Guitar Talk - Fender American Vintage II 61 Strat vs An Original 1961 Fender Stratocaster!

[@teosacristan]

Thanks for testing, without a doubt a great help for anyone looking for a vintage instrument

[@curioussoftware]

Hi, just letting you know about my experience of the stratocaster, in1962 when I was 15 I went with my brother to buy a guitar, he taught me how to play a couple of years earlier, he suggested a startocaster, I bought a new 1961 tri colour sunburst pre CBS USA made one and he bought a Burns vista sonic in Greenburst, one thing I remember was the tails stock came with a small chrome cover over the strings that Ive never seen on the strats since, anyway I played in a few bands when a member had to work late ( they wen't professional at that time) and doe a few session playing when some weere making a demo disc. The earlier had a mellow sound and it was definately a better sound than the later ones, I don't have this now as it went many years ago but I do have a greenburst Burns Marquee and just last year got a Positive Grid Spark 40W amp,. Now nearly 78 I'm still into music write some and put up some bits I like on Facebook and youtube, keeps my mobility in the fingers in good order.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Both are great instruments. The fretboard wood on the older one looks darker and the newer lighter but some decent oil would help. I really have to say the newer one is louder but the older is clearer and cleaner but that's all adjustable in time.

[@Squall6575]

weirdly enough, its always on the premium vintage lines the rosewood looks so light. On the American professional ii series, the rosewood boards are dark (although not as dark as that original), while the American Original/Vintage ii series have lighter ones. No idea why thats the case though

[@randall7853]

@@Squall6575 probably has to do with the quality wood. Just my guess, and also the finish being different.

[@asw4444]

A much anticipated comparison and nicely done 😊 cheers Dan

[@andrewforrester4579]

Loved the comparison Dan

[@RobTackettCovers]

So did the person that owns that real 61 say that you can use the guitar, but you can't change the strings on it? The replica has more clarity...my guess is it's because it has a fresh set of strings on it, but I could be completely wrong...

[@GuitarTalkUK]

We owned the real 61, it had new strings on it and a set up when the footage was filmed :) It would sound darker with less output though because the pickups were 60 years old so the magnets would have become less powerful over time

[@RobTackettCovers]

@@GuitarTalkUK Thanks for replying back...I was off then on the string thing...thanks for clarifying!

[@gebirg1]

The white one sounds harsher than the original. I guess that's because the original has had 60 years of aging to mellow out the sound.

[@ladygadava1]

The white one sounds better, more clarity and just better tone overall.

[@thegoodguy44]

The white one definitely sounded weaker though with distortion IMO

[@AlbertKarhuFilms]

all the difference is in the aging of the pickups. nothing else matters when you hear the amplified sound.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’ve the fiesta model on order. I’d take the original and sell it and buy a lot of new gear!

[@isaacroche3223]

Both sounds equaly amazing!!! Strats for life!!!

[@rogerYT69]

thx, cool comparison video! have the new vintage II 61 strat in 3tsb ...incredible instrument 😉

[@AlbertKarhuFilms]

in two days imma get mine.. can't wait. you still love it?

[@rogerYT69]

@@AlbertKarhuFilms so cool man! yes, I still love it to bits 😊 in the meantime I also got the vintage II 63 tele in surf green and it is incredible too! what color do you get? hope you like it ...good luck and have fun!😉

[@somebodyelseuk]

I get that the sound is the thing that matters, but how accurate a replica is it regarding the details? At the end of the day, you can make a guitar that will sound like the original 61 Strat and/or replica and it look nothing like a Strat, let alone a vintage Strat. The Van Halen bit sounded nice clean, by the way.

[@GuitarTalkUK]

That is the bit that let’s it down for me, the general feel feels like the same spec but when they advertise it as a complete replica… it definitely isn’t. 5 way switch for a start… it’s like a modded 61

[@somebodyelseuk]

@@GuitarTalkUK Yeah. There was a guy on 'a Strat Forum' who pulled one apart and did a comparison to his '61 Strat and there were fine details that were different. Considering how there are aftermarket parts out there that are near exact, you'd think Fender would make the effort, or perhaps, it's a deliberate thing to keep anoraks like me interested in the CS? One question, (or perhaps suggestion to Fender?) the tone for the bridge pickup. Is it a regular pot, or a no load pot? A no load would be a good idea, since it'd give the option of having a tone control, but also having the 'original' straight out sound.

[@GuitarTalkUK]

@@somebodyelseuk I can't remember off the top of my head if it was no load. A friend of mine has actually bought the Jazzmaster and he's actually found he prefers it. He loves vintage guitars and although they are full of mojos, the QC wasn't always the best so he's loving that you get most of the vintage aesthetics and feel but with the little tweaks that modern guitar building brings

[@nickpatsios407]

Just turn the volume to 8 on the new one it rolls off a little high end and they would sound the same

[@FiveElementHealthcare]

IS this a limitted run or is this in the line up of fender guitars now?

[@GuitarTalkUK]

It’s in the American Original II line up, so I guess it’s there until they decide to change the range. It’s been out for around a year now

[@Allison_Chaynes]

The og has more low end. It's weird the new one sounds more like a strat.

[@GuitarMav]

60 plus years of ageing magnets mellows them out.

[@Ramon_Ramone]

There's a "raw" factor that I love about the actual vintage strats. Fender can never seem to recreate the sound perfectly, which I suppose is due to the aged materials. Awesome comparison between the two. Thanks for this upload!

[@TREVORJB101]

I'd like one in Fiesta Red and Sunburst. My issue is finding one at 7.5lbs or less, having a nice dark fretboard, and doesn't have a gap in the neck pocket. (I know the last one is fixable, but it shouldn't be an issue to begin with, especially on a $2k guitar). These guitars are awesome and will only increase in value, especially when they're discontinued.

[@trinityflow]

I have the V2 and typically roll off the tone on the bridge pick up.

[@alexstrums]

Great video, but the fact is, two original 61s will sound slightly different to one another... It's just the way it goes. IMO, both guitars are great! I feel, the key is to find a strat with a neck you like, then spend a bit of time an eq pedal to dial in the sound that matters to YOU! Probably why my main strat is a 96 Korean Squier

[@serdar.saglam]

Original one sounds much better. More articulate and clear and keep dynamics.

[@ssj4markthesk8r53]

Original sounds way better. I’m not a fan of any 60’s reissue pickups fender are doing. Fat 50’s sound the best to me on the old standards. I’m still debating on if the vintage ii 57 strats sound good enough for me to buy.

[@glennevans5824]

The original 61 has a dark Brazilian board as the new one has probably Indian rosewood..but sound wise the reissue certainly makes it difficult to differentiate…hats off to Fender….this 1st batch came out nice…hope they continue with the quality so far…the 61 contours and slaboard make it desirable …the 61 pups they made for this at 5.7 k….are great pickups…I got one coming today the fiesta red Ala Gary Moore 61 strat vibe…I’ll enjoy I’m sure playing a long time 68 now..but still love guitars🤙🏻🎸

[@GuitarTalkUK]

Hope you enjoy it, I loved this one!

[@blop1738]

Well, to this day there's *not even one* pickup maker yet - not even Fender Company themselves - able to reproduce this sound; 0:50 ~ 3:45 ~ 5:56 big, fat, scooped-mids, glassy, compressed, tridimensional, smooth, dark and a tad muffled sound with a snap or chime attack on the notes slightly delayed too

[@metallion2879]

It's a shame that Fender puts the Fender logo on the headstock of this guitar with a sticker and that for a guitar of more than two thousand euros or dollars!

[@andybown68]

Whichever one you prefer, Strats are just awesome.

[@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic]

*The new one sounds way better. Looks better 2*

[@soofitnsexy]

not even close new one is thin and bright

[@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic]

@@soofitnsexy Nah, that's because pickups still have bigger output. During the time, that will change. Plus even now it sounds better than the original one ...

[@soofitnsexy]

no but i understand!!!@@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic

[@soofitnsexy]

to me the vintage 2 have a toppy brighter more present sound...I will play one this week here in nyc and get back to you!!!:)@@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic

[@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic]

@@soofitnsexy Lol I was joking a bit. Of course that the original strat sounds better than a new one !

[@Robert_Fordin]

I heard the weight of the new one is 9 lb almost. If this is true, I have to say goodbye to it.

[@GuitarTalkUK]

I’m not sure how much this one weighed, but it wasn’t the lightest Strat in the world

[@gregstucki7243]

I have a new 61 vintage ii in sunburst it weighs 3.5 kg or 7.7lb

[@Robert_Fordin]

@@gregstucki7243 Every Note Counts channel said that his item weights 8,45 lbs.

[@Robert_Fordin]

@@gregstucki7243 How it's possible to find such big weight difference in the same - not as cheap as Mexicans - price model at Fender Company?

[@hlcotten6587]

@@gregstucki7243 , I tore my rotator cuff years ago, and I’m always hunting the lightest guitars, that are balanced across the board. 7.5 pounds would be my ideal max weight. I’ve been told they are heavier overall. You found a gem, in this case. Enjoy it brother…

[@keupe]

the new white one sounds much better !!!

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

The new one sounds way better

[@keittven]

I won this white one on giveaway 😎

[@teosacristan]

Wull you comoare an Stradivarius whith an modern Violin? Maybe thes soind will be better. but the story and the feeling are unattainable…..

[@SotoPhotoDir]

WOW the difference is almost nothing.

[@Paulmccarthy6801]

The white one sounds better. Probably because the other is just played and worn. I would take the vintage one before the new one.

[@Docante1]

Sounds like being in Guitar Center Sheesh

[@kimzhun700]

61 original is much better

[@danielfritz954]

It is but at the same time cost more than 10 times the price of an American Vintage II