Head to head
Ibanez AZES40 vs Squier Debut Series Stratocaster
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300), and the pickup layouts differ (HSS against SSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 25 rows that actually differ marked out.
AZES40
Purist Blue
Nine pickup sounds from three pickups, and a short scale that suits smaller hands
Debut Series Stratocaster
Black, laurel fingerboard
Squier's cheapest full-scale Stratocaster, built thin and light on purpose
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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 Debut Series Stratocaster6.7
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
| AZES40 | Debut Series Stratocaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Squier |
| Model | AZES40 | Debut Series Stratocaster |
| Finish | Purist Blue | Black, laurel fingerboard |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.5 / 10 | 6.7 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 (95) | 4.6 / 5 (2,465) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | AZ double cutaway | Stratocaster solidbody, thin body |
| Body wood | Poplar | Poplar |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| 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 | — | Plastic |
| Nut width | 42 mm | 1.650" (42 mm) |
| Bridge | T106 tremolo with comfort round steel saddles | Synchronised tremolo with thin block and removable arm |
| Tuners | Ibanez machine heads with split shafts | Standard cast/closed |
| Neck pickup | Essentials single-coil (passive, ceramic) | Ceramic single-coil |
| Bridge pickup | Accord humbucker (passive, ceramic) | Ceramic single-coil |
| Configuration | HSS | SSS |
| Electronics | Passive, dyna-MIX9 switching with Alter switch | Passive, ceramic 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 |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal | Rock, Blues, Pop, Indie, Funk, Punk |
| 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.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez AZES40Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Ibanez AZES40Build and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
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.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.
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