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Fender James Burton Telecaster
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
VS
Playability
68
Sound
69
Build
67
Value
58
Score
68
FIND IT ON:
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Playability
73
Sound
77
Build
69
Value
63
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
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Fender James Burton Telecaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Fender James Burton Telecaster over Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Type of Frets
Vintage vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
James Burton U vs 60s C
Comfortable neck with more grip
Pickup Mods
Series Split vs None
Connects pickups in series to imitate a humbucker
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster over James Burton Telecaster

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Release Year
2020 vs 2006
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Vintage
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
60s C vs James Burton U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups Brand
Fender vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
63 vs 58
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender James Burton Telecaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Fender Specially Designed James Burton vs Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Fender Specially Designed James Burton vs Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Specially Designed James Burton vs Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender James Burton Telecaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
SSS
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Number of Frets
21
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • 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 the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Fender James Burton Telecaster's 68 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Fender James Burton Telecaster in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 5 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 James Burton Telecaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 James Burton Telecaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2006 Artist series
  • James Burton Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Specially Designed James Burton (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Specially Designed James Burton (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Specially Designed James Burton (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle American Series Strings-Thru-Body Strat with Block-Style Saddles bridge
  • James Burton U Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Vintage frets
  • Deluxe Cast/Sealed with Pearl Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2020 Artist series
  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 7.25" Fretboard Radius
  • Chambered Ash body
  • Quartersawn Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Graph Tech Saddles bridge
  • 60s C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style 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

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.

Woods Used in the Fender James Burton Telecaster

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

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.

Winner: Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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

The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender James Burton Telecaster. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Funk and similar genres.

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: Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster.

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 James Burton Telecaster comes with some kind of pickup modification: Series Split.

The Series Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in series. When wired in series, the resulting tone is similar to a Humbucker's. The pickups will work together and produce a fuller tone with more output than single-coils, but less than Humbuckers.

Fender James Burton Telecaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender James Burton Telecaster's switch options
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender James Burton Telecaster
Pickups 70
Sustain 65
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 69
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 70
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 77

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 James Burton Telecaster compares to the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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 James Burton Telecaster has a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

On the other hand, the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster comes with 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.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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.

The Fender James Burton Telecaster's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's is a 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

Both come with regular tuners. The Fender James Burton Telecaster's are Deluxe Cast/Sealed with Pearl Buttons while the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's are Vintage-Style

Winner: Tie.

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 James Burton Telecaster
  • Made in United States
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Series Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Weight Relief
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender James Burton Telecaster
Quality of materials 51
Features 55
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 67
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Quality of materials 51
Features 60
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 69

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 James Burton Telecaster Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Fender James Burton Telecaster and Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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 James Burton Telecaster Neck Profile
Fender James Burton Telecaster's neck profile
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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 James Burton Telecaster has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster, on the other hand, has a C 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.

Fretboard Radius

Fender James Burton Telecaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender James Burton Telecaster's Fingerboard radius
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's Fingerboard 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.

In this case, the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Fender James Burton Telecaster's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Fender James Burton Telecaster.

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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison are balanced for most hand sizes.

Fender James Burton Telecaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender James Burton Telecaster Frets Size
Fender James Burton Telecaster's Frets Size
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's Frets Size

The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender James Burton Telecaster's Vintage 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 James Burton Telecaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 50
Playability 68
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender James Burton Telecaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
General Fender James Burton Telecaster Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Brand: Fender Fender
Year: 2006 2020
Configuration: SSS SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States United States
Series: Artist Artist
Colors: Blue Patterns, Red Patterns Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Chambered Ash
Bridge: 6-Saddle American Series Strings-Thru-Body Strat with Block-Style Saddles 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Graph Tech Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Deluxe Cast/Sealed with Pearl Buttons Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Maple Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Quartersawn Maple
Decoration: Black Dot White Pearloid Block
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: James Burton U 60s C
Frets: 21 Vintage Nickel Silver 21 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 7.25"
Nut: Synthetic Bone Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Specially Designed James Burton (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Specially Designed James Burton (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Specially Designed James Burton (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Series Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2