Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,268
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
The Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster is a stunning homage to the golden era of guitar craftsmanship. This period-accurate beast perfectly encapsulates the early '60s Stratocaster vibe, with a bold aesthetic evolution reflected in its vibrant finishes and a 3-ply pickguard that complements its signature curves. The guitar's heart and soul lie in the trio of Pure Vintage '61 Stratocaster pickups, delivering the quintessential tone of the original '61 model with a purity that will leave you breathless.
The guitar sports a premium alder body and a medium C-shaped maple neck, paired with a 7.25"-radius slab rosewood fingerboard for comfortable playability. The vintage-accurate synchronized tremolo with cold rolled steel block and bent steel saddles, and single-line "Fender Deluxe" tuners, are just the icing on the cake. This beauty comes with a vintage-style brown case with an orange interior, making this package a real treat for any Fender enthusiast.
Key Features:
- Alder body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard for a vintage build
- Authentic 1961 "C"-shape neck profile for maximum maneuverability
- Pure Vintage '61 Single Coil Strat pickups for classic Strat tones
- Vintage synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles
- Single-line "Fender Deluxe" tuning machines for stable intonation
- Premium gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish for a classic Strat shine
- Includes a brown vintage-style case with orange lining.
Owner's manual
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster User ManualProduct specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Stratocaster |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | 1961 C |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 7.25" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Clay Dots |
| Number of Frets | 21, Vintage Tall |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.650" |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles |
| Tuners | Fender Deluxe Pure Vintage |
| Neck Pickup | Pure Vintage '61 Single-coil Strat |
| Middle Pickup | Pure Vintage '61 Single-coil Strat |
| Bridge Pickup | Pure Vintage '61 Single-coil Strat |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 2 x tone |
| Switching | 5-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | Fender, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile like on the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster?
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The Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster features a 1961 C-shaped neck profile, offering a comfortable and authentic vintage playing experience suitable for various styles.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster?
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The Pure Vintage '61 single-coil Strat pickups deliver a classic, bright, and articulate tone, perfect for genres like rock, blues, and surf music.
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Is the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster suitable for beginners?
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While the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster offers high-quality craftsmanship and vintage features, it is best suited for intermediate to advanced players who appreciate its historical accuracy and tonal characteristics.
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What is the body material of the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster?
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The body of the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster is made from alder, known for its balanced tone and resonance.
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Does the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster come with a case?
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Yes, the Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster includes a hardshell case for protection and easy transport.
Videos
Guitarist
Fender American Vintage II ’61 Strat & ’51 Tele Demo
Fender American Vintage II ’61 Strat & ’51 Tele Demo
Guitarist
Fender American Vintage II '61 Stratocaster Review
Brooks Reid
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Electric Guitar | Demo and Overview with Tim Stewart
Guitar Center
The Peak of '60s Strats Returns! The American Vintage II '61 Stratocaster
Mannys Music
Brutally Honest Review of the Fender American Vintage II series 1961 Reissue: Is it worth the money?
VOYXU
Fender American Vintage ii 61' Stratocaster - Is It Any Good??
Nick Handley Creative
TONE CHECK: Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Demo
Cream City Music
No Talking...Just Tones | Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster | Fiesta Red
Peach Guitars
Fender USA American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster VS 1957 Stratocaster Review (No Talking)
Music Force Official
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster
N Stuff Music
No Talking...Just Tones | Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster | Olympic White
Peach Guitars
LONG REVIEW: NEW Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster
rollysguitars
Reviews
PROS
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Authentic vintage tone captures the classic early 60s Strat sound
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Lightweight body enhances comfort and playability
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Flawless nitrocellulose finish adds a vintage aesthetic
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Neck profile and radius offer comfortable and easy playing
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High-quality vintage pickups with great dynamic response
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Accurate vintage detailing and appointments
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Beautiful dark rosewood fingerboard with unique patterns
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Versatile sound, suitable for Blues, Rock, and modern genres
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Remarkable playability with smooth fretwork
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Stable tuning and reliable tremolo system
CONS
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Quality control issues, including neck misalignment and finish imperfections
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High action setup may challenge fast soloists
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Nitro finish is prone to faster aging and damage
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Some units arrived with unstable necks requiring adjustment
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Occasional bad tuners needing replacement
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster.
Features and functionality
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The pickups are described as brighter than expected, which might require adjustment for those seeking a warmer vintage tone.
Source
User experience
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A replacement guitar from Fender had smoother frets and better factory setup, highlighting variability between units.
Source -
Strap buttons may be screwed into the finish without felt, which can lead to finish damage when installing strap locks.
Source -
Owners with larger hands may find the neck more comfortable, while those with smaller hands might struggle initially with the 7.25" radius.
Source -
The 7.25" fretboard radius can be more comfortable for players with hand injuries, providing a more natural finger curve.
Source
Comparisons
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American Original 60s Strat is noted for better finishing and a different 9.5" fretboard radius, preferred by some over the AVII's 7.25" radius.
Source -
The American Original series is often compared favorably, with some suggesting it offers quality close to Custom Shop models at a lower price point.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Owners note buzzing on the E and A strings around the 5th-8th frets, which may require setup adjustments to remedy.
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Bends above the 12th fret can choke out; re-radiusing the frets flatter may help.
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Post-setup, one owner achieved action at 1.4mm on the bass side and 1.2mm on the treble side at the 12th fret, emphasizing the importance of a full setup.
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Loose tremolo systems can cause fretting out on bends; tightening trem springs may alleviate the issue.
Source
Build quality
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Some guitars have tooling marks on the fretboard and minor gaps in the neck pocket, indicating potential quality control inconsistencies.
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Some players find the neck on the AVII 1961 Strat somewhat thinner compared to other Fender Strats, which may suit those with smaller hands.
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A guitar arrived with a wood chip near the neck pocket, painted over, indicating potential QC oversight.
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Some guitars shipped with flat-topped frets, requiring immediate crowning despite high price.
Source
Use cases and applications
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While some users report the guitar can handle bending without choking, others note it only happens on the E strings, with middle strings allowing up to 1.5 step bends comfortably.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
In this live performance, Matty can be seen playing a non reliced 60s strat in fiesta red, probably a touring substitute for his vintage 62 Strat.
In the video "SAME GUITAR, 4 BUDGETS! (Can you hear the difference?)" by Paul Davids on YouTube, he uses a Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster - Fiesta Red, whether he owns it or not is unknown.
In the video titled "IV of Spades on Eat Bulaga! | March 24, 2026," Blaster Silonga is seen performing with a Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster. This can be confirmed by closely examining the fretboard and fret dots, which match the distinct tint of this guitar model. Additionally, he frequently uses this guitar in the debut album "ANDALUCIA," as observed in various performances. This appearance was documented by Eat Bulaga TVJ on their official YouTube channel.
Can be seen showing the guitar in this video. https://youtu.be/9eDbUOoT7XU?si=ktkRQA0n1iyTzjb8
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 II 1961 Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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