Fender Vintera III Stratocaster

It ranks #3 (A tier) on our consolidated electric guitars board, drawn from 5 independent outlets.

Limited modern features compared to newer models.

The Fender Vintera III Stratocaster is for players who want a vintage look and feel with hardware that does not let them down. Reviewers credit it with hand-finished necks, reliable hardware and exceptional build quality, and it sits in A tier on our electric guitars board. Its one con is that it has fewer modern features than newer models. If modern features and the strongest reliability record matter more than the vintage feel, the Fender American Ultra II Tele in S tier is the better pick.

Buy the Fender Vintera III Stratocaster if you want the vintage feel and can afford it. It sits in A tier on our board, one tier above the Fender Player II Stratocaster in B tier. The Fender Player II Stratocaster is the best entry-level guitar that will last, with a durable build, reliable hardware and modern playability, so it is the right pick for a first Stratocaster or a tighter budget.

Many years. Reviewers single out its reliable hardware and exceptional build quality, and the body and neck of a solid-body guitar do not wear out. Strings are the only scheduled replacement. Expect a set-up once a year to keep the action and intonation right.

It is playable enough for a beginner, but it costs more than a beginner needs to spend and its appeal is the vintage feel, which a first-time player will not yet value. On our board the Fender Player II Stratocaster in B tier is the better first guitar. Pick the Fender Vintera III Stratocaster once you know you want that classic Strat character.

Wipe the strings and neck down after playing, keep it in a case or on a stand away from heat and direct sunlight, and avoid big humidity swings. Change strings when they sound dull, every one to three months for a regular player. Stretch new strings in so the vibrato bridge returns to pitch, and have it set up once a year.