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Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
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Playability
68
Sound
74
Build
59
Value
67
Score
67
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Playability
73
Sound
77
Build
69
Value
63
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
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Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster over Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
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
Value Score
67 vs 63
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster over Robert Cray Stratocaster

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Mexico
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2020 vs 2011
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
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

Other Key Differences
Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

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

Shared Features
Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Same Fretboard 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
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.827'' (21mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.925'' (23.5mm)
Same neck comfortability
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 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
  • Expensive Wood

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 Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster is the better choice.

The Fender Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2011 Artist series
  • Robert Cray Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Strat Hardtail bridge
  • 60s C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Weight between 6.95lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.6lbs (3.4kgs)
  • 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
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

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.

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.

Woods Used in the Fender Robert Cray 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.

Woods Used in the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster

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.

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.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster's and use them on any guitar:

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 Robert Cray Stratocaster and Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster and 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 74
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 Robert Cray Stratocaster 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. The Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster is built in Mexico while the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster is made in United States.

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.

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: 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster'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. 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster
Quality of materials 51
Features 50
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 59
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 Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster and the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster'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 Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster'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 Robert Cray 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 Robert Cray Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 68
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster vs Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
General Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster
Brand: Fender Fender
Year: 2011 2020
Configuration: SSS SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Mexico United States
Series: Artist Artist
Colors: Sunburst, Gray Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Chambered Ash
Bridge: 6-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Strat Hardtail 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Graph Tech Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Rosewood Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Quartersawn Maple
Decoration: White Dot White Pearloid Block
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: 60s C 60s C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.925'' (23.5mm) 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.925'' (23.5mm)
Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo 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 Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom-Voiced Kenny Wayne Shepherd 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