Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster Lake Placid Blue Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster in Lake Placid Blue brings classic 1960s-inspired Stratocaster feel, looks and single-coil character into a modern production Fender. Built around an alder body, maple neck and slab rosewood fingerboard, it is aimed squarely at players who prefer vintage Fender specifications rather than the flatter fingerboards and contemporary hardware found on many modern Stratocasters.

A slim '60s “C” neck profile, traditional 7.25-inch fingerboard radius and 21 vintage-tall frets create an immediately old-school playing experience, while three vintage-style '60s Stratocaster single-coil pickups deliver the bright, open and expressive sounds that make the SSS Strat one of the most versatile electric guitar designs ever produced.

Finished in Lake Placid Blue with a mint-green three-ply pickguard, parchment plastics, vintage-style tuners and a six-screw synchronized tremolo, the Vintera II '60s Stratocaster is a strong choice for anyone who wants genuine vintage-inspired Fender character without stepping up to a significantly more expensive American vintage-style model.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Vintera II
Model	'60s Stratocaster
Model Number	0149020302
Finish	Lake Placid Blue
Condition	New
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Slab Rosewood
Pickups	Three Vintage-Style '60s Strat Single Coils
Main Appeal	Authentic '60s-inspired Strat feel and tone
Best For	Blues, rock, indie, soul, funk, pop and classic Strat players
Included	Deluxe Gig Bag

What's Included?

• Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster – Lake Placid Blue

• Fender Deluxe Gig Bag

• Screw-in tremolo arm

• .050" saddle-height hex wrench

Why Choose The Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster?

A Genuine Vintage-Inspired Playing Experience

The Vintera II range is designed for guitarists who actively want traditional Fender specifications. The combination of a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, 21 frets, vintage-style hardware and a slim '60s “C” neck gives this Stratocaster a noticeably different feel from Fender's more contemporary Player and American Professional instruments.

Slab Rosewood Fingerboard

The dark slab rosewood fingerboard is a major part of the '60s-inspired specification. Paired with the maple neck and white dot inlays, it gives the guitar the familiar look associated with some of Fender's most recognisable early-'60s Stratocaster designs while also providing a smooth playing surface.

Three Vintage-Style '60s Strat Pickups

Fender equips all three positions with Vintage-Style '60s Single-Coil Strat pickups. The aim is classic Stratocaster response: a clear neck pickup, articulate middle position, cutting bridge sound and the distinctive blended tones available in positions two and four.

This makes the Vintera II especially attractive to players who value touch sensitivity and definition rather than the additional output of hotter modern pickups or humbuckers.

Traditional Six-Screw Tremolo

The six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo uses the traditional six-screw mounting arrangement and bent-steel saddles. It gives players access to expressive pitch movement while preserving the familiar look and feel of an older Stratocaster bridge.

Lake Placid Blue With Classic Fender Detailing

Lake Placid Blue is one of Fender's most recognisable custom-style colours, and it suits the Vintera II particularly well. The metallic blue finish is paired with a three-ply mint-green pickguard and parchment knobs, switch tip and pickup covers for a properly vintage-influenced appearance.

Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster vs Popular Alternatives

Fender Vintera II '50s Stratocaster

The Vintera II '50s Stratocaster is the obvious alternative if you like the Vintera concept but prefer an earlier Fender feel. It uses a maple fingerboard, mid-'50s Soft “V” neck profile and vintage-style '50s pickups. Choose the '60s model if you prefer rosewood under your fingers and a slimmer rounded C-profile; choose the '50s version if a maple board and more pronounced V-shaped neck are part of the appeal.

Fender Player II Stratocaster

The Player II Stratocaster takes a considerably more contemporary approach with a Modern “C” neck, 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, rolled fingerboard edges, 22 medium-jumbo frets, Player Series Alnico V pickups and a two-point tremolo. The Player II is better suited to players wanting modern everyday playability, while the Vintera II '60s is the stronger choice if traditional Fender feel and vintage-style construction are priorities.

Fender Limited Edition Vintera II Road Worn '60s Stratocaster

The Road Worn model follows a similar '60s formula but adds an aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish designed to recreate the appearance and feel of a well-used vintage guitar. It also includes a hardshell case. Choose the standard Vintera II if you want a clean, new-looking Lake Placid Blue finish; consider the Road Worn if an intentionally aged finish and broken-in aesthetic are central to what you want from the guitar.

Who Is The Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster For?

This guitar is particularly well suited to players who know they prefer vintage Fender feel over modernised Strat specifications.

It is a strong choice for:

• Blues guitarists who use touch, vibrato and dynamic picking

• Classic rock players

• Indie and alternative guitarists

• Soul and R&B players

• Funk rhythm guitarists

• Pop and session players wanting familiar SSS versatility

• Traditional Stratocaster fans

• Players moving up from a Squier Classic Vibe or similar vintage-inspired instrument

• Guitarists who specifically prefer a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius

• Players who want rosewood rather than a maple fingerboard

• Fender enthusiasts attracted to classic '60s styling

Looking for advice on choosing between a Vintera II Stratocaster, Player II Stratocaster or another vintage-style Fender electric guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store at our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Uses

Few electric guitar formats cover as much musical ground as a traditional SSS Stratocaster.

The neck pickup is an excellent starting point for warm blues leads, cleaner rhythm work and smoother driven tones. It retains definition while giving notes enough body to work well with valve-style overdrive and compression.

Positions two and four combine adjacent pickups for the recognisable scooped Strat sound associated with funk, soul, pop, clean rhythm and effects-heavy playing. These settings can sit particularly well in a full band arrangement because they remain clear without taking up excessive midrange space.

The bridge pickup gives you the sharpest and most direct sound of the three. It works well for cutting rhythm parts, vintage-style rock and lead playing where additional attack helps the guitar remain present in a mix.

Add modulation, delay, reverb, compression, overdrive or fuzz and the Vintera II becomes equally comfortable in indie, psychedelic, ambient and alternative guitar setups.

Is A 7.25-Inch Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius Right For You?

A 7.25-inch fingerboard radius is more curved than the 9.5-inch radius used on many contemporary Fender guitars. That curvature contributes heavily to the traditional Fender feel, particularly for chord work and rhythm playing around the lower end of the neck. Players coming from vintage-style Stratocasters and Telecasters often find it immediately familiar.

The Vintera II combines that radius with vintage-tall frets, which give the fretting surface more height than very small traditional vintage fretwire. Players accustomed to very flat modern boards may need a short adjustment period, particularly with large bends and very low action, but anyone deliberately looking for an old-school Fender playing experience is likely to see the 7.25-inch radius as one of the guitar's main attractions.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The Vintera II '60s Stratocaster uses conventional passive electronics and works with virtually any standard electric guitar rig.

It pairs particularly well with:

Clean and edge-of-breakup amplifiers – ideal for bringing out the dynamics and clarity of the vintage-style single coils.

Overdrive pedals – particularly effective for blues, classic rock and responsive lead sounds.

Fuzz pedals – a natural pairing for psychedelic, garage, alternative and vintage rock tones.

Compression – useful for funk, country-influenced playing, pop and clean rhythm work.

Chorus, phaser and tremolo – excellent for adding movement to positions two and four.

Delay and reverb – useful for everything from spacious blues leads to indie and ambient textures.

The guitar uses a standard 1/4-inch output connection, so it can also be connected to modelling amplifiers, multi-effects processors and instrument-level audio interfaces for home recording.

Story & Context

Fender launched the Vintera II Series in September 2023 as the second generation of its vintage-inspired Vintera family. The range was created around era-specific instruments drawing from the design language of Fender's 1950s, 1960s and 1970s guitars and basses.

One particularly important change within Vintera II was the return of rosewood fingerboards on appropriate models, including the '60s Stratocaster. Combined with era-inspired neck profiles, pickup voicings, fingerboard radii and hardware, the intention was to offer a recognisably vintage Fender experience without making the guitar a strict reproduction of one particular production year.

The '60s Stratocaster therefore sits in an interesting position in Fender's range. It is more traditional in feel than the Player II Stratocaster but less specialised and costly than Fender's higher-end American vintage recreations, making it an appealing route into classic Fender specifications.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Fender
Series	Vintera II
Model	'60s Stratocaster
Model Number	0149020302
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Lake Placid Blue
Body Shape	Stratocaster
Body Style	Solid Body
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Polyester
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	'60s “C”
Neck Construction	4-Bolt Standard
Neck Finish	Gloss Urethane
Fingerboard Material	Slab Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Number Of Frets	21
Fret Size	Vintage Tall
Position Inlays	White Dot
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Bridge Pickup	Vintage-Style '60s Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup	Vintage-Style '60s Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup	Vintage-Style '60s Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Controls	Master Volume, Tone 1 Neck/Middle, Tone 2 Bridge
Pickup Switching	5-Position Blade
Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles
Bridge Mounting	6-Screw Vintage-Style
Tremolo Arm	Screw-In
Tuning Machines	Fender Vintage-Style
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	3-Ply Mint Green
Pickup Covers	Parchment
Control Knobs	Parchment Plastic
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Vintage-Style
String Tree	Butterfly
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Factory Strings	Fender USA 250L Nickel-Plated Steel .009-.042
Gig Bag	Deluxe Gig Bag

Specification Note

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

Power Requirements

The Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster uses passive single-coil electronics, so it does not require a battery or external power supply.

Connect the guitar to your amplifier, modeller, multi-effects unit or suitable audio interface with a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster gets the important things right for anyone chasing traditional Strat character. Rather than adding modern features simply for the sake of specification, it concentrates on the playing feel, pickup response and hardware choices that make a vintage-inspired Fender distinctive.

The slab rosewood fingerboard and Lake Placid Blue finish give this version particularly strong early-'60s visual appeal, while the vintage-tall frets make the traditional 7.25-inch radius more accommodating than an ultra-small vintage fret would.

Best suited for: Players who want genuine vintage-inspired Strat feel without moving into premium American vintage-reissue territory.

Main benefit: Traditional Fender feel, sound and appearance in a practical new production guitar.

Standout feature: The combination of a slab rosewood 7.25-inch fingerboard and vintage-style '60s Strat pickups.

Value proposition: A convincing route into classic Fender specifications with a Deluxe Gig Bag included.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe Stratocasters, Fender Standard models and other entry-to-mid-level vintage-inspired electric guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Clean or edge-of-breakup amplifiers, overdrive, fuzz, compression, delay and reverb.

Our tip: If you're coming from a modern 9.5-inch or flatter-radius guitar, spend some time with the Vintera before judging the neck. The additional curvature is a deliberate part of the vintage Fender experience and can feel particularly natural for chords, rhythm work and expressive blues playing.

Showroom feedback: The combination of Lake Placid Blue, mint-green guard and rosewood fingerboard gives this version the classic Fender look many players immediately associate with a '60s-style Strat, while the neck and pickup response reinforce that vintage-influenced character once you start playing.

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 and experienced product specialists who understand how much difference neck shape, fingerboard radius, pickup type and hardware can make when choosing the right electric guitar.

Whether you're buying your first Fender, moving up from a Squier or comparing several vintage-style Stratocasters, 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

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 the Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster suitable for beginners?

Yes, although its vintage-style specification is particularly appealing to players who already know they like a traditional Fender feel. A beginner can absolutely learn on it, but anyone comparing guitars should understand that the 7.25-inch fingerboard feels more curved than many modern electric guitars.

Does the Vintera II '60s Stratocaster sound different from a Player II Stratocaster?

Yes. Both are recognisably Stratocasters, but they are voiced and built with different priorities. The Vintera II uses vintage-style '60s pickups and more traditional neck and bridge specifications, whereas the Player II is designed around more contemporary playability and Player Series Alnico V pickups.

Is a 7.25-inch radius difficult for string bending?

Not inherently. Fender combines the vintage radius with vintage-tall frets, which provide useful fret height for bending. Extremely low action and very wide bends can require careful setup on a more curved board, so players who favour exceptionally low action should make sure the guitar is adjusted appropriately.

Can the synchronized tremolo be set up as a fixed bridge?

Yes. A Stratocaster tremolo can be adjusted so that it sits firmly against the body rather than floating. This is a common choice for players who rarely use the tremolo and prefer a more fixed bridge feel.

Can I use heavier strings?

Yes. Moving significantly from the factory .009-.042 gauge can require adjustments to tremolo spring tension, truss rod, action and intonation. A proper setup is recommended when making a substantial string-gauge change.

Does a vintage-style Strat work well with modern pedals?

Absolutely. The relatively open and articulate response of an SSS Strat makes it an excellent platform for contemporary pedalboards. Overdrive, fuzz, compression, modulation, delay and reverb can all work particularly well.

Is the Vintera II good for recording?

Yes. Its five pickup positions provide a useful range of contrasting textures, making it easy to layer rhythm, clean and lead parts without changing guitars. The clearer single-coil response can also help guitar parts retain separation within a full mix.

Who should choose the Vintera II '60s instead of the '50s version?

Choose the '60s model if you prefer a slab rosewood fingerboard, slimmer '60s “C” neck and '60s-inspired pickup voicing. The '50s Strat is better suited to players specifically looking for a maple fingerboard and Soft “V” neck profile.

Is Lake Placid Blue a metallic finish?

Yes. Lake Placid Blue is a classic metallic-style Fender colour and gives the guitar a very different appearance from traditional sunburst or solid white finishes.

Is this intended to be an exact replica of one particular 1960s Stratocaster?

No. The Vintera II '60s Stratocaster combines several era-inspired features to capture the broader look, feel and sound associated with 1960s Fender guitars rather than replicating one specific production year in every detail.

The Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster in Lake Placid Blue is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a Strat that deliberately feels more traditional. From the slab rosewood board and curved 7.25-inch radius to the vintage-style pickups and six-screw tremolo, its specification is focused on delivering the playing experience that attracts guitarists to classic Fender instruments in the first place.

---