Stratocaster Vs Telecaster Overview
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erBy the time the Stratocaster was launched in the mid 1950s, the Telecaster had already enjoyed commercial success for several years, albeit under various names.
Being the marginally older of the two, the Tele is often seen as as a more traditional, minimalist alternative to the Strat with a distinctively sharper twang but lacking much of the Strat's sweeping versatility.
We'll be comparing these two granddaddies of the solid body electric world in two main price brackets - the higher end American made (MIA) Fenders and the budget Squier offerings.
Being the marginally older of the two, the Tele is often seen as as a more traditional, minimalist alternative to the Strat with a distinctively sharper twang but lacking much of the Strat's sweeping versatility.
We'll be comparing these two granddaddies of the solid body electric world in two main price brackets - the higher end American made (MIA) Fenders and the budget Squier offerings.
American Professional Stratocaster Vs Telecaster
| American Professional Strat | American Professional Tele |
|---|---|
| Rating |
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| 96 (Over $1000) Reviews |
96 (Over $1000) Reviews |
| Weight |
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| 3.6 kg / 7.9 lbs | 3.3 kg / 7.3 lbs |
| Tuners |
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| Standard Cast Staggered | Deluxe
Staggered |
| Neck |
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| Maple Modern "Deep" C Bolt-on (4 bolts) 25.5" |
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| Fingerboard |
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| Rosewood
or
Maple |
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| Nut |
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| Bone 42.8 mm |
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| Frets |
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| 22 Narrow
Tall |
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| Inlays |
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| Dot | |
| Body |
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| Alder | |
| Pickups |
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| 3 Single
Coil V-Mod Single-Coil Strat |
2 Single Coil V-Mod Single-Coil Telecaster |
| Controls |
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| Volume (Treble Bleed) 2 Tone 5-way Switch |
Volume (Treble Bleed) 1 Tone 3-way Switch |
| Bridge |
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| Tremolo
(Pop-In arm) 6 Bent Steel Saddles |
Fixed 3-Saddle Vintage-Style |
| Hardware |
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| Nickel/Chrome |
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| Binding |
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| None |
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| American Professional Strat | American Professional Tele |
|---|---|
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| American Professional Strat | American Professional Tele |
|---|---|
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Squier Standard Strat Vs Standard Tele
At the budget end, the "designed by Fender" Squier Standards...
| Squier Standard Strat | Squier Standard Tele |
|---|---|
| Rating |
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| 88 (Under $500) Reviews |
92 (Under $500) Reviews |
| Weight |
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| 3.1 kg / 6.9 lbs | 4 kg / 9 lbs |
| Tuners |
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| Standard
Die-Cast |
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| Neck |
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| Maple C-shaped Bolt-on (4 bolts) 25.5" |
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| Fingerboard |
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| Rosewood
or
Maple |
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| Nut |
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| Plastic 42mm |
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| Frets |
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| 22 Medium Jumbo | 21 Medium
Jumbo |
| Inlays |
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| Dot |
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| Body |
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| Agathis | Alder |
| Pickups |
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| 3 Single
Coil Standard Single-Coil |
2 Single Coil Standard Single-Coil |
| Controls |
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| 1 Volume 2 Tone 5-way Switch |
1 Volume 1Tone 3-way Switch |
| Bridge |
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| Tremolo 6-saddle string through body |
Fixed 6-saddle string through body |
| Hardware |
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| Chrome |
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| Binding |
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| None |
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| Squier Standard Strat | Squier Standard Tele |
|---|---|
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| Squier Standard Strat | Squier Standard Tele |
|---|---|
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Key Differences Between The Strat & Tele
With similar on-paper specs, similar ratings and similar price, the differences are seemingly subtle. Let's take a closer look...
Look & Feel
Strat (top) and Tele body difference
The most noticeable difference between your standard Stratocaster and Telecaster is the pickup configuration - three single coils on the Strat, two on the Tele, with its famous metal covered neck pickup. So there's an extra middle position pickup on the Strat giving you additional tone options.
The pickup selector switch reflects this difference, with five positions on the Strat and three on the Tele.
The Tele's fixed bridge plate engulfs the bridge pickup which goes some way to shaping its distinctively (and pleasantly) brash tone (more on that in a moment).
The Strat's bridge functions as a floating tremolo system, allowing you to make use of the "whammy bar" (tremolo arm) for dramatic changes in pitch - something dedicated Tele players don't tend to miss.
Both the Fender American Professionals are available with the choice of a maple or rosewood fingerboard, with maple offering more high-end presence.
As the scale length, fret gauge and neck profile are typically the same on both, there's negligible difference in overall playability, although the double, wider cut of the Strat may make those higher frets more accessible.
The pickup selector switch reflects this difference, with five positions on the Strat and three on the Tele.
The Tele's fixed bridge plate engulfs the bridge pickup which goes some way to shaping its distinctively (and pleasantly) brash tone (more on that in a moment).
The Strat's bridge functions as a floating tremolo system, allowing you to make use of the "whammy bar" (tremolo arm) for dramatic changes in pitch - something dedicated Tele players don't tend to miss.
Both the Fender American Professionals are available with the choice of a maple or rosewood fingerboard, with maple offering more high-end presence.
As the scale length, fret gauge and neck profile are typically the same on both, there's negligible difference in overall playability, although the double, wider cut of the Strat may make those higher frets more accessible.
Sound
With the Strat offering five pickup positions, there's more tonal range with which to experiment than the Tele. The Strat's bridge-middle position produces that distinctive "quack", a much softer, smoother expression than what the Tele can handle.
In the bridge position, there's more sharpness and twang to the Tele, meaning percussive strumming and lead cuts through all the more aggressively.
There's more of an acquired taste to develop with the Telecaster, with many players shying away from its neck pickup altogether. Overall, it's a much simpler, rawer, "in your face" sound, which is why you'll see/hear it used in punk and more raucous forms of blues, country and rock.
Turning up the gain, the Strat blends each note into the next, while the Tele more strongly emphasises note separation and pick attack.
It's true that the Strat is more versatile, with the otherwise bell-like neck pickup even capable of attaining those dark, warm jazz tones as you roll off the tone knob. But as soon as you hear what the Tele does best, you'll immediately know whether or not the Strat's versatility really matters to you.
In the bridge position, there's more sharpness and twang to the Tele, meaning percussive strumming and lead cuts through all the more aggressively.
There's more of an acquired taste to develop with the Telecaster, with many players shying away from its neck pickup altogether. Overall, it's a much simpler, rawer, "in your face" sound, which is why you'll see/hear it used in punk and more raucous forms of blues, country and rock.
Turning up the gain, the Strat blends each note into the next, while the Tele more strongly emphasises note separation and pick attack.
It's true that the Strat is more versatile, with the otherwise bell-like neck pickup even capable of attaining those dark, warm jazz tones as you roll off the tone knob. But as soon as you hear what the Tele does best, you'll immediately know whether or not the Strat's versatility really matters to you.