Fender Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH vs Fender Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster HH

Buy the Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH if you want a set-neck, humbucker guitar with a carved flame maple top and Seymour Duncan pickups; it is the more premium instrument and the one most players would keep. The Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster HH is the better first or backup guitar: lighter on the wallet, familiar Strat feel, and easy to mod. Owners of the FMT HH praise the build and the coil-tap versatility; Classic Vibe owners praise the neck and the value, though many swap pickups and hardware over time.

• Choose the Special Edition Custom Telecaster FMT HH if you want a set-neck mahogany guitar with a flame maple top, Seymour Duncan humbuckers and a coil tap for gigging and recording.
• Choose the Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster HH if you want a comfortable, familiar Strat-style guitar for practice and small gigs and plan to upgrade parts as you go.