Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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🎸 This video isn't sponsored by anybody. It's supported by my course, Fretboard Fundamentals ULTIMATE. 35 video lessons, notated PDFs and Guitar Pro files, and backing tracks I wrote and produced, all built to meet you wherever you are as a player. You can grab it at a special discount right now:
👉 rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/ff-ultimate?coupon_code=YT52&product_id=5977054


If you're as fed up with Fender as I am right now, here are the best Stratocaster alternatives at every price point, none of them made by Fender. These are the guitars I'd actually buy instead.

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A couple weeks ago I made a video about the Fender controversy and mentioned I was thinking about covering my favorite alternatives. A lot of you asked for it, so here it is. Every price tier, from a $333 Harley Benton up to a boutique Suhr. I still love plenty of what Fender has done, I just don't think we should reward how they're treating the smaller builders right now, and the best way to send that message is with our wallets.

🎸 THE GUITARS (some of these are affiliate links, some aren't)

Budget: Harley Benton ST Modern Plus – [non affiliate]
thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_st_modern_plus_mn_hss_sp.htm

Mid: PRS Silver Sky SE – [affiliate link]
sweetwater.sjv.io/yZLZ9G

Mid: G&L Tribute Legacy – [non affiliate]
reverb.com/p/g-and-l-tribute-series-legacy

American: PRS American Silver Sky – [affiliate link]
sweetwater.sjv.io/qWNWmg

Boutique: Suhr Classic S Antique – [affiliate link]
sweetwater.sjv.io/9VQVnE

Boutique: Shabat Lynx – [non affiliate]
reverb.com/marketplace?query=shabat%20lynx


⏱ CHAPTERS
0:00 Why I'm fed up with Fender
0:47 The rules for this list
1:06 Budget tier: Squier and the $333 Harley Benton
2:46 Mid tier: Player II and Vintera 2
3:21 The PRS Silver Sky SE beats Fender here
5:13 Another mid pick: G&L Tribute Legacy
6:06 American tier: Am Pro 2 GT11 and Am Vintage 2
7:31 The American Silver Sky (and the John Mayer story)
9:09 Fretboard Fundamentals ULTIMATE
10:48 Boutique tier: Fender Custom Shop money
12:03 My top pick: the Suhr Classic S Antique
13:24 Another boutique option: the Shabat Lynx
14:16 Vote with your dollars
15:37 Affiliate links and course

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This video was edited by Daniel Moreira @NoiseArcade

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What did I miss? Drop your favorite non-Fender Strat in the comments, and tell me if you want me to do this for Telecasters next.

Thanks for watching. I'll see you on the next one.
— Rhett

#guitar #stratocaster #fender #prs #silversky #suhr #harleybenton #gandl #strat #fenderalternatives #guitargear #guitarist