The American Vintage II '61 Stratocaster recreates the early 60s Strat with a genuine vintage-width bridge, the true 2-7/32 inch (about 56.4mm) spacing, not the narrower spacing found on many modern Strats or Squier Classic Vibe guitars, since this is the real thing from Fender's dedicated vintage-accurate American Vintage II line.
9 mods reviewed: 7 drop-in, 2 need modification.
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The American Vintage II '61 Stratocaster recreates the early 60s Strat with a genuine vintage-width bridge, the true 2-7/32 inch (about 56.4mm) spacing, not the narrower spacing found on many modern Strats or Squier Classic Vibe guitars, since this is the real thing from Fender's dedicated vintage-accurate American Vintage II line. Rosewood board rather than the maple used on the '57 and '70s models, giving a slightly warmer, softer top end.
Tailpiece
None (bridge-integrated)
String spacing
56.4mm (2-7/32")
Scale length
25.5" (648mm)
Not published by Fender: tuner hole size and bridge mounting spacing. Measure these before buying tuners or a bridge.
A premium vintage-spec tremolo option. Matches this guitar's true vintage-width bridge spacing.
Callaham builds this bridge specifically for the true vintage 56.4mm spacing, which matches this guitar's confirmed spec exactly. A well-regarded, higher-end alternative to the Wilkinson option.
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View at ReverbA vintage-correct tremolo upgrade. The spacing matches this guitar's true vintage-width bridge, so it should be a straightforward swap.
This guitar carries Fender's confirmed true vintage-spec bridge spacing of 56.4mm (2-7/32 inch), the same figure Wilkinson builds the VSVG specifically to match. This is one of the more solid fitment claims in the Fender catalog since both numbers are well corroborated.
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Fits the standard Strat single-coil route. A period-correct voicing choice for this vintage-style guitar. You will need to solder it in.
Standard Strat single-coil route. A period-appropriate voicing choice for a guitar built to recreate the early 60s Strat specifically, since this pickup set is voiced for late 60s Strat tone rather than the earliest 50s or later 70s character.
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Fits the standard Strat single-coil route. Stays close to this guitar's original vintage voicing. You will need to solder it in.
Standard Strat single-coil route. Seymour Duncan's vintage-staggered set is a common choice for players who want to stay close to the guitar's original vintage voicing rather than add output.
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Fits the standard Strat single-coil route. You will need to solder it in.
Standard Strat single-coil route and mounting, no different from any other SSS Stratocaster. A popular, versatile hotter-output option.
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View at ReverbFits the standard Strat single-coil route. Gives more output than the vintage-voiced stock pickups. You will need to solder it in.
Standard Strat single-coil route, a higher-output alternative for players who want more push into an amp than the vintage-voiced stock pickups give.
Matches the vintage-style tuner posts already on this guitar, no reaming needed.
This guitar uses vintage-style tuner posts as part of its true vintage-spec build, consistent with the 8.7mm vintage hole size these tuners are designed for. No reaming needed since both are period-correct vintage spec.
These need the tuner holes reamed larger to fit, this guitar's vintage-spec headstock does not take modern tuners as a straight swap.
These are modern 10mm-post locking tuners, but this guitar's vintage-spec headstock uses the smaller vintage-style hole size. Fitting these means reaming the holes out, consistent with how this same conflict plays out on every true vintage-spec Fender.
Help confirm this fit
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View at AmazonLike our other locking tuner option, these need the holes reamed larger, this guitar's vintage-spec headstock does not take modern tuners as a straight swap.
These are 10mm-post tuners going into a guitar built with smaller vintage-style holes, the same reaming requirement that applies to modern locking tuners generally on this guitar's vintage-spec headstock.
Help confirm this fit
See also
If you have fitted any of these to this Fender American Vintage II '61 Stratocaster, tell us what you found and we'll update the data.
