Head to head
Ibanez GIO GRX70QA vs Squier Debut Series 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 21 rows that actually differ marked out.
GIO GRX70QA
Transparent Emerald Burst
The cheapest honest route into a fast neck and a humbucker at each end
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 GIO GRX70QA7.2
- 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
| GIO GRX70QA | Debut Series Stratocaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Squier |
| Model | GIO GRX70QA | Debut Series Stratocaster |
| Finish | Transparent Emerald Burst | Black, laurel fingerboard |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 7.2 / 10 | 6.7 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.6 / 5 (2,568) | 4.6 / 5 (2,465) |
| Price | Under $300 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | GRX solidbody, double cutaway | Stratocaster solidbody, thin body |
| Body wood | Poplar | Poplar |
| Top | Quilted maple art grain | — |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| 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 | — | Plastic |
| Nut width | 1.65" (42 mm) | 1.650" (42 mm) |
| Bridge | Ibanez T106 tremolo | Synchronised tremolo with thin block and removable arm |
| Tuners | — | Standard cast/closed |
| 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, 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 GIO GRX70QAHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Ibanez GIO GRX70QAHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez GIO GRX70QAStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Ibanez GIO GRX70QABuild 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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