What is a round-laminated fingerboard?

A round-laminated fingerboard is a thin piece of rosewood that is curved to match the radius of the maple neck. This design was introduced by Fender in the mid-60s to replace the thicker slab boards, aiming to reduce wood movement and warping.

What type of finish is used on the American Vintage 1965 Stratocaster?

The guitar features a flash coat lacquer finish. This is a thinner, vintage-style nitrocellulose lacquer that allows the wood to resonate more freely and will age more naturally than modern polyurethane finishes.

Which pickups are installed in this model?

It uses Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Single-Coil pickups. These are designed to replicate the specific winding and materials used in 1965 to produce authentic, warm vintage tones.

How does the 1965 C-shaped neck feel compared to other models?

The 1965 'C' shape is generally fuller and more substantial than the 'Modern C' found on contemporary Fenders or the slimmer profiles of early 60s reissues, offering a palm-filling grip.

Is the tremolo system modern or vintage-style?

The guitar uses a 6-saddle American Vintage synchronised tremolo. This is a period-accurate bridge design that relies on six individual saddles and six mounting screws for traditional feel and function.

What body wood is used for the Candy Apple Red version?

The guitar features a period-accurate alder body. Alder is chosen for its balanced resonance and light weight, which are characteristic of classic Fender electric guitars.

Which famous artists are associated with this type of gear?

Notable artists who have used this specific gear or similar 1965 Stratocaster configurations include Sting, Falco, and James Hetfield.

What is the typical price for this model?

The typical price range for this instrument is approximately GBP 2199.

How does this differ from an American Professional II Stratocaster?

The American Vintage 1965 is a historical reissue with a 7.25-inch radius (typically) and vintage hardware, whereas the American Professional II features modern updates like a 9.5-inch radius, narrow-tall frets, and a two-point tremolo.

What color is the pickguard on the 1965 model?

It comes with a 3-ply white pickguard, which is historically accurate for the mid-1960s era of Stratocasters.

Does this guitar have a large or small headstock?

The 1965 model sits at the transition point where Fender began moving toward the larger headstock, but it maintains the specifications consistent with the early 1965 production run.

What kind of plastic parts are used for the controls?

The guitar uses aged white plastic control knobs and pickup covers to give the instrument a slightly matured, vintage aesthetic right out of the box.

Gear article

Fender American Vintage 1965 Stratocaster

The Fender American Vintage 1965 Stratocaster is a precise recreation of the mid-60s electric guitar, featuring a period-accurate alder body and round-laminated rosewood fingerboard. It is designed to capture the transition-era aesthetic and sonic characteristics that defined rock music during the mid-1960s.

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Historical Context

The American Vintage series represents Fender's commitment to historical accuracy, focusing on specific years that marked significant design evolutions. The 1965 model captures a 'transition era' for the Stratocaster. By this time, the thicker 'slab' rosewood fingerboards of the early 60s had been replaced by 'round-laminated' boards, which were thinner and followed the radius of the neck more closely. This period also saw the introduction of the larger headstock and specific aesthetic changes that distinguished the CBS-era instruments from their predecessors.

Design and Construction

This model features an alder body finished in a gloss lacquer, specifically in the classic Candy Apple Red hue. The maple neck is carved to a substantial 1965 'C' profile, providing a period-correct feel that differs from the slimmer profiles found on earlier 1960s reissues.

A defining feature of this model is the round-laminated rosewood fingerboard. Unlike slab boards, the round-lam construction involves a thinner piece of rosewood curved to fit the maple neck, a technique introduced to improve stability and resonance. The neck also benefits from a 'flash coat' lacquer finish, designed to allow the wood to breathe and provide a more natural, worn-in feel over time.

Electronics and Hardware

The instrument is equipped with three Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom single-coil pickups. These are wound to period-accurate specifications to produce the warm, crystalline tones associated with the mid-60s. The controls consist of aged white plastic knobs for volume and tone, maintaining the vintage aesthetic.

Hardware includes a 6-saddle American Vintage synchronised tremolo bridge, allowing for traditional vibrato effects while maintaining tuning stability. The 3-ply white pickguard provides the classic visual contrast expected from a 1965-style Stratocaster.

Sonic Character

The combination of the alder body and '65 gray-bottom pickups results in a balanced tonal profile. Players can expect a strong midrange presence, clear highs, and a warm low end. The round-laminated fingerboard is often cited by enthusiasts for contributing a slightly brighter, more articulate response compared to the darker, warmer sound of a heavy slab board.

Target Audience and Comparison

This guitar is aimed at purists and vintage enthusiasts who desire the feel of a 1960s instrument without the cost of a true vintage piece. It occupies a space between the modern-specced American Professional II series and the highly distressed finishes found in the Custom Shop.

While the American Professional II offers modern amenities like a 'Deep C' neck and V-Mod pickups, the American Vintage 1965 remains strictly traditional. Compared to artist models like the Eric Clapton Stratocaster, which features active electronics and a soft V neck, the 1965 reissue focuses on passive, period-correct components for a more organic, historical experience.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a round-laminated fingerboard?: A round-laminated fingerboard is a thin piece of rosewood that is curved to match the radius of the maple neck. This design was introduced by Fender in the mid-60s to replace the thicker slab boards, aiming to reduce wood movement and warping.
What type of finish is used on the American Vintage 1965 Stratocaster?: The guitar features a flash coat lacquer finish. This is a thinner, vintage-style nitrocellulose lacquer that allows the wood to resonate more freely and will age more naturally than modern polyurethane finishes.
Which pickups are installed in this model?: It uses Pure Vintage '65 Gray-Bottom Single-Coil pickups. These are designed to replicate the specific winding and materials used in 1965 to produce authentic, warm vintage tones.
How does the 1965 C-shaped neck feel compared to other models?: The 1965 'C' shape is generally fuller and more substantial than the 'Modern C' found on contemporary Fenders or the slimmer profiles of early 60s reissues, offering a palm-filling grip.
Is the tremolo system modern or vintage-style?: The guitar uses a 6-saddle American Vintage synchronised tremolo. This is a period-accurate bridge design that relies on six individual saddles and six mounting screws for traditional feel and function.
What body wood is used for the Candy Apple Red version?: The guitar features a period-accurate alder body. Alder is chosen for its balanced resonance and light weight, which are characteristic of classic Fender electric guitars.
Which famous artists are associated with this type of gear?: Notable artists who have used this specific gear or similar 1965 Stratocaster configurations include Sting, Falco, and James Hetfield.
What is the typical price for this model?: The typical price range for this instrument is approximately GBP 2199.
How does this differ from an American Professional II Stratocaster?: The American Vintage 1965 is a historical reissue with a 7.25-inch radius (typically) and vintage hardware, whereas the American Professional II features modern updates like a 9.5-inch radius, narrow-tall frets, and a two-point tremolo.
What color is the pickguard on the 1965 model?: It comes with a 3-ply white pickguard, which is historically accurate for the mid-1960s era of Stratocasters.
Does this guitar have a large or small headstock?: The 1965 model sits at the transition point where Fender began moving toward the larger headstock, but it maintains the specifications consistent with the early 1965 production run.
What kind of plastic parts are used for the controls?: The guitar uses aged white plastic control knobs and pickup covers to give the instrument a slightly matured, vintage aesthetic right out of the box.