Head to head

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster vs Squier Sonic Stratocaster

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 16 rows that actually differ marked out.

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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Squier

Sonic Stratocaster

California Blue, with amplifier bundle

Everything needed to start, built around a real Stratocaster rather than a copy

7.7/104.7 (262)

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Score profile

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

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster8.7
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

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster compared with Squier Sonic Stratocaster
	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster	Sonic Stratocaster
Brand	Squier	Squier
Model	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster	Sonic Stratocaster
Finish	Candy Apple Red	California Blue, with amplifier bundle
Instrument	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Fretline score	8.7 / 10	7.7 / 10
Value for money	10 / 10	9 / 10
Amazon rating	4.5 / 5 (232)	4.7 / 5 (262)
Price	$300 - $500	Under $300
Type	Electric guitar	Electric guitar starter bundle
Body	Stratocaster	Stratocaster
Body wood	Nyatoh	Poplar
Neck joint	Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate	Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate
Neck wood	Maple	Maple
Neck profile	"C" shape	"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	Narrow tall	Narrow tall
Nut	Bone	Synthetic bone
Nut width	1.650" (42 mm)	1.650" (42 mm)
Bridge	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with block saddles
Tuners	Vintage-style	Die-cast sealed
Neck pickup	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil	Ceramic single-coil
Bridge pickup	Fender-Designed alnico single-coil	Ceramic single-coil
Configuration	SSS	SSS
Electronics	Passive, alnico magnets	Passive, ceramic 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
Styles	Blues, Rock, Pop, Funk, Country, Indie	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.