Head to head
Fender Standard Stratocaster vs Ibanez AZES40
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against $300 - $500), and the pickup layouts differ (SSS against HSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 25 rows that actually differ marked out.
Standard Stratocaster
Olympic White, maple fingerboard
The cheapest guitar that says Fender on the headstock rather than Squier
AZES40
Purist Blue
Nine pickup sounds from three pickups, and a short scale that suits smaller hands
As an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our links, at no additional cost to you. We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Fender Standard Stratocaster8.2
- Ibanez AZES408.5
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 | AZES40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fender | Ibanez |
| Model | Standard Stratocaster | AZES40 |
| Finish | Olympic White, maple fingerboard | Purist Blue |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.2 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.3 / 5 (51) | 4.5 / 5 (95) |
| Price | $500 - $1,000 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Stratocaster | AZ double cutaway |
| Body wood | Poplar | Poplar |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on, four-bolt neck plate | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple (AZES profile) |
| Neck profile | Modern "C" | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25" (635 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Maple | Jatoba with white dot inlays |
| Radius | 9.5" (241 mm) | 9.84" (250 mm) |
| Frets | 21 | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo | Medium |
| Nut | Micarta | — |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) | 42 mm |
| Bridge | Standard two-point tremolo with satin chrome steel block saddles | T106 tremolo with comfort round steel saddles |
| Tuners | Fender Standard cast/sealed with hex buttons | Ibanez machine heads with split shafts |
| Neck pickup | Standard single-coil Strat | Essentials single-coil (passive, ceramic) |
| Bridge pickup | Standard single-coil Strat | Accord humbucker (passive, ceramic) |
| Configuration | SSS | HSS |
| Electronics | Passive, ceramic magnets | Passive, dyna-MIX9 switching with Alter switch |
| Controls | Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge) | Volume, tone, alter switch |
| Switching | Five-position blade | Five-way selector plus alter switch, giving nine pickup combinations |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Country, Indie | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal |
| 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.
Most versatile
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Fender Standard StratocasterHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez AZES40Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Fender Standard StratocasterBuild 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.
Other comparisons
Standard Stratocaster vs Affinity Series Stratocaster
Fender · Squier
AZES40 vs Affinity Series Stratocaster
Ibanez · Squier
AZES40 vs X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
Ibanez · Jackson
AZES40 vs Pro Plus Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET7
Ibanez · Jackson
AZES40 vs JS Series Dinky JS11Q
Ibanez · Jackson
AZES40 vs X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
Ibanez · Jackson