Head to head
Ibanez GIO GRX70QA vs Squier Sonic Stratocaster
The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (HSH against SSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 22 rows that actually differ marked out.
GIO GRX70QA
Transparent Black Sunburst
The cheapest honest route into a fast neck and a humbucker at each end
Sonic Stratocaster
California Blue, with amplifier bundle
Everything needed to start, built around a real Stratocaster rather than a copy
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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 GIO GRX70QA7.2
- Squier Sonic Stratocaster7.7
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
| GIO GRX70QA | Sonic Stratocaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Squier |
| Model | GIO GRX70QA | Sonic Stratocaster |
| Finish | Transparent Black Sunburst | California Blue, with amplifier bundle |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 7.2 / 10 | 7.7 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.6 / 5 (2,567) | 4.7 / 5 (262) |
| Price | Under $300 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar starter bundle |
| Body | GRX solidbody, double cutaway | Stratocaster |
| Body wood | Poplar | Poplar |
| Top | Quilted maple art grain | — |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck profile | GRX (19.5 mm at 1st fret, 21.5 mm at 12th) | "C" shape |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Jatoba | Indian laurel |
| Radius | 12" (305 mm) | 9.5" (241 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 21 |
| Fret size | Medium | Narrow tall |
| Nut | — | Synthetic bone |
| Nut width | 1.65" (42 mm) | 1.650" (42 mm) |
| Bridge | Ibanez T106 tremolo | Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with block saddles |
| Tuners | — | Die-cast sealed |
| Neck pickup | Infinity R (H) | Ceramic single-coil |
| Bridge pickup | Infinity R (H) | Ceramic single-coil |
| Configuration | HSH | SSS |
| Electronics | Passive, ceramic magnets | Passive, ceramic magnets |
| Controls | Volume, tone | Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge) |
| Switching | 5-way blade | Five-position blade |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner |
| Styles | Rock, Metal, Blues, Punk, Pop | Rock, Pop, Blues, Indie, Punk, Funk |
| In the box | — | Fender Frontman 10G 10-watt amplifier, Gig bag, Strap, 10 ft instrument cable, Picks, Instructional DVD |
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 GIO GRX70QAHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Squier Sonic StratocasterHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Squier Sonic StratocasterStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Squier Sonic StratocasterBuild 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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