“Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for players at every level”: Squier’s 2025 Classic Vibe drop has arrived – with some head-turning new configurations

When Fender announced its Standard Series – the cheapest new Fenders you can buy – at this year’s NAMM Show, many industry watchers wondered about the future of the Fender-owned Squier brand, which has long made affordable, entry-level alternatives to Fender’s classic guitar designs.

Indeed, earlier this year, Fender’s EVP of Product Justin Norvell revealed the brand had briefly considered replacing the entire Squier line with Fender-branded instruments, but ultimately realising there was “so much equity in the Squier brand name”, so it would have been “crazy to get rid of that”.

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Yep, it certainly doesn’t look like Squier is going anywhere, and the brand has just launched a plethora of new additions to its Classic Vibe line, which offers ‘50s-, ‘60s- and ‘70s-inspired instruments with period-correct aesthetics, tones, neck profiles and more.

There’s 10 new models on offer, with a selection of new finishes and hardware options that are sure to make even the most hardline Fender purist tempted by its budget sister brand.

“At Fender, we’re always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within the world of instrumentation – for players at every level,” notes Justin Norvell.

“We’ve built this range to inspire creativity and elevate the playing experience in every genre. We’re proud to carry forward our legacy by continuing to shape the future of music whilst also paying homage to our heritage and the traditions that got us here in the first place.”

First to stand out in the drop is the new Custom Telecaster SH outfitted with a Bigsby tailpiece, just below a classic vintage-style Tele bridge plate. The Bigsby, in this case, features a string-through design for easy restringing – welcome, no doubt, for less advanced guitarists – and a floating bridge with barrel saddles for optimal tuning stability.

The Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster SH Bigsby is a tribute to the double-bound body Tele models of the late ’50s and ’60s, complete with Fender-designed alnico single-coil bridge and humbucking pickups.

Two new Stratocasters join the Classic Vibe lineup: a ‘50s-inspired one with a stable hardtail bridge and string-through-body design for “optimal body resonance”, and a ‘70s hardtail bridge-fitted HSS model, with ‘70s-inspired headstock markings, nickel-plated hardware and a slick vintage-tinted gloss neck finish.

There’s also a new Jazzmaster, Esquire and even the return of the Duo-Sonic, an offset design with a single coil/humbucker pickup configuration, complete with a short 24” scale length.

The drop also makes room for the bass players, with a new ‘60s Jazz Bass, Active ‘70s Jazz Bass, Telecaster Bass and Active ‘70s Jazz Bass V. 

For more information on the latest Classic Vibe models, head to Squier.