Differences Between a Fender Guitar & an Electric Guitar

Single Coil Pickups

• One of the most distinct differences of Fender guitars when compared with other electric guitars is Fenders use single coil pickups. A single coil pickup is a magnetic transducer converting the sound of the strings to an electric signal. Fender is recognized by musicians as one of the best guitars having single coil pickups. Single coils can produce more versatile electric signals because each coil receives and translates the sound separately. Although other electric guitars use single coil pickups, others such as Gibson guitars, mostly use double-coils, known as "humbuckers."

Body Style

• Fender has several guitar body styles, but two of the most common Fender guitars are the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. The Stratocaster is the classic electric guitar body and most electric guitars have a body style that in part mimics a Stratocaster. Jimi Hendrix, one of the most celebrated guitar players, used Stratocaster guitars nearly exclusively. Telecasters have a wider body than Stratocasters and don't have the same double cutaway design. Other electric guitars have severely different body styles when compared to Fenders.

Sound

• Sound technicians recommend Fender guitars when a musician wants a clean sound amplification. This is due to the single-coil pickups installed on the guitar. Fender guitars are often used by blues, alternative and rock musicians; however, Fender guitars can also produce hard rock and jazz sounds. Electric guitars equipped with humbuckers often have heavier sounds recommended for heavy metal, progressive rock and jazz.

Price

• Fender, because of its established brand name, sells electric guitars typically ranging from $700 to $3,000, as of 2011. Electric guitars which have the same features and specifications made by other brand names usually cost less. Original vintage Fenders can cause significantly more, depending on their specifications and condition.