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Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
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Playability
75
Sound
68
Build
50
Value
74
Score
64
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Playability
70
Sound
73
Build
55
Value
76
Score
66
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Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT vs Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Reasons to Get
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT over Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Avg. Weight
6.825lbs (3.1kgs) vs 7.575lbs (3.4kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR over Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Nut Material
Locking vs Graphite
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Value Score
76 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT vs Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Bridge Pickup
Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil vs Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil vs Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Graphite vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT vs Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR

Body Wood
Poplar
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted 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
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
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
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood
  • 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR is probably the better product overall with its final score of 66 compared to the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's 64 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT is the better choice.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR meets only 3. 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2021 Contemporary series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts tuners
  • Weight between 6.75lbs (3.1kgs) and 6.9lbs (3.1kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2021 Contemporary series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose by Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts tuners
  • Weight between 7.55lbs (3.4kgs) and 7.6lbs (3.4kgs)
  • 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

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT has an SSS configuration while the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR has HH pickups.

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.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT.

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.

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT's switch options
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Pickups 70
Sustain 70
Versatility 60
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 68
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 73

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT compares to the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

Country of Origin

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

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT has a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT'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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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: Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts.

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
  • Locking Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Quality of materials 46
Features 50
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 50
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Quality of materials 46
Features 65
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 55

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR, 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT and Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR'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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT and the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR 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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same 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 the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT and the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

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 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT and Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 80
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT vs Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
General Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
Brand: Fender Squier Fender Squier
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Contemporary Contemporary
Colors: White, Sunburst Pink, Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Poplar
Bridge: 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles Floyd Rose by Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Fretboard: Indian Laurel Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Dot Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Modern C Modern C
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Graphite Locking
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Squier SQR Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1