Best ST Style Guitars for Intermediate 2026
Perfect st style guitars for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson Set 2
by
Ibanez
Blues
Pop
Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
- • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
- • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
- • String bending can cause tuning issues
- • Requires quality amplifier
Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson Set 2*Bundle offer comprising*, Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson*Electric Guitar*Tim Henson...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 620510
$1,758
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez S520AH-ABS
by
Ibanez
Indie
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
- • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
- • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
- • String bending can cause tuning issues
- • Electronics may need shielding
Ibanez S520AH-ABSElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodOffset dot fingerboard inlaysNeck...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620905
$769
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic
by
Fender
Blues
Country
Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
- • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
- • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality amplifier
- • String bending can cause tuning issues
Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy RelicElectric GuitarCustom Shop modelBody: Selected alderNeck: Quartersawn...
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621461
$6,159
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez AZ26P1-BK
by
Ibanez
Rock
Indie
Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for clean and overdriven tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for clean and overdriven tones
- • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
- • Electronics may need shielding
- • Single-coils can pick up interference
Ibanez AZ26P1-BKElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonyMother of pearl dot...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620948
$1,539
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fender 63 Strat RW Black Relic HSS
by
Fender
Country
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
- • Classic single-coil brightness
- • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality amplifier
- • May be too bright for heavy metal
Fender 63 Strat RW Black Relic HSSElectric GuitarBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite micarta...
⭐
4.8/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620279
$7,149
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS
by
Fender
Rock
Pop
Indie
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable body contours
- • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
- • Electronics may need shielding
- • Single-coils can pick up interference
Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOSElectric GuitarBody: AshNeck: MapleFingerboard: Slabboard 9 mm AAA rosewoodNeck...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 622301
$5,939
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
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.
