FENDER AMERICAN VINTAGE II ’61 STRATOCASTER & ’51 TELECASTER£2,049 & £2,099
CONTACT Fender Musical Instruments EMEA PHONE 01342 331700 WEB www.fender.com
What You Need To Know
1 Another Strat, another Tele?
A question we’ve pondered many times. Fender, with great commercial wisdom, builds its models in different factories in the USA, Mexico and Asia to cater to all price points and tastes. These American Vintage Reissue II models are made in Corona, California, and they represent specific model years: the ’51 Tele and ’61 Strat we have on review are designed to look, feel and sound as close to the originals as possible.
2 Are there more models?
Yes (see our gallery on page 88 for a selection), including a fabulous-looking ’66 Jazzmaster, a ’73 Strat and three 70s Teles. Colours are limited to the classics – think two/three-tone sunburst, Daphne Blue, Olympic White, Fiesta Red, Lake Placid Blue and so on. Seriously cool!
3 No relics here?
No, for now at least, Fender is leaving that side of things in the hands of its Custom Shop: these are pristine. While plenty love the beaten-up look, many of us still prefer an instrument that’s unsullied in any way.
The vintage reissue side of Fender’s product range has undergone all manner of changes since the first AVR models appeared back in the early 80s. Hence the bewildering name and line-up changes that have befallen this vital portion of Fender’s
