Best ST Style Guitars for Intermediate 2025

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

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

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 Xotic Guitars Sterling by Music Man Maybach Friedman

Fender 55 Strat MN White Blonde CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Fender 55 Strat MN White Blonde CC

by Fender

Country Indie Blues

Key Feature:

• Classic single-coil brightness

✓ PROS

• Comfortable body contours
• Excellent sustain and playability

✗ CONS

• Requires quality amplifier
• Single-coils can pick up interference

Fender 55 Strat MN White Blonde CCElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleMicarta black...

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 620329

$4,888

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez RG565R-LB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender 55 Strat MN Sunburst CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Fender 55 Strat MN Sunburst CC

by Fender

Pop Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Classic single-coil brightness

✓ PROS

• Comfortable body contours
• Great for clean and overdriven tones

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can pick up interference
• String bending can cause tuning issues

Fender 55 Strat MN Sunburst CCElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleMicarta black fingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 620330

$4,888

Buy at Thomann View Details

Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

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

Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

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 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Fender 63 Strat RW 3TSb CC HSS

by Fender

Funk Indie Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic single-coil brightness

✓ PROS

• Excellent sustain and playability
• Classic single-coil brightness

✗ CONS

• Requires quality amplifier
• String bending can cause tuning issues

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 620318

$5,939

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez RGA21P1PB-DRL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

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

Fender 63 Strat RW Black Relic HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH Strat BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez S520AH-OBF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez S520AH-OBF

by Ibanez

Pop Blues Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic single-coil brightness

✓ PROS

• Comfortable body contours
• Excellent sustain and playability

✗ CONS

• May be too bright for heavy metal
• Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez S520AH-OBFElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodOffset dot fingerboard inlaysNeck...

⭐ 5.0/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 620903

$769

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez RGT1220PBKCOL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez RGT1220PBKCOL

by Ibanez

Blues Pop Country

Key Feature:

• Comfortable body contours

✓ PROS

• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
• Comfortable body contours

✗ CONS

• May be too bright for heavy metal
• Requires quality amplifier

Ibanez RGT1220PBKCOLElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodTop: Poplar burlNeck-thru-body 7-piece neck: Maple /...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 620918

$1,704

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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Best ST Style Guitars for Intermediate 2025

Fender 55 Strat MN White Blonde CC

Ibanez RG565R-LB

Fender 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSS

Fender 55 Strat MN Sunburst CC

Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LB

Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic

Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRN

Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS

Fender 63 Strat RW 3TSb CC HSS

Ibanez RGA21P1PB-DRL

Fender 63 Strat RW Black Relic HSS

Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH Strat BLK

Ibanez S520AH-OBF

Ibanez RGT1220PBKCOL

How to Choose the Best ST Style Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying st style guitars?

How much should I spend on st style guitars?

Are expensive st style guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for st style guitars?

Should I buy st style guitars online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best Humbucker Pickups

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

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