Fender has added Black to the American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster color palette for 2025, joining the existing 2-Color Sunburst and Sea Foam Green. At $2,449, this is the same price as every other AV II Stratocaster — but the Black finish on an ash body with a maple V-shape neck might be the most visually striking combination in the entire series. Think Clapton’s Blackie meets period-correct ’50s construction.
The ’57 Strat is one of the most iconic guitar designs ever produced. It’s the year Fender got the Stratocaster right — the body contours were refined, the pickups were dialed in, and the overall balance of the instrument hit a sweet spot that players have been chasing for nearly 70 years.
Bottom Line: The American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster in Black is a stunning addition to the AV II lineup — a nitro-finished, V-neck Strat that sounds and plays like a $15,000 vintage original at a fraction of the price.
What’s New on the American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster (Black)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | Premium ash (Black), alder (2-Color Sunburst, Sea Foam Green), nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Neck | 1957 Soft V-shape maple, 7.25″ radius, maple fingerboard, vintage tall frets |
| Pickups | Pure Vintage ’57 Single-Coil Stratocaster (neck, middle, bridge) |
| Bridge | Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with bent steel saddles |
| Tuners | Pure Vintage Single-Line “Fender Deluxe” |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Frets | 21 vintage tall |
| Nut | Bone, 1.650″ |
| Pickguard | 1-ply white (8-hole) |
| Finish Options | Black (new), 2-Color Sunburst, Sea Foam Green |
| Street Price | $2,449 |
The Black finish model gets an ash body — same as the Vintage Blonde models in the AV II line — which gives it a slightly different tonal character compared to the alder-bodied Sunburst and Sea Foam Green options. Ash tends to be brighter and more scooped in the mids, which pairs beautifully with the Pure Vintage ’57 pickups’ naturally warm voicing.
The Soft V neck profile is the star here for many players. It’s not as extreme as a hard V, but it has a pronounced ridge along the back that fills your palm differently than a C or U shape. For rhythm players who anchor their thumb on the back of the neck, it’s incredibly comfortable. For shredders, it can feel foreign — this is a guitar that wants you to slow down and play with feel.
The single-ply white pickguard with 8 screw holes is correct for 1957 — Fender didn’t switch to the 11-hole, 3-ply guard until the early ’60s. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing that separates the AV II from less meticulous reissues.
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Who Is the American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster For?
Blues, classic rock, and surf players will feel immediately at home. The ’57 Strat is the guitar that defined Buddy Holly’s sound, and it’s the era that Hendrix would later draw from when he tore apart a white Stratocaster at Monterey. The V-neck profile particularly suits players who came up on vintage instruments or Gibson acoustics — it has a similar feel to a ’50s Gibson acoustic neck.
If you play in a Stones or Grateful Dead cover band and want something that nails that vintage Strat quack without the five-figure price tag, this is your guitar. The synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles gives you that warbling vibrato that’s distinctly different from a modern 2-point trem — it’s stiffer, less dramatic, and stays in tune surprisingly well for a vintage-style unit.
At $2,449, you’re looking at the same neighborhood as the Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster ($2,149) and the PRS Silver Sky ($2,350). The Silver Sky is John Mayer’s take on a vintage Strat with modern refinements — 635JM pickups, locking tuners, and a modern tremolo. It’s more practical but less authentic. The AV II ’57 is the real deal.
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How Does It Compare to the American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster?
The ’57 and ’61 Stratocasters in the AV II line represent two different eras of Strat design. The ’57 has a maple fingerboard and V-neck; the ’61 has a rosewood slab board and C-shape neck. The ’57 uses a 1-ply pickguard; the ’61 has the later 3-ply mint green guard. Sonically, the maple board on the ’57 gives it a snappier, brighter attack, while the rosewood on the ’61 warms things up slightly.
The neck shape is the biggest practical difference. The V-neck on the ’57 polarizes players — some love it, some can’t stand it. The C-shape on the ’61 is more universally comfortable. If you’ve never played a V-neck, try one before committing $2,449 to the idea.
First Impressions and What Players Are Saying
Players on the Strat-Talk forums have praised the Black finish as long overdue, noting that Fender hadn’t offered a black AV II Strat with a maple board until now. Several owners report that the ash body on the Black model is noticeably heavier than the alder Sunburst — expect around 8-8.5 lbs compared to 7.5-8 lbs for the alder models.
The Pure Vintage ’57 pickups continue to get excellent reviews, with players comparing them favorably to the original Fender Custom Shop ’54 pickups. The bone nut is a welcome upgrade over the plastic nuts found on some earlier production AV II models.
Shoppers cross-shopping this model should also consider the Squier Sonic Stratocaster 2026.
Pricing and Availability
Street price is $2,449, available now at authorized Fender dealers. The Black finish is a standard catalog addition (not limited), so it should remain available alongside the 2-Color Sunburst and Sea Foam Green options. All three finishes come with a vintage-style hardshell case.
FAQ
Is the Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster worth it?
For vintage Strat purists, absolutely. The nitro finish, period-correct hardware, and Pure Vintage ’57 pickups create an experience that’s remarkably close to an actual ’57 Strat. At $2,449 it’s a significant investment, but it undercuts Custom Shop pricing by thousands while delivering 90% of the experience.
What’s the difference between the AV II 1957 and 1961 Stratocaster?
The ’57 has a maple fingerboard, Soft V-shape neck, and 1-ply white pickguard. The ’61 has a rosewood slab fingerboard, C-shape neck, and 3-ply mint green pickguard. Each uses year-specific Pure Vintage pickups. The ’57 is brighter and snappier; the ’61 is warmer and more mellow. Neck shape preference will likely be the deciding factor.
What pickups does the American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster use?
It uses three Pure Vintage ’57 Single-Coil Stratocaster pickups, wound to match the output and frequency response of original 1957 pickups. They’re slightly hotter than the Pure Vintage ’54s and have a bit more midrange presence, giving them that sweet spot between clean sparkle and overdriven bark.
The PRS SE Ed Sheeran Cosmic Splash Limited Edition is a strong alternative from a rival brand.
Does the Black finish AV II ’57 Strat have an ash or alder body?
The Black finish uses a premium ash body, similar to the Vintage Blonde option. The 2-Color Sunburst and Sea Foam Green use alder. Ash tends to be slightly brighter with more scooped mids, while alder has a more balanced, midrange-forward character.
Where is the American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster made?
All American Vintage II instruments are made at Fender’s Corona, California factory in the USA. The series uses premium American-sourced tonewoods and period-correct construction techniques.
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The Black AV II ’57 Strat fills a gap that’s been obvious since the series launched — a dark, dramatic finish on one of the most iconic guitar designs ever made. If the V-neck speaks to you and you want a vintage Strat experience without the vintage price tag, this is the one to beat.