Fender Vintera® III Late '60s Stratocaster®, Rosewood Fingerboard, 3-Color Sunburst Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster in 3-Color Sunburst brings one of the most distinctive periods of Stratocaster design into a newly built, vintage-inspired electric guitar. An alder body, maple neck, round-laminated rosewood fingerboard and period-correct large headstock create the unmistakable late-'60s Fender aesthetic, while three vintage-style late-'60s Strat single-coil pickups provide the clear, dynamic SSS sound at the heart of the design. (uk.fender.com)

Its Late '60s “C” neck profile, traditional 7.25-inch fingerboard radius and 21 vintage-tall frets deliberately favour a classic Fender playing experience over modern flatter-radius geometry. Add a six-screw vintage-style synchronized tremolo, bent-steel saddles and Fender Vintage “F”-stamped tuning machines and the result is a Stratocaster aimed squarely at players who want genuine late-'60s character rather than simply retro styling. (uk.fender.com)

Finished in timeless 3-Color Sunburst with a round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, this Vintera III is an excellent choice for blues, classic rock, indie, alternative, funk, soul, pop and studio work.

At A Glance

What's In The Box?

• Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster

• Deluxe Gig Bag

• .050" saddle-height hex wrench

Why Choose The Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster?

Distinctive Late-'60s Fender Character

The large Stratocaster headstock is one of the most recognisable visual features associated with later-'60s Fender guitars. Combined with the 3-Color Sunburst finish, rosewood fingerboard and Vintage “F”-stamped tuners, it gives this Vintera III a clearly defined identity within Fender's current Stratocaster range. (Fender)

Late '60s “C” Neck Profile

The maple neck uses Fender's Late '60s “C” profile, designed with a comfortably rounded feel that starts relatively slim near the nut and becomes slightly fuller as you move towards the 12th fret. It is paired with a traditional 7.25-inch radius for an intentionally vintage-inspired playing experience. (uk.fender.com)

Three Vintage-Style Late-'60s Single-Coils

Three era-inspired Stratocaster single-coils provide the familiar range of bridge bite, hollow in-between sounds, articulate middle-pickup tones and smoother neck-pickup warmth. Fender voices these pickups around the clear highs, punchy midrange and dynamic response associated with the period. (uk.fender.com)

Vintage-Tall Frets

The 21 vintage-tall frets retain traditional proportions while giving slightly more fret height than very small vintage-style wire. This helps bends and vibrato feel more accessible without turning the guitar into a modern jumbo-fret instrument. (uk.fender.com)

Classic Six-Screw Strat Tremolo

A six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with bent-steel saddles gives you classic Stratocaster vibrato while retaining individual saddle adjustment for action and intonation. (uk.fender.com)

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster vs Vintera III Early '60s Stratocaster

The Vintera III Early '60s Stratocaster also combines an alder body, rosewood fingerboard, 7.25-inch radius and vintage-tall frets, but uses an Early '60s “C” neck profile and differently voiced early-'60s pickups. This Late '60s model adds the period-defining larger headstock and Vintage “F”-stamped tuning machines. Choose the Early '60s version for an earlier, glassier Strat interpretation; choose the Late '60s model for the bolder visual character and later-decade specification. (Fender)

Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster vs Vintera III Late '50s Stratocaster

The Late '50s Vintera III Stratocaster uses a one-piece maple neck and fingerboard with a Late '50s “D” profile and late-'50s-spec pickups. This Late '60s model changes the character significantly with its round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, “C” neck and large headstock. The Late '50s version suits players seeking the earlier maple-board Strat experience, while this guitar is the stronger choice for somebody drawn to late-'60s Fender styling and feel. (Fender)

Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster vs Fender Player II Stratocaster

The Player II Stratocaster is designed around more contemporary playability, including a Modern “C” neck, 9.5-inch-radius fingerboard with rolled edges and a two-point tremolo. The Vintera III intentionally goes the other way with a 7.25-inch radius, vintage-tall frets, period-style pickups and six-screw tremolo. Choose Player II for a modern everyday Strat; choose Vintera III when vintage Fender feel is the priority. (Fender)

Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster vs American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster

The American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster moves further into premium USA-made historical recreation with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, Pure Vintage '61 pickups and slab rosewood fingerboard. The Vintera III provides a more accessible route into Fender's vintage-inspired world while focusing on a distinctly later-'60s specification. (Fender)

Who Is The Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster For?

This Stratocaster is particularly well suited to:

• Players who actively prefer vintage-style Fender necks

• Stratocaster fans drawn to late-'60s styling

• Guitarists who prefer rosewood fingerboards

• Blues and classic rock musicians

• Indie and alternative players

• Funk and soul rhythm guitarists

• Recording musicians

• Players who use clean and edge-of-breakup amplifier tones

• Guitarists moving from a modern Strat to a more traditional specification

• Fender enthusiasts who appreciate the large late-'60s headstock

• Players who want vintage character without buying an original vintage guitar

If you strongly prefer flatter modern fingerboards, larger frets, two-point tremolos or locking tuners, one of Fender's more contemporary ranges may be a better fit. The Vintera III makes most sense when its vintage-style specification is exactly what attracts you to the instrument.

Playing Styles & Applications

The Stratocaster's SSS layout remains one of the most adaptable electric-guitar configurations available. The bridge pickup provides attack and definition for rock, blues and cutting rhythm work, while the neck pickup offers a smoother voice for expressive leads and clean playing.

Positions two and four provide the distinctive blended Strat sounds that work particularly well for funk, soul, pop, blues, indie and clean rhythm guitar, while the middle pickup provides a balanced sound that sits naturally between the brighter bridge and warmer neck positions.

The Vintera III is also an excellent pedal platform. Its clear single-coil response works naturally with compression, boost, overdrive, fuzz, modulation, delay and reverb.

What Makes A Late-'60s Stratocaster Different?

One of the most immediately recognisable changes to the Stratocaster during the second half of the 1960s was the move to the larger headstock, a visual cue strongly associated with Fender's CBS-era instruments. Fender identifies 1965-66 as the beginning of this jumbo-headstock Stratocaster era. (Fender)

The Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster combines that larger headstock with a period-inspired “C” neck profile, round-laminated fingerboard, Vintage “F”-stamped tuners and pickups voiced specifically around Fender's late-'60s Strat character. (uk.fender.com)

For the modern player, these features matter because they make the guitar feel and respond differently from a Player II or other contemporary Fender. This is not simply a standard Stratocaster with a vintage finish; the neck geometry, hardware and electronics are chosen specifically to create a more traditional experience.

Compatibility And Practical Pairing Advice

Guitar Amplifiers

The Vintera III works particularly well with clean and edge-of-breakup amplifiers where its single-coil clarity and picking dynamics can come through naturally.

Clean Fender-style amplifiers are an obvious match, while British-voiced valve amps can push the guitar towards classic rock and more aggressive blues tones.

Effects Pedals

Useful pairings include:

• Compressor

• Clean boost

• Overdrive

• Fuzz

• Wah

• Chorus

• Phaser

• Tremolo

• Delay

• Reverb

A compressor can emphasise clean Strat articulation, while overdrive and fuzz bring out a much more aggressive side of the bridge and neck pickups.

Strings

The factory specification uses Fender USA 250L nickel-plated steel .009-.042 strings. Players wanting a firmer response can move to .010s, although a setup may be beneficial after changing gauge. (uk.fender.com)

Gig Bag

A Deluxe Gig Bag is included as part of Fender's factory specification, giving the guitar practical protection for lessons, rehearsals and everyday transport. (uk.fender.com)

Looking for advice on choosing between the Late '50s, Early '60s and Late '60s Vintera III Stratocasters? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

The second half of the 1960s was a highly visible period of evolution for Fender. One of the era's defining Stratocaster changes was the larger headstock introduced during the 1965-66 period, creating a silhouette that remains instantly associated with later-'60s instruments. (Fender)

By the later part of the decade, details such as “F”-style tuning machines also became part of Fender's changing design language. The modern Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster uses the large headstock and Vintage “F”-stamped tuners specifically to evoke this era. (Fender)

What makes the Vintera III approach interesting is that these visual details are combined with playing specifications that also reflect the period: a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, vintage-tall frets, late-'60s “C” neck and vintage-style synchronized tremolo.

The result is a guitar designed to teach the player something about how different eras of the Stratocaster developed, rather than treating every vintage-inspired Strat as essentially the same instrument.

Technical Specifications

Technical specification verified against Fender's current 3-Color Sunburst / round-laminated rosewood configuration. (uk.fender.com)

Power Requirements

The Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster uses passive single-coil pickups and does not require a battery.

Connect the guitar to a suitable guitar amplifier, effects system, modeller or audio interface using a standard instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster is a strong choice for players who want their Stratocaster to feel genuinely rooted in a particular Fender era rather than simply looking vintage.

Its standout feature is the combination of the large late-'60s headstock, round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, 7.25-inch radius, vintage-tall frets and Vintage “F”-stamped tuners. Together they give this guitar a personality that is clearly different from Fender's modern Player-series instruments. (uk.fender.com)

Best suited for: Players looking for vintage-inspired Stratocaster feel and tone for blues, rock, indie, funk, soul and recording.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe Stratocasters, Fender Standard models, Player-series Stratocasters and other modern S-style guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve or modelling amplifiers, compressors, boosts, overdrive, fuzz, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Compare the neck feel with a Player II before choosing. If the Vintera III's 7.25-inch radius and vintage-style geometry feel right in your hands, that is one of the strongest reasons to choose it.

Showroom feedback: The large headstock immediately gives this model a different visual personality, but it is the neck specification that really defines the playing experience. Players who enjoy traditional Fender geometry should find the Vintera III much more convincing than a modern Strat dressed in vintage colours.

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.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps customers choose guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, drums, studio equipment and much more.

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

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham showroom

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

Thinking about upgrading from your existing guitar? Speak to our team about part exchange and see how the value of your current gear could help towards your next Fender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster suitable for lead guitar?

Yes. The vintage-tall frets provide useful height for bends and vibrato, while the 7.25-inch radius retains a traditional Fender feel. Players accustomed exclusively to flatter modern fingerboards may notice the difference, but that vintage geometry is one of the main reasons to choose a Vintera III.

What is the advantage of a rosewood fingerboard on this Stratocaster?

The round-laminated rosewood fingerboard is primarily important as part of this model's period-inspired construction and feel. It also creates the dark visual contrast associated with many classic 1960s Stratocasters.

What does “round-laminated rosewood” mean?

Rather than using a thick flat slab of rosewood, a round-laminated fingerboard uses a thinner curved piece of rosewood shaped to follow the radius of the maple neck beneath it. This construction became part of Fender's evolving 1960s instrument design.

Can the Vintera III handle rock and overdrive?

Absolutely. Stratocaster single-coils are highly responsive to overdrive, fuzz and pushed valve amplifiers. The bridge pickup provides plenty of attack, while the neck pickup is particularly effective for smoother blues and rock lead tones.

Is the six-screw tremolo difficult to maintain?

No. It is a well-established Stratocaster bridge design. Correct setup, string installation and lubrication through the string path all contribute to good performance, particularly if the tremolo is used frequently.

Should I choose this or the Vintera III Early '60s Stratocaster?

Choose the Early '60s version if you prefer its earlier neck and pickup specification. Choose this Late '60s version if the larger headstock, Vintage “F”-stamped tuners and later-decade styling are what you associate most strongly with a vintage Strat.

Is the Vintera III better than a Player II Stratocaster?

They serve different players. The Player II prioritises modern comfort with a 9.5-inch radius, rolled fingerboard edges and two-point tremolo, while the Vintera III deliberately recreates a more traditional Fender playing experience. (Fender)

Is the Fender Vintera III suitable for professional gigs and recording?

Yes. Its straightforward SSS electronics, five-way switching and classic Stratocaster control layout make it highly adaptable for stage and studio work. Its vintage specification is a matter of feel and design preference rather than limiting it to any particular level of player.