Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Guitar Players Are Turning Against Fender… Here’s What They’re Buying Instead
Watch Next ➤ youtu.be/7_BST6HjbNg?si=moQWQTYynKUekz0G
youtu.be/S3ifVPkxYC0?si=Znk7P6on1FweR10U
So apparently everyone hates Fender now… or at least that’s what the guitar internet would have you believe.
Between all the recent debates about Strat-style guitars, trademarks, body shapes, guitar copies, lawsuits, partscasters, and whether companies should even be allowed to make Strat-style instruments anymore, guitar players have been arguing nonstop online.
But instead of making another angry rant video about Fender, I thought this would be a lot more interesting:
What is YOUR favorite non-Fender Strat-style guitar?
There are more Strat alternatives available today than ever before. Some players swear by vintage Japanese guitars. Others love hot-rodded super Strats from brands like Ibanez, Charvel, Schecter, or PRS Guitars. Some players are obsessed with budget hidden gems from Yamaha, Harley Benton, or random Amazon brands nobody has ever heard of.
And honestly? Some of these guitars are REALLY good now.
Maybe you built your own partscaster.
Maybe you upgraded pickups.
Maybe you found a pawn shop Strat copy that somehow became your favorite guitar ever.
Maybe you bought a cheap beginner guitar that completely outperformed an expensive American-made Stratocaster.
That’s what makes this conversation interesting.
This video is less about “What guitar should YOU buy?” and more about hearing real opinions from actual guitar players.
So let’s turn the comments section into one giant recommendation thread for Strat-style guitars.
What’s your favorite non-Fender Strat?
What makes it special?
What pickups are in it?
Did you mod it?
Was it cheap?
Did you accidentally discover a hidden gem?
Drop your favorite guitar in the comments and let everybody know what makes it awesome.
Topics covered in this video:
* Fender controversy
* Best Strat-style guitars
* Non-Fender Strat alternatives
* Partscasters
* Budget electric guitars
* Guitar mods
* Super Strats
* Best affordable Strat copies
* Hidden gem guitars
* Fender Stratocaster alternatives
* Guitar discussion
* Guitar community debates
* Best electric guitars for the money
LINKS
* SoundGym 20% discount coupon: ➤ gregkocis.com/sgym20
* Deals on Plugin Boutique – gregkocis.com/ypki
* Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
* Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
The links to iZotope, Plugin Boutique, Mastering The Mix, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU24DT-qGH0wrP1yAou1rDoT&si=ek5NeRtiPZuYYWb2
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU13SMz9PDciPsmbB-uMFXZa&si=LeYW_23B9fX17jfO
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU2WSQda_vyw6JPPXDMTNKk6&si=U_EjPdWpi0HJ3MfN
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* instagram.com/greg.kocis
* threads.com/@greg.kocis
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* 240 Mac Apps Set App Invites ➥ youtu.be/vMcBlfj_iMo?si=SNOd1_cYe69qG_A1
* Producing a Song Using ONLY STOCK PLUGINS youtu.be/5_P4xuesHls?si=1BmUQg5jmADxf-zT
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This Channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gregkocis
Greg Kocis is a New York City-based producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Check out his music channels here:
Stars in June | Americana, Rock & more ➥ youtube.com/channel/UCy2ByGdgJb5kQtsXwsIUgAg
Map Of Reality | Electronic & Experimental music ➥ youtube.com/channel/UC69nYsRr4YHomOvm-o_oQiA
⬆️ Music that takes you through multiple dimensions and gets stuck in your head for days
On this YouTube channel, you will find Music, music backing tracks for musicians to jam along with, drum loops, music production tutorials, software demos/reviews, & other music-related things.
#howtomakemusicnow
Guitar Players Are Turning Against Fender… Here’s What They’re Buying Instead
Watch Next ➤ youtu.be/7_BST6HjbNg?si=moQWQTYynKUekz0G
youtu.be/S3ifVPkxYC0?si=Znk7P6on1FweR10U
So apparently everyone hates Fender now… or at least that’s what the guitar internet would have you believe.
Between all the recent debates about Strat-style guitars, trademarks, body shapes, guitar copies, lawsuits, partscasters, and whether companies should even be allowed to make Strat-style instruments anymore, guitar players have been arguing nonstop online.
But instead of making another angry rant video about Fender, I thought this would be a lot more interesting:
What is YOUR favorite non-Fender Strat-style guitar?
There are more Strat alternatives available today than ever before. Some players swear by vintage Japanese guitars. Others love hot-rodded super Strats from brands like Ibanez, Charvel, Schecter, or PRS Guitars. Some players are obsessed with budget hidden gems from Yamaha, Harley Benton, or random Amazon brands nobody has ever heard of.
And honestly? Some of these guitars are REALLY good now.
Maybe you built your own partscaster.
Maybe you upgraded pickups.
Maybe you found a pawn shop Strat copy that somehow became your favorite guitar ever.
Maybe you bought a cheap beginner guitar that completely outperformed an expensive American-made Stratocaster.
That’s what makes this conversation interesting.
This video is less about “What guitar should YOU buy?” and more about hearing real opinions from actual guitar players.
So let’s turn the comments section into one giant recommendation thread for Strat-style guitars.
What’s your favorite non-Fender Strat?
What makes it special?
What pickups are in it?
Did you mod it?
Was it cheap?
Did you accidentally discover a hidden gem?
Drop your favorite guitar in the comments and let everybody know what makes it awesome.
Topics covered in this video:
* Fender controversy
* Best Strat-style guitars
* Non-Fender Strat alternatives
* Partscasters
* Budget electric guitars
* Guitar mods
* Super Strats
* Best affordable Strat copies
* Hidden gem guitars
* Fender Stratocaster alternatives
* Guitar discussion
* Guitar community debates
* Best electric guitars for the money
LINKS
* SoundGym 20% discount coupon: ➤ gregkocis.com/sgym20
* Deals on Plugin Boutique – gregkocis.com/ypki
* Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
* Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
The links to iZotope, Plugin Boutique, Mastering The Mix, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU24DT-qGH0wrP1yAou1rDoT&si=ek5NeRtiPZuYYWb2
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU13SMz9PDciPsmbB-uMFXZa&si=LeYW_23B9fX17jfO
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU2WSQda_vyw6JPPXDMTNKk6&si=U_EjPdWpi0HJ3MfN
* https://x.com/gregkocis
* instagram.com/greg.kocis
* threads.com/@greg.kocis
*COOL STUFF*
* LATEST DEALS ➥ gregkocis.com/deals
* FREE Plugins ➥ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU3Mx3NkH6RI1wZcDV-Leqpr&si=ZIsDoVBZ1U0tDj7v
* 240 Mac Apps Set App Invites ➥ youtu.be/vMcBlfj_iMo?si=SNOd1_cYe69qG_A1
* Producing a Song Using ONLY STOCK PLUGINS youtu.be/5_P4xuesHls?si=1BmUQg5jmADxf-zT
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
* INSTAGRAM gregkocis.com/instagram
* TWITTER / X https://x.com/gregkocis
* SOUNDCLOUD gregkocis.com/soundcloud
* Reddit gregkocis.com/reddit
★☆★ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: ★☆★
This Channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gregkocis
★☆★ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: ★☆★
This Channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gregkocis
Greg Kocis is a New York City-based producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Check out his music channels here:
Stars in June | Americana, Rock & more ➥ youtube.com/channel/UCy2ByGdgJb5kQtsXwsIUgAg
Map Of Reality | Electronic & Experimental music ➥ youtube.com/channel/UC69nYsRr4YHomOvm-o_oQiA
⬆️ Music that takes you through multiple dimensions and gets stuck in your head for days
On this YouTube channel, you will find Music, music backing tracks for musicians to jam along with, drum loops, music production tutorials, software demos/reviews, & other music-related things.
#howtomakemusicnow
