The Fender American Vintage II series presents a remarkably accurate take on the revolutionary designs that altered the course of musical history. Built with period-accurate bodies, necks and hardware, premium finishes and meticulously voiced, year-specific pickups, each instrument captures the essence of authentic Fender craftsmanship and tone.Sneak Peek into Telecaster’s HistoryJust one year after launching the Broadcaster, Fender received a cease-and-desist telegram from the Fred Gretsch Mfg. Co. and was faced with renaming its flagship electric guitar. Taking inspiration from the booming growth and expansive reach of television, the first blackguard Telecaster rolled off the line in 1951, and the model has been in continuous production ever since. Deceptively simple and totally groundbreaking, the Telecaster brought the solid-body electric guitar to the masses, inspiring countless musicians along the way.Classic Twang and Authentic Fender StyleThe American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster features an ash body finished in Butterscotch Blonde to capture the tone and look of the original. The substantial ‘51 ‘U’-shaped hard rock maple neck plays like a dream with a 7.25-inch radius fingerboard and vintage tall frets. Characteristic of production in 1951, 12th fret face-dot spacing is narrow and the sole Phillips-head fastener on the guitar is at the truss rod nut. The triple brass saddle bridge, the single line ‘Fender Deluxe’ tuners, and Pure Vintage '51 Telecaster pickups deliver classic twang and authentic Fender style.Vintage Fender Tone and FeelThe instruments in the American Vintage II series are direct descendants of the original Fenders- designed for players with a fine appreciation for vintage Fender tone and feel and built with unmatched quality, down to the last screw. These are Fender electrics in their purest form: Fender American Vintage II, the stuff of legends.Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer FinishGloss nitrocellulose lacquer, as used on the ‘50s and ’60s Fender instruments, is a premium finish that reveals the instrument’s true tonal character.Ash BodyAsh is a warm-toned wood with clear, bright highs, a defined midrange, and a beautiful grain pattern.7.25-Inch Radius FingerboardThe 7.25-inch radius fingerboard provides the comfortable playing feel of a vintage instrument, while vintage-tall frets make it easier to bend notes.1951 U-Shape NeckIn vintage years, the shape and thickness of Fender guitar necks varied tremendously. The American Vintage II Series offers a variety of authentic neck profiles from Fender’s past.Pure Vintage ’51 Telecaster PickupsSpecially voiced to reproduce the authentic sound and performance of individual model years, Pure Vintage pickups are constructed just like pickups from Fender’s golden years. Materials include cloth-covered wire, fiber bobbins, and alnico magnets.Vintage-Style HardwareFrom the bridge to the string tree and tuning machines, every piece of American Vintage II hardware is manufactured to look, sound, and function just like it did on the originals. Much of the American Vintage II hardware is still manufactured on the original ‘50s and ‘60s era Fender factory machines.