Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand 2-Colour Sunburst Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand in 2-Colour Sunburst is built for players who want the feel, look and response of a late-'50s Stratocaster rather than a modern interpretation of one.

Made in the USA, this left-handed Strat pairs an alder body with a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, a one-piece maple neck carved to Fender's period-inspired 1957 “V” profile, a curved 7.25-inch fingerboard radius and 21 vintage-tall frets. Three Pure Vintage '57 Stratocaster single-coil pickups provide the clear, dynamic and articulate SSS character at the heart of the design.

Pure Vintage hardware completes the package, including a six-screw synchronized tremolo with bent-steel saddles and cold-rolled steel block, vintage-style tuners, single-ply parchment pickguard and chrome bridge cover.

For left-handed players looking for a premium American-made Strat with genuine 1950s character, this is a very different proposition from Fender's modern Player, Professional and Ultra instruments.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Vintage II
Model	1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand
Model Number	0110242803
Finish	2-Colour Sunburst
Orientation	Left-Handed
Condition	New
Body	Alder
Neck	One-Piece Maple, 1957 “V”
Pickups	Three Pure Vintage '57 Strat Single Coils
Main Appeal	Premium USA-made recreation of a late-'50s Stratocaster
Best For	Blues, rock 'n' roll, classic rock, surf, roots, country and vintage Fender enthusiasts
Included	Vintage-Style Tweed Case with Crushed Red Interior

What's Included?

• Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand – 2-Colour Sunburst

• Vintage-Style Tweed Hardshell Case with Crushed Red Interior

• Chrome Bridge Cover

• Screw-In Tremolo Arm

Why Choose The Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand?

Authentic 1957-Inspired Neck Feel

The one-piece maple neck uses Fender's 1957 “V” profile, giving the guitar a distinctly different feel from the rounded Modern “C” and Deep “C” necks found on many contemporary Stratocasters. It is a particularly strong choice for players who enjoy a neck with more definition through the centre of the palm.

7.25-Inch Maple Fingerboard

A traditional 7.25-inch radius gives the fingerboard the noticeably curved feel associated with vintage Fender guitars. Fender combines it with 21 vintage-tall frets, preserving the old-school geometry while giving bends and fretted notes a little more clearance than extremely low vintage fretwire.

Pure Vintage '57 Stratocaster Pickups

All three positions use Fender Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat pickups. They are designed around period-inspired construction, including traditional materials and voicing, giving the guitar the clarity, attack and dynamic response expected from a late-'50s-style Strat.

Period-Inspired Nitrocellulose Finish

The alder body and maple neck use gloss nitrocellulose lacquer rather than the thicker polyester finishes found on many modern production guitars. It contributes heavily to the vintage presentation and gives the guitar a finish style closely associated with Fender's classic era.

Pure Vintage Six-Screw Tremolo

The synchronized tremolo follows the traditional six-screw design, with bent-steel saddles and a cold-rolled steel block. It retains the familiar pitch control of a Stratocaster while staying far closer to the original format than a modern two-point bridge.

Proper Left-Handed Vintage Fender Specification

Premium period-inspired left-handed Fender models are considerably less common than standard modern Stratocasters. This model gives left-handed players the full American Vintage II '57 specification rather than simply reversing a more contemporary Strat design.

Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster vs Popular Left-Handed Alternatives

Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Left-Hand

The 1961 Stratocaster Left-Hand is the most logical alternative if you want the same American Vintage II philosophy but prefer early-'60s Fender features. It uses a slab rosewood fingerboard, 1961 “C” neck profile and Pure Vintage '61 pickups. Choose the 1957 if a one-piece maple neck, V profile and '50s aesthetic are central to the experience; choose the '61 if you prefer rosewood and a rounder C-shaped neck.

Fender American Professional II Stratocaster Left-Hand

The American Professional II is much more contemporary, with a 9.5-inch radius, 22 narrow-tall frets, Deep “C” neck, rolled fingerboard edges, two-point tremolo and V-Mod II pickups. It is better suited to players prioritising modern gigging comfort. The American Vintage II '57 is the stronger option when historical feel, vintage hardware and period-inspired pickup response are the priority.

Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster Left-Hand

The American Ultra II sits at the opposite end of Fender's design spectrum. Its Modern “D” neck, 10"-14" compound radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, Noiseless pickups, S-1 switching, locking tuners and modern two-point tremolo are aimed at maximum contemporary performance. Choose the Ultra II for advanced modern features; choose the American Vintage II '57 for simplicity and vintage character.

Fender Player II Stratocaster Left-Hand

The Player II offers an accessible route into a genuine Fender left-handed Strat, with a Modern “C” neck, 9.5-inch radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets and Alnico V pickups. The American Vintage II is the substantial step up if you specifically want USA manufacture, nitrocellulose lacquer, Pure Vintage electronics, period hardware and an included tweed hardshell case.

Who Is The Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand For?

This model is particularly well suited to:

• Left-handed players looking for a premium USA-made Stratocaster

• Guitarists who prefer vintage Fender neck profiles

• Players who specifically want a maple fingerboard

• Blues and roots guitarists

• Classic rock players

• Rock 'n' roll and rockabilly musicians

• Country and Americana players

• Surf and instrumental guitarists

• Studio players wanting traditional single-coil textures

• Fender enthusiasts and collectors

• Players upgrading from Player Series or intermediate left-handed guitars

• Anyone who finds modern compound-radius guitars less appealing than traditional Fender geometry

Looking for advice on choosing between a left-handed Fender Stratocaster, American Vintage II, American Professional II or American Ultra II? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store at our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The Pure Vintage '57 pickup set gives the guitar the broad musical range that made the SSS Stratocaster such an enduring design.

The neck pickup is particularly well suited to rounded blues leads, expressive clean playing and warm edge-of-breakup sounds. The middle pickup offers a clear, balanced response for rhythm work, while positions two and four provide the familiar scooped Strat textures that sit naturally in funk, soul, country and cleaner pop arrangements.

At the bridge, the '57-style single coil brings more attack and bite, making it useful for rock 'n' roll, cutting rhythm parts, roots music and driven lead tones where definition matters.

The guitar also works particularly well as a pedal platform. Overdrive, fuzz, compression, tremolo, spring-style reverb and tape-inspired delay all complement its traditional single-coil response.

What Makes A 1957-Style Stratocaster Different?

A '57-style Strat is defined as much by feel as by appearance. The one-piece maple neck, pronounced V profile, 7.25-inch radius, 21-fret layout and vintage-style hardware create a noticeably different playing experience from a contemporary 22-fret Strat with a flatter fingerboard and two-point bridge.

This makes the American Vintage II '57 particularly relevant to players who actively want those differences rather than simply wanting an expensive Stratocaster. If you prefer modern low-action setups, flatter radii and additional switching, another Fender range may suit you better. If you want the tactile character of a 1950s-inspired Strat, the '57 specification is the point.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster uses traditional passive electronics and connects to standard guitar equipment using a 1/4-inch instrument cable.

It pairs particularly well with:

• Clean and edge-of-breakup valve amplifiers

• Fender-style clean amplifiers

• Low-to-medium-gain overdrive pedals

• Vintage-style fuzz

• Compressor pedals

• Tremolo and vibrato effects

• Spring and plate-style reverbs

• Tape-style delay

• Modern modelling amplifiers and processors

• Audio interfaces for direct recording

Players wanting to retain the guitar's traditional character may particularly enjoy simpler amplifier and pedal setups where pick attack, guitar volume and pickup selection remain a large part of the sound.

Story & Context

The Stratocaster was introduced in 1954, bringing together a contoured solid body, three pickups, an innovative synchronized tremolo system and a distinctive double-cutaway design.

By 1957, many of the features now closely associated with the classic 1950s Strat had settled into place. The maple neck, V-shaped profile, traditional sunburst appearance and single-ply pickguard are central to the particular period Fender chose to recreate with this American Vintage II model.

Fender launched the American Vintage II Series in October 2022, creating a range based around specific historic years rather than simply using broad vintage styling. The 1957 Stratocaster was therefore developed to represent a particular stage in the evolution of the instrument, making details such as the neck profile, pickup voicing, bridge hardware and finish an important part of the design rather than decorative additions.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Fender
Series	American Vintage II
Model	1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand
Model Number	0110242803
Orientation	Left-Handed
Colour	2-Colour Sunburst
Body Shape	Stratocaster
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material	One-Piece Maple
Neck Shape	1957 “V”
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	21
Fret Size	Vintage Tall
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Side Dots	Black
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Bridge Pickup	Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup	Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup	Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Tone 1 Neck/Middle, Tone 2 Bridge
Pickup Switching	5-Position Blade
Bridge	Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles
Bridge Mounting	6-Screw Vintage-Style
Tremolo Block	Cold-Rolled Steel
Tremolo Arm	Screw-In
Bridge Cover	Chrome Cover Included
Tuning Machines	Fender Vintage-Style
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	1-Ply Parchment
Pickup Covers	Aged White
Control Knobs	Aged White
String Tree	Butterfly
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Serialized
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Factory Strings	Fender USA 250R Nickel-Plated Steel .010-.046
Case	Vintage-Style Tweed with Crushed Red Interior

Specification Note

An exact individual guitar weight has not been supplied, so no estimated weight has been added to this listing.

The American Vintage II '57 deliberately uses period-inspired features including a vintage-style butt-adjust truss rod and 7.25-inch radius. These are part of the intended design rather than modernised alternatives.

Power Requirements

The Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster uses passive electronics, so no battery or external power supply is required.

Connect the guitar to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or suitable audio interface using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand is a superb choice for a player who wants Fender's premium vintage-inspired experience without compromising by settling for modern specifications simply because they play left-handed.

Its greatest strength is consistency of concept. The V-profile maple neck, 7.25-inch radius, Pure Vintage '57 pickups, nitrocellulose finish, six-screw tremolo and period-style detailing all work towards the same goal.

This is not necessarily the Strat we would recommend to someone who wants the flattest fingerboard, lowest possible action or most advanced switching. It is the Strat we would recommend when the feel and response of a proper 1950s-inspired Fender are precisely what you are looking for.

Best suited for: Left-handed players wanting an authentic premium '50s-style Stratocaster.

Main benefit: Period-inspired Fender feel and tone combined with modern American manufacturing standards.

Value proposition: A specialist left-handed USA Fender with period-focused construction, Pure Vintage electronics and a premium tweed case included.

Standout feature: The one-piece maple 1957 “V” neck with 7.25-inch radius.

Customers usually upgrade from: Fender Player, Player II and other mid-priced left-handed Stratocasters.

Most commonly paired with: Fender-style valve amplifiers, overdrive, fuzz, compression, tremolo and spring-style reverb.

Our tip: Don't judge the 7.25-inch radius using the same setup expectations as a very flat modern fingerboard. A well-adjusted vintage-radius Strat can bend beautifully, but its setup should complement the geometry of the neck rather than chase ultra-low modern action.

Showroom feedback: The neck is the defining feature. Players who enjoy a pronounced vintage Fender profile tend to know very quickly that the '57 feels different from a standard modern Strat, while the Pure Vintage pickups reinforce that old-school response through a clean or lightly driven amp.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham team is made up of knowledgeable musicians who understand how much details such as neck profile, fingerboard radius, fret size and pickup voicing can change the experience of owning a premium electric guitar.

Whether you're choosing your first American-made Fender, searching for a high-quality left-handed Stratocaster or comparing several vintage-inspired models, we're here to offer friendly, straightforward advice before and after your purchase.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned guitars and musical equipment

For a premium instrument such as the American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster, you can also request a video demo if you would like a closer look at the individual guitar.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a genuine left-handed Fender rather than a converted right-handed model?

Yes. Model 0110242803 is Fender's factory-produced left-handed American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster, with the body, controls, bridge and hardware configured specifically for left-handed use.

Is a 7.25-inch radius difficult to play?

Not if you enjoy traditional Fender geometry. It feels more curved than a modern 9.5-inch or compound-radius board and is particularly comfortable for chord work. Players who favour extremely low action and very wide bends may prefer a flatter modern Fender.

What does the 1957 “V” neck feel like?

The profile has a more noticeable ridge through the centre of the back of the neck than a conventional C shape. Some players naturally rest the thumb around that shape and find it extremely comfortable, while others prefer the rounder feel of a '60s or modern neck.

Does the nitrocellulose finish require different care?

It is worth treating a nitro-finished guitar more carefully than a typical polyester-finished instrument. Avoid prolonged contact with unsuitable rubber, foam or plastic materials, and use stands and cleaning products specifically described as safe for nitrocellulose finishes.

Can I fit lighter .009 strings?

Yes. Fender supplies the guitar with .010-.046 strings. Moving to a lighter gauge is possible, although changes in tension can require adjustments to the tremolo balance, neck relief, action and intonation.

Can the six-screw tremolo be set up to float?

Yes. It can be adjusted for floating operation or set closer against the body depending on your preferred tremolo feel and tuning behaviour.

Are vintage-style single coils noisy?

Traditional single-coil pickups can reproduce some mains hum, particularly with higher-gain settings or electrically noisy environments. That behaviour is normal for genuine vintage-style single-coil construction and differs from Fender's modern Noiseless pickup designs.

Should I choose the 1957 or 1961 American Vintage II Stratocaster?

Choose the 1957 if you want a one-piece maple neck, pronounced V profile and distinctly '50s playing feel. Choose the 1961 if you prefer a slab rosewood fingerboard and a rounder C-shaped neck while retaining the same period-focused American Vintage II philosophy.

American Vintage II or American Professional II for gigging?

Both are professional instruments, but they approach the job differently. The American Professional II adds a flatter fingerboard, extra fret, modern two-point tremolo and additional switching. The American Vintage II deliberately prioritises historical feel and simplicity.

Is the American Vintage II '57 suitable for recording?

Yes. The three single-coil pickups and five-way selector provide a wide range of familiar Stratocaster textures, making it particularly useful for layering clean, driven and effects-based guitar parts.

The Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster Left-Hand in 2-Colour Sunburst is a specialist instrument in the best sense: it knows exactly what kind of player it is built for. If you want a premium left-handed Strat that captures the neck feel, pickup character, hardware and visual language of Fender's late-1950s era, this is one of the most compelling options in the current Fender range.

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