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Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster
VS
Playability
73
Sound
77
Build
69
Value
63
Score
73
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Playability
67
Sound
74
Build
59
Value
72
Score
67
FIND IT ON:
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Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster vs H.E.R. Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster over H.E.R. Stratocaster

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Mexico
Built with higher quality standards
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Vintage Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.827'' (21mm) vs 0.825'' (21mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.925'' (23.5mm) vs 0.975'' (24.8mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster over Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Type of Frets
Vintage Tall vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.825'' (21mm) vs 0.827'' (21mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.975'' (24.8mm) vs 0.925'' (23.5mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
72 vs 63
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster vs H.E.R. Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat vs Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat vs Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat vs Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster vs H.E.R. 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
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone 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
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
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • 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 H.E.R. Stratocaster's 67 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

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?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster is the better choice.

The Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster meets only 5. 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.

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

New Player Friendliness

Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 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 >

Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2020 Artist series
  • H.E.R Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • Mid 60s C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Vintage Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Weight between 7.95lbs (3.6kgs) and 8.7lbs (3.9kgs)
  • 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 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.

Woods Used in the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

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

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 H.E.R. 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.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster and Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster and Fender H.E.R. 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: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 70
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 77
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 74

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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster compares to the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster is built in United States while the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster is made in Mexico.

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.

Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

Winner: Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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 H.E.R. Stratocaster comes with 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.

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.

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

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with 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 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
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Quality of materials 51
Features 60
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 69
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster
Quality of materials 51
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 59

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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster 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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster and Fender H.E.R. 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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's neck profile
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender H.E.R. 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.

Both the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster and the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster have a C-shaped 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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's Fingerboard radius
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender H.E.R. 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 H.E.R. Stratocaster'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 H.E.R. Stratocaster.

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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster's Frets Size
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster's Frets Size

The Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster's Vintage Tall 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 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73
Fender H.E.R. Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 67

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster vs H.E.R. Stratocaster
General Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster H.E.R. Stratocaster
Brand: Fender Fender
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: SSS SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States Mexico
Series: Artist Artist
Colors: Blue Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Chambered Ash Alder
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Graph Tech Saddles 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Rosewood Maple
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple Maple
Decoration: White Pearloid Block Abalone dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: 60s C Mid 60s C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.925'' (23.5mm) 1st Fret: 0.825'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.975'' (24.8mm)
Frets: 21 Jumbo Nickel Silver 21 Vintage Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 7.25" 9.5"
Nut: Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage Noiseless Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 2