Squier Classic Vibe ’50s vs ’60s vs ’70s Guitar Differences

The Squier Classic Vibe series of electric guitars offers exceptional value for money and is a great choice for many guitarists. In this article, I’ll compare the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s Classic Vibe guitars so you can understand the differences between them and choose the best model for you.

The Quick Answer

The ’50s, ’60s and ’70s Squier Classic Vibe electric guitar versions vary mainly in terms of the body wood, fretboard wood, pickup configurations and colors available. All versions have the same neck shape, pickup voicing, gloss finish and fret number. The main differences between versions are cosmetic.

Here is a table to summarise which Classic Vibe versions are available for each guitar model.

Model	‘50s Classic Vibe	‘60s Classic Vibe	‘70s Classic Vibe
Stratocaster	Yes	Yes	Yes
Telecaster	Yes	Yes	Yes
Thinline Telecaster	No	Yes	Yes
Jaguar	No	No	Yes
Jazzmaster	No	Yes	No
Mustang	No	Yes	No

Contents

• Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster Models Compared
• Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster Models Compared
• Squier Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster Models Compared

Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster

The ’50s, ’60s and ’70s Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster models have different body woods, fretboard woods and color options. Only the ’60s and ’70s Classic Vibe models have a left-handed version and only the ’70s model has a HSS version. All versions have the same pickups and neck shape.

Differences:

• Body wood: the ’50s version uses pine, the ’60s version uses nyatoh and the ’70s version uses poplar.
• Fretboard wood: the ’50s version has a maple fretboard, the ’60s version uses Indian Laurel and the ’70s version has the choice of either depending on the pickup configuration.
• Fretboard inlays: the ’50s version has black dot inlays, the ’60s version has white dot inlays and the ’70s version has the choice of either depending on the pickup configuration.
• Headstock label and size (the ’70s version has a larger headstock)
• Body colour options

The style options available are different for each Classic Vibe Stratocaster model.

• The ’50s Classic Vibe Strat has a maple fretboard, black dot inlays and the following body colours: 2 tone sunburst, white blonde, black and fiesta red.
• The ’60s Classic Vibe Strat has an indian laurel fretboard, white dot inlays and the following body colours: 3 colour sunburst, lack placid blue, candy apple red and a limited edition purple metallic.
• The SSS version of the ’70s Classic Vibe Strat has an indian laurel fretboard, white dot inlays and the following body colours: olympic white, black and natural.
• The HSS version of the ’70s Classic Vibe Strat comes in two style options: 1) Walnut body, indian laurel fretboard and white dot inlays. 2) Black body, maple fretboard and black dot inlays.

Here is a table to summarise the differences between each version of the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster. You can scroll from left to right on devices with a smaller screen or rotate the device horizontally.

Feature	‘50s Classic Vibe	60’s Classic Vibe	‘70s Classic Vibe
Body Wood	Pine	Nyatoh	Poplar
Fretboard Wood	Maple	Indian Laurel	Indian Laurel/ Maple
Inlays	Black Dot	White Dot	White/ Black Dot
Pickup Configurations	SSS	SSS	SSS and HSS
Left Handed Version	No	Yes	Yes
Headstock	Regular	Regular	Large
Pick Guard	1-Ply	3-Ply	3-Ply
Colors	2 Tone Sunburst White Blonde Black Fiesta Red	3 Colour Sunburst Lake Placid Blue Candy Apple Red Purple Metallic	Olympic White (SSS) Black (SSS) Natural (SSS) Walnut (HSS)

Similarities:

• C-Shape Maple Neck
• 21 Narrow Tall Frets
• 25.5″ Scale Length
• 9.5″ Fretboard Radius
• 1.65″ Nut Width
• Bone Nut
• Gloss Urethane Body and Neck Finish
• Vintage Style Tuners
• Fender Designed Alnico V Pickups
• Tremolo System

Images link to Amazon

Check out these models on Amazon for current prices:

• Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster
• Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster
• Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Stratocaster

Considering other Stratocasters? Check out my complete guide to the different Stratocaster models to make sure you get the best option.

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

The ’50s, ’60s and ’70s Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster models have different body woods, fretboard woods, and color options. The ’50s and ’60s models have an SS pickup configuration and the ’70s model has the choice of an SH or HH configuration. All versions have the same neck shape.

Differences:

• Body wood: the ’50s version uses pine, the ’60s version uses nyatoh and the ’70s version uses poplar.
• The ’50s and ’60s Classic Vibe Tele’s have the same iconic look, however the ’70s version has an extended pickguard making it look quite a bit different from the original model.
• There are two versions of the ’70s Classic Vibe Tele: the Custom, which has an SH pickup configuration and the Deluxe which has a HH pickup configuration. All ’50s and 60’s models have an SS configuration.
• Only the ’50s CV Tele has a left-handed version.

Here is a table to summarise the differences between each version of the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. You can scroll from left to right on devices with a smaller screen or rotate the device horizontally.

Feature	‘50s Classic Vibe	60’s Classic Vibe	‘70s Classic Vibe
Body Wood	Pine	Nyatoh	Poplar
Fretboard Wood	Maple	Indian Laurel	Maple
Inlays	Black Dot	White Dot	Black Dot
Pickup Configurations	SS	SS	SH and HH
Left Handed Version	Yes	No	No
Saddles	Chrome	Chrome	Chrome/ steel
Pick Guard	1-Ply	3-Ply	3-Ply
Colors	Butterscotch Blonde White Blonde Metallic Purple	3 Tone Sunburst	Black (SH and HH) 3 Colour Sunburst (SH) Olympic White (HH)

Similarities:

• C-Shape Maple Neck
• 21 Narrow Tall Frets
• 25.5″ Scale Length
• 9.5″ Fretboard Radius
• 1.65″ Nut Width
• Bone Nut
• Gloss Urethane Body and Neck Finish
• Vintage Style Tuners
• Fender Designed Alnico V Pickups
• 6-Saddle Through Body Bridge with Bent Saddles

Images link to Amazon

Check out these models on Amazon for current prices:

• Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster
• Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Telecaster
• Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Telecaster

Thinline Telecaster

There are two versions of the Squier Classic Vibe Thinline Telecaster: ’60s and ’70s. The ’60s version has a nytaoh body and two single coil pickups and the ’60s version has a soft maple body and two humbucker pickups. Both guitars have the same neck shape.

Feature	60’s Classic Vibe	‘70s Classic Vibe
Body Wood	Nyatoh	Soft Maple
Fretboard Wood	Maple	Maple
Inlays	Black Dot	Black Dot
Pickup Configurations	SS	HH
Left Handed Version	No	No
Colors	Natural	Natural 3 Colour Sunburst

Similarities:

• C-Shape Maple Neck
• 21 Narrow Tall Frets
• 25.5″ Scale Length
• 9.5″ Fretboard Radius
• 1.65″ Nut Width
• Bone Nut
• Gloss Urethane Body and Neck Finish
• Vintage Style Tuners
• Fender Designed Pickups

Check out these models on Guitar Center for current prices:

• Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Thinline Telecaster
• Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Thinline Telecaster

Here are some more articles you might find useful:

• Squier Classic Vibe vs Affinity Series
• Squier Classic Vibe vs Fender Player Series
• Squier Affinity vs Bullet Series
• Squier Range Explained: The Differences Between Models
• Fender Player vs Player Plus Electric Guitars