S-Style Guitars

The Original S-Style Design

Fender Stratocasters have been utilizing the same basic design since they were originally launched in 1954 and are easily the most-copied electric guitar design in history. Historically the Strat features a trio of single-coil pickups, but these days you can find them with HSS (Humbucker, Single, Single), HSH, HH, and even HS configurations to add even more sonic versatility to their setup.

In addition to this, there is an impressive range of neck profiles, switching options, hardware combinations, and body finishes so you can easily find the perfect Stratocaster for you.

As if that wasn't enough, Squier also has a wide range of affordable high-quality Stratocasters on offer these days - including both a Nile Rodgers signature "Hitmaker" and a Made in Japan Final Fantasy-inspired guitar - with components and electronics developed by Fender themselves, for that unmistakeable Strat playing experience without breaking the bank.

The SuperStrat

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new style of guitar player was beginning to emerge, many of whom preferred to adopt the kind of lightning-fast playing techniques that traditional electric guitars weren't quite equipped to handle - players such as Ritchie Blackmore, Eddie Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen, to name but three.

This paved the way for the introduction of custom-made Strat-like guitars, with faster-playing necks, thinner bodies, wild finishes, and powerful electronics - guitars which were soon as SuperStrats!

During the early-to-mid 1980s, companies such as Kramer, Jackson, Charvel, and Ibanez began to mass-produce Superstrats - who were later joined by the likes of ESP, Schecter, and EVH - due to the growing demand that came from the rising popularity of heavy metal music.

Cut to nearly four decades later, and the Superstrat is arguably more popular than it's ever been, with new designs coming from several top guitar companies on a yearly basis.

Other S-Style Guitars

As mentioned above, over the decades the Stratocaster has been the most-copied electric guitar design ever conceived.

In addition to the SuperStrats of the 1980s, there have been many Strat-Inspired/S-Style electric guitars at every price point.

Amongst the higher-end of the price bracket, you will find the likes of the Music Man Luke III - a Steve Lukather signature guitar - and the PRS John Mayer Silver Sky.

Down at the lower end of the price range, you will find the likes of the Kramer Focus VT-221S, Squier Bullet Stratocaster, and even the Encore E6 models.

Whatever your budget, there's an S-Style guitar for you, here at PMT!