Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,149
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
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Standard
High-end
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Description
Experience the perfect fusion of vintage charm and modern playability with the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster. This guitar, inspired by the iconic transition-era Strats of the mid-1960s, is a celebration of classic design with a contemporary twist. Crafted for musicians who crave authentic sound and feel, the Stratocaster features a slightly chunkier '60s-era "C" neck profile that accommodates a variety of playing styles, offering a comfortable grip whether you're a thumb-behind or thumb-over player.
The Stratocaster's heart lies in its meticulously crafted Pure Vintage '65 pickups, which replicate the rich, dynamic tones of a bygone era. These pickups are complemented by a modern 5-way switching system, unlocking an array of tonal possibilities that allow for both vintage authenticity and modern versatility. The lightweight, resonant alder body is finished with a classic nitrocellulose lacquer, ensuring that the guitar retains its full tonal characteristics while aging gracefully over time.
With a rosewood fingerboard that warms leads and thickens chords, and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius that facilitates seamless upper-register bends, this Stratocaster strikes the perfect balance between old-school vibe and modern performance. Whether you're a tone aficionado or a lead player on a quest for that perfect vintage sound, the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster is poised to deliver.
Key Features:
- Tribute to a 1965 Stratocaster design
- Pure Vintage '65 pickups with period-correct specs
- Modern 5-way switching for expanded tonal options
- '60s-era "C" maple neck for versatile playing styles
- 9.5-inch fingerboard radius for improved playability
- Resonant alder body with nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- 6-saddle synchronized tremolo bridge
- Bone nut for enhanced sustain
- Vintage-style tuning machines and aged hardware
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | American Original '60s Stratocaster |
| Finish | 3-Color Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, Olympic White, Shell Pink |
| Year | 2018 - 2022 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Shape | S-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Bridge |
| Color Family | Brown, Pink, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss, Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 9.5" |
| Model Family | Fender Stratocaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Nut Width | 1.65" |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | SSS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender American Original |
FAQs
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What neck profile does the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster have?
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The Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster features a "C"-shaped neck profile, which is comfortable for a wide range of playing styles, providing a vintage feel with modern playability.
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What kind of pickups are used in the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster?
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This guitar is equipped with vintage-style '60s single-coil pickups, which deliver the classic Stratocaster sound characterized by clear, bell-like tones and a versatile range suitable for various music genres.
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Is the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster suitable for beginners?
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While the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster offers high-quality craftsmanship and sound, its features and price point may be more suited for intermediate to advanced players seeking a vintage-inspired guitar.
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What is the fretboard radius of the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster?
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The fretboard radius of the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster is 9.5 inches, providing a balance between vintage feel and modern playability, making it comfortable for both chord playing and soloing.
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Does the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge?
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Yes, the Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster is equipped with a vintage-style tremolo bridge, allowing for pitch modulation and expressive playing techniques.
Videos
Sweetwater
Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster Review
Reviews
PROS
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Outstanding neck feel and comfortable frets enhance playability.
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Rosewood board adds warmth and mellows the sound.
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Classic colors with USA hardware and electronics.
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Nitro finish looks stunning, reminiscent of a classic car.
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Excellent fretwork with resonant, iconic Strat tones.
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Flatter fretboard radius and taller frets are modern must-haves for improved playability.
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Versatile tone with a strong, full sound across all five pickup positions.
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High-quality build comparable to custom shop models.
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Tremendous value for sound and playability without needing a custom shop price.
CONS
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Factory high E string positioning issues; falls off fretboard.
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MIM trem arm doesn't fit properly.
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Fretboard side markers are small and hard to see on stage.
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Pickguard may have chips around screws.
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Potential neck alignment issues, some users reported unfixable problems.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Original 60's Stratocaster.
Comparisons
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The AVII features slab board construction, while the AO uses a round lam board, offering different tonal characteristics and feel.
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The AVII neck is slimmer compared to the AO, which might appeal more to players accustomed to thinner neck profiles.
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Some players prefer the American Original 60's Strat over Custom Shop models, citing it as their favorite Fender in terms of playability and sound.
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The AO uses Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Single-Coil pickups, contrasting with the Player series' Alnico 5 pickups, offering a more authentic vintage tone.
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Features and functionality
User experience
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A notable neck pocket gap has been reported on some AO models, which might affect playability and aesthetics.
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Owners frequently praise the fat C-shaped neck for its comfortable feel, particularly favoring it over the slimmer modern C shapes.
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Owners emphasize that the neck lacquer and fret size significantly impact the tactile experience, more than other specs like finish or tuner type.
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Setup and maintenance
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Fender's recent QC issues mean thorough inspection is advised before purchase, particularly for neck fit and finish.
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The feel difference between Player and AO models can often be due to setup, including string gauge, action, and neck relief, rather than inherent guitar specs.
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Learning to perform setups can help replicate the feel of the AO on a Player series, focusing on action and neck relief measurements.
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Build quality
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Nitrolacquer finishes on these models are noted to darken and wear over time, contributing to a vintage aesthetic appeal.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings
complete!
I am a fan of offset guitars, I have 3 jags and 1 jazzy, but this Strato brings me in places where I haven't been before. A strong and full sound on the rhythm and plenty of choice with the 5 position selector. On the lead you can do incredible things with the minimum fatigue, she plays for you! I still don't have finished to experiment the sounds with her, considering I am playing her with a deluxe reverb 65. This is great to use live or in studio, a professional instrument.
Artist usage
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In this Youtube video of "kisses" by Slowdive, you can see Neil Halstead using the Fender American Original 60's Stratocaster in Olympic White, around 1:00 minute time and judging by the transition logo used by Fender between 1964-67 and the small headstock around 1964.
In a tweet made by Takayoshi Ohmura on June 20th, 2018, he is seen with a Fender American Original 60's Stratocaster.
Album Usage
The Fender American Original 60's Stratocaster has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Community setups
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