Head to head
ESP EXL-200 Black vs Fender Stratocaster
The verdict
The ESP EXL-200 Black comes out ahead overall — 82 to 71 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP EXL-200 Black wins on
- Better playability (81 vs 64)
- Better sound (74 vs 60)
- Better value (85 vs 67)
- Lower price ($699 vs $800)
Fender Stratocaster wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | EXL-200 Black | Stratocaster |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 82 | 71 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 81 | 64 |
| Sound | 74 | 60 |
| Value | 85 | 67 |
Full specifications
| Spec | EXL-200 Black | Stratocaster |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Fender |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | 1954 |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Alder |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Maple |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 25.5" |
| Pickups | ESP LH-301N / ESP LH-301B | SSS single-coil |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $699 | $800 – $2,500 |
| Bridge | TOM & Tailpiece | Tremolo (6-screw) |
| Bridge pickup | ESP LH-301B | — |
| Case | EXL GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Set-Neck | — |
| Controls | Volume/Tone(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch | — |
| Finish | Black | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | — |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | ESP LH-301N | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Molded | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | — |
| Scale length | 24.75" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD | — |
| Body shape | — | Double cutaway |
| Weight | — | 3.6 kg |