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Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
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Playability
67
Sound
77
Build
65
Value
70
Score
70
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Playability
72
Sound
76
Build
69
Value
62
Score
72
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Side to side spec comparison >

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster vs Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe

Reasons to Get
Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster over Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe

Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSS vs HH
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.685'' (42.8mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
70 vs 62
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe over Tash Sultana Stratocaster

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Mexico
Built with higher quality standards
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Pickups
HH vs HSS
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.685'' (42.8mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Other Key Differences
Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster vs Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe

Neck Pickup
Fender Yosemite Single-Coil Stratocaster vs Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster vs Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking
Same Bridge Pickup
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm)
Same neck comfortability
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
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp
The Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe was discontinued. Check out more current guitars from Fender.

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 Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe is probably the better product overall with its final score of 72 compared to the Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster's 70 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe wins when it comes to playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster has the upper hand when it comes to sound, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

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

The Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe 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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
  • 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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2021 Artist series
  • Tash Sultana Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Yosemite Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Yosemite Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered tuners
  • Weight between 7.9lbs (3.6kgs) and 8.2lbs (3.7kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe Overview

  • From Fender's 2020 Parallel Universe Volume II series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Adjusto-Matic with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Gold Die-Cast 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 the Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

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.

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 Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

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

Winner: Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster has an HSS configuration while the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe has HH pickups.

HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

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

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Fender Tash Sultana 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

The Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster gives you 5 switch options while the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe gives you 3. This means that the Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Both offer you the same type of pickup mod: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster's switch options
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe'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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 82
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 77
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 68
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 76

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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster compares to the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster is built in Mexico while the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe 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 Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe

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.

In this case, both have Bone nuts. 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.

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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster's brige 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.

On the other hand, the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe's 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.

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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster's are Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered while the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe's are Gold Die-Cast

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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster
Quality of materials 61
Features 60
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 65
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster Nut Width
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe Nut Width
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe has the wider nut with 42.8mm (1.685'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.8mm (0.031'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe, 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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster and Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe'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 Tash Sultana 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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster and the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe 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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster's Fingerboard radius
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe Fingerboard Radius
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe'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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe'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 Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe.

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 Tash Sultana Stratocaster favors large hands more than the Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster and Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 67
Fender Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster vs Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
General Fender Tash Sultana Stratocaster Parallel Universe Volume II Troublemaker Tele Deluxe
Brand: Fender Fender
Year: 2021 2020
Configuration: HSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Mexico United States
Series: Artist Parallel Universe Volume II
Colors: Red White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Mahogany
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo Adjusto-Matic with Anchored Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered Gold Die-Cast
Fretboard: Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Mahogany
Decoration: Black Dot Black Block
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Modern C Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 12"
Nut: Bone Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.8mm (1.685'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Yosemite Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Yosemite Single-Coil Stratocaster (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Custom Double Tap Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 2 2