Best ST Style Guitars for Pop 2026

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

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

Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red  RW NOS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS

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
Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ibanez GRG320FA-TVT

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
Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson Set 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ibanez TOD10-MM Tim Henson Set 2

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
Fender 63 Strat RW 3TSb CC HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender 63 Strat RW 3TSb CC HSS

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
Fender 63 Strat Relic GYW HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender 63 Strat Relic GYW HSS

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
Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic

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
Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender 55 Strat MN 2TSb JRN

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
Ibanez S520AH-OBF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez S520AH-OBF

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
Fender 55 Strat MN Sunburst CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Fender 55 Strat MN Sunburst CC

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
Ibanez RG565R-LB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ibanez RG565R-LB

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
Fender 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender 63 Strat RW 3-TSB CC HSS

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
Fender 63 Strat RW Black Relic HSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Fender 63 Strat RW Black Relic HSS

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
Fender 59 Strat RW Vintage Blonde JRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender 59 Strat RW Vintage Blonde JRN

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
Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Mayones Guitars Aquila Elite S 6 Poplar LB

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
Ibanez AZ47P2K-DEB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez AZ47P2K-DEB

Blues Country Funk
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
  • • Classic single-coil brightness
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can pick up interference
  • • String bending can cause tuning issues

Ibanez AZ47P2K-DEBElectric GuitarBody: BasswoodTop: KoaBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonyMother of pearl dot...

4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10

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.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more