Fender American Vintage '56, '59 & '65 Stratocaster demo

[@MrWhoevr]

The 56 is awesome.

[@Pyriscent]

I agree, I feel like the 56 has the most clarity the 65 is most muddy, 59 is right in the middle. I play a 56 for the music on my page.

[@ptl44]

56 is heaven to the ears.

[@TREVORJB101]

Those 65 pups sound the most powerful to me. I own the 59 RI with the RW board, and it is absolutely impeccable. The attention to detail on these guitars is outstanding. More so than the current AV II guitars. My next purchase will be the 65 Strat, for sure!

[@cedricmulia]

i think 59 is the best (my opinion)

[@TheALyon8]

Cedric Suriapraja Same here

[@YawpMusic]

Cedric Suriapraja Me too, though the '65 sounds great dirty, and the '56 has a lot of character.

[@Pyriscent]

I feel like the 56 has the most clarity the 65 is most muddy, 59 is right in the middle. I play a 56 for the music on my page.

[@MemoUlloah]

Totally agree, I liked that dirty gainy sound of that 65, but 59 has a middle balance. 56 is less gainy and more clean sound. I think it depends on what sound you like most or what kind of music you like. I personally feel more appealed by the 59 and the 65.

[@TheTrollMastah]

Just got the ‘59 in Sherwood Green I’m gonna cry because it’s so absolutely amazing

[@MrWhoevr]

By the way this is one of the best guitar comparison videos I've ever heard. Your playing is very consistence so differences stand out. Good job.

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

+MrWhoevr Definetly! One of the best comparers in KZbin! And places one clip next to the other equivalent

[@zepheads4054]

@@jorgeandrescoppiano This older video, yes. He compares quite fairly. But I pull my hair out on That Pedal Show where every time he compares anything he only dials in his one favorite sound and basically makes everything sound the same. If he actually showed the differences it would be much better. 95% of the time on pedal demos it shows him going back and forth over the knobs while making miniscule adjustments, yet he never changes the sound. Here’s hoping that changes.

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

Zep Heads that’s a great point. It makes a loot of sense what you say. It would ld be better to show both scenarios, both pedals at the same settings, and then both pedals achieving his desired tone. To see the actual differences and a fair spectrum of differences the pedals cover

[@kylethompson1987]

I actually own the 59 in this video, to me it was the pick of the three, I just couldn't put it down in the shop. Thanks Guitarist for the small dings that got me a discount! This beauty is going to age well anyway.

[@jidoc4877]

sounds like my story! is yours a custom shop? how much was it? i got one cheaper than brand new too cause it was used with dings..

[@kylethompson1987]

Jireh Climaco Not custom shop, its the american vintage 59 in the video. It's the sonic blue one, same serial number as the pics that were in the guitarist magazine review. I got it for 1399 rather than 1699. regardless of price, it's an awesome guitar

[@jidoc4877]

Kyle Thompson wow good deal! most places selling brand new for 2200 or 2800 listing price!

[@davidrobson9965]

That '65 is just so amazing! The driven sound at the end has more bite than the other 2. I would buy one in a heartbeat if I could find one in Australia….

[@hunterfagan6272]

David Robson I know. It definitely sounds the best. I want one in white so badly, but I'm a lefty

[@minethotho5422]

@@hunterfagan6272 there's an american original 60's with 65 pickups in olympic white left handed

[@yobterces]

65 for me. With its powerful pickups, especially in mid-range, more possibilities and shades. Perfect for groovy rock and blues.

[@WizardsMachine]

Best demo of the three on youtube. Good job. The '56 covers all the bases for me. I think you sold me.

[@tylergavin4757]

That '65 sounds righteous!!

[@mattschriever7028]

Tyler Gavin I have a,62 and 65 very nice axes man can't put them down

[@Pyriscent]

I feel like the 56 has the most clarity the 65 is most muddy, 59 is right in the middle. I play a 56 for the music on my page.

[@luish777]

the 65 IMO has qualities of both

[@Mathiasbendiksen]

Indeed. I own one myself and I was hoping I got the right one (65) and am totally right!

[@zanngoc]

@@Mathiasbendiksen This one here is pure vintage '65 right?

[@orlfane1622]

I purchased the 65 . Probably the best non custom shop strat Fender makes. I also purchased the 60s hot Rod with the S1 switch they are really close neck and neck to which ones better .

[@marcusfsproductions]

have you tried the american original series? If yes how do you think they compare?

[@MinivanMegafun100]

@@marcusfsproductions I've got an AO 60's Strat and it's the best Strat I've ever heard/played.

[@marcusfsproductions]

@@MinivanMegafun100 i bought one a few days later and i love mine as well! olympic white, mint pick guard and rosewood... such a beauty

[@glennevans5824]

The 59 faded sonic blue ..with clay dots…mint green cellulose guard…damn🌈

[@superdriver777]

I agree the '59s may be the best overall, for "strat" tones, but I like Hendrix -- and for that, the best pickup Fender ever made was the Vintage '65. Man do those things drive well!

[@kolyatte8328]

'65 has a great tone.

[@yobhsiFehT]

The '59 is one of those, "That's-the-sound-in-my-head" instruments for me... Mm!

[@jorgeandrescoppiano1942]

GOSH I'm in LOVE with this video! Thanks God for Fender, and Mick Taylor. SHWEET PLAYING bro!

[@DesignInNature]

'56, If you want the Hank Marvin tone. '59, If you want the SRV tone. '65, If you want the Hendrix tone. That's what my ears are telling me.

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@vicshere99]

Must admit I never considered the 65; going on gut instinct, loved the 59, but am now intrigued by something about the 56. and surprised that even on YT, I can hear very significant differences between all three.

[@etronnel]

56 all the way.... no muddiness in THE tone and of course the v neck

[@Popeider100]

You bet!

[@hunterfagan6272]

steeve thomas I prefer the sound and look of the 65, but really like the soft v

[@kevinsmith7657]

Agreed

[@tycann2001]

I think all these guitars are amazing but they all have diffrent points ; 56 is clean,not hard 59 is more powerful 65 is more hard

[@hunterfagan6272]

Yigit Tamer Tetiker also, I think the 56 had more low end

[@camdemobile]

different pickups, perhaps?

[@yigit_kuru]

@@camdemobile yes pickups are different

[@Popeider100]

No big deal for a Gilmour and Hendrix fan. '56 all the way baby!!! '59 and '65 are great, but '56 is my goddess

[@buddyollie7400]

The Red Yeah man, I dig the 56 too

[@helgihauksson2536]

I have "55 here and "64 vintage. I thing these came rather close to the feel. But then again , this player will make everything sound good.

[@liljimitwofeatherz9735]

I have a avri 1986 57strat,era of bringing it back to the states

[@andrewbrav]

I have both the 56 and 65 and deciding between them would be like deciding which is the favourite of your kids. Both amazing.

[@guitarjediwarrior]

This video is such an awesome, perfect comparison for puristic guitar nerds like me.. like us.. thank you!! :) So much thanks! I like all of them, no doubt. For the neck + middle pickup position, which is my favorite part, I feel that the 56 has more clarity but also more bass response due to the maple fretboard. It sounds pristine, although the 59 & 65 have that mellow frusciante-kind of vibes, which emphasize the mids. I think that that mellow, mid focused sound will sound better in most mixes to, when we talk about red-hot chili peppers sound which I adore. The 65 than has to me a very similar sound to the 59, but the pickups seem to be hotter, which makes it even more dense and full sounding, on the cost of some clarity and sparkle in my opinion. Which is nice too in its way.. I call the close winner of the battle the *DRUM ROLLS* 59, cause I like how it combines the mellow vibes of the rosewood fretboard with some clarity of lighter pickups. It's a bit of an understatement thing, and it would be interesting if you could turn down the gain of the amp to the point where the 65 sounds exactly like the 59. In the end.. I'd get all 3 of them if I could. :D peace!

[@Antoni2u]

Excellent guitar work there! And excellent demo. You can all sit down now. The 56 has this thing won by galaxies! The 56's bell tones resonate sonically leaving you in a different light. It changes you and you walk away a different artist. The 59 and the 65 both sounded great for what they do. Ah but the 56 is from a different breed. No steely sounds, here, making you wish the 59 & 65 weren't as bright. The 56 is pure blues, don't get to close unless you're willing to lay it on the line.. For the serious gun slinger.

[@helgihauksson2536]

The Mable neck and the one p. Ash body (3 woods parts on the whole guitar). Perhaps slightly weaker pickups , there is something about it , suber warm and clean. The rosewood is taking it closer to the Gibson feel under your fingertips. Rather easy to fall for. 3 p. Alrigh-wood (spell problem) body - on mine "64. (5 wood parts - for the record). the bell-tone - i think so. They are almost two instruments for this reason. Still they share so much.

[@limoncr5205]

The 59 in reality is quite mellow and dark for strat PU.

[@UnremarkableMarx]

Okay eric

[@theshamannik]

Awesome! Love the demo of three choices playing the same thing through the same amp and settings.... And the fact the guys warring a suit... Holy molie!" That's classy to the enth degree.... Bravo... Well played

[@FRsleepwalker]

The fact that it changes the sound is a legend.

[@joevannucci1392]

EXCELLENT demo (the Tele comparison is equally superb). Great playing, great tone. Love the shot of the stack of cases in the corner :) And the coat and tie is a nice touch, reminiscent of those late 50s bands.

[@mhdz10]

The 56 has that beautiful low end. The 59 is brighter to me, but still cool. And the 65 has definitely more mid-range and a little bit higher output. I would definitely stay with the 56 as first option and 59 as second option. My personal taste of course.

[@selenejohnson6546]

That 65 has killer tone and the 59 has a really sweet tone. 56 sounds like every other strat.

[@kostasl6882]

Really helpful comparison .. You have mastered the Fender tone Mr - thank you!

[@justinshocker]

I like '59 Center pick up sound is GREAT

[@heaven9127]

#1 56' Strat (very clean, resonant and bell-like, sweet tone). The ultimate vintage Strat for me. #2 65' Strat (more mids, more of everything it seems, with some serious attitude and meat behind it). Reminds me a bit of the red Strat that Gary Moore played live on 'Texas Strut' at Montreux. #3 59' Strat (very versatile bluesy tone, but the most 'standard' and modern of the three). All three are lovely though, but different from each other for sure.

[@BMWBikes-i7n]

Great test of Strats! But why you never giving informations about the complete chain/ gear? I think this is also very interesting.

[@renéTheDev]

The 59' lick on 2:58 got me. The pickups will arrive on Friday.

[@sondredybberg6372]

Rene Perez i just ordered min like 10mins ago😂

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

yo , what pickups did you get ? Love this tone myself

[@renéTheDev]

@@charlesfitzgerald3201 I chose the 59' pickups and hooked them up to a 7 tone switch. Much better than my stock pickups. No regrets at all.

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

@@renéTheDev Thanks bro

[@renéTheDev]

@@charlesfitzgerald3201 no problem.

[@DSilvergun]

The 56 sounds best (to me) of the three when played clean. The 65 sounds the best overall of the three - if you like your strat with a little edge to it.

[@vicshere99]

59 seems to have something extra.

[@richardreload1]

+Craig Campbell I think I have a "BASEPLATE" on the pickups, and this gives the sound.. more tele..

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

+richardreload1 you're right! It has that Tele punch ...without the twang..

[@zwip778]

+Craig Campbell maple fretboard

[@WarPede]

Anna-Clara the '59 in this video has a rosewood fretboard. '56 is the one with maple.

[@Pyriscent]

I feel like the 56 has the most clarity the 65 is most muddy, 59 is right in the middle. I play a 56 for the music on my page.

[@sumljivi]

I like all three! Good job!

[@HiHello-ku1fl]

59 for the win! 56 is great too but 59 had a touch more bottom and top. I'm thinking rosewood adds a top end icing and a little bit of bottom maybe sounds a little softer and open. The maple neck sounds harder more firm like maybe it has more upper mids and less top end compared to the rosewood. The 65 seemed to have more of a vocal midrange when he was using the bar. I was listening to the overdriven tones mostly.

[@boozoochavis7506]

I had to check that video - thought my ears were failing on that very first bit between neck and bridge p/u's! Those '59s sound awesome and I'm chuffed - Mick Taylor in a darn suit, thought maybe somebody was getting married or maybe even buried (probably one of the worst days on his life wearing a suit on camera). Great Clip!!

[@diegoangaritajr.7942]

i like the 56! :-)

[@Pyriscent]

I agree! I feel like the 56 has the most clarity the 65 is most muddy, 59 is right in the middle. I play a 56 for the music on my page.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

I Iove all of them! But... being that I was born in '59.... well. And the guitar is just beautiful. Really... I love all of them. Peace and love to all you strat lovers out there.

[@jessepeikoff7978]

To anyone watching this who is getting overwhelmed with all the options - any of these pickups will work fine! I have the 59s in an old strat, but they're not really all that different from each other. This series of pickups are good quality and will work as well as much more expensive ones - it's just magnets and wire at the end of the day.

[@simongray3966]

All 3 awesome. I bought a 65 in Olympic White on the back of this demo, have had it for 8 years and will never part with it. Throaty, clean and such a beautiful neck. Ageing gracefully but quickly.

[@teknstuff1]

'65 with a maple neck sounds rilly' groovy too! 😉

[@TiagoFrancomusic]

nice demo. Can you demo the AVRI Hot Rod 62? Thanks

[@Tyler_Bee]

Awesome tone review and excellent play.

[@FRsleepwalker]

I dig the 59 sound in this video !

[@fer_fdi]

Love the sound of the 56, like at 2:17. Does it have the "57/62" pickups? I also like the 65 at 3:38, which pups on that guitar?

[@magnus7439]

The 56 reissue has Pure Vintage 56 pickups in them, unfortunately Fender deosn't produce them anymore. The 65 has Pure Vintage 65 pickups.

[@fer_fdi]

Magnus I see... Thank you very much Magnus

[@BadChizzle]

They’re all great ! Very nice playing.

[@hafstrat]

Another tasteful bid. Lovely comparison with some real world playing.

[@tonykoziol9052]

59 all the way!

[@imyouandurme]

Is there nothing Don Draper can't do?!

[@ez2remember82]

What is that riff he's playing starting at the 4:17 mark?

[@stratocaster_nerd7283]

...always thought this was one of the best demos Fender ever did. Really useful sounds for comparison. Think it also shows there's not as much difference in sounds between models as people imagine. It's very subtle.

[@guitarist]

Stratocaster_nerd *coughs politely* in point of fact it’s not a Fender demo, it was actually made by us here at Guitarist magazine back when Mick Taylor was editor - you may well know him as Mick from That Pedal Show these days. This is our channel and we’re very glad you like it. PS, Fender do great demos, too ; )

[@stratocaster_nerd7283]

@@guitarist Sorry, how rude. I've watched this many a time. It looks so official I mistook it for one of theirs. Keep up the good work. Big fan of the magazine, my favourite guitar mag.

[@guitarist]

Stratocaster_nerd no worries at all, just made us grin! Glad you’re enjoying the mag and thanks for supporting us 😀

[@padan808]

Just bought a used MIM olympic white strat it was love at first play couldn't put my finger on why it sounded so amazing until I popped the hood and saw the previous owner put pure vintage 59s in it OMG!!!!!!! IM HOOKED!!! I like them more than my lollar dirty blondes! At a fraction of the cost! I even bought the amp that I was trying it out with just to be sure it wasn't the amp lol. 59s all the way for me!

[@emgugel3334]

65. Just put one on lay bay today.... but I can't wait 3 months!

[@cirjames2540]

MIck Here! Damn, I knew it from his style. 59 is the best looking but i love the 56 clean

[@brandonparson2554]

Beautiful playing

[@Kpapa91]

5:37 is this by chance from the anime Trigun?

[@jorge77b]

Excellent test.. For me, 65 please thnx

[@OldEMGStrat]

I can't decide..guess I have buy all 3

[@newdayz1000]

Which one has the smaller feeling neck for a smaller hand?

[@pauloamw]

They all have distinct tones, increasingly brighter with more chime. I wonder is it the pick ups?

[@edwinubels8051]

Fender should only make the american vintage line. Not the shit what they call american standards

[@illinoiscentralmodeler]

you got that right man

[@hunterfagan6272]

Edwin Ubels the American vintages should be called the American standard

[@univox_guitar]

Edwin Ubels the Mexican Strats are great. Lots of bang for the buck.

[@DaigoParry]

In TOTAL AGREEMENT!

[@mauropatrile2272]

Ottima prova,no words and great hands! And the '65 is lovely

[@FaberGT86]

I was here for the '59. In this demo the '56 and '64 sounded a little better for my taste. I would go for the '56 if I preferred the classic strat tones while, for a more aggressive tones, surely the '65.

[@jakestewartmusic]

I dig the sound of the '59 but the look of the '56

[@wpwpwpwpwpwpwpwpwpwa]

Thanks! Very useful. I'll buy the 56 :-)

[@johnbgood52]

I once owned an original '65 Strat (one of a small number that were made that year with Jazzmaster necks). This reboot comes pretty close.

[@shockcityrocker]

Do each of these guitars have the pure vintage '56, '59 & '65 pickups in them?

[@JusAequum]

+shockcityrocker Yes.

[@shirtsguitar]

WS cool :)

[@THEREALTK514]

great video thank you so much!! I'm going to buy '59 pick ups right now!

[@golds04]

I really don’t understand the certain opinions of posters. If you adjust the setups, vary the amps , strings snd pick attack to my ears maybe a tiny variation. I think more or the difference would be the feel of the neck. No? Are the PU that different. Would have liked to include a hard tail 56 as well. Great post.

[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

How about 1 of each? But what would be their ideal placement? 🤔

[@Moonshot568]

I’ll take one of each ….. right now I have only 69 (closet classic )and 65 (custom shop) . My collection ready for the 50’s to join :)

[@donmunson4802]

I have all three of these as well as the '54. They all have their own identities and tones. I consider them "affordable treasures".

[@bluesmau69]

whick pickups model each Strato has got?... thanks

[@SamVieiraGuitar]

All 3!!! What amp was used?

[@Saf1ouane]

thanks for this great demo man

[@stenonemarangers]

all superb but 59 and 65 very close to SRV tone, me I prefer the 56 for the pickups pole height and the maple board.

[@frederikthaysen6931]

Why doesn't we hear the 2nd and 4th position? The '56 has a 5-way switch, so it would be nice to hear all pickups.

[@gunkanjima3408]

I love strats so I love them all

[@jixxxxer17]

the 56 looks prettiest and had more hints of dew drops and swirl than the other two , hard to believe it is an actual 56 looks brand new to my eyes. the sting of the swirl tho wow was so nice !

[@oloyolo2792]

what's third song?

[@tomeklawreszuk]

How can you compare sounds where '56 has maple fretboard, two others rosewood.

[@mikecaldwell4442]

what has this got against the neck pickup

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

I own a 59. Best guitar in my 5 piece collection. I love all three, but if I had a choice for one more of the bunch it would be the 56. They are all amazing instruments. Every guitarist needs to try one!

[@DSilvergun]

Why didn't you get the 56 instead of the 59?

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

DSilvergun I wanted a rosewood fret board, plus I loved the faded sonic blue color. Lastly, the 59 just sounded sweet to me. I recently picked up a 1954 vintage reissue strat, and pretty close to the 56.

[@DSilvergun]

ALT3REDB3AST I ended up with the 59 in maple - love it! Great, great, great pickups!

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

DSilvergun yes, the pickups are surreal. These are really, really great guitars destined to be sought after pieces years from now. I need to put some vids up.

[@DSilvergun]

ALT3REDB3AST Couldn't agree more. I sold a HR 62 to fund the 59 and will get the 65 as well.

[@etronnel]

...i own a 56 and its a really phat axe..way more dynamics and woody than a standard... .. with my marshall slp its killer..go out and play one at your fender store its the best way to judge em...

[@juanmanuelsoteras5532]

It's easy to play and string bending the 56 ? Sorry my englesh

[@JeremyMcCant]

There's something special about the '56 that I love!!!

[@norman2999]

The 56 is cleaner and clearer; the 59 had more "oomph"; and the 65 is smokier and grittier. Anyone agree/disagree?! Either way, I want 4 of each!! One maple neck, one rosewood, and each with an SSS and an HSS pickup configuration!! I don't want much, I just want it ALL!!!! Cheers to all my Brothers & Sister's Of The Axe!!

[@GraysonKade]

Thats a super thick and meaty tone for a strat. What amp are you playing through?

[@goldcoins9311]

i tried the 65 start. i liked the neck on that. however, i don't like the fact the truss rod is at the body end. doesn't it ruin the screw holes in the body every time you take the neck off? surely, the screw hoes will become bigger to a point that the screw no longer tighten.

[@ron980]

+Abdirahman Osman As long as you're careful not to strip the screw, you're okay. Truss rod adjustments aren't overwhelmingly common after a guitar is set up properly, especially if you don't travel through different climates much. It wouldn't quite be true to the original if they made a truss rod adjustment at the headstock, also. It's too bad that they did the fingerboard wrong (not the entire neck, just the rosewood fingerboard), though. The round-lam fingerboard is actually WAY thick for a '65. Fender did have inconsistencies back then, but I can confidently say that I have never seen a fingerboard that thick. Oh well!

[@tjnugent62]

For me the order is 1) '56 2) '65 and 3) '59. I am not as fond of the '59. It seems to be tonally stuck between the other two.

[@gianlucacarril2137]

which is the best of the 3?

[@kartman74usa]

59

[@Colin.W]

I was wanting to hear that 65, but wow for the 56!

[@Colin.W]

Cool. I'll definitely be picking one up in the near future

[@ron980]

Only thing I'm a bit disappointed about is that there was a detail missed on the AVRI Fender '65. The round-lam fingerboard is way, way too thick to be vintage correct. Sound and feel is by far the most important thing, but for a guitar that's marketed as vintage-correct, it's still missing something, even if it is that small detail. (The new '52 Telecaster has a similar issue with incorrect dot spacing on the 12th fret. It would be nice if Fender ironed these small little things out to really make these perfect! They're perfect for some people [like you, I'm sure], but for vintage-enthusiasts, they're missing that one little bit.)

[@NICKYDMC12]

'59 the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@cheesefrogsnail]

This video makes me think a true strat must have a maple neck, the clarity and spankle of the 56 is unreal

[@frehner11]

Anyone know what amp he is using?

[@brothernimals190]

i love the 59.. omg so great

[@TheWGLOVER]

I want them all.