From £1,000 to £2,000
FENDER AMERICAN PERFORMER TELECASTER HUM £1,049
This oddly named model takes the standard Performer Tele and replaces its neck single coil with a covered DoubleTap humbucker that offers a single-coil mode, widening the tonal scope significantly. Tradition and modernity are balanced elsewhere between the three-brass-saddle bridge design and Fender’s ClassicGear tuners – that look and perform superbly. www.fender.com
EASTMAN SB55/V £1,239
Hugely vintage informed with a characterful Antique Varnish finish, this SB55/v is probably the closest you’ll get to the real thing for a fraction of the price. The vibe is spot on and the weight from the okoume build is perfect. The boutique-style hardware from Faber and the Lollar dog-ear P-90 elevate it above the asking price. A well-informed tribute to a classic. www.eastmanguitars.com
VOX BOBCAT S66 BIGSBY £1,399
Based on Vox’s Italian-made thinline semis from the 60s, the Bobcat S66 – like all recent Vox guitars – was conceived by legendary guitar designer Rich Lasner and his team. And the expertise shows. The 2021 S66 features a trio of single coils along with a Bigsby B70 in the Sapphire Blue finish option, while the Jet Black model comes equipped with a Bigsby B700. www.voxamps.com
FENDER ED O’BRIEN STRATOCASTER £1,099
Offering a Mexican build, a superb 10/56V neck profile and 21 ‘narrow tall’ frets on a 241mm (9.5-inch) radius maple ’board, this model is powered by a Seymour Duncan JB Jr at the bridge, a slightly overwound Fender Texas Special in the middle slot, and the Fernandes Sustainer at the neck – illustrating just how adaptable the Strat can be. www.fender.com
PRS SE HOLLOWBODY II PIEZO £1,349
An impressively versatile electric-meets-acoustic for the price. Along with an almost timeless classic voice to the magnetic 58/15 ‘S’ humbuckers, the new PRS/LR Baggs piezo system is extremely good. There’s little doubt the Piezo model expands the sonic potential of the previous SE Hollowbodies, making a very good guitar quite exceptional. www.prsguitars.com
FENDER AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL II STRATOCASTER HSS £1,599
Seemingly small tweaks to the original Professional here, such as extra fingerboard edge rolling, a vintage-style neck tint and slight upgrades to the V-Mod pickups, all enhance the platform. But with the new DoubleTap humbucker replacing the previous ShawBucker, there’s a slightly more contemporary edge. ‘Small’ upgrades that add up to a considerable difference. www.fender.com