There exists a kind of mystic veneration for Fender’s early guitars: for all the difficulty and complexity that comes with starting a brand new company in a brand new market mirroring the new musical sound, the early Fender guitars did it right. These guitars, a variety of instruments based on ideas from the late-40s to mid-70s, are still hunted by collectors and players to this day and remain a touchstone for electric guitars.
Indeed, there is no better time to revive the fabled guitars that shaped how we play.
Using painstaking precision to remain faithful to the original specs, Fender’s new American Vintage II Series perfectly recreates their early magic by employing period-correct bodies, necks, and hardware, while also featuring premium finishes and uniquely voiced pickups, highlighting the benchmark models across several decades of classic instruments.
The specs include:
- 1950s: Single-ply pickguards, maple fingerboards, pure vintage pickups
- 1960s: Multi-ply pickguards, rosewood fingerboards, bright finish colors
- 1970s: Humbucking pickups, natural wood finishes
While there will always be a market for American made instruments that pay homage to the historical treasures, the American Vintage II Series matches the vigor in spades. Right both for a player’s first American made guitar, or an old pro’s chance at experiencing history, the American Vintage II is a true return to form.
Models:
American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster
American Vintage II 1954 Precision Bass
American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster
American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster
American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster
American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster
American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass
American Vintage II 1972 Telecaster Thinline
American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster
American Vintage II 1975 Telecaster Deluxe
American Vintage II 1977 Telecaster Custom
