Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Guitar with Case
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If the coveted early-sixties Stratocaster had a modern-day twin, it would be the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster. This instrument reimagines golden-era guitar building, blending the soulful resonance of vintage hardware with the precise playability of a brand-new build.
The Vintage II ’61 Strat is practically a time machine with strings — delivering that legendary chime and charm without the astronomical vintage market price tag. For players chasing the authentic drift of a beautifully aged nitro finish or the stinging bite of vintage-voiced pickups, this Stratocaster is designed to inspire your best riffs.
Authentic ‘61 Tone
While modern guitars often chase sterile, high-output perfection, this Stratocaster celebrates something more human. Its Fender Pure Vintage '61 pickups are meticulously crafted to replicate the sweet, subtle imperfections of golden-era coils. The result is a sound that breathes with historic character, adding a dynamic, chime-like quality that will push your amp in all the right ways.
Pure Vintage '61 Stratocaster Pickups: Each pickup is voiced to recreate the crystalline highs and warm, punchy mids that made the early sixties Stratocaster a studio legend.
Premium Alder Body: Known for its balanced, resonant acoustic properties, this classic tonewood ensures every note rings out with clarity and authority.
Gloss Nitrocellulose Finish: A vintage-correct lacquer that lets the body wood breathe naturally, promoting incredible resonance while aging gracefully with every gig you play.
Golden Era Playability
Stiff, sterile necks are uninspiring. The American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster changes that with a deeply comfortable neck profile that ignites creativity. Boasting a traditional 7.25-inch radius and a slab rosewood board, it transforms a simple pentatonic scale into a dynamic, effortless experience.
Medium "C"-Shaped Maple Neck: A sublimely comfortable profile that fills the hand naturally, staving off fatigue during long studio sessions and late-night sets.
Slab Rosewood Fingerboard: Offering a warm, rich tactile response under the fingers, complete with period-accurate clay dots for a truly nostalgic aesthetic.
7.25” Fingerboard Radius: The vintage-correct curvature makes wrapping your thumb around the neck for Hendrix-style chording incredibly comfortable and intuitive.
Hardware Built for the Stage
Let's be honest: aesthetics matter. But this guitar isn't just eye candy. The vintage-accurate synchronized tremolo feels buttery smooth, offering expressive pitch-bending that snaps right back to perfect pitch.
Synchronized Tremolo with Cold Rolled Steel Block: Delivers classic, shimmering vibrato while the authentic steel block provides massive, piano-like sustain.
Single-Line "Fender Deluxe" Tuners: Rock-solid tuning stability housed in a gorgeous, vintage-correct casing that looks exactly like the original machines.
3-Ply Pickguard: Accents the Stratocaster's signature, sweeping curves while adding a touch of sophisticated, early-sixties visual flair.
The Ultimate Vintage Experience
The Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster is what happens when legendary craftsmanship meets modern reliability. It captures the very soul of a musical revolution while offering the steadfast dependability of a newly built Fender. It’s a direct descendant of the original, crafted for players who demand the purest form of Fender tone and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster
What is the neck profile on the American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster?
The guitar features a highly comfortable Medium "C"-shaped maple neck, which faithfully replicates the feel of original early-sixties Stratocasters.
Does this Stratocaster have a nitrocellulose finish?
Yes. It is finished in a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, which allows the premium alder body to resonate freely and will naturally wear and age over time based on your playing habits.
What pickups come standard in the '61 American Vintage II Stratocaster?
It is loaded with a trio of Pure Vintage '61 Stratocaster single-coil pickups, which are meticulously reverse-engineered to deliver the exact output, chime, and warmth of original 1961 models.
What is the fingerboard radius on this model?
To maintain strict historical accuracy, this model utilizes a vintage-correct 7.25" fingerboard radius on a slab rosewood board, which is ideal for comfortable chording.
Where is the American Vintage II series manufactured?
The entire American Vintage II line, including the 1961 Stratocaster, is crafted at Fender's factory in Corona, California.
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Features:
Premium Alder body for balanced, resonant tone
Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish that ages beautifully over time
Trio of Pure Vintage '61 Stratocaster pickups for authentic era-correct sound
Medium "C"-Shaped maple neck tailored for classic comfort
7.25” radius slab rosewood fingerboard with clay dot inlays
Vintage-accurate synchronized tremolo with cold rolled steel block and bent steel saddles
Period-correct single-line “Fender Deluxe” tuners
Refined 1961-style 3-Color Sunburst aesthetic with 3-ply pickguard
Warranty: 2 Years Limited on Custom Shop; 2 Years Limited on Stringed Instruments; 2 Years Limited on Electronic Products; 5 Years Limited Transferable on Fortis; 1 Year Limited on Accessories; 1 Year on IEM; 90 Days on Vacuum Tubes
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Guitar with Case Specifications
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Guitar with Case Specifications
Product Specifications
Series: American Vintage II
Model Name: American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck: Maple, 1961 “C”
Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard: Slab Rosewood, 7.25” (184.1 mm)
Frets: 21, Vintage Tall
Position Inlays: Clay Dot
Nut (Material/Width): Bone, 1.650” (42 mm)
Tuning Machines: Pure Vintage Single Line “Fender Deluxe”
Scale Length: 25.5” (64.77 cm)
Bridge: Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Pickups: Pure Vintage ‘61 Single-Coil Strat (Bridge, Middle, Neck)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade; Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
