“Offers guitarists everything they love about ’70s Strats with none of the issues they hate”: Fender 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster review

Most of the nine new Stratocaster models that Fender introduced in commemoration of the Strat’s 70th anniversary provide a familiar “tried and true” experience – two-color sunburst, maple neck, synchronized tremolo, etc.

However, the 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster stands out for something rather unexpected. It’s the only Vintera II model in the lineup; it’s the only hardtail; and it’s the only model that’s unapologetically based on Fender’s ’70s designs – oversized headstock, three-bolt Micro-Tilt neck plate, bullet truss rod nut and all.

Of course, the reason why you’re probably reading this review is because you can’t take your eyes off of this guitar’s Antigua finish. The Antigua finish was a bit polarizing when Fender first introduced it in the late ’60s on the semi-hollow Coronado II model, but eventually it won over enough supporters to become an option for all Fender electric guitars and even a few acoustic guitars during the ’70s.

Original Antigua Strats from the ’70s now fetch premium prices with average starting prices around $4,000. The new 70th Anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster is priced well below that at $1,499, which is also about in the middle of the price range for Fender’s 70th anniversary Strat models.

Typical of the Vintera II series, the Antigua Strat is mostly faithful to the era upon which the model is based. The most notable improvement is the finish itself, which is basically a very tasteful sunburst in shades of gray whereas many of the original ’70s examples have a sort of mustard yellow hue towards the center. That dark-to-light gray motif is echoed in the pickguard, and the pickups, knobs and switch tip are a boldly contrasting black.

The neck is period correct, thanks to its ’70s “U” shape profile, 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, 21 Vintage Tall frets and oversize headstock. Original Antigua Strats were available with either a maple or rosewood fretboard, but Fender’s decision to go with only rosewood on this version was a wise choice for both visual and sonic appeal that is also in keeping with its “something different” aesthetic.

The alder body on our example was a comfortable mid-range weight, unlike the heavy “boat anchor” weight of most ’70s examples. The six-saddle vintage-Strat string-through-body hardtail is also made of better, more durable material than the cheap pot metal Fender used during the late ’70s.

Pickups are a trio of 70th Anniversary Vintage-Style ’70s Single-Coils, and controls consist of master volume, neck/middle tone, bridge tone and a five-position blade pickup selector switch.

This new Antigua model positively oozes a ’70s vibe in every way other than the overall upgrades in construction, attention to detail and quality. Does the hardtail design’s extra mass of wood beneath the bridge and pickups make a difference? It certainly seems that way, although the ’70s pickups could also be responsible for the bolder mids and more percussive twang of the bass and treble.

The tone is all a true Strat aficionado could ask for, from the instantly recognizable “quack” of the second and fourth dual-pickup settings to the Beck-like throatiness of the bridge pickup with its tone knob backed down. To me, rosewood neck Strats sing a little sweeter and sustain a little longer – that’s certainly the case here.

At the end of the day, this is a classic ’70s hardtail Strat, and your decision will probably be based primarily on that and whether you like the Antigua finish or not.

If you do, this current version is the most attractive iteration that Fender has offered to date. If you don’t, Fender offers another eight 70th anniversary Strats, not to mention a bajillion other models, that will certainly satisfy your taste.

Specs

• PRICE: $1,499 / £1,299
• BODY: Alder
• NECK: Maple
• FRETBOARD: Rosewood
• NECK PROFILE: ’70s “U”
• RADIUS: 7.25-inch
• SCALE LENGTH: 25.5-inch
• FRETS: 21 vintage tall
• NUT WIDTH: 1.65-inch
• PICKUPS: Three 70th Anniversary Vintage-Style ’70s Single-Coil Strat
• CONTROLS: Master volume, neck/middle tone, bridge tone, five-position blade pickup selector
• BRIDGE: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Strat Strings-Through-Body Hardtail
• NECK: Fender Vintage “F” Stamped
• CONTACT: Fender