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Description

Step into the golden era of rock 'n' roll with the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster, an electric guitar that masterfully combines the nostalgic charm of the early '60s with cutting-edge modern playability. This guitar is an ideal companion for musicians who crave that classic Fender feel but demand the versatility of contemporary features. At its heart are the American Vintage Strat single-coil pickups, delivering a spectrum of tones from shimmering cleans to fiery leads, ensuring your sound stands out in any setting.

The Hot Rod '62 Strat is built for comfort and precision with its larger "C"-shaped maple neck, adorned with a rosewood fingerboard and medium jumbo frets. This configuration not only offers a smooth playing experience but also facilitates effortless bends and articulate riffs. The vintage-inspired contoured alder body is paired with an American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo, allowing for expressive pitch modulation without compromising tuning stability.

Whether you're jamming in your garage or headlining a concert, this guitar's blend of vintage aesthetics and modern functionality ensures it's more than just an instrument—it's a statement. With its distinctive balance of classic design and forward-thinking features, the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster is ready to be your go-to guitar for any musical journey.

Key Features:

  • Series: American Vintage Hot Rod Series
  • Body: Comfort contoured Alder body
  • Neck: Maple, larger "C" shape, satin back
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5" radius
  • Frets: 21 medium jumbo
  • Scale length: 25.5"
  • Pickups: 3 American Vintage Strat single-coil pickups
  • Controls: Master volume, tone 1 (neck), tone 2 (bridge)
  • Pickup switching: 5-Position Blade
  • Bridge: American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster
Finish 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Sherwood Green
Year 2007 - 2013
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, Green, 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 1.687"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster?

The Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster features a "C" shape neck profile, providing a comfortable grip that suits a variety of playing styles, from rhythm to lead.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on this Stratocaster?

The Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster is equipped with single-coil pickups in an SSS configuration, delivering classic Stratocaster tones that are bright and clear, perfect for genres like rock, blues, and surf.

Is the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster suitable for advanced players?

Yes, this Stratocaster is well-suited for advanced players, offering high-quality craftsmanship, vintage styling, and versatile tonal options that cater to professional performances and studio recordings.

How does the 9.5" fretboard radius affect playability on this guitar?

The 9.5" fretboard radius on the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster provides a balance between comfort and playability, allowing for easy chord playing and smooth bending, ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

Does this Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge, and how does it affect the sound?

Yes, the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster features a tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects, enhancing the guitar's versatility in various musical styles.

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Fender Vintage Hot Rod 62 Stratocaster

Video thumbnail for Fender Vintage Hot Rod 62 Stratocaster by N Stuff Music

Fender Vintage Hot Rod 62 Stratocaster

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for Stratocaster American Vintage Reissue 62 Hot Rod TONE DEMO (AVRI) by Alberto Guitar Lover

Stratocaster American Vintage Reissue 62 Hot Rod TONE DEMO (AVRI)

Alberto Guitar Lover

Alberto Guitar Lover

Video thumbnail for '07 Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ’62 Reissue Stratocaster | Review & Demo! by Guitar Chimp

'07 Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ’62 Reissue Stratocaster | Review & Demo!

Guitar Chimp

Guitar Chimp

Video thumbnail for Stratocaster American Vintage HOT ROD 62 Lindy Fralin pickups TONE DEMO #lindyfralin #stratocaster by Alberto Guitar Lover

Stratocaster American Vintage HOT ROD 62 Lindy Fralin pickups TONE DEMO #lindyfralin #stratocaster

Alberto Guitar Lover

Alberto Guitar Lover

Reviews

PROS

  • Chunky rosewood neck with a flatter radius for comfortable playability

  • Modern 9.5" fretboard radius enhances bending and chording ease

  • 57/62 pickups offer classic Strat tones with versatility and dynamic range

  • Thin nitro finish allows the wood grain to show, enhancing aesthetics

  • Vintage-style low output pickups provide crisp sounds

  • High-quality build rivals Custom Shop models at a lower price

  • Mint green pickguard and vintage tuners add to vintage appeal

  • Excellent sustain and clarity, even with crunchier tones

  • Resonant acoustic quality when played unplugged

  • Superior fit and finish for a non-Custom Shop Strat

CONS

  • Some find the neck too thick initially, requiring adjustment

  • Sticky neck finish may need time to break in

  • Low output pickups may underwhelm at first without amp experimentation

  • Floating bridge setup may not suit all players' preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster.

Features and functionality

  • The 62 Hot Rod Strat features a big, thick C-shaped neck, comparable to PRS’s pattern vintage and less similar to the R8's beefier neck.

    Source
  • The pickups are not 57/62 as widely believed but are confirmed by Fender to be vintage 57s, offering fairly low output.

    Source
  • The fat mode on a Fender Super-Sonic amp enhances the sound of the 62 Stratocaster, especially with its low-output pickups, compared to the normal mode.

    Source

User experience

  • Many owners report the thick neck is comfortable, dispelling the "baseball bat" myth associated with the guitar.

    Source
  • Owners report satisfaction with the guitar's durability and aesthetic appeal even after 17 years of regular play, indicating long-term reliability.

    Source
  • Owners describe the 62 Hot Rod Stratocaster as an "incredible guitar" that stands out even among other Deluxe and Standard Strat models.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The 62 Hot Rod Strat's neck is seen as more comfortable by some compared to the actual vintage 65 Stratocaster.

    Source
  • The thin nitro finish on the 62 Hot Rod Stratocaster wears more noticeably than thicker polyurethane or polyester finishes, which are more scratch-resistant but can flake off.

    Source
  • When paired with a Les Paul, the fat mode on a Fender Super-Sonic amp can be excessive, but it complements the 62 Strat’s pickups perfectly.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar’s low output pickups are suited for clean tones and light overdrive, but not high-gain settings.

    Source

Build quality

  • The thin-skin nitro finish on the 62 Hot Rod Stratocaster wears naturally over time, giving it a well-played look after years of use.

    Source
  • It's noted that the poly undercoat might not hinder aging as feared, with some guitars aging beautifully even with a poly undercoat.

    Source

Other

  • Chemical reactions between paint layers are mentioned, such as combining lacquer and polyurethane, which can cause finishes to detach under certain conditions.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
alexkaralis75

Best guitar I have

My re-edition is an 1992 american vintage, voodoo pickups

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Rob Chapman uses Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster

Rob Chapman

Singer, Guitarist

Dorje

...
Verified via YouTube

"I have a 50s inspired Strat and Rob has a 60s inspired Strat and these are a part of the Fender Hot Rod Series," says Lee, at 3:45.

See how Eric Gales uses Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster

Eric Gales

Guitarist

Pinnick Gales Pridgen

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

"I use the same gear in the studio and onstage. My main guitars are a St. Blues Blindsider loaded with standard Seymour Duncan single-coils, a ’62 Strat with the same Duncans, and my signature Magneto Sonnet Raw Dawg, which has three Lollar Vintage Blackface pickups and a slightly smoother sound. I also just got a Magneto Velvet, and although humbuckers are not usually my thing, the special Dave Stephens pickups they put in it sound great pushing my signature Two-Rock amp."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender American Vintage Hot Rod '62 Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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