Fender AV II 65 Strat RW SNB

Fender AV II 65 Strat RW SNB review

The Fender AV II 65 Strat RW SNB is a U.S.-made Stratocaster in Sonic Blue, built around an alder body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its specification draws heavily on the mid-1960s: a 1965 C-shaped neck, a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, 21 tall vintage frets, and a synchronized six-saddle tremolo. The listed price is 2,259, with no currency specified in the supplied details. The model has been available since April 2025, under item number 608685.

One specification needs clarification before purchase. The supplied data lists the scale as both 648 mm and 864 mm, with the latter also shown as 34 inches. Those figures conflict, and neither should be silently treated as definitive. Fender or the retailer should confirm the correct scale for this model. The remaining neck dimensions are listed as a 42 mm nut width and 7.25-inch radius.

Build, finish, and setup

The alder body and maple neck are familiar Stratocaster choices, while the rosewood fingerboard has 7 mm white pearloid dot inlays. Three-ply eggshell pickguard material and nickel-and-chrome hardware complete the period-inspired look. The Sonic Blue finish was described by one owner as slightly less blue in person than in product photos, but still attractive. Color perception and photography vary, so checking a guitar in person is useful if the exact shade matters.

That owner reported excellent build quality and a very good factory setup. They also described the finish as nitrocellulose lacquer and advised extra care while it cures, estimating about 12 months. That is an owner's observation, not a manufacturer care schedule in the supplied specifications. Handle the finish carefully and follow Fender's current care guidance rather than assuming a fixed curing period.

The same report found the string height relatively high, in keeping with the owner's impression of a mid-1960s setup. They chose to lower it gradually. The pickups were also set low in their example, and the owner adjusted their height by ear. These are individual setup preferences, not evidence that every instrument ships with identical measurements. If the factory setup does not suit your touch, a qualified technician can adjust string height and pickup position.

Pickups and controls

The guitar has three Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Strat single-coil pickups, controlled by a master volume, two tone knobs, and a five-way selector. That layout gives players the familiar range of bridge, middle, neck, and combined pickup settings associated with a Stratocaster. The owner particularly liked positions two and four, which combine pickups for a brighter, hollow-edged character. They reported that those settings delivered the sound they expected through two different Marshall amplifier rigs.

That account is useful context, but it is not a substitute for hearing the guitar through your own equipment. The player cited a Marshall SV20H, a JTM 20 head with a 2-by-12 cabinet and Celestion Creamback speakers, and a DSL 20 head with a 2-by-12 cabinet using Celestion V-Type speakers. Across those setups, they described the guitar's sound as authentic and said it met their expectations. Your results will depend on amplifier settings, playing style, and room volume.

Hardware and included case

The bridge is a six-saddle American Vintage synchronized tremolo, paired with Pure Vintage single-line Fender Deluxe tuning machines and a bone nut. Fender USA 250R nickel-plated steel strings, gauged.010 to.046, are listed as standard. One owner preferred to replace the supplied strings, an easy first adjustment if their feel or tone is not to your taste.

A vintage-style black deluxe case is included, but a gig bag is not. The owner thought the case looked appropriate for the 1965-inspired design, while preferring a modern Fender Stratocaster case for everyday practicality. That distinction matters if you expect frequent transport: the included case suits the instrument's period presentation, but the owner's review suggests checking its convenience against your routine.

Verdict

The AV II 65 Strat RW SNB is aimed at players who want a vintage-oriented Stratocaster with period-style neck dimensions, three single-coil pickups, and a synchronized tremolo. The available owner feedback is strongly positive about the build, factory setup, and sounds from the combined pickup positions. Potential buyers should account for the reported high string height, consider changing the factory strings, and confirm the scale length because the supplied figures disagree. If those points check out in person, this Fender makes a compelling option for players drawn to a mid-1960s Stratocaster feel and sound.