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Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
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Playability
73
Sound
77
Build
77
Value
61
Score
76
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Playability
67
Sound
79
Build
82
Value
66
Score
76
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Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster vs Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster over Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster

Decorative Top
Spalted Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Number of Frets
21 vs 22
Warmer neck pickup
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
'60s Oval C vs Augmented “D”
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Paint Finish
Aged vs Poly
Paint has been artificially aged

Reasons to Get
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster over Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Augmented “D” vs '60s Oval C
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Pickup Mods
S-1 Switch vs None
Modifies the pickups
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Paint Finish
Poly vs Aged
Resistant paint that ages well
Value Score
66 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster vs Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat vs Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat vs Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat vs Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Birdseye Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster vs Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster

Body Wood
Ash
Same Body Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone control
Pickups
SSS
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Bridge
Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Compound Radius
9.5" to 12" vs 10" to 14"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 76 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender Custom's 2020 Artisan series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Spalted Maple top
  • Roasted Ash with Spalted Maple Top body
  • 3A Roasted Birdseye Maple neck
  • Round-Lam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • '60s Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2021 American Ultra series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 10" to 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 2-Point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo with Pop-In Arm bridge
  • Augmented “D” Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Woods Used in the Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster

Birdseye Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Birdseye Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Winner: Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are SSS. SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

Pickups Quality

Both come with some of the top pickups on the market. You can't go wrong with either of them. You'll probably never need a pickup upgrade.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster comes with some kind of pickup modification: S-1 Switch.

An S-1 switch can do a lot of different pickup combinations. It can split them, connect them in series, parallel, add more pickups to each position, and more. Check out the diagram to know how it affects this model.

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster's switch options
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 70
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 77
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 82
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 79

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster compares to the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in United States.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • S-1 Switch Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Quality of materials 60
Features 70
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 77
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
Quality of materials 71
Features 80
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 82

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 1.1mm (0.043'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster and Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster's neck profile
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster, on the other hand, has a D neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Fretboard Compound Radius
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster's Compound Fretboard Radius
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Fretboard Compound Radius
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster favors large hands more than the Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster.

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster's Frets Size
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's Frets Size

The Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 67

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster vs Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
General Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster
Brand: Fender Custom Fender
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: SSS SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Artisan American Ultra
Colors: Natural Sunburst, Red Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Solid Body
Body Material: Roasted Ash with Spalted Maple Top Ash
Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo 2-Point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo with Pop-In Arm
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking
Fretboard: Round-Lam Ebony Maple
Neck Material: 3A Roasted Birdseye Maple Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl dot Black Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: '60s Oval C Augmented “D”
Frets: 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" to 12" 10" to 14"
Nut: Bone Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None S-1 Switch
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 2