Fender American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Maple, Lake Placid Blue Fender

Fender’s American Vintage II Series is a meticulously designed collection of period-correct electric guitars and basses. Each model is carefully chosen and recreated based on its contribution to the Fender story of that year. All models feature year specific bodies, necks, hardware, finishes, and pickups. American Vintage II is the most accurate production series of legacy instruments across the timeline of Fender history.

In 1973 we’re deep in the CBS era of Fender guitars and you can see that across a multitude of design features and details in the American Vintage II 1973 Stratocaster. Perhaps most notable, the large headstock, which first appeared in 1965, continues. It’s realized at this point that the poly finish reacts to the peghead logos, so the face of the peghead is sprayed with lacquer. This means that the face of the peghead fades darker than the rest of the neck. You’ll also notice a bullet truss rod and a 3-bolt neck as introduced in 1971, plus that second string tree on the G and D strings from mid ’72. 1973 is also the first year of the Mocha finish, as well as the first year for a factory black guard on a Strat, which was only available in the mocha finish.

The 1973 “C” shaped profile is slimmer than the early 60s version, still paired with a 7.25” radius fingerboard. Boards were either maple or round-lam rosewood. The AVII ’73 Strats feature Ash bodies, poly finishes, “F” Stamp tuners, bent steel saddles, and a chrome “ashtray” bridge cover.

1973 was pretty close to the end of the line for staggered magnet pickup pole pieces. They would be flat by 1975. The Pure Vintage 1973 Strat PUPs give you all that stratty, spanky, 70s tone you would hope.

Black hardshell case with orange interior is included.