I am a new guitar player and I was wondering which was better the blacktop strat or the standard strat.

That really depends on your taste about singlecoils and humbuckers. Nothing else. Who are your guitar heroes ? What they use ? There ya go !

my heros use PRS guitars but that is too expensive. What is the main difference in the guitars other than the humbuckers?

As far as I know, the only differences between the Blacktop and Standard, besides pickups, are cosmetics. The blacktop has a black pickguard and different knobs.

Blacktop:
Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane
Pickups: Hot Vintage Alnico Humbucking Bridge Pickup
Tuning Keys: Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines

Standard:
Neck Finish: Satin Finish
Pickups: Three standard Strat single-coil pickups
Machine Heads: Fender/Ping standard

I think thats pretty much it. Personally I dont like humbuckers, so for me its a obvious choice.
But let me give you another option.



It´s a Fender Special Run Standard Stratocaster, with 2 single-coils and a humbucker. A very versatile guitar.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratSTRRF/

Besides the pickups and combinations with the selector, not much of a difference. The Blacktop I played in the shop was very impressive. The humbuckers give it an edgier tone. I am saving for one of those beauties.


In my honest opinion the Squier CV series is a better bang for the buck between the Fender Standard and it. The Fender Blacktop would possibly suite your musical needs if you like using a lot of distortion or like a richer tone when playing.

Let us know what you decide on.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

i am hoping to get a guitar for christmas and it is probably going to be a blacktop strat. thanks for the info guys

Based on your username, I think you´ve pretty much made your mind. Welcome to fenderland!

The Blacktop has 22 frets and the Standard has 21.

The Blacktop's neck is also glossy vs satin on the Standard. There's definitely a different feel there.

Cosmetically, they have different styles of Fender logos as well.

Best thing to do is go and try them both out. Like someone else says it looks like you already made up your mind.

You made the right decision, because betwee those two either way you cant lose.

One other difference, the Standard has a high mass trem block while the Blacktop has a cheap smaller one. A lot of people think this makes a difference in sustain.

I am really starting to like the sounds I am getting from my Blacktop with the maple neck. I just posted a song I did this morning on ourstage.com

http://www.ourstage.com/tracks/YVSMSIUYNHWO-only-one-way

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