Fender American Vintage II '61 Stratocaster - USA 2025

This Custom Build takes the American Vintage II 1961 platform and pairs it with a Fender American Original series lightweight Swamp Ash body finished in White Blonde. Fender now charges a premium for Swamp Ash over Alder and has advised dealers that Swamp Ash will only be used on models where it is historically appropriate. Swamp Ash was a documented special order option on certain late 1950s and early 1960s Stratocasters, including examples from 1959 and 1961, so this combination is period correct and genuinely desirable.

The body is resonant lightweight Swamp Ash from the Fender American Original series, with attractive grain showing through the translucent White Blonde finish. It reflects the look and character of the 1959 transition period. Compared with the standard Alder AVII 1961 body, this build adds acoustic liveliness, clarity and a little extra sparkle.

The neck is an original Fender American Vintage II 1961 neck taken directly from a factory guitar. It is not a spare part. It comes with the matching serial number neck plate and the original hang tag. The feel is classic early sixties with a comfortable carve, rosewood fingerboard and clay style markers.

The electronics are all genuine Fender. The loaded guard was assembled by Craig Wells of Overdrive Custom Guitar Works, an authorised Fender reseller who supplies loaded Fender pickguards built with genuine Fender components. This guard uses the correct aluminium shielding plate, CRL five way switch, CTS 250k pots dated 2235, Switchcraft style wiring, Fender parchment covers and knobs with oxidised green numerals, and a full set of Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster pickups. These are the exact pickups found in the production AVII 1961 Stratocaster and give the guitar an authentic early sixties voice with glassy highs, sweet mids and a balanced tight low end.

The guitar comes with a brand new Fender tweed hardshell case which suits the vintage aesthetic and completes the build.

Playability is excellent with smooth low action and a lively acoustic response that carries through when amplified. The guitar is in near mint condition and sounds outstanding. It is essentially a Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster enhanced with a Swamp Ash body and genuine Fender electronics to create a thoughtful and cohesive Custom Build.

Features:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th Fret: 2.0mm

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 20.67mm

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 23.55mm

Nut Width: 42.18mm

Width at 12th Fret: 51.63mm

Weight: 3.27kg / 7.21lb

Body: Fender American Original series Swamp Ash in White Blonde

Neck: Fender American Vintage II 1961 with matching serial and hang tag

Fingerboard: Rosewood with clay style dots

Pickguard: 1959 transition style 10 hole three ply faded mint green

Pickups: Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster set

Electronics: CTS 250k pots dated 2235, CRL switch, Fender shielding plate and hardware

Case: Brand new Fender tweed hardshell case