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Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster
Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
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Playability
72
Sound
76
Build
59
Value
79
Score
69
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Playability
68
Sound
72
Build
69
Value
60
Score
70
FIND IT ON:
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Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster vs Fender American Original 50s Telecaster Specs Comparison
Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
General
Brand: Fender Squier Fender
Year: 2019 2018
Configuration: HH SS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: Classic Vibe American Original
Colors: Brown, Natural, 3-Color Sunburst Yellow
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Solid Body
Body Material: Laminated Maple Ash
Bridge: 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge Fixed 3-Saddle American Vintage Strings-Through-Body Tele with Brass Saddles
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Pure Vintage Single Line Fender Deluxe
Fretboard: Maple Maple
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Modern C Fender Vintage U
Frets: 22 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 21 Vintage Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 9.5"
Nut: Bone Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fender Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Pure Vintage 52 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fender Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Pure Vintage 52 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Nickel Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster's switch options
Fender American Original 50s Telecaster pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender American Original 50s Telecaster's switch options

Reasons to Get
Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster over Fender American Original 50s Telecaster

Release Year
2019 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Vintage Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Modern C vs Fender Vintage U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs SS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Value Score
79 vs 60
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender American Original 50s Telecaster over Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Vintage Tall vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Fender Vintage U vs Modern C
Comfortable neck with more grip
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Pickups
SS vs HH
Beautiful cleans

Other Key Differences
Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster vs Fender American Original 50s Telecaster

Bridge Pickup
Fender Wide Range Humbucking vs Fender Pure Vintage 52 Single-Coil Tele
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Wide Range Humbucking vs Fender Pure Vintage 52 Single-Coil Tele
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Maple vs Ash
Different Body Wood

Shared Features
Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster vs Fender American Original 50s Telecaster

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Fender American Original 50s Telecaster Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster.

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster meets only 5. 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 Starcaster
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    New Player Friendliness

    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Short scale
    • Comfortable neck
    • 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 American Original 50s Telecaster

    Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
    Ash

    Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

    Winner: Fender American Original 50s Telecaster.

    Pickup Configuration

    The Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster has an HH configuration while the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster has SS pickups.

    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.

    On the other hand, SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

    Pickups Quality

    Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

    However, the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

    You can purchase similar pickups to the Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster's and use them on any guitar:

    We found the same or similar pickups to the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster's online:

    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: Fender American Original 50s Telecaster.

    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.

    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 Starcaster.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster
    Pickups 90
    Sustain 85
    Versatility 58
    Tuning Stability 70
    Sound 76
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
    Pickups 100
    Sustain 65
    Versatility 54
    Tuning Stability 70
    Sound 72

    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 Starcaster compares to the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster is built in Indonesia while the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster is made in United States.

    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.

    The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

    Winner: Fender American Original 50s Telecaster

    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.

    In this case, both have Bone nuts. 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.

    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 Starcaster's are Vintage-Style while the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster's are Pure Vintage Single Line Fender 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.

    Both have 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.

    Winner: Tie.

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

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • 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
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
    • Made in United States
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • 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

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster
    Quality of materials 56
    Features 55
    Quality Control 65
    Build Quality 59
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
    Quality of materials 61
    Features 50
    Quality Control 95
    Build Quality 69

    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 Starcaster Nut Width
    Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

    The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

    This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

    If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

    Scale Length

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster and Fender American Original 50s Telecaster's Scale Length
    Both have the same 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.

    In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

    This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

    However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

    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 Starcaster Neck Profile
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster's neck profile
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster Neck Profile
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster'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 Starcaster 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 Fender American Original 50s Telecaster, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

    Fretboard Radius

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster Fingerboard Radius
    Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard 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.

    Both the Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster and the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster have the same fretboard radius of 9.5". This is the most common radius for Stratocaster guitars. It's considered curved when compared to most other models. This allows you to play chords very easily without muting strings accidentally and gives you more space between strings for fingerpicking. However, this curve also gives the guitar less allowance for lower action. If you bend too hard at the high frets, some of your notes might get muted because the curve will make the string fret out.

    Fret Size

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster Frets Size
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster's Frets Size
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster Frets Size
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster's Frets Size

    The Fender Squier Classic Vibe Starcaster has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Fender American Original 50s Telecaster's Vintage Tall 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 Starcaster
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 70
    Playability 72
    Fender American Original 50s Telecaster
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
    Chord Playability 90
    Solo Playability 50
    Playability 68