Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster Lake Placid Blue 2023
Fender Am Vintage II Strat, lake placid blue, made in USA 2023. The Vintage II line launched in 2022 as an extended take on the same idea as the original AVRI models: make them like they used to, please. There wasn't a lot of 70s style models in the original series, but with the sequel, we managed to get some, including a cool fresh take on the 1973 Strat. You get a bunch of early-70s specific appointments: F-key tuners, big bold CBS era decals, bullet truss rod adjuster, slim C shaped neck, ash body, stamped saddles, bright bitey pickups and 70s style colours in gloss poly, just like the originals. This one is wearing a snazzy coat of lake placid blue over the ash body, which looks fantastic. The one spec that tends to cause controversy in players on these models is the 7.25" radius fretboard: it was what Fender was doing from the 50s til the 80s, but modern players find it a bit too round and not conducive to big bends. Luckily for you, fussy guitarist that you are: the previous owner had this expertly re-fretted and re-radiused by the local ninja luthier Paul Mineur, and his work is truly exemplary. It feels awesome now: slick and smooth for easy movement, and you can bend two tones without it choking out. The pickups are very 70s: bright, open, snappy and chimey, with heaps of attack. It's great for funk stuff especially, as that top-end cut translates really nicely for all those choppy chords and lines. Are you ready to party like it's 1973?
Model: Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster
Made: 2023, Corona USA
Serial: V11919
Finish: lake placid blue, gloss poly
Body: ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 25.5" scale, re-fretted and re-radiused to 10", C shape
Weight: 3.810kg
Mods: frets replaced, re-radiused to 10", fretboard re-finished in gloss poly (as per original specs)
Pickups: Pure Vintage '73 single coil x3
Accessories: Fender ABS hard case 90s era, docs, trem arm
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor rub wear on the back only. The back has minor scuffs along the back and bottom edges and on both horns. The sides have a scuff on the top horn, a small chip in the elbow area and minor dimples near the knobs. The front has a couple of minor scuffs behind the bridge and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10