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Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
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Playability
73
Sound
74
Build
65
Value
76
Score
71
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Playability
70
Sound
69
Build
59
Value
76
Score
66
FIND IT ON:
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Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS

Reasons to Get
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS over Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS

Release Year
2020 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS over Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS

Number of Frets
21 vs 22
Warmer neck pickup
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Avg. Weight
7.65lbs (3.5kgs) vs 8.2lbs (3.7kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Other Key Differences
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS

Bridge Pickup
Schecter Diamond 78 vs Fender Designed Alnico Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single Coil vs Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single Coil vs Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Poplar
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
HSS
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood
  • 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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS is probably the better product overall with its final score of 71 compared to the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS's 66 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • 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.

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS Overview

  • From Schecter's 2020 Artist series
  • Nick Johnston Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter Diamond 78 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Diamond Vintage Tremolo bridge
  • Thin C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Weight around 8.2lbs (3.7kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS 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
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Weight between 7.55lbs (3.4kgs) and 7.75lbs (3.5kgs)
  • 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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
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.

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.

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.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HSS. HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS's switch options
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS'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: Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 80
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 74
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 69

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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS compares to the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

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.

Winner: Tie

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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS has a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS comes with 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.

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: Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

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

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS.

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
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
  • Bone Nut
  • Tremolo
  • 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 Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS
Quality of materials 56
Features 70
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 65
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 59

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

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS 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

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS and Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS'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

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS Neck Profile
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS's neck profile
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS Neck Profile
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS'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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS and the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS 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

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS Fingerboard Radius
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS'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 Stratocaster HSS's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS'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 Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS.

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 Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS favors large hands more than the Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS Frets Size
Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS's Frets Size
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS Frets Size
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS's Frets Size

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS's Narrow 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

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
General Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS Squier Classic Vibe 70s Stratocaster HSS
Brand: Schecter Fender Squier
Year: 2020 2019
Configuration: HSS HSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Artist Classic Vibe
Colors: White, Blue, Green, Pink, Orange Black, Brown
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Poplar
Bridge: Diamond Vintage Tremolo 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Schecter Locking Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Roasted Maple Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Maple
Decoration: Brass Circles White Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Thin C Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 9.5"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Schecter Diamond 78 (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2