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Fender Player II Stratocaster vs Ibanez RG550

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Fender Player II Stratocaster is cheaper at $849.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Fender Player II Stratocaster or Ibanez RG550?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Fender Player II Stratocaster is the cheaper at $849.99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Fender Player II Stratocaster Ibanez RG550
US price $849.99 $1199.99
BrandFenderIbanez
Released
Body wood Alder (chambered ash or chambered mahogany on select finishes) Basswood
Neck wood Maple, Modern "C" profile, satin urethane back finish 5-piece Maple/Walnut, Super Wizard profile, bolt-on
Scale length (in) 25.5 25.5
Pickup configuration SSS HSH
Number of frets 22 24
Bridge type 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo
Fingerboard material Rosewood (maple also offered) Maple, black dot inlays
Finish Gloss polyurethane body; 3-Color Sunburst and 10 other standard colors Gloss polyester; Road Flare Red, Purple Neon, Desert Sun Yellow, Black, Electric Blue, Gray Metallic Flat, White Flat
Weight (lb)

Sources — Fender Player II Stratocaster: fuzzfaced.net (verified 2026-08-01). Ibanez RG550: ibanez.com (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Fender Player II Stratocaster and Ibanez RG550?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Body wood: Fender Player II Stratocaster Alder (chambered ash or chambered mahogany on select finishes) vs Ibanez RG550 Basswood
  • Neck wood: Fender Player II Stratocaster Maple, Modern "C" profile, satin urethane back finish vs Ibanez RG550 5-piece Maple/Walnut, Super Wizard profile, bolt-on
  • Pickup configuration: Fender Player II Stratocaster SSS vs Ibanez RG550 HSH
  • Number of frets: Fender Player II Stratocaster 22 vs Ibanez RG550 24
  • Bridge type: Fender Player II Stratocaster 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo vs Ibanez RG550 Ibanez Edge double-locking tremolo
  • Fingerboard material: Fender Player II Stratocaster Rosewood (maple also offered) vs Ibanez RG550 Maple, black dot inlays
  • Finish: Fender Player II Stratocaster Gloss polyurethane body; 3-Color Sunburst and 10 other standard colors vs Ibanez RG550 Gloss polyester; Road Flare Red, Purple Neon, Desert Sun Yellow, Black, Electric Blue, Gray Metallic Flat, White Flat

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