Head to head

Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS vs Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against $300 - $500), and the pickup layouts differ (HSS against SSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 21 rows that actually differ marked out.

Fender

Standard Stratocaster HSS

Black, laurel fingerboard

The Standard Strat with a humbucker, which is the version that covers more ground

8.3/104.9 (16)

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Squier

Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster

Candy Apple Red

Alnico pickups and a bone nut on a Squier — the reason this line has the reputation it does

8.7/104.5 (232)

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Score profile

Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.

Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS8.3
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster8.7

Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.

Specification by specification

Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS compared with Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
	Standard Stratocaster HSS	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Brand	Fender	Squier
Model	Standard Stratocaster HSS	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Finish	Black, laurel fingerboard	Candy Apple Red
Instrument	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Fretline score	8.3 / 10	8.7 / 10
Value for money	8 / 10	10 / 10
Amazon rating	4.9 / 5 (16)	4.5 / 5 (232)
Price	$500 - $1,000	$300 - $500
Type	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Body	Stratocaster solidbody	Stratocaster
Body wood	Poplar	Nyatoh
Neck joint	Bolt-on, four-bolt neck plate	Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate
Neck wood	Maple	Maple
Neck profile	Modern "C"	"C" shape
Scale length	25.5" (648 mm)	25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard	Indian laurel	Indian laurel
Radius	9.5" (241 mm)	9.5" (241 mm)
Frets	21	21
Fret size	Medium jumbo	Narrow tall
Nut	Micarta	Bone
Nut width	1.6875" (42.86 mm)	1.650" (42 mm)
Bridge	Standard two-point tremolo with satin chrome steel block saddles	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo
Tuners	Fender Standard cast/sealed with hex buttons	Vintage-style
Neck pickup	Standard single-coil Strat	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil
Bridge pickup	Standard humbucking	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil
Configuration	HSS	SSS
Electronics	Passive, ceramic magnets	Passive, alnico magnets
Controls	Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge)	Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge)
Switching	Five-position blade	Five-position blade
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Styles	Rock, Blues, Metal, Pop, Funk, Indie, Punk	Blues, Rock, Pop, Funk, Country, Indie
In the box	—	—

A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.