AudioFu

Best ST Style Guitars for Beginner 2026

Perfect st style guitars for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Blues For Pop For Country For Funk For Indie
BRANDS: Fender Ibanez Harley Benton PRS Jackson Squier Kramer Guitars Suhr ESP Charvel Yamaha Larry Carlton Mooer Schecter Music Man Solar Guitars Cort Evh Sterling by Music Man Xotic Guitars Maybach Friedman
Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH Strat BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH Strat BLK

by Fender
Rock Indie Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH Strat BLKElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620113
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Roasted '61 Strat ABLK/3TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Fender Roasted '61 Strat ABLK/3TSB

by Fender
Funk Indie Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Fender Roasted '61 Strat ABLK/3TSBElectric GuitarLimited editionCustom Shop modelBody: AlderBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621224
$6,379
Buy at Thomann View Details
Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LB

by Mayones Guitars
Rock Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LBElectric GuitarBody: Swamp AshTop: AAAAA poplar burlBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 622037
$5,279
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez TOD10 Tim Henson Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ibanez TOD10 Tim Henson Set

by Ibanez
Country Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Ibanez TOD10 Tim Henson Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Ibanez TOD10 Tim Henson*Electric Guitar*Tim Henson (Polyphia)...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620509
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT

by Ibanez
Indie Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality amplifier
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Ibanez GRG320FA-TVTElectric GuitarBody: PoplarTop: Basswood with Art Grain in flamed maple lookBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 622775
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRN

by Fender
Funk Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic single-coil brightness
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRNElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleMicarta black fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620270
$6,111
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 63 Strat Relic GYW HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender 63 Strat Relic GYW HSS

by Fender
Indie Blues Funk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference

Fender 63 Strat Relic GYW HSSElectric GuitarCustom Shop modelBody: AlderBolt-on neck: "Rift Sawn"...

⭐ 4.9/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621190
$6,379
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RGA21P1PB-DRL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez RGA21P1PB-DRL

by Ibanez
Indie Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable body contours
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez RGA21P1PB-DRLElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodTop: Burl poplar / maple / walnut / curly maple / panga pangaBolt-on...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 620935
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RG470FXFM-CS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez RG470FXFM-CS

by Ibanez
Pop Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez RG470FXFM-CSElectric GuitarBody: MerantiTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: JatobaWhite sharktooth...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620886
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 59 Strat RW Vintage Blonde JRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender 59 Strat RW Vintage Blonde JRN

by Fender
Blues Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Fender 59 Strat RW Vintage Blonde JRNElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite micarta...

⭐ 4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 620262
$5,389
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RG565R-LB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ibanez RG565R-LB

by Ibanez
Indie Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez RG565R-LBElectric GuitarBody: Basswood5-piece bolt-on neck: Maple / WalnutFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620952
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic

by Fender
Funk Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH RelicElectric GuitarCustom Shop modelTwo-piece body: Selected alderBolt-on neck: Roasted AAA...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621730
$7,919
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSS

by Fender
Indie Blues Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues
  • • May be too bright for heavy metal

Fender 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSSElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite micarta...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620319
$5,939
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 70th Anni 1954 Strat SHREL SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fender 70th Anni 1954 Strat SHREL SB

by Fender
Indie Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
  • • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Fender 70th Anni 1954 Strat SHREL SBElectric GuitarLimited editonBody: Selected 2-piece ash with offset gluingBolt-on...

⭐ 4.9/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621727
$6,929
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GRGR221PA-AQB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez GRGR221PA-AQB Bundle

by Ibanez
Rock Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and playability
  • • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
  • • Electronics may need shielding
  • • Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez GRGR221PA-AQB Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Ibanez GRGR221PA-AQB*Electric Guitar*Body: OkoumeTop:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 623082
$325
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best ST Style Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced st style guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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