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Average Price: $599

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$1001+

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Description

Take a step back in time with the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar, where the essence of the golden era of rock 'n' roll meets modern craftsmanship. This guitar is a harmonious blend of vintage allure and contemporary playability, making it an ideal choice for musicians who crave authenticity without compromising on performance. The contoured double cutaway alder body is finished with a sleek polyester coat, delivering not only a visually stunning instrument but also one that resonates with that iconic Fender tone.

Slide your fingers along the smooth maple "C" profile neck, designed for comfort and speed, topped with a 7.25" radius fretboard that invites expressive bends and fluid solos. Experience the unmistakable sound of the '60s with vintage-style single-coil Strat pickups. These pickups are meticulously engineered to produce the chime and clarity that defined an era.

The Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster provides versatile tonal options with a five-way pickup switch, allowing you to explore a range of sounds from crisp, glassy highs to warm, mellow lows. Aesthetic details such as the three-ply pickguard and six-saddle synchronized bridge add to its classic appeal, while ensuring reliable tuning stability.

Key Features:

  • Contoured double cutaway alder body with polyester finish
  • Maple "C" profile neck with 7.25" radius fretboard
  • Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat pickups
  • One volume and two tone knobs, five-way pickup switch
  • Six-saddle synchronized bridge
  • Vintage-style butt adjust truss rod
  • Three-ply pickguard

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Classic Series '60s Stratocaster
Finish 3-Color Sunburst, Black, Burgundy Mist, Candy Apple Red, Inca Silver, Lake Placid Blue, Olympic White, Shell Pink
Year 1999 - 2018
Made In Mexico
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Pink, Red, Silver, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Pau Ferro, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 7.25"
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 Classic Series

FAQs

What kind of neck profile does the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster have?

The Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster features a "C" shaped neck profile, which offers a comfortable grip suitable for various playing styles, reminiscent of the original 1960s models.

Are the pickups on the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster suitable for blues and rock music?

Yes, the Stratocaster's vintage-style single-coil pickups provide a bright, clear tone that's ideal for blues and rock, delivering the classic Strat sound with excellent articulation.

Is the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster is a high-quality instrument appreciated by advanced players, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners as well.

What materials are used for the body and fretboard of the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster?

The body is made of alder, known for its balanced tone, while the fretboard is available in either Pau Ferro or Rosewood, offering smooth playability and warm tonal qualities.

Does the Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge?

Yes, it features a vintage-style tremolo bridge, allowing players to incorporate expressive pitch modulation into their playing.

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Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster

Video thumbnail for Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster by guitarsib

Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster

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Reviews

PROS

  • Neck feels custom-fitted, enhancing playability and comfort.

  • Delivers versatile tones perfect for rock across various eras.

  • Stunning Lake Placid Blue finish that ages beautifully.

  • High-quality AlNiCo pickups offer authentic vintage sound.

  • Lightweight at 7 pounds, making it comfortable for extended play.

  • Vintage specs at an affordable price point.

  • 7.25" neck radius fits hand well, making barre chords easier.

  • Made in Mexico but praised for high-quality build and value.

CONS

  • Whammy bar hole prone to stripping over time.

  • Saddles can drop in action with aggressive playing.

  • Stock pickups may require upgrading for better tone balance.

  • Lacks a real nitro lacquer finish, affecting vintage authenticity.

  • Volume imbalance across pickup positions noted by some users.

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar.

Build quality

  • Some owners have experienced sharp, unpolished frets and fret sprout due to low humidity, indicating inconsistent manufacturing quality in certain units.

    Source
  • Some units feature a surf green finish with a matching headstock and nitro lacquer, adding a classic aesthetic appeal.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The stock nut may crack easily, causing buzz issues, but replacing it with a Graphtech Tusq XL nut improves tuning stability even with aggressive tremolo use.

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  • Swapping necks between the '50s and '60s models is possible but requires a setup afterward to ensure optimal playability.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock tremolo block for a Callaham block and replacing the nut can enhance sustain, though the difference may be subtle to some users.

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  • Owners recommend upgrading to Pure Vintage 65 pickups for a more authentic vintage sound.

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Features and functionality

  • The vintage-voiced Alnico pickups provide a bright, low-output tone with scooped mids, ideal for clean and overdriven sounds but lacking in midrange punch.

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  • Aesthetic appeal is enhanced with a trem bar, though some players prefer using the tremolo with just their wrist.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Strat is favored for surf and funk genres, with the middle pickup offering a balanced tone for both clean and driven rock sounds.

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  • The neck position is praised for its playability and sound quality, especially suited for clean tones.

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  • The '60s neck on a Road Worn '50s body is a popular modification, offering a unique aesthetic and feel that satisfies those preferring rosewood fretboards.

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User experience

  • Owners have experimented with wiring changes, such as adding a tone control for the bridge pickup, to tailor the guitar's sound to their preferences.

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  • Owners express satisfaction with the guitar's appearance, noting the complementing tones of the body and fretboard.

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  • Players with smaller hands may find the '60s neck more comfortable, while those seeking a vintage vibe might prefer the '50s.

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Comparisons

  • The '60s neck feels slightly fuller compared to the '50s due to rounder shoulders, despite starting thinner at the 1st fret.

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Critic Reviews

Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Lacquer review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Lacquer impresses with its beautiful finish, feel, and tone, offering a vintage-inspired experience at an affordable price. Praised for its build quality and traditional playability, this Mexican-made Stratocaster stands out with its nitrocellulose finish, a first for Fender's Ensenada factory. While not at Custom Shop levels, it delivers a paradoxical fatness and transparency of tone, making it the best value vintage-inspired Strat since the '60s. The only downside is the limited color options, but overall, it's a stellar choice for those seeking vintage aesthetics without breaking the bank.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings

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jamesnotjim

Amazing

I avoided single-coil guitars all my life for fear of 60-cycle hum. I was wrong. I was so wrong. This guitar plays like butter, looks great, and sounds amazing clean, distorted, or anywhere in between. The clean tones, though, are amazing, especially when paired with a nice tube amp. I find myself playing clean far more often now. It turns out the more rounded neck radius (7.25") fits my hand better. This is the only guitar I've ever owned where barre chords--something else I've always avoided--are easy. My other guitars are jealous. I could get rid of them all and keep this Strat.

These are made in Mexico. I've been really impressed with the MIM Fenders. There's really nothing I would change about it--other than the tremolo. But their design goal was to keep it very classic in look and vibe.

jacksimpson

great guitar

This isa great guitar and i would highly recommend it to any one

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Melanie Faye uses Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Melanie Faye

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via She Shreds Magazine

In this SheShreds 2018 interview, Melanie Faye lists her musical gear. The Strat is mentioned as a 2015 Fender Special Edition 60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar in Cerulean Blue.

From the interview:

What about the baby blue Strat that’s often seen in your earlier videos?

I bought that senior year of high school. I worked at Subway part-time and made minimum wage and I was really excited to buy something. It was that Black Friday time again, so everything was on sale. I can’t really say that I’ve ever really been in love with the guitar. It takes a lot of extra work to get it to sound decent. You have to really work on your technique and your touch to get the most of that guitar.

What do you look for in a guitar?

I like guitars that are really well set up, that feel really effortless, that have low action where you barely have to press down and it just feels like air. But none of my guitars feel like that at all. The blue [Fender Stratocaster] has the world’s highest action.

See how Álvaro Henriquez uses Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Álvaro Henriquez

Singer, Guitarist

Los Tres

...
Verified via Photo

Álvaro Henríquez use this guitar in Petinellis

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 Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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