Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS

Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS review

The Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS is a U.S.-made, 1961-style Stratocaster with an ash body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and three Texas Special single-coil pickups. Its listed price is 4777, with no currency specified in the supplied information. Fender identifies the model as a 1961 NOS, and the specifications list Hot Rod Red nitrocellulose lacquer, a vintage tremolo, and an included case and certificate.

There are no customer reviews available for this guitar. This assessment therefore focuses on the documented construction and hardware, rather than claiming a playing feel or sound that has not been independently established.

Body, neck, and finish

The body is made from ash, with no separate top. Its ST-style shape follows the familiar Stratocaster outline. The neck is maple, paired with a 9 mm slab rosewood fingerboard described as AAA grade. The model name includes "RW," and the full specification confirms the rosewood fingerboard material.

The neck profile is a '60s Oval "C," while the fingerboard radius is 184 mm. These dimensions identify the shape and curvature, but do not establish whether the neck will suit a particular player. Personal preference, hand size, setup, and fret condition all affect that judgment. The guitar has 21 vintage-upgrade frets, identified in the data by part number 45085.

Hot Rod Red is the listed color, applied in nitrocellulose lacquer. The NOS designation is given as the finish type. The specifications do not describe aging, checking, or other cosmetic treatment, so the label should not be taken as evidence of any particular relic effect. Chrome-plated hardware completes the stated hardware finish.

Pickups and controls

The instrument uses three Texas Special single-coil pickups in an SSS layout. A five-way switch selects pickup combinations. That configuration gives the player several selectable positions, but the available specifications do not include pickup output, magnet type, wiring details, or measured frequency response. No specific tonal result can be confirmed from the listed information alone.

For buyers comparing Strat-style instruments, the named pickup set and switching arrangement are useful identifiers. They make the electronics more specific than a generic three-pickup description. However, there is no supplied control specification beyond the five-way switch, so details such as potentiometer values, capacitor type, and any additional switching functions remain unconfirmed.

Tremolo and practical details

A vintage-style tremolo is fitted. The listing does not state the bridge's number of screws, the number of springs, the factory setup, or the range of pitch movement. Those details can affect operation and adjustment, so they should be checked with the seller if they matter to your decision.

The scale length is 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches. The instrument has 21 frets and is supplied with a case and certificate. A bag is not included. Fender lists the sales unit as one piece, item number 622301, and availability beginning in July 2025. The product information does not identify the case type or certificate contents.

What the specifications support

The strongest points that can be verified on paper are the U.S. Origin, ash body, maple neck, rosewood slab fingerboard, three Texas Special single-coil pickups, five-way switching, and nitrocellulose Hot Rod Red finish. The 1961 NOS model designation provides the intended historical reference, while the listed components define what is actually specified for this version.

The 4777 price is a substantial purchase, but the source does not say which currency applies, and it provides no comparison with other models or market prices. Buyers should confirm the currency, current availability, and exact included accessories before ordering. It is also sensible to request setup details and clarify the tremolo configuration, since neither is documented here.

On the supplied evidence, the Fender 61 Strat Hot Rod Red RW NOS is a clearly specified, U.S.-made Strat-style guitar with vintage-oriented construction details and a named pickup set. The specifications establish its materials, layout, finish, and included case. They do not establish its sound, comfort, setup quality, or value against competing instruments. Those questions require a hands-on inspection or additional product information.