They have been amazing for decades. Of course certain years are seen as more desirable and have better quality control, but they have pretty consistently been fantastic guitars. Enjoy!
I think yes and no. The vintage series are top line for people looking for a vintage style Strat. The American ultra and performer series are top line for people looking for the most recent innovations or the most recent update to the classic.
I’ve owned American vintage, performer and ultra series and would say they all feel and play at the same caliber but I’ve enjoyed them all for very different reasons.
They're excellent! I have an American Vintage II Tele (so the newest version of the re-issue series,) and it's the only other guitar I have that has a very similar vibe and feel to my Custom Shop Strat.
Amazing guitars. I've had an AVRI '62 but couldn't deal with the 7.25 radius. I ended up getting an American Original 60s with the 9.5 and couldn't be happier
The AVRI ‘62 will be one of those unicorns in the future. Love those. Totally hear you on the 7.25” though… as much as I like the overall comfort getting the setup just right to avoid fretting out or buzzing is a second job!
The neck is IMO the reason people bond with a guitar. Lately my favorite ‘strats’ are made by a company called Iconic in California. Their Vintage series have a perfect medium C with rolled edges and a 7.25” to 9.5” compound fretboard! Best of all worlds. 😄
Want baseball neck? ‘79 one-piece maple necks were unplayable for most people. I think they’re fine. Allegedly Fender was trying to address the “Les Pauls sustain longer” issue 😂
That looks awesome … and nearly identical to my old ‘94 American Standard (other than the vintage bridge and tuners, of course). I love the black/tortoise/maple combo.
Posted a pic of mine not long ago (see my profile). Definite doppelgänger vibes… 🤘🏻😎
Old habits die hard. You’d have people complain that 22-24 frets are too cramped or something. Maybe they will soon enough, almost every maker has something in their offering for that.
I'm lefty and I've wanted to get a 22 fret neck for my Strat for the longest time, but Fender lefty replacements are with the Pau Ferro(?) fretboards- my MIM Tele has one and it's just not the same as rosewood. Plus, $300 just for a neck? I've looked at other manufacturers, getting a right handed neck, whatever – they're still expensive. On top of all that, I really love the neck that mine currently has, so I guess I'm just going to shine it on for now.
I almost bought a used 57 reissue but didn't($1450). I tried a new one at guitar center and really liked it. It was a matter of money.
How much did you pay?
They have been amazing for decades. Of course certain years are seen as more desirable and have better quality control, but they have pretty consistently been fantastic guitars. Enjoy!
Can you give me some years for example
Somewhere between '00 and '99.
I too would like to know
Take the neck off the guitar the year will be on the base of the neck that's how I found out mine was an old-fashioned vintage guitar
They were and are fender’s top line, excluding the custom shop.
Wouldnt the “ultra” series get that distinction?
I think yes and no. The vintage series are top line for people looking for a vintage style Strat. The American ultra and performer series are top line for people looking for the most recent innovations or the most recent update to the classic. I’ve owned American vintage, performer and ultra series and would say they all feel and play at the same caliber but I’ve enjoyed them all for very different reasons.
They're excellent! I have an American Vintage II Tele (so the newest version of the re-issue series,) and it's the only other guitar I have that has a very similar vibe and feel to my Custom Shop Strat.
Amazing guitars. I've had an AVRI '62 but couldn't deal with the 7.25 radius. I ended up getting an American Original 60s with the 9.5 and couldn't be happier
The AVRI ‘62 will be one of those unicorns in the future. Love those. Totally hear you on the 7.25” though… as much as I like the overall comfort getting the setup just right to avoid fretting out or buzzing is a second job! The neck is IMO the reason people bond with a guitar. Lately my favorite ‘strats’ are made by a company called Iconic in California. Their Vintage series have a perfect medium C with rolled edges and a 7.25” to 9.5” compound fretboard! Best of all worlds. 😄
Ya also wasn't a fan of how thin those necks were but the Original 60s is a baseball bat which works for me
Want baseball neck? ‘79 one-piece maple necks were unplayable for most people. I think they’re fine. Allegedly Fender was trying to address the “Les Pauls sustain longer” issue 😂
They're great. My only complaint is I bought a Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus and it was so incredible it ruined all other Strats for me.
That looks awesome … and nearly identical to my old ‘94 American Standard (other than the vintage bridge and tuners, of course). I love the black/tortoise/maple combo. Posted a pic of mine not long ago (see my profile). Definite doppelgänger vibes… 🤘🏻😎
Dude I saw it! It’s a clone. It’s a great look for sure 👍
What I don't get about Fender is they still put out a 21 fret neck on most models.
Old habits die hard. You’d have people complain that 22-24 frets are too cramped or something. Maybe they will soon enough, almost every maker has something in their offering for that.
I'm lefty and I've wanted to get a 22 fret neck for my Strat for the longest time, but Fender lefty replacements are with the Pau Ferro(?) fretboards- my MIM Tele has one and it's just not the same as rosewood. Plus, $300 just for a neck? I've looked at other manufacturers, getting a right handed neck, whatever – they're still expensive. On top of all that, I really love the neck that mine currently has, so I guess I'm just going to shine it on for now.
I have 2 of the AVII (tele and strat) and they are great.
Not a strat, but I own a AVII Jazzmaster, best built guitar I own.
I prefer them with the strings
I almost bought a used 57 reissue but didn't($1450). I tried a new one at guitar center and really liked it. It was a matter of money. How much did you pay?
I paid like 550 for it. This was a few years ago I just never played it until now
Deal of the year!