The American Vintage '56 Stratocaster takes you straight back to mid-1956, when the model was still new and when what is quite possibly the most prized and popular neck ever affixed to the instrument first appeared-a thick one-piece maple neck with a soft "V" shape, comfortably rounded edges and a then-new butterfly string tree on the headstock. Such meticulous authenticity even extends to the single-ply white pickguard with eight holes, lightweight alder body (ash on white blonde) with deep contours, and vintage-accurate pickups (alnico 3 pickups debuted in 1956), bridge saddles, tuner spacing and more.
The American Vintage series introduces an all-new lineup of original-era model year guitars that bring Fender history and heritage to authentic and exciting new life. With key features and pivotal design elements spanning the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, new American Vintage series instruments delve deep into Fender's roots-expertly preserving an innovative U.S. guitar-making legacy and vividly demonstrating like never before that Fender not only knows where it's going, but also remembers where it came from.
The American Vintage Series has long presented some of Fender's best selling guitars (their early-'80s introduction, in fact, was one of the first signs that Fender was "back" as the CBS era ended). Today, Fender has boldly cleared the slate to make way for a fresh American Vintage series with new features, new specs and the most meticulous level of vintage accuracy yet. Rather than just replacing the previous models with different ones, they've completely and comprehensively re-imagined the entire vintage-reissue concept-restoring original tooling dies, voicing new pickups, reformulating vintage colors and more-based on actual vintage guitars they tracked down to make sure they had it right. Fender did the work, and it shows, because there's pure tonal magic in each new American Vintage instrument. Includes case.
Own a piece of history. Order today.
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidityOther plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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Mine's blonde. I like the fat neck and very slight V profile (not for speed players). Frets are medium size; not jumbo but not small like the 50's Classics. Fret leveling is immaculate. Mine has a nice amount of wood grain under the see-through blonde finish, and a nicely figured maple neck - not flame, but lots of 3D figure. The '56 pickups are awesome; plenty of lows but not too much, plenty of mids and clear sparkling highs - great for clean sounds and Blues stuff, not the best for Jazz or Metal). The weight is very light and balanced. Mine weighs 7.0 lbs. exactly, which is a perfect weight for me (7-8lbs, 9 gets pretty heavy). It comes with a beautiful tweed case with plush red interior, and a whole bunch of vintage case candy including the "ash tray" chrome bridge cover. Complaints are that these models (probably like the '57 I imagine), is that the E strings are spaced very close to the edges of the neck which make it easy to pull a string off the fret board while playing. Moving the strings in the saddle or adjusting the neck angle helps, but you can't go quite far enough with the high E string. See some close-up photos, as they will give you a good idea of what it looks like. Also the G string nut slot was cut too low at the factory so the open G buzzes; now it has to be filled and re-cut. Because of these two important issues it gets a 4/5. Overall I would buy it again. These guitars have a definite feel and sound mojo that you can't get in other American models. It's multidimensional; lots of tones and subtleties.Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
.A beautiful guitar and definitely the best Strat I have ever tried. All the pickups are great and the sounds you can get out of 'em are just incredible. If you sit down with one of these (and maybe pop a joint), you will feel-no wait-BE Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and all the other guys from that era.
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
.Really nice guitar overall.
The Good:
Incredible looking.
Great clean tones.
Very comfortable.
The Not So Good:
The finish is really thin and soft so it dings easily. Like most nitro finishes the surface is a little tacky feeling compared to poly.
The E strings are closer to the edge of the fingerboard than most modern strats.
The 7.25 radius and nitro finish make bending strings a little more work.
I ended up selling it and getting a Jeff Beck strat which is more my speed.
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
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ok i just made the BEST move by buying this two tone sunburst 56 american vintage baby.....i play music for around 30 years and listen to me carefully this aint no joke of an axe....the neck is phat and way more than my 57 avri... the body is feather light it resonnate A LOT.....man im not here to tell you a story but i had quite a few guitars along the way and there is something special about this guy....i can tell u one thing... pick up one with a 808 tube screamer in a silver face 68 reissue deluxe reverb ( if you can )...youl hear big, phat strat tone promess....pure blessing
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
.This is the best neck of the 13 Strats I have. If you play primarily with your thumb around the neck and have medium to large hands, the neck profile with its soft V and palm-filling bulk is very comfortable. The edges are also rounded very nicely. I love that it does not have a custom shop logo on the back of the head-stock thus giving it a more vintage appearance. I have two other custom shop '56 Strats - a relic and a closet classic. The neck on this one has a nicer feel than either of those. The tone is pure Strat. I intend to install the 3 position switch 'cause I don't want to step into Knopfler and Rob't Cray territory. Those guys are great but it's their sound, not mine. I got the guitar used and the finish must have been through weather changes 'cause it is already checking. The thin nitro finish is nice, however it's too shiny. Overall, this is my favorite Strat. Leo made 'em right in those early days.
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
.paint quality poor
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
.This guitar is awesome. So full and rounded sound. The neck feels great and is perfect for thumb over style playing. I have 4 strats and this is the best by far, beautiful tone and playability.
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
.This guitar is everything and more than one could ask for. The tone, drive and sounds make it a great fun to play strat. I like the standard headstock and frets. The color is beautiful and jumps out of the case. Anyone looking to step up a notch should definately look into owning this American beauty. Worth every penny.
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster Electric Guitar Black Maple Neck
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