Best Poplar Body Stratocaster Style Guitars in 2026
Here you'll find the best Poplar body Stratocaster style guitars. It's similar to Alder in terms of tone as it has a fat low-end with strong mids, but it's a lot cheaper and softer. It's a bit heavier so it's mostly used for tops.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (11 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (12 votes)
Show All Specs
| Sterling Cutlass Short Scale | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass | |
| Colors: | Green, Pink | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Fulcrum Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dot Markers | |
| Scale Size: | 24" | |
| Shape: | Cutlass | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
- Compensated Nut
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- 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
All Prices
2. PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| PRS SE Silver Sky Maple | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | PRS | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | SE | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Purple | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 2-Point Steel Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage-Style | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Small Birds | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 635JM | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.846'' (21.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.949'' (24.1mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 8.5" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.7mm (1.641'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- 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
All Prices
3. Fender Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster HT
Compare
What our users think
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (26 votes)
Show All Specs
| Fender Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster HT | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Squier | |
| Year: | 2025 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Classic Vibe | |
| Colors: | Green, Pink | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail with Bent Steel Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage-Style | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | C | |
| Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster HT
Fender Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster HT
- Bone Nut
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- 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 Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Cort G200
Compare
What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Very Hard (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Sightly unstable (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noisy (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Cort G200 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Cort | |
| Year: | 2023 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | G | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Pink | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Point Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Cort Staggered Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | C | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.75" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Cort Powersound H (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Cort Powersound S (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Cort Powersound S (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort G200
Cort G200
- Locking Tuners
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Indonesia
- 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Ibanez AZES31
Compare
What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (2 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (4 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Ibanez AZES31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Ibanez | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | AZES | |
| Colors: | Red, Yellow | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | F106 w/ Comfort round Steel saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Ibanez machine heads w/ Split shaft | |
| Fretboard: | Jatoba | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25" | |
| Shape: | AZES | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.843" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Essentials (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Essentials (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Essentials (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Pickup Mods: | Series Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZES31
Ibanez AZES31
- Series Split Pickups
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (4 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (4 votes)
Show All Specs
| Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2025 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Standard 2-Point Tremolo with Satin Chrome Steel Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Fender Standard Cast/Sealed with Hex Buttons | |
| Fretboard: | Indian Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Modern "C" | |
| Frets: | 21 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Standard Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Standard Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- 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
All Prices
7. Harley Benton ST-20HH Active
Compare
What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (4 votes)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (3 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (3 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (4 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (7 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton ST-20HH Active | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Hardtail | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Roseacer | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Harley Benton Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.807'' (20.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.886'' (22.5mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | HBZ Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | HBZ Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton ST-20HH Active
Harley Benton ST-20HH Active
- 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
All Prices
8. PRS SE Silver Sky
Compare
What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| PRS SE Silver Sky | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | PRS | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | SE | |
| Colors: | White, Blue, Green, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 2-Point Steel Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Vintage-Style | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Small Birds | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | 635JM | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.846'' (21.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.949'' (24.1mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Vintage Tall | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 8.5" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | PRS 635JM "S" (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | PRS 635JM "S" (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | PRS 635JM "S" (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE Silver Sky
PRS SE Silver Sky
- Expensive Wood
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- 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
All Prices
9. Sterling CT50XHSS
Compare
Show All Specs
| Sterling CT50XHSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Sterling | |
| Year: | 2023 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Cutlass CT50 Plus | |
| Colors: | White, Blue, Grey | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Vintage Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Roasted Maple (CGR, CK), Rosewood (AGR) | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | White Pearloid Block Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Music Man Standard | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Compensated | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Humbuckers (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Pickup Mods: | Boost | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling CT50XHSS
Sterling CT50XHSS
- Locking Tuners
- Compensated Nut
- Boost Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. PRS SE NF3 Maple
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (16 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
Show All Specs
| PRS SE NF3 Maple | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | PRS | |
| Year: | 2024 | |
| Configuration: | HHH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | SE | |
| Colors: | White, Black, Blue, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | PRS Patented Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | PRS Designed | |
| Fretboard: | Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Birds | |
| Scale Size: | 25" | |
| Shape: | Wide Thin | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.91'' (23.1mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 10" | |
| Nut: | PRS Propietary | |
| Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Narrowfield DD "S" (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Narrowfield DD "S" (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Narrowfield DD "S" (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE NF3 Maple
PRS SE NF3 Maple
- PRS Propietary Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- 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
