Swap
Swap
Solar T1.6FRBOP
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
VS
Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
72
Value
76
Score
76
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability
72
Sound
67
Build
57
Value
75
Score
65
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoFender logo
Add more to comparison

Solar T1.6FRBOP vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline

Reasons to Get
Solar T1.6FRBOP over Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2021 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Pickups Brand
Duncan Solar vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Number of Frets
24 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
76 vs 75
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline over Solar T1.6FRBOP

Number of Frets
21 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Solar T1.6FRBOP vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Solar/Bridge vs Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Solar vs Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Maple
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar T1.6FRBOP vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
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
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

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Solar T1.6FRBOP is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline's 65 score, which is a significant difference.

The Solar T1.6FRBOP wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

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 Thinline is the better choice.

The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar T1.6FRBOP 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

Solar T1.6FRBOP
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
  • 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.

Solar T1.6FRBOP Overview

  • From Solar's 2021 Type T series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 with 34 mm Block bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2018 Classic Vibe series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Soft Maple body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Strat Strings-Through-Body Hardtail bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Weight between 6.85lbs (3.1kgs) and 7.15lbs (3.2kgs)
  • 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 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 Solar T1.6FRBOP

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

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: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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

The Solar T1.6FRBOP has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

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: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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

The Solar T1.6FRBOP gives you 5 switch options while the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline gives you 3. This means that the Solar T1.6FRBOP gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

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

Solar T1.6FRBOP pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar T1.6FRBOP's switch options
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline'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: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Solar T1.6FRBOP
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 95
Sound 82
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
Pickups 60
Sustain 85
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 67

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 Solar T1.6FRBOP compares to the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline.

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 Solar T1.6FRBOP has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline 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.

In this comparison, the Solar T1.6FRBOP is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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.

The Solar T1.6FRBOP's brige is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline's is a 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: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

Tuners

The Solar T1.6FRBOP 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.

Nevertheless, the Solar T1.6FRBOP has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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 Solar T1.6FRBOP has a 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.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline comes with 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: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar T1.6FRBOP
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
  • 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 Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Solar T1.6FRBOP
Quality of materials 66
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 72
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
Quality of materials 51
Features 55
Quality Control 65
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

Solar T1.6FRBOP Nut Width
Solar T1.6FRBOP Nut Width
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline Nut Width
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar T1.6FRBOP 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 Solar T1.6FRBOP, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Solar T1.6FRBOP and Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline'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

Solar T1.6FRBOP Neck Profile
Solar T1.6FRBOP's neck profile
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline Neck Profile
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline'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 Solar T1.6FRBOP and the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline 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

Solar T1.6FRBOP Fingerboard Radius
Solar T1.6FRBOP's Fingerboard radius
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline Fingerboard Radius
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline'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 Thinline's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Solar T1.6FRBOP'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 Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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.

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

Solar T1.6FRBOP:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar T1.6FRBOP Frets Size
Solar T1.6FRBOP's Frets Size
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline Frets Size
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline's Frets Size

The Solar T1.6FRBOP has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline'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

Solar T1.6FRBOP
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar T1.6FRBOP vs Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
General Solar T1.6FRBOP Squier Classic Vibe 70s Telecaster Thinline
Brand: Solar Fender Squier
Year: 2021 2018
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Type T Classic Vibe
Colors: Black Natural, 3-Color Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Swamp Ash Soft Maple
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 with 34 mm Block 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Strat Strings-Through-Body Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Locking Type Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Ebony Maple
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Solar C Shape Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 9.5"
Nut: Locking Bone
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1