Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars
  2. Electric Guitars

The best Stratocaster players of all time

News
By Rob Power
Published 16 June 2014

As voted for by you

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The best Stratocaster players of all time

The best Stratocaster players of all time

60 DAYS OF STRAT: The Fender Stratocaster is many things: a design masterpiece; an object of desire; an American classic; but first and foremost, it's an instrument built for players to express themselves musically as never before.

Don't Miss

• The 10 best Stratocasters: our pick of the best Strat guitars
•
Stratocaster vs Telecaster: which is right for you?

With that in mind, we set out to establish a roster of the finest players ever to have strapped on a Strat and jammed the pickup selector switch in between the first and second position. We ran a series of polls giving you the opportunity to choose your favourite Strat players through the ages, and you voted - in your thousands.

So without further ado, follow this link to find out who you voted the very best Stratocaster players of the 1950s.

Click through our gallery for links to the results for every decade right up to the present day...

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
The best Stratocaster players of the 1960s

The best Stratocaster players of the 1960s

Click here to see who you voted the best Stratocaster players of the 1960s.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
The best Stratocaster players of the 1970s

The best Stratocaster players of the 1970s

Click here to see who you voted the best Stratocaster players of the 1970s.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
The best Stratocaster players of the 1980s

The best Stratocaster players of the 1980s

Click here to see who you voted the best Stratocaster players of the 1980s.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
The best Stratocaster players of the 1990s

The best Stratocaster players of the 1990s

Click here to see who you voted the best Stratcoaster players of the 1990s.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
The best Stratocaster players of the 21st century

The best Stratocaster players of the 21st century

Click here to see who you voted the best Stratocaster players of the 21st century.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Rob Power
Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Yamaha Pacifica and Fender Stratocaster
Guitars Now Fender hits Yamaha with a cease-and-desist as it widens legal campaign over Stratocaster copyright
 
 
Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, David Knopfler, Pick Withers, Zaal Lux, Herenthout, Belgium, 12th October 1978
Guitarists “You can’t put out a record about a trad band": the Dire Straits classic that's often imitated, but rarely mastered
 
 
Artists “I spent hours in the studio on this one song. I probably spent $10,000 trying to get it to work”
 
 
Chris Payton shows Planet Guitar his Collings I-35, a gift from Bruno Mars
Artists Chris Payton reveals his rig for Bruno Mars stadium shows
 
 
Harley Benton ST-62LA MN BK
Electric Guitars “Makes you realise just how good budget guitars have become”: Harley Benton ST-62LA review
 
 
Latest in Electric Guitars
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
Guitar Center 2026 Exclusive Crossroads Guitar Collection
Artists The Blind Faith Tele returns as Guitar Center unveils Eric Clapton Crossroads charity collab
 
 
Donner Hush X Pro on wood floor
Electric Guitars “When you're away from your main rig, it more than fills a void.”: Donner Hush X Pro review
 
 
Harley Benton SC-Special Hybrid
Guitars Harley Benton’s new $195 single-cuts have got a touch of the Nik Huber boutique vibe about them
 
 
Jackson and Charvel Sleep Token Signature Models: the Jackson Monarkh and Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass V are designed for low-end metal riffing.
Artists Jackson and Charvel’s Sleep Token signature models are officially here – and are officially kind of insane
 
 
Gretsch G6134T-58 Limited Edition Penguin Pale Blue Pearl
Guitars Gretsch unveils a high-end dream machine: a Penguin refreshed in limited run Pale Blue Pearl finish
 
 
Latest in News
Miley Cyrus
Artists As she rocks out with a black Fender Strat, here’s what Miley has said about playing guitar
 
 
George Michael plays his Gretsch Synchromatic 160 onstage during his debut solo tour in 1988.
Artists George Michael’s ‘Faith’ guitar heads to auction and you won’t find a 1940s Gretsch with more ‘80s mojo
 
 
Cassandra Wilson during Cassandra Wilson Performing at the Contemporary Arts Center - May 3, 2002
Singers & Songwriters “She had an unmistakable vocal tone and phrasing”: Blues jazz singer Cassandra Wilson has died, aged 70
 
 
Steve Vai and Joe Satriani pictured with their signature Ibanez guitars
Artists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai officially announce release of their first-ever studio album together
 
 
Reason Free
Plugins Reason Free puts 15 classic Reason devices in one free plugin that you can use in your existing DAW
 
 
Alanis Morissette at the 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 11, 2026 in New York
Singers & Songwriters “An incompetent blackmailer”: Alanis Morissette to sue “terrible” ex tour manager
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...