Step back in time to the golden era of electric guitar craftsmanship with the Fender® American Vintage II series, a collection that faithfully recreates the revolutionary designs that shaped musical history. These instruments are built with period–accurate bodies, necks and hardware, premium finishes and meticulously voiced, year–specific pickups that capture the authentic essence of classic Fender tone and craftsmanship.
The late 1950s and early 1960s marked a flourishing period for Fender musical instruments, with the Stratocaster® reigning supreme amongst an expanding range of exceptional guitars. By 1961, the Stratocaster had developed a more refined aesthetic, featuring a reformulated 3–Colour Sunburst with vibrant red tones and bolder black edges, complemented by a 3–ply pickguard that perfectly accented the Strat’s signature curves.
The American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster reproduces the quintessential tone and feel of the original through its premium alder body, trio of Pure Vintage ‘61 Stratocaster pickups, and medium “C”–shaped maple neck paired with a 7.25” radius slab rosewood fingerboard. Additional vintage–accurate appointments include a synchronized tremolo with cold rolled steel block and bent steel saddles, single–line “Fender Deluxe” tuners, and authentic 3–ply pickguard detailing.
As direct descendants of the original Fenders, the American Vintage II series represents electric guitars in their purest form – built with unmatched quality down to the last screw for players who appreciate genuine vintage Fender tone and feel. These are truly the stuff of legends.
- Alder body w/ Stratocaster shape & gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Maple neck w/ 1965 "C" profile, 25.5" scale length & gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Round-laminated rosewood fretboard w/ 7.25" radius & white pearloid dot inlays (7mm)
- 21 vintage tall frets for smooth and effortless playability
- 1.650" bone nut for enhanced tone and sustain
- Pure Vintage Single Line "Fender Deluxe" tuners for precise tuning stability
- Pure Vintage Synchronised Tremolo bridge w/ bent steel saddles for an authentic vintage feel
- Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Single-Coil Strat pickups in bridge, middle, and neck positions
- Master volume, Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Bridge/Middle Pickup) & 5-way blade switch for versatile tone control
- Vintage-accurate hardware including chrome/nickel-plated steel finish and 4-bolt vintage-style neck plate
- 3-ply eggshell pickguard, vintage white control knobs and switch tip for a classic aesthetic
- Includes vintage-style black hard case (orange interior), vintage '65 Strat strap, cable, and cloth, bridge cover, owner's manual, saddle height wrench, and '60s Strat information kit



