Fender Stratocaster VS Telecaster (comparison)
What are the differences?
Two of the most popular electric guitars on the planet aren't dramatically different from one another. A side-by-side look shows that the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster - from the "Players" series - are extremely similar guitars, with mostly aesthetic variances.
The Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster are two of the most popular guitars in the world. In nearly every series, Fender has a Strat version and a corresponding Tele version.
But is there a difference between the two guitars?
Some believe Stratocasters have a wider area of application while the Telecaster is assumed to be primarily a country-focused guitar. And while certain versions of the Telecaster are more "twangy" than the Stratocaster, differences between the two instruments in today's manufacturing system are almost non-existent.
And that's not to say there can't be stylistic preference, or that they aren't both great instruments.
However:
I would argue that the Telecaster is every bit as versatile as the Stratocaster, especially if you're looking at the less expensive Fender series.
For this comparison, we'll use the Players series from Fender, which gives us our cheapest Stratocaster and Telecaster options.
Is there a quality difference?
Assume we're comparing a Strat and Tele within the same Fender series, there's usually not going to be a huge quality difference. For example, here are several series that Fender makes with both a Stratocaster and Telecaster:
- Player Series
- Deluxe Series
- American Series
- American Pro Series
If you compare a Fender American Strat to its American Tele counterpart, the quality level is about the same.
However, if you compare a cheaper Fender Player series Stratocaster to an American series Telecaster, the American Tele is going to meet a much higher quality standard.
Strats and Teles within the same series will usually have little, if any, quality difference. Flickr Commons image via JBoyland67
Biggest Feature Differences
Most of the feature differences are fairly easy to see, but we'll list the biggest ones here:
- Bridge type: Tremolo VS Fixed/Thru-body
- Pickup configuration: Three single coils VS two single coils
- Headstock style
- Knob and switch configuration
While these are all notable feature differences, none of them should be considered quality differences.
Compare to Similar Electric Guitars
In this section we've made a simple comparison table with the Stratocaster and Telecaster, and compared them to a couple similar electric guitars. The links lead to Sweetwater, a company we partner with, but are also a convenient way to offer you guitar gear at no additional cost. If you want to support Guitar Chalk, please consider doing your gear shopping through these links.
GUITAR | DETAILS | RATING | TRY |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fender Player Telecaster | n/a | |
 | Epiphone Les Paul Standard '50s | 86.6 | |
 | Fender Player Stratocaster | n/a | |
 | PRS SE Custom 24 | 89.8 |
Major Differences
Both guitars retail for roughly $700. This has gone up compared to when Fender ran the "Standard" Strat and Tele series, but is still a decent price.
The other differences were mentioned earlier and you can see that we've put blue arrows to indicate a "wash" in terms of one feature being better than the other. In other words, three single coil pickups are different than the dual single coil Tele arrangement, but it's not necessarily better or worse.
We also use the yellow highlight to mark these differences.
It means there's a difference in features, but not in quality.
 Stratocaster |  Telecaster | |
|---|---|---|
Typical Price | $700 | $700 |
Pickup Configuration | SSS (three single coils) | SS (two single coils with angled Tele bridge) |
Body and Headstock Shape | Strat design | Tele design |
Bridge Hardware | Two point pivot tremolo | String-thru fixed |
Considering the Pickups
Now, with the different pickup configurations there also comes different pickup types. In the player series, both are built using alnico magnets, but the Telecaster pickups will typically sound a little more twangy, and will put more emphasis on your picking hand movement.
The magnet type, winding material, winding method, and covering will all have an impact on how the pickups will ultimately sound.
Just note that there are at least aesthetic and moderate tone differences between Stratocaster pickups and Telecaster pickups.
The two are not interchangeable.
The Sound and Tone
The simplest way to assess the difference in tone quality is to listen to Fender's Player series demos for each guitar. You can hear that both lean towards a brighter, more treble-focused EQ profile, but the Telecaster definitely has some added snap and warmth, which makes it popular with guitarists in the country music space.
Stratocaster | Telecaster |
|---|---|
Bluesy/bright/melodic | Warm/twangy/chunky /heavier |
Lead/fills/clean | Lead/rhythm/distortion |
Blues, rock, country, pop | Blues, country, rock, bluegrass |
To generalize even further, the Telecaster is typically going to sound a little more rhythmic and percussive, while the Stratocaster is a bit more melodic. Lot's of popular lead guitar players over the years have built signature Stratocasters for this reason.
- Stratocaster: Melodic, lead guitar
- Telecaster: Percussive, rhythm guitar
Start VS Tele: The Body
Aside from the distinctive shapes of both guitars, the body in each one is exactly the same. The modern versions both use Alder tonewood with a gloss polyester finish. This is a single piece of wood used for the body with space carved out for the bridge, pickups, and pickguards.
Unlike PRS and Gibson Les Paul guitars, there isn't a separate piece of wood for the top.
This also means there's no top carving or binding line.
None of this is bad, just characteristics of the body construction in both Strats and Teles. Without the different shape and cuts for other parts, there's no difference between the body wood in each.
Stratocaster | Telecaster | |
|---|---|---|
Body Type/Shape | Solidbody | Solidbody |
Body Tonewood Material | Alder | Alder |
Top Material | n/a | n/a |
Finish | Gloss Polyester | Gloss Polyester |
Carving | None | None |
Binding | n/a | n/a |
It's not uncommon for the tonewood in both Stratocasters and Telecasters to wear and chip away, which is often considered a fairly desirable aesthetic. You can see this "worn" effect in both of the following pictures.
Like Stratocasters, Telecasters use an Alder tonewood for the body carved as one single piece. Flickr Commons Image via Claudio Olivares Medina
Comparing Neck & Fretboard
Once again, the neck and fretboard used on these two guitars are without significant differences. Both are Maple with a Maple fingerboard and a modern C-shaped profile. This type of neck plays quick and is built more for speed and lateral movement.
Even down to the dimensions (scale length, width at nut, number of frets, and radius), the two necks are exactly the same.
Stratocaster | Telecaster | |
|---|---|---|
Material | Maple | Maple |
Profile/Shape | Modern C | Modern C |
Scale Length | 25.5" | 25.5" |
Fingerboard Material | Maple | Maple |
Fingerboard Radius | 9.5" | 9.5" |
Number of Frets | 22 | 22 |
Frets | Medium Jumbo | Medium Jumbo |
Nut Material | Synthetic Bone | Synthetic Bone |
Nut Width | 1.650" | 1.650" |
Inlays | Fender Dots | Fender Dots |
Keep in mind, the tonewood type will vary if you're looking at different years or different series within the Fender brand. In other versions, Fender often uses Rosewood for the fingerboard and a D-shaped neck in some of the more expensive Stratocasters.
Remember, we're looking at just the Players series, which means you have more similarities than differences.
But even when comparing Maple to Rosewood fingerboards, you're really only dealing with an aesthetic difference.
A close look at the fingerboard on a Fender Stratocaster. Flickr Commons image via Freebird_71
Angled shot of a Fender Telecaster with a Maple fingerboard (lighter color). Flickr Commons image via Juninho Sarpa
Hardware & Parts
When we look at hardware, there are some bigger differences between the Stratocaster and Telecaster that impact functionality more than quality.
Primarily, the types of bridges:
On the Stratocaster you have a tremolo bridge with a two-point pivoting connection, while the Telecaster bridge has a spot for the pickup and then a string-thru body design that omits the tremolo function.
Since the Telecaster only has two pickups, you then have one less tone knob than we get in the Stratocaster setup.
These differences aren't a matter of quality, but they certainly speak to functionality. It's part of why we view the Stratocaster as a better lead guitar and the Telecaster as more of an ideal rhythm guitar.
Stratocaster | Telecaster | |
|---|---|---|
Finish Material | Nickel | Nickel |
Bridge/Tailpiece | Two-point Synchronized Tremolo | Six-saddle String-thru |
Tuning Machines | Fender standard (stock) | Fender standard (stock) |
Controls | 1 x vol, 2 x tone, 5-way switch | 1 x volume, 1 x tone, 3-way switch |
Pickguard | Yes | Yes |
Aside from the bridge hardware and control scheme, the tuners and nickel finish are the same for both guitars.
Modern Fender Stratocasters are setup with a two-point pivot bridge system with a tremolo bar. Flickr Commons image via Myxi 2
Telecasters almost always use a fixed, thru-body bridge with a cutout for the Tele pickup. Flickr Commons image via JBoylan67
Pickups
The Stratocaster and Telecaster each have two entirely unique pickup categories, one dedicated for each guitar's design.
For the Stratocasters, the three single-coil pickup arrangement (abbreviated SSS) is used in most models. Here are the arrangements you'll often see:
- SSS (single, single, single)
- HSS (humbucker, single, single)
- HH (dual humbuckers)
- SS (dual singles) rarely
The Telecaster setup has the iconic slanted single coil and the "lipstick tube" neck pickup, both unique to the Telecaster's design. These often produce a warmer tone than the Strat sets, but both pickup types can vary dramatically depending on the manufacturer and interior pickup design.
Here are the pickup arrangements you'll see in the the Telecaster:
- SS (single, single)
- HH (dual humbuckers)
- HSS (humbucker, single, single)
In the Players series, the two guitars both use an Alnico 5 Fender pickup that would be considered "garden variety" (i.e. not from the Fender Custom Shop pickup line). They're what we'd consider fill-ins for a midrange Fender guitar, reaching roughly the same standard of quality in both the Strat and Tele Player series models.
Stratocaster | Telecaster | |
|---|---|---|
Neck Pickup | Player Series Alnico V Strat Single Coil | Player Series Alnico V Tele Single Coil |
Bridge Pickup | Player Series Alnico V Strat Single Coil | Player Series Alnico V Tele Single Coil |
Middle Pickup | Player Series Alnico V Strat Single Coil | n/a |
If you take a closer look, you can usually see that there's variance in the recessing of the magnet pols in the Strat pickups. This can also change depending on the pickup you're referring to. You can also have covered Strat pickups or magnets called "Hot Rails" that run in a straight line instead of individual polls.
A close look at a fairly typical Stratocaster pickup, placed at an angle at the bridge position. Middle pickup is also visible, with both using a varied form of recessed magnetic polls. Flickr Commons image via Echoes89
The tube-style covered pickup on a Fender Telecaster at the neck position. Flickr Commons image via Freebird_71
Is there a significant quality difference?
Is there a value or quality difference between Stratocasters and Telecasters? Does one sound better than the other? Is there one with higher quality parts or better construction?
The simple answer, is no.
As we've seen throughout this comparison, Stratocasters and Telecasters within the same series often have no significant quality differences.
Looks, stylistic leans, and appeal will vary, but the Player series Tele and Strat are both the same price and meet essentially the same quality standards.
However, as I explained earlier, there are levels of quality that change as you move up in series and prestige within the Fender brand. Most start at the Players series, which used to be called the Standard. Going up you have Deluxe, American series, and American Pro series Strats and Teles, which are all much nicer.
But if you take a Strat and Tele from the same series, you won't get much quality difference, if any at all.
Which one is better for rock?
While the Stratocaster has had an iconic place in the history of rock music, I'd recommend the Telecaster for rock, just because it tends to be a bit warmer and heavier. This could - of course - be informed by other stylistic factors, like whether you're a lead or rhythm guitar player.
But broadly, both Stratocasters and Telecasters are great for the rock genre.
Which one is better for blues?
The Stratocaster is perhaps the guitar when it comes to blues styles and sub genres, especially if you're talking about lead guitar and bluesy soloing.
For decades now, blues players have relied on Stratocasters as their main instrument, including the likes of Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton, and scores of others.
Blues and Fender Stratocasters go together quite well.
Which one is better for Country?
The clear favorite in the country music space is the Telecaster.
Not only would it be the best choice between the Strat and Tele, but Telecasters have long been considered the quintessential country music electric guitar above all other models. This is primarily because of the snappy and pluck-friendly tone response you get from the Tele pickup configuration.
And whether you're talking about rhythm or lead guitar playing styles, if you're into country - in any capacity - the Telecaster is an easy choice.
Which one is better for lead/rhythm?
As I've already alluded to, I'd break up the lead and rhythm debate as follows:
- Better for lead guitar: Stratocaster
- Better for rhythm guitar: Telecaster
Again, both can work in either situation.
Concluding our Comparison
We've seen that the Stratocaster and Telecaster are actually quite similar in most comparable aspects. Each guitar attracts a widely varied group of guitar players, covering ground from heavy rock and metal all the way to light jazz and country. They are two of the most popular and widely used guitars in existence.
When you're trying to decide between the two, we would argue it's largely a matter of preference and style.
Given Stratocaster and Telecasters within the same Fender series, there isn't a ton of difference between them.
Questions about these two Guitars
If you have questions about either of these guitars or our comparison, feel free to leave a note in the comments section below. I'll jump in there and help out as much as I can.
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