I have the same model in Fiesta Red, first issue from 2022. It’s my favourite Strat. I have 2 other reissues, a 2012 ‘62 and a 1982 ‘57. I’ll never sell them. All in all you can’t go wrong if you set them up right. My ‘57 has grey bottom Fullerton pickups which sound exactly like they should. The ‘62 has ‘57/‘62 pickups which actually sound more like later 60’s pickups, & the ‘61 sounds more mellow. The ‘61 & ‘62 are stock, right down to the 3 - way & no tone control on the ‘62. My ‘57 has been modified with a re-radius compound neck, 10” at the nut, 12” at the 12th fret. I’ve also disconnected the second tone control & wired the first as a master on all 3 pickups. Don’t worry about modding, Leo designed the them for the player.
By the way ... I started playing seriously, in 1961. The guitar you are holding is the guitar Fender would be making if they were not making any other Strat models ... if that makes any sense. And Fender has always had a sealer on their bodies. I have the American Original '50s in blonde. It is a fabulous guitar. My maple board/neck is quite chunky, and it is wonderful.
yes it was completely worth it. I have had a few '60's' strats over the years and none compare as well to this new model. The fretboard on this closer to a real vintage strat than the older ones. Prob because it is narrowed down to a 1961 model. The clay dots are nice, and I think the guitar is custom shop quality. Congrats!
Good stuff. I'm looking at a '61 myself except it's been reliced by the previous owner ( think heavy relic ) . Obs it's 2nd hand and I'd be buying without playing it ( it's miles away) but , if it sounds anything like yours , I'm in .
I've been eyeing one of these myself, they’re currently quite heavily discounted at some UK vendors. Upon release there were a lot of complaints about the neck pocket being too big, do you feel that's the case with yours? Your tones are always great. Stumbled upon your channel recently with all your Quad Cortex content, keep up the good work.
My wife and I bought one of these jobs for our grown son. He really likes it! Me ... I'm a 9.5 (would actually rather have 11/12) but he likes the 7.25. Go figure.
Great review! Its funny thay you find your to be a thick neck. I have one of these in fiesta red and honestly i wish the neck were a tiny bit bigger. I also have one of the isbell teles and think the neck is thicker than the one on my avri2 strat... I guess its all relative to your preferences. Or fenders QC is really bad lol 😅
@@davlavmusic7070 agreed, very interesting. my strat is a '22 and the tele a '21 so i wonder if they altered the necks over the years. Mine aren't miles apart but the tele neck is definitely fuller in the shoulders than the strat. I've never played any others of the same models but I'l be keeping my eyes out for them now just out of curiosity.
Interesting, I don't consider my tones that modern. I've always targeted that Eric Johnson kind of thing. But I guess the answer is that I like how it feels.
I just bought the 63 tele in 3 tone sunburst. I love it. Played great straight out of the box.
I have the same model in Fiesta Red, first issue from 2022. It’s my favourite Strat. I have 2 other reissues, a 2012 ‘62 and a 1982 ‘57. I’ll never sell them. All in all you can’t go wrong if you set them up right. My ‘57 has grey bottom Fullerton pickups which sound exactly like they should. The ‘62 has ‘57/‘62 pickups which actually sound more like later 60’s pickups, & the ‘61 sounds more mellow. The ‘61 & ‘62 are stock, right down to the 3 - way & no tone control on the ‘62. My ‘57 has been modified with a re-radius compound neck, 10” at the nut, 12” at the 12th fret. I’ve also disconnected the second tone control & wired the first as a master on all 3 pickups. Don’t worry about modding, Leo designed the them for the player.
By the way ... I started playing seriously, in 1961. The guitar you are holding is the guitar Fender would be making if they were not making any other Strat models ... if that makes any sense. And Fender has always had a sealer on their bodies. I have the American Original '50s in blonde. It is a fabulous guitar. My maple board/neck is quite chunky, and it is wonderful.
yes it was completely worth it. I have had a few '60's' strats over the years and none compare as well to this new model. The fretboard on this closer to a real vintage strat than the older ones. Prob because it is narrowed down to a 1961 model. The clay dots are nice, and I think the guitar is custom shop quality. Congrats!
Thanks!
I love this guitar! I have it in Fiesta Red 👍🏻
That would have been my 2nd choice.
@@davlavmusic7070 👍🏻
Good stuff. I'm looking at a '61 myself except it's been reliced by the previous owner ( think heavy relic ) . Obs it's 2nd hand and I'd be buying without playing it ( it's miles away) but , if it sounds anything like yours , I'm in .
I'm super happy with mine. It's become my main guitar.
I have the same model and finish, 2023 model, my clay dots are SO incredibly orange
I've been eyeing one of these myself, they’re currently quite heavily discounted at some UK vendors. Upon release there were a lot of complaints about the neck pocket being too big, do you feel that's the case with yours?
Your tones are always great. Stumbled upon your channel recently with all your Quad Cortex content, keep up the good work.
I saw those early videos too. I don't have any issues with the neck pocket on mine.
My wife and I bought one of these jobs for our grown son. He really likes it! Me ... I'm a 9.5 (would actually rather have 11/12) but he likes the 7.25. Go figure.
Great review! Its funny thay you find your to be a thick neck. I have one of these in fiesta red and honestly i wish the neck were a tiny bit bigger. I also have one of the isbell teles and think the neck is thicker than the one on my avri2 strat...
I guess its all relative to your preferences. Or fenders QC is really bad lol 😅
That's interesting. My Isbell tele neck is way smaller than the AVii Strat.
@@davlavmusic7070 agreed, very interesting. my strat is a '22 and the tele a '21 so i wonder if they altered the necks over the years. Mine aren't miles apart but the tele neck is definitely fuller in the shoulders than the strat. I've never played any others of the same models but I'l be keeping my eyes out for them now just out of curiosity.
If that is true which ones are better?
your tone is very modern, why get the american vintage II strat?
Interesting, I don't consider my tones that modern. I've always targeted that Eric Johnson kind of thing. But I guess the answer is that I like how it feels.