Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster, Candy Apple Red Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster in Candy Apple Red combines classic 1960s-inspired Fender styling with approachable modern playability and a versatile set of Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups.

Its traditional SSS pickup configuration and five-way selector cover the sounds that have made the Stratocaster one of the most adaptable electric guitars ever produced, from warm neck-pickup cleans and expressive blues tones to crisp rhythm sounds and brighter bridge-pickup attack.

A slim “C”-shape maple neck, Indian laurel fingerboard, 9.5" radius and narrow-tall frets give it an accessible feel for developing players while retaining enough traditional character to appeal to more experienced Strat fans. Finished in distinctive Candy Apple Red with a parchment pickguard, aged white plastics and vintage-style nickel hardware, it delivers plenty of classic Fender-inspired character without moving into Fender pricing.

At A Glance

Feature	Detail
Brand	Squier
Model	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Model Number	0374010509
Series	Classic Vibe
Finish	Candy Apple Red
Body	Nyatoh
Fingerboard	Indian Laurel
Pickups	3 x Fender-Designed Alnico Single-Coils
Scale Length	25.5"
Bridge	Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Main Appeal	Vintage-inspired Strat character with accessible modern playability
Best For	Blues, rock, indie, pop, funk, soul and general-purpose electric guitar playing

What's Included?

• Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster in Candy Apple Red

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every new electric guitar sold through Fair Deal Music is checked before leaving us, with attention given to the instrument's electronics, hardware, controls and general playing condition.

On the Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster, this includes checking the five-way selector, all three pickups, Volume and Tone controls, tuning hardware and tremolo operation.

As with any guitar, setup can move slightly during transport as the instrument responds naturally to changes in temperature and humidity. If you need advice on action, neck relief, tremolo adjustment, intonation or string gauge after delivery, our experienced team is happy to help.

Why Choose The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster?

Fender-Designed Alnico Single-Coil Pickups

Three Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups give the Classic Vibe a traditional Stratocaster-style foundation, with five pickup combinations covering warm, bright and textured sounds.

It is an especially useful configuration for players who move between clean, lightly driven and effects-based guitar tones.

Comfortable Slim “C” Neck

The slim “C”-shape maple neck is approachable without feeling excessively thin, making it well suited to chord work, lead playing and developing technique.

A 9.5" fingerboard radius and narrow-tall frets add a practical modern element to the otherwise vintage-inspired specification.

Indian Laurel Fingerboard

The darker Indian laurel fingerboard complements the Candy Apple Red finish while giving this '60s-inspired model a distinctly different appearance from the maple-board Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster.

White dot markers keep the look clean and traditional.

Vintage-Style Tremolo

The six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo gives you traditional Strat-style vibrato effects, from subtle chord movement through to more expressive pitch changes.

Individual saddles also allow string height and intonation to be adjusted accurately during setup.

Candy Apple Red Styling

Candy Apple Red is one of the most recognisable Fender-style custom colours and works particularly well with this model's parchment pickguard, aged white controls and nickel-plated hardware.

The result has plenty of vintage visual character without being an exact period replica.

Key Features

• Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster

• Candy Apple Red finish

• Nyatoh body

• Gloss polyurethane body finish

• Maple neck

• Slim “C”-shape neck profile

• Vintage-tint gloss urethane neck finish

• Indian laurel fingerboard

• 9.5" fingerboard radius

• 21 narrow-tall frets

• Bone nut

• 25.5" scale length

• Three Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups

• Traditional SSS configuration

• Five-position pickup selector

• Master Volume

• Two Tone controls

• Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo

• Vintage-style tuning machines

• Nickel hardware

• Three-ply parchment pickguard

• Aged white pickup covers and controls

• 1960s-inspired Squier headstock detailing

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster vs Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

Both models use Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups, vintage-style hardware, 9.5" fingerboard radii and narrow-tall frets, so the choice is mainly about which period-inspired character appeals to you.

The Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster uses a maple fingerboard and leans towards earlier Strat aesthetics. Choose this '60s model if you prefer the darker fingerboard, later vintage styling and Candy Apple Red appearance.

Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster vs Squier Affinity Stratocaster

The Squier Affinity Stratocaster offers a more affordable route into the Strat design and uses ceramic single-coil pickups.

The Classic Vibe steps towards a more traditional specification with Fender-Designed alnico pickups, a bone nut, vintage-style tuners, narrow-tall frets and additional period-inspired detailing. It is the stronger choice for players who want a guitar they are less likely to outgrow as their playing develops. (Fender)

Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster vs Fender Player II Stratocaster

The Fender Player II Stratocaster moves into Fender's Mexican-made range and offers Player Series Alnico V pickups, 22 medium-jumbo frets, rolled fingerboard edges and a two-point tremolo.

The Player II is better suited to someone specifically wanting Fender branding and a more contemporary professional specification. The Classic Vibe offers excellent value if vintage-inspired styling and traditional Strat sounds matter more than those modern upgrades. (Fender)

Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster vs HSS Stratocaster

This guitar uses the traditional SSS configuration, meaning all three pickup positions use single coils.

Choose SSS when classic Strat clarity, the traditional bridge single-coil and the characteristic second and fourth selector positions are priorities. An HSS Stratocaster is a better direction if you mainly want a thicker, higher-output bridge sound for heavier rock and high-gain playing.

Who Is The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster For?

The Classic Vibe sits in a particularly useful position between introductory guitars and more expensive Fender models.

It is well suited to:

• Beginners wanting a higher-quality first electric guitar

• Intermediate players upgrading from a starter instrument

• Stratocaster fans wanting an affordable second guitar

• Blues and classic rock players

• Indie and alternative guitarists

• Funk and soul rhythm players

• Pop musicians

• Singer-songwriters

• Home recording setups

• Guitarists who prefer traditional SSS electronics

• Fender players looking for an affordable backup

• Players particularly attracted to 1960s-inspired Strat styling

Looking for advice on choosing the right Squier Stratocaster, SSS electric guitar or first serious electric guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The SSS Stratocaster layout is one of the most versatile pickup configurations available.

The neck pickup provides the warmer, rounder side of the guitar and works particularly well for blues, melodic lead playing and clean chord work. The bridge pickup gives you extra attack and definition for rock, indie and more cutting rhythm parts.

Positions two and four combine adjacent pickups and are particularly useful for funk, soul, pop, clean rhythm guitar and effects-heavy sounds.

Add overdrive, fuzz, compression, modulation, delay or reverb and the Classic Vibe can comfortably move between traditional blues and rock sounds and much more contemporary guitar styles.

Why Choose An SSS Stratocaster?

An SSS Stratocaster uses three single-coil pickups: bridge, middle and neck. The five-way selector then provides each individual pickup plus two combined settings.

That arrangement is central to traditional Stratocaster versatility. If clean articulation, blues sounds, bright rhythm tones and distinctive in-between pickup combinations are high on your list, SSS is a natural choice.

Players who primarily need heavier distortion and a thicker bridge-pickup response may prefer an HSS guitar, but the traditional three-single-coil format remains difficult to beat for classic Strat sounds.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster uses conventional passive electronics and works with virtually any standard electric-guitar setup.

It pairs particularly well with:

• Practice and modelling amplifiers

• Fender-style clean amplifiers

• Valve combo amplifiers

• Multi-effects processors

• Overdrive and boost pedals

• Fuzz and distortion pedals

• Compressor pedals

• Chorus and modulation

• Delay and reverb

• Wah pedals

• Audio interfaces

• Guitar modellers

• Pedalboards

A suitable amplifier, instrument cable, tuner, strap and protective gig bag or case make sensible additions if this is your first complete electric-guitar setup.

Story & Context

Fender introduced the original Stratocaster in 1954, but the design continued to evolve throughout the following decade. By the 1960s, darker fingerboards and changing cosmetic details had given the Stratocaster a noticeably different appearance from the maple-board instruments associated with its earliest years.

That period also became hugely important to the Stratocaster's identity as the instrument spread across rock, blues, pop, surf and the rapidly expanding electric-guitar culture of the decade.

The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster draws inspiration from that later vintage aesthetic rather than attempting to be an exact recreation of one particular year. Modern features such as the 9.5" radius and narrow-tall frets help make the design more approachable as an everyday instrument.

For the buyer, that means you get obvious vintage Fender influence without committing to the more specialised neck geometry or hardware of a strict period reproduction.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Brand	Squier
Model	Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster
Model Number	0374010509
Series	Classic Vibe
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Candy Apple Red
Body Shape	Stratocaster
Body Material	Nyatoh
Body Finish	Gloss Polyurethane
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	“C” Shape
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Finish	Tinted Gloss Urethane
Fingerboard Material	Indian Laurel
Fingerboard Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	21
Fret Size	Narrow Tall
Position Inlays	White Dot
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Bridge Pickup	Fender-Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Middle Pickup	Fender-Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Neck Pickup	Fender-Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Tone 1 Neck/Middle, Tone 2 Bridge
Switching	5-Position Blade
Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Tuning Machines	Vintage-Style
Hardware Finish	Nickel
Pickguard	3-Ply Parchment
Pickup Covers	Aged White
Control Knobs	Aged White Plastic
Switch Tip	Aged White
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Squier
Factory Strings	Nickel Plated Steel .009–.042
Truss Rod	Head Adjust

Power Requirements

The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster uses passive single-coil electronics and does not require a battery or external power supply.

Connect it to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster in Candy Apple Red is a strong choice for anyone who wants the traditional Strat experience without immediately moving into Fender pricing.

Its standout feature is the combination of Fender-Designed alnico pickups and vintage-inspired styling with genuinely approachable modern playability. The slim neck, 9.5" radius and narrow-tall frets make it accessible, while the traditional SSS layout gives it enough tonal range to stay useful as your playing develops.

Best suited for: Beginners wanting a serious first guitar, intermediate players, Strat fans on a sensible budget and musicians wanting classic SSS versatility.

Customers usually upgrade from: Starter-pack guitars, entry-level Squier models and other introductory electric guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Modelling or valve combo amplifiers, overdrive, compression, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Spend time using all five pickup positions. The second and fourth settings are a major part of the traditional Strat vocabulary and can sit particularly well in a full band or recorded mix.

Showroom feedback: Classic Vibe instruments are a particularly sensible step for players who have moved beyond choosing purely on price. They combine familiar Fender-inspired design with a specification that can remain useful well beyond the beginner stage.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps guitarists choose instruments based on what will genuinely suit their playing, sound and budget. Whether this is your first electric guitar, an upgrade from a starter instrument or another Strat-style guitar for your collection, we're happy to help you compare the options.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Extensive experience with new and pre-owned guitars and equipment

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster good for beginners?

Yes. The slim “C”-shape neck and 9.5" radius make it approachable, while the quality of the overall specification means it can continue to serve a player well beyond the beginner stage.

How does Classic Vibe compare with Squier Affinity?

Classic Vibe sits above Affinity in Squier's range and places greater emphasis on vintage-inspired specification. The Fender-Designed alnico pickups, bone nut, vintage-style hardware and detailing make it the stronger option for players looking for a more substantial long-term instrument.

Are the Fender-Designed alnico pickups active?

No. They are passive single-coil pickups, so there is no onboard battery to maintain.

Can this guitar handle distortion and overdrive?

Yes. Strat single coils work very well with overdrive, distortion and fuzz. The bridge pickup gives the most cutting response, while the neck pickup provides a smoother driven lead sound.

Is the 9.5-inch radius comfortable for string bending?

Yes. A 9.5" radius is a practical compromise between vintage curvature and modern playability, making both chord work and expressive string bending comfortable.

What are positions two and four useful for?

These positions combine adjacent pickups and produce some of the Stratocaster's most recognisable clean and lightly driven sounds. They are particularly useful for funk, soul, pop, rhythm guitar and effects-based playing.

Is this a good guitar for home recording?

Yes. Its five pickup settings give you several noticeably different tones from one guitar, which is useful when layering rhythm and lead parts within the same recording.

Can I change to heavier strings?

Yes, although moving significantly away from the factory .009–.042 gauge can require adjustments to tremolo spring tension, intonation and general setup.

Should I buy this or a Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster?

Choose the '60s model if you prefer a darker fingerboard and 1960s-inspired styling. Choose the '50s version if a maple fingerboard and earlier Strat aesthetic appeal more strongly. Both share the approachable Classic Vibe philosophy.

Is this suitable as a backup guitar for an experienced player?

Yes. Its familiar Strat control layout, passive electronics and traditional 25.5" scale make it a practical rehearsal, gigging or studio backup for players already comfortable with Fender-style guitars.