Best Stratocaster Style Guitars With Black Hardware in 2026
Here are the top Stratocaster style guitars with Black hardware.
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. Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (52 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (49 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| Fender Jim Root Stratocaster | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2012 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Artist | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | ||
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Modern C | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" to 16" | |
| Nut: | Synthetic Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 60 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
Fender Jim Root Stratocaster
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Synthetic Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
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2. Sterling CT50XHSS
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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
3. Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Slightly sharp (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (50 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (38 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (5 votes)
Show All Specs
| Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Squier | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Contemporary | |
| Colors: | Pink, Gray | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose by Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts | |
| Fretboard: | Roasted Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Modern C | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster HH FR
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
All Prices
4. Harley Benton ST-20HH Active
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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
5. Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (50 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (38 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Squier | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Contemporary | |
| Colors: | White, Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Hardtail With Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts | |
| Fretboard: | Indian Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Modern C | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | 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) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT
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
All Prices
6. Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
- Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (50 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (38 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender Squier | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | SSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Contemporary | |
| Colors: | Black, Blue Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Poplar | |
| Bridge: | 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts | |
| Fretboard: | Roasted Maple | |
| Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
| Decoration: | Black Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Modern C | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | 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) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
Fender Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special
- Tremolo
- 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Harley Benton ST-20HSS
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (22 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (7 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (8 votes)
Show All Specs
| Harley Benton ST-20HSS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Sunburst, Black, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Basswood | |
| Bridge: | Harley Benton Tremolo | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Die-Cast Machine Heads | |
| Fretboard: | Purpleheart | |
| 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: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | HB Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | HB Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | HB Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 2 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton ST-20HSS
Harley Benton ST-20HSS
- Tremolo
- 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
