Mustang vs Stratocaster: Which Guitar is Best for You?

The Stratocaster and Mustang are both iconic guitars produced by Fender and Stratocaster, with the Strat being by far the most popular option, but which is best for you? In this article, I’ll compare the features of the two guitars, the tones, appearance, feel and look into pretty much every guitar in the Stratocaster and Mustang ranges so you can see what’s available within your budget.

The Quick Answer

Stratocasters differ from Mustangs primarily due to their extra single coil pickup, more regular shaped body and longer scale length. Mustangs tend to sound a bit warmer than Stratocasters which sound quite bright. Both models have 22 frets, single coil pickups and a similar C-shape neck.

Comparing Models

First, let’s take a look at the key features and specifications of Squier and Fender versions of the Stratocaster and Mustang electric guitars. Fender produce the most premium versions of each guitar, whilst Squier who are owned by Fender, make the more affordable versions.

Fender Mustang and Stratocaster

Here is a table comparing the Fender American Performer versions of the Stratocaster and Mustang. I’ve chosen these models as they are similarly priced, and this is the only American Mustang model in the range. The Stratocaster comes in more expensive versions where the specification will vary.

Feature	Fender Stratocaster	Fender Mustang
Body Shape	Double Cutaway	Double Cutaway
Body Wood	Alder	Alder
Pickups	Three Single-Coils	Two Single-Coils
Neck Shape	Modern-C	Modern-C
Neck Wood	Maple	Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On	Bolt-On
Frets	22	22
Fretboard Wood	Rosewood	Rosewood
Scale Length	25.5”	24”
Bridge	Synchronised Tremolo	Dynamic Tremolo
Number of Tone Knobs	2	1
Number of Volume Knobs	1	1
Pickup Selector	5-way	3-way
Weight	8 pounds (3.6 kg)	7 pounds (3.2 kg)

Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices:

• Fender American Performer Stratocaster
• Fender American Performer Mustang

Squier Mustang and Stratocaster

Here is a comparison of the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s versions of the Mustang and Stratocaster.

These are both the most expensive models in the Squier range and are designed to replicate the classic Fender versions of each guitar, but at a more affordable price point. The Stratocaster also comes in a 50’s and 70’s version, but the Mustang only comes in the 60’s version, hence why I’ve chosen these models to compare.

Feature	Squier Stratocaster	Squier Mustang
Body Shape	Double Cutaway	Double Cutaway
Body Wood	Nato	Poplar
Pickups	Three Single-Coils	Two Single-Coils
Neck Shape	Slim C-shape	C-shape
Neck Wood	Maple	Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On	Bolt-On
Frets	21	22
Fretboard Wood	Indian Laurel or Maple	Indian Laurel
Scale Length	25.5”	24”
Bridge	Synchronised Tremolo	Dynamic Tremolo
Number of Tone Knobs	2	1
Number of Volume Knobs	1	1
Phase Switch	No	Yes
Pickup Selector	5-way	3-way
Weight	7.3 pounds (3.3 kg)	6-pounds (2.7 kg)

Here are Amazon links to each version so you can check the current prices:

• Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster
• Squier Classic Vibe Mustang

Sound Differences

The Stratocaster sounds brighter compared to the Mustang, particularly when using the bridge pickup. The Mustang sounds a bit warmer and darker, and has more bite, and this is particularly evident when using the neck pickup, and higher gain amp settings.

Both guitars have single coil pickups, meaning the tone is reasonably similar, or at least when compared to other models. Both models are considered pretty versatile and able to play a large range of music styles, however they are rarely used for metal as the pickups tend to suffer from humming when using high gain.

Some Stratocasters have two humbuckers, such as the Fender Boxer and Squier Contemporary models, but most just have single coils. The most common variation is a H-S-S Strat which has a bridge humbucker pickup, and two single coils. Some Mustangs will have two humbucker pickups instead of the two single coils.

Check out my guide to pickup types to learn more about how this affects the tone of the guitar.

The best way to demonstrate the difference in tone between the two guitars is of course by actually being able to hear them, so here is a video when you can hear them being played back to back.

Look and Feel

The main differences between the look and feel of the Mustang and Stratocaster are the body shapes, and scale length. The Mustang has a shorter scale length than the Stratocaster by 1.5″ which makes it easier to handle for some guitarists.

The offset body on the Mustang means that the neck tilts upwards more towards the player when stood up, whereas the Stratocaster lies flatter due to its more regular shape.

Want to learn more about offset guitars? Check out my article discussing the pros and cons of offset body electric guitars.

Both guitars are reasonably light, particularly compared to something like a Les Paul, however the Mustang is around 1 pound lighter than the Stratocaster as it has a smaller body and scale length, sometimes making it a bit more comfortable to play when standing up for longer periods.

The C-shape neck on both models makes them comfortable models to play for most guitarists, and the double cutaway design makes upper fret access much easier.

Both guitars have plastic pick guards and come in different colours, but the Stratocaster is available in a lot more finishes and has a more classic look compared to the quirky offset design of the Mustang.

Check out my complete comparison between the Stratocaster and Telecaster

Comparing the Ranges

Before I jump into an in-depth comparison of the designs of these two guitars, I also wanted to compare the different models available in the Squier and Fender ranges.

I’ve made these tables to show the key features and price (according to Guitar Center at the time of writing) of pretty much every standard model in the range, but keep in mind that the price can very depending on the colour and availability of limited editions. The tables are all ordered from the lowest to the highest price.

Entry-Level and Low-End (Under $500)

Guitar	Origin	Body Wood	Bridge	Price
Squier Bullet Stratocaster	Indonesia	Basswood	Fixed	$180
Squier Bullet Mustang HH	Indonesia	Basswood	Fixed	$190
Squier Affinity Stratocaster	China	Alder	6-saddle tremolo	$230
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster	China	Poplar	Floyd Rose	$400
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster	Indonesia	Poplar/ Pine/ Nato	6-saddle tremolo	$430
Squier Classic Vibe Mustang	Indonesia	Poplar	Dynamic tremolo	$450

Mid-Range ($500-$1000)

Guitar	Origin	Body Wood	Bridge	Price
Fender Player Mustang	Mexico	Alder	Fixed	$700
Fender Player Stratocaster	Mexico	Alder	2-point tremolo	$750
Fender Deluxe Stratocaster	Mexico	Alder	2-point tremolo	$950
Fender Vintera Stratocaster	Mexico	Alder	6-saddle tremolo	$950
Fender Vintera ‘60s Mustang	Mexico	Alder	Vintage tremolo	$1000

High-End (Over $1200)

Guitar	Origin	Body Wood	Bridge	Price
Fender American Performer Mustang	America	Alder	Dynamic Tremolo	$1150
Fender Boxer Stratocaster	Japan	Basswood	Floyd Rose	$1200
Fender American Performer Stratocaster	America	Alder	2-point tremolo	$1200
Fender American Professional Strat	America	Alder	2-point tremolo	$1500
Fender American Showcase Strat	America	Alder	2-point tremolo	$1700
Fender American Ultra Strat	America	Alder	Tremolo	$1900
Fender American Original Strat	America	Alder	Tremolo	$2000

Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when I’m interested in a new electric guitar because have a huge range of models for sale and always have some excellent deals on. Here’s a link to take you directly to Guitar Center’s electric guitar range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. 

Specific Design Comparisons

Now we’ve been through the basics between these two guitars, I wanted to take a more in-depth look at the designs of each model and how this affects the tone, look, feel and playability of each instrument.

Pickups

The Stratocaster and Mustang both traditionally have single coil pickups, however the Strat has three pickups and the Mustang only has a bridge and neck pickup. The Mustang’s pickups are both in a slanted position, whereas only the bridge pickup on the Stratocaster is angled.

The idea behind the angling is to emphasise the treble frequencies of the higher strings, and the bass frequencies of the lower strings, causing the higher strings to sound bright and the lower strings to sound warmer. You can find out more about this in my article on pickup angling.

Controls

The Stratocaster has a 5-way pickup selector and the Mustang has a 3-way pickup selector on most models, or an on/off switch for each pickup on the Fender Vintera model to produce the same effect as the 3-way selector. The Mustang has single tone and volume controls, and the Stratocaster has two tone controls and a volume control.

• The 5-way pickup selector on the Strat allows you to activate either the bridge, middle or neck pickup in isolation, or the middle pickup in combination with either the neck or bridge pickup. Here is my guide to the Stratocasters controls if you want to learn more.
• The 3-way pickup selector on the Mustang allows you to activate either the bridge or neck pickup alone, or both together.

Body

Both the Stratocaster and Mustang traditionally have alder bodies, however the shape of them is what differs. The Stratocaster has a fairly regular shaped design compared to the Mustang which has an offset body. The offset body of the Mustang causes the centre of gravity to be shifted so the neck tilts upwards more when playing stood up, which some players find more comfortable.

Neck and Fretboard

The neck on a Stratocaster and Mustang is usually similar. Most models have a C or slim-C shape neck, made of maple. They also have a 22 fret neck. The Stratocaster fretboard is usually made of either rosewood or maple, whereas the Mustang is generally made from maple. The main difference, is that the Mustang has a shorter scale length. This makes the Mustang easier to play for some guitarists, but also makes it sound a bit warmer by comparison to the Strat.

Which Should You Choose?

The best way to figure out if a Stratocaster or a Mustang is the best guitar for you is to give them both a try. You can do this even if you’re a complete beginner, just sit and stand with the guitar to see which feels comfier and ask the store assistant to play both models so you can see which tone you prefer.

For Beginners?

For beginner guitarists, a Stratocaster is usually recommended over a Mustang because they are more widely available, come in more colour options, are are very versatile sounding. However, both guitars are fairly lightweight and have a reasonably slim neck, making them a comfortable option for most players.

I’ve written a complete buyer’s guide for electric guitars which takes you through all the things you need to consider and a step-by-step method to narrowing down your selection and choosing the best option. Here is a link to the article.

Here are some more articles you might find useful:

• Stratocaster vs Les Paul vs Telecaster
• Stratocaster vs Jaguar
• Stratocaster vs Jazzmaster