Head to head
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS vs Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20
The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HSS against HH), and the scale lengths are not the same (25.5" against 24.75"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 26 rows that actually differ marked out.
Standard Stratocaster HSS
Black, laurel fingerboard
The Standard Strat with a humbucker, which is the version that covers more ground
Revstar Element RSE20
Swift Blue
A chambered mahogany double-cut with the smartest coil-split circuit at the price
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS8.3
- Yamaha Revstar Element RSE208.8
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| Standard Stratocaster HSS | Revstar Element RSE20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fender | Yamaha |
| Model | Standard Stratocaster HSS | Revstar Element RSE20 |
| Finish | Black, laurel fingerboard | Swift Blue |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.3 / 10 | 8.8 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.9 / 5 (16) | 4.7 / 5 (55) |
| Price | $500 - $1,000 | $500 - $1,000 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Stratocaster solidbody | Revstar double cutaway, chambered |
| Body wood | Poplar | Chambered mahogany |
| Top | — | Maple |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on, four-bolt neck plate | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Maple | Mahogany |
| Neck profile | Modern "C" | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 24.75" (628 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Indian laurel | Rosewood |
| Radius | 9.5" (241 mm) | 12" (305 mm) |
| Frets | 21 | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo | Jumbo |
| Nut | Micarta | PPS |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) | 1.649" (41.9 mm) |
| Bridge | Standard two-point tremolo with satin chrome steel block saddles | Adjustable bridge with stopbar tailpiece |
| Tuners | Fender Standard cast/sealed with hex buttons | — |
| Neck pickup | Standard single-coil Strat | Yamaha Alnico V humbucker |
| Bridge pickup | Standard humbucking | Yamaha Alnico V humbucker |
| Configuration | HSS | HH |
| Electronics | Passive, ceramic magnets | Passive, with push/pull Dry Switch high-pass filter |
| Controls | Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge) | Volume, tone with push/pull Dry Switch |
| Switching | Five-position blade | 3-way toggle |
| Weight | — | Around 7.3 lb (3.3 kg) |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Intermediate, Advanced, Professional |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Metal, Pop, Funk, Indie, Punk | Rock, Indie, Blues, Punk, Pop, Jazz |
| In the box | — | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Best value
Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20Highest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.
Most versatile
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for rock
Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.
Best for metal
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to metal.
Best for the studio
Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20Build and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.
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