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Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom
Epiphone ES-335
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Playability
72
Sound
68
Build
57
Value
76
Score
66
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Playability
73
Sound
65
Build
57
Value
70
Score
65
FIND IT ON:
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Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom vs Epiphone ES-335

Reasons to Get
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom over Epiphone ES-335

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Number of Frets
21 vs 22
Warmer neck pickup
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Pickups
SH vs HH
Very bright bridge tone and a very warm neck pickup
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
76 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Epiphone ES-335 over Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom

Release Year
2020 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Pickups
HH vs SH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Other Key Differences
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom vs Epiphone ES-335

Bridge Pickup
Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil vs Alnico Classic PRO
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking vs Alnico Classic PRO
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Flame Maple
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs NuBone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom vs Epiphone ES-335

Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom is probably the better product overall with its final score of 66 compared to the Epiphone ES-335's 65 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom wins when it comes to sound, value for the money. On the other hand, the Epiphone ES-335 has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom is the better choice.

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Epiphone ES-335 meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone ES-335
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2019 Classic Vibe series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele with Chrome Barrel Saddles bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Epiphone ES-335 Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2020 Inspired by Gibson Original ES Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Maple body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Rounded C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Epiphone Deluxe tuners
  • Weight between 7.95lbs (3.6kgs) and 8.1lbs (3.7kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Epiphone ES-335

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Flame Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Flame Maple

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Winner: Epiphone ES-335.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom has an SH configuration while the Epiphone ES-335 has HH pickups.

SH is a more versatile version of the classic telecaster (SS) configuration. The bridge pickup usually produces a bright and twangy tone, while the neck Humbucker gives you the warmer tone you'll need for more Jazzy/Bluish solos and chords.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

None of these use a specialized pickup brand for their pickups. Some of the best guitars on the market come with pickups from brands like EMG, Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, etc. You might want to replace your pickups eventually if you want to get the best sound out of any of these instruments.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's switch options
Epiphone ES-335 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone ES-335's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom
Pickups 60
Sustain 85
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 68
Epiphone ES-335
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 65

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom compares to the Epiphone ES-335.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom is built in Indonesia while the Epiphone ES-335 is made in China.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Epiphone ES-335 comes with a NuBone nut. It's made by the same company that makes TUSQ nuts. It's slightly softer but hard enough to give you a brighter sound when playing open strings. It's also self-lubricating, so it's good for tuning stability.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's are Vintage-Style while the Epiphone ES-335's are Epiphone Deluxe

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

On the other hand, the Epiphone ES-335 comes with Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom
  • Bone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone ES-335
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom
Quality of materials 56
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 57
Epiphone ES-335
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 57

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Nut Width
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Nut Width
Epiphone ES-335 Nut Width
Epiphone ES-335 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Epiphone ES-335 has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Epiphone ES-335, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's Scale Length
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's Scale Length
Epiphone ES-335's Scale Length
Epiphone ES-335's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom has the longest scale: 25.5". The Epiphone ES-335 is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Neck Profile
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's neck profile
Epiphone ES-335 Neck Profile
Epiphone ES-335's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom and the Epiphone ES-335 have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's Fingerboard radius
Epiphone ES-335 Fingerboard Radius
Epiphone ES-335's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Epiphone ES-335's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Epiphone ES-335.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Epiphone ES-335 favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom.

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Epiphone ES-335:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Frets Size
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom's Frets Size
Epiphone ES-335 Frets Size
Epiphone ES-335's Frets Size

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Epiphone ES-335's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
Epiphone ES-335
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom vs Epiphone ES-335
General Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Custom Epiphone ES-335
Brand: Fender Squier Epiphone
Year: 2019 2020
Configuration: SH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: Classic Vibe Inspired by Gibson Original ES Collection
Colors: Black, 3-Color Sunburst Red, Vintage Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Poplar Layered Maple
Bridge: 3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele with Chrome Barrel Saddles LockTone Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Vintage-Style Epiphone Deluxe
Fretboard: Maple Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Maple Mahogany
Decoration: Black Dot Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Modern C Rounded C
Frets: 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 12"
Nut: Bone NuBone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 2 2