Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (4)
$2,499.99
Guitar Center
$2,499.99
Fender
$2,499.99
Amazon
5.0 (2)
$2,499.99
Reverb
5.0 (2)
$2,307.02 New
$1,699.99 Used
Musician's Friend
$2,499.99
zZounds
$2,499.99
Thomann
5.0 (1)
$2,259.00
Gear4Music
£2,049.00

Average Price: $2,363

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 1965 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

Experience the golden era of rock with the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster, a guitar that faithfully resurrects the iconic sound and aesthetic of the mid-60s. This instrument captures the essence of a transformative period in music history, offering both seasoned players and enthusiastic collectors a piece of legend.

Crafted with a period-accurate 1965 "C"-shaped maple neck and a round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, this Stratocaster delivers a comfortable playing experience, while its authentic Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Single-Coil pickups ensure that classic, shimmering Strat sound. The attention to detail is evident in its construction, featuring a meticulously designed 11-hole three-ply pickguard and traditional nickel/chrome hardware.

Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster offers a perfect blend of style and performance, making it a must-have for anyone looking to channel the spirit of a bygone musical era.

Key Features:

  • Alder body with a 25.5" scale
  • Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
  • 1965 "C"-shaped maple neck with round-laminated rosewood fingerboard
  • 21 vintage tall frets
  • Nut width: 42 mm, bone nut
  • SSS pickup configuration with Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Strat Single-Coils
  • Master Volume, Tone 1, Tone 2 controls with a 5-way switch
  • 6-saddle American Vintage synchronized tremolo bridge
  • Pure Vintage Single Line "Fender Deluxe" tuners
  • Includes updated deluxe vintage black case
  • Made in USA

Product specs

Model American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster
Neck Finish Flash Coat Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fret Type Vintage Tall
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 1965 C
Neck Joint Bolt-on
Radius 7.25"
Fingerboard Inlay Dots
Number of Frets 21
Scale Length 25.5"
Nut Width 1.650"
Nut Material Bone
Bridge/Tailpiece 6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Tuners Fender Deluxe Pure Vintage
Neck Pickup Fender Pure Vintage '65 Gray-bottom Strat Single-coil
Middle Pickup Fender Pure Vintage '65 Gray-bottom Strat Single-coil
Bridge Pickup Fender Pure Vintage '65 Gray-bottom Strat Single-coil
Controls 1 x volume, 2 x tone
Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
Strings Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel, .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster?

The neck profile of the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster is a 1965 C shape, providing a comfortable and familiar feel for players who appreciate vintage-style necks.

What kind of pickups does the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster have?

This Stratocaster is equipped with Fender Pure Vintage '65 Gray-bottom Strat single-coil pickups, which deliver classic 1960s Stratocaster tones with clear, bright, and articulate sound characteristics.

Is the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster suitable for playing rock music?

Yes, the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster is well-suited for rock music, offering the iconic Stratocaster sound with its vintage-style single-coil pickups, perfect for classic rock tones.

Does the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster come with a case?

Yes, the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster includes an updated deluxe vintage black hardshell case for protection and easy transport.

What type of finish does the Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster have?

The Stratocaster features a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which enhances the natural resonance of the alder body and provides a vintage aesthetic.

Matthew Scott

Matthew Scott

Fender NAILED This!

Video thumbnail for Fender NAILED This! by Matthew Scott

Fender NAILED This!

Matthew Scott

Matthew Scott

Video thumbnail for Exploring the 1965 Stratocaster | American Vintage II | Fender by Fender

Exploring the 1965 Stratocaster | American Vintage II | Fender

Fender

Fender

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster.

Build quality

  • Some owners noted a tight neck pocket, similar to Custom Shop guitars, reducing the need for neck alignment adjustments.

    Source
  • Some users have experienced inconsistent build quality with AVII, with noted neck pocket gaps in AO models being a specific issue.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A user reported action set at 1.4mm on the bass side and 1.2mm on the treble side after a full setup, including a fret level.

    Source
  • The AVII's slimmer neck compared to the AO suits those who prefer thinner profiles, though it may take time to adjust from other guitars.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 7.25" radius is reported as comfortable by players with smaller hands, allowing bends up to 1.5 steps without choking.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners compared the American Vintage II to American Original series, noting comparable quality to Custom Shop models but at a lower price.

    Source
  • The AVII uses PV61 pickups, re-voiced for improved sound over the AO's PV65s, with some owners preferring the PV61 tone.

    Source
  • The AVII features a slab board, while the AO has a round lam, offering different tonal and tactile experiences.

    Source

User experience

  • A user mentioned the truss rod being fully cranked with a neck bow, leading to a replacement guitar from the retailer.

    Source
  • Owners transitioning from budget models like Squier find the AVII's playability improves dramatically after initial adjustment.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how James Bay uses Fender American Vintage II 1965 Stratocaster

James Bay

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video from Fender, James Bay talks about the 1965 Vintera II Stratocaster as he demonstrates one in Candy Apple Red finish. He says:

My bedroom guitarist years it was only a strat, until I left home when I was 19. It's all I played, that was my electric guitar. Probably even beyond then, 20, 21. If I played electric, it was my Strat. I could trust it. I loved it. I beat it up a bit, you know.

So many great players put such a vivid stamp on that guitar; Hendrix, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan. So many made a strat sound so stratty in such a brilliant and unique and powerful and bold way, the rest of us are going on the journey every time we pick it up of getting away from just doing impressions of those guys and trying to find something a bit more signature.

Strats vary in so many ways. I was playing down low, I was playing up high, I was getting really high and combining all those different ranges with all these different pickups. Every sound was as strong and as true as the last. There's something glassy about a strat tone that is always what I want from a strat, but these pickups are fuller sounding. They make a bigger, broader noise. It's just there's an effortlessness to this that I recognize, even picking this one up.

Genre Usage

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

More Fender Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    michael
    michael

    Gear IQ 42641