If you’re on the hunt for the best cheap Strat copy out there, don’t worry! In today’s article, we’re going to have a closer look on 8 really good and affordable Stratocaster alternatives. I’m sure that we all love that bright and classic Stratocaster sound. Nevertheless, the best original guitars by Fender tend to be really expensive. That’s why not everyone can afford them, especially at the beginning. Thankfully, there are quite a lot great guitars out there that are comparable with “real” Stratocasters!
I created this list of 8 cheap Strat alternatives to show you that cool guitars don’t necessarily have to cost a fortune. In fact, I had a few of these models in my hands already and I can confirm that they offer a solid quality, comfortable playability and decent pricing. If you’re starting your musical journey and it will be your first guitar, you should totally check out the list below. What’s more, I’m sure that even more advanced players will be able to enjoy these models!
Best Cheap Strat Copy – Top 8
| 1. | Squier Bullet Stratocaster | See on Amazon |
| 2. | Yamaha Pacifica | See on Amazon |
| 3. | Monoprice Cali | See on Amazon |
| 4. | Squier Affinity Stratocaster | See on Amazon |
| 5. | Ibanez GRGM21 | See on Amazon |
| 6. | Stagg SES50M | See on Amazon |
| 7. | Rollins Leo | See on Amazon |
| 8. | Eastrock Guitar | See on Amazon |
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
For those who don’t know, Squier is actually owned by Fender, the most famous manufacturer of Stratocasters. The company offers really affordable guitars that actually sound and feel really well. The Bullet Series is the lowest possible option, so it’s the cheapest Strat with a Fender logo on the market. Undoubtedly, this instrument will be a perfect starter guitar for beginner players. If you’re a more advanced musician, you will be able to have fun with it, although bear in mind that it’s the lowest possible model offered by Squier. Still, it’s a cool and cheap choice. Great guitar! See how it sounds below. I think it’s the best cheap Strat copy out there.
Yamaha Pacifica
Another really cool and affordable guitar. This model is actually one of the best on today’s list! What’s important, this Pacifica features a HSS pickup setup, which offers a really versatile sound. Whether you’re more into rock n’ roll, indie or blues, you will find the right tone on that guitar. In terms of materials, Yamaha decided to use an agathis top and a maple bolt-on-neck. In addition, there’s a vintage tremolo bridge. In my opinion this is a really cool Strat that won’t break the bank!
Monoprice Cali
It is very likely that you never heard about this brand before. In fact, Monoprice is a manufacturer of really cheap guitars. Of course, this Cali model may not be as amazing as an original Fender Stratocaster, but it’s still a great starter guitar. The guitar is available in a few different colors and it actually comes with a bonus gig bag. Don’t be fooled about the price: the guitar sounds and feels great! It will be really difficult to find something better at this level. I highly recommend checking it out further. In fact, here’s a sound sample below. What do you think?
Squier Affinity Stratocaster
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most popular affordable Strats in the world. As I mentioned before, Squier offers really good quality guitars at decent prices. Whether you choose a Bullet, Affinity or Classic Vibe Stratocaster, it will definitely be a good choice. In fact, I actually own a guitar from Affinity Series (you can see review with photos and samples here – Squier Affinity Jazzmaster) and it’s absolutely amazing. And since all Affinity guitars offer the same attention to detail, I can highly recommend this model for anyone who’s interested in guitars. What’s more, it’s a guitar for absolutely anyone – from absolute amateurs to more advanced players. Great choice!
Ibanez GRGM21
Something for fans of shredding! This compact Ibanez guitar looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. Although Stratocaster guitars most often have three single-coil pickups, the GRGM21 model features two humbuckers made for fat riffs and fast solos. I’m actually amazed that this guitar is that cheap. In my opinion, this is the best cheap Strat copy for metal and hard rock music. On top of that, the purple body and black pickguard can really catch your attention! Especially when you think about the contrasting bright fretboard. Absolutely special guitar suitable for both amateur and intermediate players.
Stagg SES50M
Another really cool Strat copy which is ideal for people on a low budget. It has everything you need from a Stratocaster: three single coil pickups, bolt-on maple neck and a solid alder body. On top of that, there’s also a Tremolo bridge! Absolutely great sounding and well-made guitar. In fact, it actually sounds really similar to any original Fender Stratocaster. It has that really special bright tone – you know what I mean! I highly recommend checking out the sound sample below.
Rollins Leo
Rollins is a budget guitar brand that crafts their guitars in China. Some people believe that Chinese products are not worth it all, but to be honest, I disagree. This model will be perfect for beginner players. If you’re just starting your journey, it should be a perfect fit! Nevertheless, guitars from China tend to have problems with the setup. There is a small chance that once the guitar arrives, you will have to visit your local luthier do adjust it. These minor issues can actually discourage you from practicing more. Nevertheless, it’s not always the case – the quality of Chinese guitars improved drastically in the last few years. At this price, it will be difficult to find something better. Not a bad choice at all!
Eastrock Guitar Kit
Something for absolute beginners. This cheap Strat Copy might not be the best in the world, but it has everything you need to start this hobby. In fact, the producer decided do create a bundle for beginners full of various guitar accessories. There’s even a small amp! Of course, the quality of this gear is not exceptional, but you will be able to practice on it. If you’re on the beginning of your musical road, you should totally consider checking out this bundle!
Stratocaster – FAQ
What makes a Stratocaster a Stratocaster?
The Stratocaster has one of the most iconic guitar shapes in the history. It’s a solid body guitar with an assymetric double-cutaway body. Most often, Stratocasters have three single-coil pickups, two tone controls, one volume control and a pickup switch.
Is Stratocaster good for a beginner?
Of course! Stratocaster can be particularly great for beginners because of a relatively slim neck. The slimmer the neck is, the easier it is to learn playing melodies and chords. That’s why Strats are the most popular choice among the amateur players.
What type of music is Stratocaster good for?
A Stratocaster is a really versatile guitar used in a wide variety of genres. It can be used in blues, rock, jazz, indie and even metal! When it comes to Strats, there are no limits.
Which company makes the best Stratocaster?
Fender is the most famous manufacturer of the Stratocaster guitars. In addition, Squier (which is a part of Fender) offers cheaper versions of Strats too. Although there are a lot of different guitar manufacturers who offer Strats, these two are the most popular.
Where can I buy a cheap Stratocaster?
There are a lot of places where you can buy a cheap Stratocaster. Firstly, you can visit your local music store. Alternatively, you can always find these guitars online. I recommend checking out guitars on Amazon – they ship guitars really fast and they are always delivered safely. In fact, you can use the links provided above to see more details about the guitars listed above.
Summary
As you can see, there’s quite a few cheap Strat copies out there, but it’s difficult to say which copy is the best. All of these guitars offer similar quality – they all sound good, but obviously you can’t expect wonders at this price. If I had to choose just one guitar, I would probably go with the Squier or Ibanez. Nevertheless, I guarantee that if you’re a beginner, all of these Stratocasters will be fun to play!
Thanks for checking out Best Guitars Now. I hope that my article was helpful. Which guitar would you choose? Let me know in the comment section below. Additionally, you may also enjoy:
