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:
Here are some more articles you might find useful: