitar Black scores 100 on the EJ scale, with critics averaging 100/100. At $1569.99, it sits in the high-end tier where expectations are high. This is a strong performer that delivers on its…
Pros
- +Solid build quality for the price point
- +Versatile tonal options suitable for multiple genres
- +Good value in the premium category
Cons
- −Limited availability may make it hard to try before buying
- −Better alternatives exist at similar price points
Geddy Lee’s signature Jazz Bass is purpose-built for players who worship at the altar of Rush and want that specific mid-heavy growl. The Custom Shop pickups are the star here — they’re wound to capture Geddy’s tone from Moving Pictures…
Pros
- +Custom Shop Geddy Lee pickups capture his signature aggressive midrange growl
- +High-mass bridge improves sustain and tuning stability over vintage designs
- +Glossy maple neck and black finish nail the classic '70s aesthetic Geddy favored
Cons
- −$2,500 is steep when standard American Professional Jazz Basses offer more versatility
- −Signature model tax means you're paying for Geddy's name on the headstock
The Eric Clapton Stratocaster stands as a masterclass in artist signature design. Rather than chasing novelty, Clapton and Fender identified genuine playability improvements—softer contours, reduced shoulder horns, lightly aged hardware—that benefit any player. The Custom Shop pickup set balances Slowhand’s…
Pros
- +Softer contours and reduced shoulder horns enhance comfort for hours of playing
- +Custom Shop pickups provide refined clarity without losing grit
- +Lightly aged hardware adds character while maintaining structural integrity
Cons
- −Signature artist premium commands higher price than non-signature versions
- −Soft V neck isn't ideal for players who prefer modern comfort contours
The American Professional Classic HSS is Fender’s ‘do everything’ Strat, and it actually lives up to the billing. The V-Mod IIs nail that glassy Strat quack for funk and blues, while the Shawbucker gives you enough grunt for rock and…
Pros
- +V-Mod II pickups deliver vintage Strat chime with more output and clarity than previous American Standard models
- +Shawbucker bridge humbucker provides authentic PAF-style tone for thicker leads and heavier rhythm work
- +Deep 'C' neck profile with rolled fingerboard edges offers comfortable modern playability
Cons
- −At $1,550, it's priced into Gibson Les Paul Standard territory—tonal versatility costs more than single-pickup simplicity
- −HSS routing means you can't easily swap to SSS configuration without visible screw holes
This is what happens when Fender gets it right. That perfect 100 community score isn’t hype—buyers are leaving the Ibanez SR600 and other mid-tier basses in the dust after picking up the Player II. The rolled edges, smooth maple board,…
Pros
- +Perfect 100/100 community score from Sweetwater with verified buyer reviews praising tone and feel
- +Maple-on-maple fingerboard provides lightning-fast response and classic bright attack
- +Hand-rolled fretboard edges deliver broken-in comfort straight from factory
Cons
- −At $850, pricing is higher than original Player series without major feature additions
- −Maple fingerboard may be too bright for players seeking darker, warmer Jazz Bass tones
Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Guitar Dark Night stands apart in the guitar world as a refined example of Fender’s commitment to excellence. It represents the upper echelon of what’s available at this price point, combining engineering…
Pros
- +Delivers what it promises without unnecessary complications.
- +Well-engineered for its category and price point.
- +Holds up well under regular use.
Cons
- −Pickup switching options are more limited than expected.
- −Build quality could be more consistent across units.
Scoring 82, the Vintera II ’50s Stratocaster is a strong vintage-reissue play from Fender Mexico. The pickups sound authentic, the V-neck feels period-correct, and the build quality rivals American models from a decade ago. If you want classic Strat tone…
Pros
- +Vintage-style single-coils deliver authentic '50s Strat chime and quack—great for blues, surf, rock
- +V-shaped soft maple neck feels period-correct for players who dig chunkier profiles
- +Synchronized tremolo with vintage-style bent-steel saddles improves tuning stability over older designs
Cons
- −V-shaped neck isn't for everyone—modern C-shape players may find it fatiguing
- −Vintage-style single-coils are prone to 60-cycle hum—no noiseless options here
The Fender Player II Stratocaster HSS represents significant structural departure for Fender, and it pays off. This isn’t cosmetic tweaking; this is genuine evolution of the Strat formula that makes sense for modern players. Guitar World’s 4.5-star review focused on…
Pros
- +Factory-rolled fingerboard edges eliminate sharp angles and provide that premium played-in feel at this price point
- +Chambered mahogany construction adds weight savings and tonal warmth compared to solid alder models
- +Position four in the five-way selector delivers glorious middle-bridge blended tone
Cons
- −Requires setup out of the box—Sweetwater's 55-point inspection doesn't always prevent playability issues
- −Control layout differs from modern preferences; some players prefer master volume positioned differently
Fender Player II Telecaster Chambered Ash Body Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Butterscotch Blonde
The Player II Telecaster with chambered ash is Fender’s answer to this design challenge: how do you deliver classic Tele brightness while adding warmth and resonance? Chambering is the solution, and it works beautifully. Tone is the narrative. Chambered ash…
Pros
- +Chambered ash body vibrates more freely, delivering fuller tone with singing sustain
- +Ash is a traditional Fender tonewood known for resonance, punch, and clarity
- +Chambering reduces weight significantly—hours of playing feel less fatiguing
Cons
- −Chambered designs can require careful finishing to prevent uneven color
- −Ash can splinter if not handled carefully—requires more maintenance than solid body woods
Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Guitar Aged Natural
The perfect 90/90 score split tells you everything: critics and players agree this is a legitimate recreation done right. Fender could’ve half-assed this and slapped “vintage” on a standard Strat, but they went deep—down to the pickup wire gauge. If…
Pros
- +Pure Vintage '73 Alnico III single-coils nail the mid-heavy punch and bright treble of the era without sounding thin
- +Ash body with aged natural finish delivers resonant low-end and articulate note separation
- +Vintage 7.25-inch radius surprisingly playable thanks to vintage tall frets—best of both worlds
Cons
- −7.25-inch radius will feel cramped for players used to modern 9.5-inch or compound radius boards
- −At $2,680, you're paying premium for nostalgia—Modern Player Strats deliver 90% of this for half the cost
Side-by-Side Comparison
 Fender Vintera II '70s Jaguar Electric... |  Fender USA Geddy Lee Signature Jazz... |  Fender Artist Series Eric Clapton Stratocaster... |  Fender American Professional Classic Stratocaster HSS... |  Fender Player II Jazz Bass Maple... |  Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster Rosewood... |  Fender Vintera II '50s Stratocaster Electric... |  Fender Player II Stratocaster HSS Chambered... |  Fender Player II Telecaster Chambered Ash... |  Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster... | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EJ Score | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 96 | 95 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Price | $1,569.99 | $2,499.99 | $2,299.99 | $1,549.99 | $849.99 | $1,939.99 | $1,209.99 | $999.99 | $949.99 | $2,679.99 |
| Body wood | — | Alder | Alder | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Top wood | — | Not applicable | Not applicable | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Body finish | — | Gloss polyurethane | Gloss Urethane | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Orientation | — | Right handed | Right handed | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Scale length | — | 34in | 25.5 in. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Material | — | Maple | Maple | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
The Bottom Line
That wraps up our picks for the fender guitars. Every product on this list has been evaluated through our EJ Score system, combining critic expertise with community feedback. Click through to any product page for the full breakdown of scores, specs, and reviews.