Best Fender Guitars: Here’s Our Take on an Iconic Company

What is the Best Fender Guitar? 

The answer to this question will never be the same for any two musicians. Choosing the best Fender guitar is a personalized experience. Are you interested in learning how to lay down a string-bending solo like Stevie Ray Vaughn? Or do the clean, resonating chords of Buck Owens or Marty Stewart draw you in? Here’s what to consider  in best Fender guitars before taking the plunge:

  • The sound you want to replicate.
  • Your own skill level.
  • The size and dexterity of your hands.
  • Your current finger strength.
  • The weight of your new guitar. 
  • Where you’ll play. 
  • Price.

Electric guitars require additional space for amps and pedals, and the sound travels much further than an acoustic. Additionally, if you purchase a new Fender guitar that’s too big or too heavy for you to manage comfortably, you’ll lose the motivation to play it. 

Need help choosing the best Fender Guitar for your skill level and experience? Here’s what we recommend in top ten Fender guitars and why.

Top Pick: Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster in Sunburst 

Price — $1,999.99

Our choice for top pick of best Fender guitars goes to the Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster. Acoustic or electric, this model offers the best of both worlds. Featuring a solid mahogany body with Sitka Spruce top and ebony fingerboard, the American Acoustasonic is the creme-de-la-creme of Fender guitars. 

  • Genuine Fishman electronics
  • 3-pickup configuration
  • 22 frets
  • 5-way switch

Stunning Quality, Beautiful Noise

Unbeatable price for a stunning piece of genuine Fender equipment. Pros include deluxe body design and overall look, as well as included deluxe gig bag. Cons for this model include a large price tag, but for the quality of instrument purchased, even price isn’t really a deterrent. 

Top 10 Best Fender Guitars

  1. Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster in Sunburst 
  2. Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster
  3. Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH
  4. Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar
  5. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 60’s Jazzmaster Electric Guitar
  6. Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle
  7. Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster 
  8.  Squier by Fender Affinity Telecaster
  9. Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar Bundle
  10. Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang HH Short Scale Beginner Electric

2. Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster

Price — $924.99

There may never be another guitarist as talented as Jimi Hendrix, but with this specially designed Fender Stratocaster, you have everything you need to come as close as possible to recreating his unique sound. 

  • Reverse headstock 
  • Maple fingerboard with 21 frets
  • Six-saddle tremolo reverse bridge
  • Includes Fender deluxe gig bag

Capture the Unique Look and Sound of Jimi Hendrix

Fender’s wink to the legendary Jimi Hendrix gives you the feel of reverse play even right-handed. Pros include the vintage styling that helps reproduce the iconic Hendrix sound and included deluxe gig bag.

Cons include the slightly weighty price tag.

3. Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH

Price — $724.99

This special edition guitar features a stunning carved-flame maple top and gloss-amber finish. With Seymour Duncan humbucking pickups and abalone dot fingerboard inlays, this Fender provides a unique playing experience for those fortunate enough to own it. 

  • 3-way pickup switch
  • Nato Body
  • Flat neck radius
  • Exquisite sound quality

Special Edition with Seymour Duncan Humbuckers

As top-of-the-line guitars for affordable prices go, this special edition beauty takes play to the next level. Pros include the stunning design and amber finish as well as genuine Seymour Duncan humbucking pickups. Cons are difficult to find, but several users listed variations in the look of instruments they received. 

4. Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar

Price — $699.99

This Player Series Telecaster is a cut above lower-priced models. Featuring authentic Fender classic design and weight. Musicians who chose the Fender Player telecaster benefit from a good, solid Fender guitar that creates an unbelievable sound. 

  • Alder wood body
  • Block saddles
  • 22 frets
  • C-shaped neck

No Frills. Just Incredible Look, Feel, and Sound

The Fender Player Telecaster is a throwback to classic design and appeal. Pros include the superior sound this instrument is able to achieve. Users were pleased right out of the box. 

Cons include placement of the bridge screws which makes re-stringing a challenge. 

5. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 60’s Jazzmaster Electric Guitar

Price — $399.99

Built to mimic the Jazzmaster models from the 1960s, this electric guitar features a 9.5-radius fingerboard and slim neck for easy play, as well as an iconic look that any guitar buff will appreciate. 

  • Vintage finish
  • Nickel-plated hardware
  • Dual alnico single coil pickups
  • Floating bridge

Iconic Ode to the Vintage Fender Jazzmaster

With an epic design that harks back to the 1960s, the Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster features a design that’s easy enough for beginners but vintage enough to please diehard Fender fans. Pros include the slim neck and C-shaped profile that lets you reach the lowest frets. Whammy bar included.

Cons include the weight of the guitar. Some users felt it was heavy and difficult to handle. 

6. Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Bundle

Price — $359.99

An excellent choice for beginner through established musicians, the Fender Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric offers the best of both worlds. Comes complete with an accessory bundle to help you care for your new instrument. 

  • Bundle includes hard-shell case, tuner, strap, polishing cloth, extra strings, and instructional DVD
  • Fully transitions from acoustic to electric with the addition of an amp and cable (not included)
  • Features Fishman electronics
  • Dreadnought cutaway for easy access to lower frets

Everything You Need in One Guitar

Why spend extra to buy both an acoustic and an electric when you can both in one model? Pros of the Dreadnought Acoustic Electric include the quality Fishman electronics and the guitar’s ability to shutter between acoustic and electric.

Cons include the fact that this guitar requires an additional amp and cable to be used as electric. Items not included. 

7. Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster 

Price — 229.99

Featuring classic Fender sound and the unique Stratocaster look, the Squier by Fender Affinity Series Strat offers solid value for the price. A platinum sparkle pickguard and slick finish make this an instrument that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the pocketbook. 

  • Dual single-coil pickup with humbucker
  • Vintage tremolo bridge
  • 21 frets
  • Classic Strat headstock

Great Sound, Great Price with Added Bling

Color is true, and sound is exceptional on the Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster. Pros include a platinum sparkle pickguard, HSS pickup configuration, and ability to carry a great sound upon delivery. Comes with a whammy bar. 

Cons include occasional issues with packaging and delivery. Some users mentioned problems with string spacing.

8. Squier by Fender Affinity Telecaster

Price — $212.55

In classic Telecaster style, the Squier Affinity Telecaster by Fender features the iconic shape and design of the original model that changed the music industry forever. 

  • Classic C-shaped neck and Telecaster headstock
  • Dual, single-coil pickups
  • Six-saddle, top-loaded bridge
  • Slim and lightweight

A Piece of Guitar History at a Remarkable Price

Since the introduction of Fender’s iconic Telecaster in 1951, modern music was forever changed. With its rugged, solid-body appearance and innovative sound, the Fender Telecaster changed the game forever. Now you can own a piece of modern music history for a highly affordable price. 

Pros of the Squier Affinity Telecaster include a rugged, solid alder construction and pleasant-to-handle satin neck. Sound quality is superior right out of the box, and the guitar has the iconic look and feel of a classic Telecaster. 

Cons include problems with narrow string spacing and fret accuracy on some models. 

9. Fender FA-115 Acoustic Guitar Bundle

Price — $179.99

For acoustic fans, the Fender FA-115 bundle comes complete with everything you need to play and care for your Fender guitar. Bundle includes guitar, tuner, strings, strap, picks, gig bag and instructional DVD.

  • Full-size acoustic guitar with accessories
  • Spruce top construction with natural gloss finish
  • Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
  • Comes well-packaged

Provides Great Motivation for Beginning Guitarists

The Fender FA-115 Acoustic guitar is the perfect gateway instrument for beginners. Easy to play with superior sound quality and a comfortable price point, most who purchased this guitar bundle loved it at first glance. Pros include an abundance of accessories that provide everything the beginning guitarist needs, including a highly informational DVD. 

Cons include problems with manufacturing on some models. Some buyers had issues with cracks or breaks in the rosewood bridge. 

10. Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang HH Short Scale Beginner Electric Guitar

Price — $162.50

Nice, sturdy guitar. For just a little money, you get an instrument that sounds like something much more expensive. Easy to play and well-packaged, even experienced guitarists will be delighted at the quality of instrument you get for under $200. Recommended for beginners, but completely suitable for anyone who wants to jam alone or with friends.

  • Maple neck
  • C-shaped profile
  • Dual humbuckers
  • Six-saddle hardtail bridge

Superb Quality Instrument at an Affordable Price

The Squier Mustang electric guitar by Fender is famous among musicians for its ability to sound amazing right out of the box. Pros include an unfinished neck that’s surprisingly fun to break in. This guitar is fully upgradeable as well, for those musicians who enjoy tweaking the action or replacing the pickups. There’s a one-year warranty, as well.

Cons include a no-frills arrival, meaning this guitar comes without case or accessories. 

What to Look for in Best Fender Guitars

Regardless of whether you’re looking for sound, price, looks, materials, or you’re considering purchasing a used instrument, it’s difficult to go wrong when you invest in a Fender. The Fender company has been a top name in guitars since its inception in 1946. Rich, bold, sound, coupled with quality materials and craftsmanship make Fender a sound investment for every musician.