Head to head

Ibanez AZES40 vs Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster

The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HSS against SSS), and the scale lengths are not the same (25" against 25.5"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 25 rows that actually differ marked out.

Ibanez

AZES40

Purist Blue

Nine pickup sounds from three pickups, and a short scale that suits smaller hands

8.5/104.5 (95)

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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.

Ibanez AZES408.5
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

Ibanez AZES40 compared with Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
	AZES40	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Brand	Ibanez	Squier
Model	AZES40	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Finish	Purist Blue	Candy Apple Red
Instrument	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Fretline score	8.5 / 10	8.7 / 10
Value for money	9 / 10	10 / 10
Amazon rating	4.5 / 5 (95)	4.5 / 5 (232)
Price	$300 - $500	$300 - $500
Type	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Body	AZ double cutaway	Stratocaster
Body wood	Poplar	Nyatoh
Neck joint	Bolt-on	Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate
Neck wood	Maple (AZES profile)	Maple
Neck profile	—	"C" shape
Scale length	25" (635 mm)	25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard	Jatoba with white dot inlays	Indian laurel
Radius	9.84" (250 mm)	9.5" (241 mm)
Frets	22	21
Fret size	Medium	Narrow tall
Nut	—	Bone
Nut width	42 mm	1.650" (42 mm)
Bridge	T106 tremolo with comfort round steel saddles	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo
Tuners	Ibanez machine heads with split shafts	Vintage-style
Neck pickup	Essentials single-coil (passive, ceramic)	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil
Bridge pickup	Accord humbucker (passive, ceramic)	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil
Configuration	HSS	SSS
Electronics	Passive, dyna-MIX9 switching with Alter switch	Passive, alnico magnets
Controls	Volume, tone, alter switch	Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge)
Switching	Five-way selector plus alter switch, giving nine pickup combinations	Five-position blade
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced	Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Styles	Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal	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.