Fender AV II 61 STRAT RW WT3TB

Fender AV II 61 STRAT RW WT3TB review

The Fender AV II 61 STRAT RW WT3TB is a vintage-inspired Stratocaster built around an alder body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its three-color Sunburst finish and mint green pickguard give it a distinctly early-1960s look, while the listed specifications keep the design focused on familiar Strat features. Available since October 2022, it is priced at $2,139 and includes a vintage-style brown case with orange lining.

The specification sheet is appealing, but owner reports suggest that the experience can depend on the individual instrument's factory setup. Some buyers describe clean workmanship and a guitar that arrived ready to play. Others report substantial action, bridge, or fret issues. That variation matters at this price, particularly for anyone who does not plan to make setup adjustments themselves.

Construction and vintage details

The body is alder, with no separate top, and the neck is maple. The rosewood fingerboard is a glued-on slab-style board, with clay-colored dot inlays. Fender specifies a 1961 C-shaped neck, a 648 mm (25.51-inch) scale, a 184 mm (7.25-inch) fingerboard radius, and a 42 mm (1.650-inch) bone nut. There are 21 tall vintage-style frets.

Owners who received well-finished examples praise the smooth fingerboard, attractive dark rosewood, and clean paintwork. One report describes tight neck-pocket fit and no visible finish flaws. Another notes that the guitar resonated well even unplugged. Those impressions are not universal: other buyers encountered fret-related dead notes, strings close to the fingerboard edge, or high action. The reports point to instrument-to-instrument variation rather than a consistent problem across every example.

The glossy three-color Sunburst finish uses nitrocellulose lacquer over polyurethane lacquer. Nickel and chrome hardware, single-line vintage-style tuners, and a three-ply mint green pickguard complete the period-inspired presentation. The included brown case is repeatedly described as well made, though its appearance is a matter of taste. The specification lists a case, not a gig bag.

Pickups, controls, and playing feel

Three Pure Vintage '61 Strat single-coil pickups provide the classic SSS layout. The controls are one master volume and two tone knobs, with a five-way selector. The bridge is a synchronized vintage-style tremolo with bent steel saddles. The supplied strings are Fender USA 250R nickel-plated steel, gauged.010 to.046.

Players generally respond positively to the sound. Reports describe a clear, present voice across the fretboard, with the neck pickup drawing particular praise for clean and lightly overdriven tones. One player found the middle pickup satisfying but felt the bridge pickup sounded thin and comparatively weak, especially alongside the middle pickup. Pickup balance is adjustable, so this judgment may shift with height, amplifier, and playing style, but it is worth considering if bridge-position output is a priority.

The neck profile and vintage-radius fingerboard suit players seeking a traditional feel. Some owners found the neck comfortable even in higher positions, and one described the factory setup as excellent, with the tremolo floating. Others had to lower the action or adjust the tremolo to suit their preferences. One buyer received a very loose truss rod and a pronounced neck bow, while another reported that the high E string became difficult to fret above the 12th fret. These accounts make a careful inspection and setup check sensible after delivery.

What buyers should check

• Neck and action: Check neck relief and string height along the full fretboard. Reports range from comfortable factory setups to action owners considered unplayable.
• Fretwork and alignment: Inspect for dead notes and confirm that the outer strings sit securely on the fingerboard.
• Tremolo and pickup balance: Verify that the bridge is positioned as intended and that pickup output suits your amplifier and playing style.
• Case contents: The brown case is included, but reports do not establish that extra accessories such as a strap, cable, or spare springs are supplied.

Verdict

The AV II 61 offers a convincing vintage-style combination of alder, maple, rosewood, three single-coil pickups, and a synchronized tremolo. Owners who received well-adjusted examples praise its finish, feel, resonance, and classic Strat tones. The included case also adds useful protection for transport and storage.

Setup consistency is the main concern. Several owners were delighted with the factory adjustment, while others needed to correct action, neck relief, or bridge alignment, and some reported more serious fret or string-position problems. At $2,139, buyers should expect careful quality control. If possible, inspect the guitar in person or confirm the seller's return and setup support before ordering. For players after a vintage-inspired Stratocaster and willing to verify the setup, this model has a strong case. For anyone expecting every example to arrive perfectly adjusted, the mixed reports call for caution.