Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster Lake Placid Blue

Fender AV II 73 STRAT MN LPB American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster in Lake Placid Blue!

The American Vintage II series brings Fender’s icons from the 50s, 60s, and 70s back. And when Fender says "vintage," they don’t just mean the look. They actually build the instruments exactly to the specs of the original models that have inspired musicians across all genres for generations.

The Fender American Vintage II series not only visually follows the historic designs that made music history. Many era-typical details have been precisely reproduced: bodies, necks, and hardware, premium finishes, as well as pickups carefully tuned to the tone of the original model year. Each instrument embodies the authentic character and sound of its original model thanks to traditional Fender craftsmanship.

The 1973 Stratocaster

By 1973, the now classic CBS designs had become the standard and were used by rock, funk, fusion, and prog players worldwide. Weekly late-night music TV shows like Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, In Concert, and Midnight Special gave Fender instruments more exposure than ever before and further cemented the Stratocaster’s dominance as a pop culture phenomenon.

The American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster captures the spirit of this era and is equipped with a trio of Pure Vintage '73 staggered pole pickups, a large headstock with two string trees, a practical "bullet" style truss rod, and a three-bolt neck plate with micro-tilt mechanism. The "C"-shaped maple neck plays like a dream with a rosewood or maple fretboard featuring a 7.25" radius and vintage tall frets. Other features include vintage-style tuners stamped with an "F" and a synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles and cold-rolled steel block.

Ash Body

Ash is beautifully grained and offers a very musical resonance. The wood supports a warm, clear tone with clean highs and punchy mids.

Maple Fretboard with 7.25" Radius

The 7.25" radius fretboard provides a comfortable "typical vintage" playing feel. The vintage tall frets make precise bending easier.

1973 C-Profile Neck

The neck profiles of vintage instruments vary significantly because Fender developed several variations over the decades. Each American Vintage II instrument is equipped with the exact neck profile of the original model.

Pure Vintage '73 Stratocaster Pickups

The Pure Vintage pickups are precisely designed and tuned to the sound and performance of the original model year. Construction and materials are identical to the pickups from Fender’s golden years, including cloth-covered wires, vulcanized fiber bobbins, and Alnico magnets.

The American Vintage II series brings classic Fender models back in their original form. Ideal for players who love vintage tone and feel and appreciate top quality—down to the last screw.

Fender American Vintage II. The Stuff Legends Are Made Of!