For those after the vintage sound and feel of a golden-age Fender, the American Vintage II series is most definitely for you. Vintage tall frets ensure those big blues bends are a breeze, offering a phenomenal playing feel for soul-searching lead guitar work. This retro-inspired axe features a plethora of period-correct specifications, such as an Alder or Ash body with a Nitro lacquer finish, three Pure Vintage '57 single-coil pickups, and a chunky 1957 ‘V’ neck with a vintage 7.25' radius fingerboard. We could've picked several Stratocasters for this guide, but we succumbed to the vintage charms of the American Vintage II 1957 Strat. The incredibly versatile nature of the Strat has meant that guitar innovators such as Hendrix, Clapton, or SRV were able to bend the Fender classic to their will, resulting in some of the most remarkable guitar tones of all time. It seems like the humble Fender Stratocaster has always been the weapon of choice for the trailblazer.
