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Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe
Ibanez AR520H
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Playability
72
Sound
68
Build
57
Value
76
Score
66
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Playability
73
Sound
64
Build
55
Value
69
Score
64
FIND IT ON:
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Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe vs Ibanez AR520H Specs Comparison
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe Ibanez AR520H
General
Brand: Fender Squier Ibanez
Year: 2019 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: Classic Vibe AR
Colors: White, Black Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Poplar Maple
Bridge: 6-Saddle String-Through-Body Tele with Bent Steel Saddles Gibraltar Performer
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Vintage-Style Ibanez
Fretboard: Maple Bound Jatoba
Neck Material: Maple 3pc Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Acrylic & Abalone block
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: Modern C AR
Frets: 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 22 Medium Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 12"
Nut: Bone Plastic
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Super 58 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Super 58 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Speed
Pickup Mods: None Tri-Sound
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Nickel Gold
Show Diagrams Comparison
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe's switch options
Ibanez AR520H pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AR520H's switch options

Reasons to Get
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe over Ibanez AR520H

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
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Modern C vs AR
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Bone vs Plastic
Good quality nut with rich tone
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
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)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
76 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AR520H over Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe

Decorative Top
Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2021 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
AR vs Modern C
Thin neck for playing fast
Pickup Mods
Tri-Sound vs None
Grants 3 ways to modify the sound of the pickups
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
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 Deluxe vs Ibanez AR520H

Bridge Pickup
Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking vs Super 58
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking vs Super 58
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Maple
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Jatoba
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe vs Ibanez AR520H

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
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

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both favor small hands .

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez AR520H:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez AR520H 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 Deluxe
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez AR520H
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

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.

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

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

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 Ibanez AR520H

Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba

Jatoba is a hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end. Find out more about Jatoba.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. 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.

Only the Ibanez AR520H comes with some kind of pickup modification: Tri-Sound.

Tri-Sound gives you the choice of using the pickup coils at the same time, splitting them or connect them im parallel for a brighter sound.

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

Winner: Ibanez AR520H.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe
Pickups 60
Sustain 85
Versatility 58
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 68
Ibanez AR520H
Pickups 60
Sustain 70
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 64

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 Deluxe compares to the Ibanez AR520H.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe is built in Indonesia while the Ibanez AR520H 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 Deluxe

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 Deluxe 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 Ibanez AR520H comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe.

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 Deluxe's are Vintage-Style while the Ibanez AR520H's are Ibanez

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 Deluxe 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 Ibanez AR520H 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 Deluxe.

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 Deluxe
  • 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
Ibanez AR520H
  • Tri-Sound Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • 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 Deluxe
Quality of materials 56
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 57
Ibanez AR520H
Quality of materials 45
Features 60
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 55

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 Deluxe Nut Width
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe Nut Width
Ibanez AR520H Nut Width
Ibanez AR520H Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez AR520H 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 Ibanez AR520H, 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 Deluxe's Scale Length
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe's Scale Length
Ibanez AR520H's Scale Length
Ibanez AR520H'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 Deluxe has the longest scale: 25.5". The Ibanez AR520H 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 Deluxe Neck Profile
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe's neck profile
Ibanez AR520H Neck Profile
Ibanez AR520H'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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe has a C type of 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.

The Ibanez AR520H, on the other hand, has a SA neck. Like most Ibanez necks, it's thinner than most modern C necks. It's very similar in thickness and shape to their unique Wizard profile.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez AR520H Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez AR520H'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 Deluxe's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez AR520H'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 Ibanez AR520H.

Fret Size

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe Frets Size
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe's Frets Size
Ibanez AR520H Frets Size
Ibanez AR520H's Frets Size

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Deluxe has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez AR520H's Medium 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 Deluxe
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
Ibanez AR520H
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73