Today I want to walk you through my first impressions and full breakdown of the Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage Sixties Stratocaster HSS. If you are the kind of person who reads listing details before a Guitar Auction, or you are deciding whether to buy new or wait for a secondhand score, this review will give you the practical, hands-on detail you need. I dug into the pickups, the hardware, the feel, the sound, and yes, the price. And I will be honest: this guitar will make a lot of people rethink what a modern vintage Strat can be.
Table of Contents
- Overview and First Impressions
- Sound: Clean, Surf, and Humbucker Power
- Playability: Neck, Frets, and Contour Heel
- Hardware and Electronics: What Fender Put Under the Hood
- Setup, Tuning Stability, and Weight
- Measured Pickup Readings and What They Mean
- Case, Accessories, and Presentation
- Price, Value, and the Guitar Auction Angle
- Final Thoughts
Overview and First Impressions
Fender have taken a bold route. They have built a sixties-style Strat with heirloom nitrocellulose lacquer that used to be Fiesta Red and now reads as a corally, aged finish. They then added modern playability features: stainless steel frets, a rosewood fingerboard with clay dots, locking tuners, a floating two-point trem, S-1 switching, and a modern Haymaker humbucker in the bridge. On paper it sounds contradictory. In practice it plays like a vintage Strat given modern tools.
The intention is not to replace vintage instruments. Fender say they want to cover the tonal and visual range of the sixties Strat while being reliable enough to work night after night. As someone who has been playing Strats for years, I approached this with skepticism. But when I opened the case I was surprised at how convincingly Fender balanced vintage looks and modern convenience.
Sound: Clean, Surf, and Humbucker Power
I ran clean tests through a Fender Deluxe Reverb and more aggressive tones through a Marshall JTM Studio. The neck and middle single coils are true to the vintage ’61 profile: glassy, articulate, quintessential Strat sparkle. Position one delivers that surf tone with the right bell-like clarity.
The Haymaker humbucker in the bridge is a modern animal. In full humbucker mode it is beefy with noticeable bottom end and fullness. When I engaged the S-1 coil-split via the push in the volume knob, the split did not become anemic the way some split coils do. Instead it turned into a hot single coil character that still had presence and definition. That makes the bridge far more versatile than a conventional HSS setup where the coil split often feels like an afterthought.
On heavier rock settings the Strat remains usable. It can feel a bit brash on its own through a Marshall with lots of presence, but in a mix the humbucker sits neatly. The conventional caveat applies: Strats will never sound like an SG or Les Paul in the low mids, but this one narrows the gap considerably.
Playability: Neck, Frets, and Contour Heel
The neck is what Fender call an augmented D, which is very close to a modern C. Slim but not skinny, satin finished and comfortable. It is not a roasted maple neck. At this price point some players might expect roasted maple, but the neck feels stable and plays like a worked-in guitar.
Fender used stainless steel frets here. The fretwork is stellar: crowned, shiny and rounded, and the fretboard edges are comfortable. That gives the fretboard a “played-in” feel without heavy relicing. Speaking of relicing, the heirloom treatment is subtle. The finish is matte with visible but discreet checking. If you want the feel of a broken-in instrument without full relic theatrics, this hits the sweet spot.
Another welcome modern touch is the contoured or “comfort” heel. It removes the blocky feel around the upper frets and lets you reach higher positions without wrestling your hand. For players who move up the neck, this is a real ergonomic win.
Hardware and Electronics: What Fender Put Under the Hood
Under the pickguard you find top-notch components. The cavity sports an orange drop capacitor and substantial pots. The vintage single coils get vintage-style wiring while the humbucker is wired differently to allow the S-1 split to sound punchy. There is also a practical quick connect on the pickguard wiring. That quick connect makes pickguard removal and servicing much easier than taking multiple solder joints apart.
The trem block is tapered for better break angle and there are black trem springs that match the aged look. Fender did not go for full conductive shielding in the cavity, but noise performance is fine in typical environments. The output jack is standard Fender quality: it will do the job reliably.
Setup, Tuning Stability, and Weight
One of the first things I test is the trem. This model ships with a floating two-point trem that is set up to be usable right out of the case. A light flick moves it; you can go down and get a semitone up as well. That indicates a well-assembled setup from the factory. Locking tuners help with tuning stability, and the guitar stayed rock solid even after transport and some hard playing.
Weight is about 3.55 kilos which converts to 7 pounds 12 ounces. That is comfortable for long sets and not overly heavy for studio work. The balance is good because the design keeps the guitar from being neck heavy.
Measured Pickup Readings and What They Mean
I measured DC resistance to get a sense of relative output. Here are the numbers I recorded:
- Bridge humbucker: 7.1-7.2
- Position 2: 3.2
- Position 3: 5.9
- Position 4: 2.9
- Position 5: 5.8
- Split humbucker: 3.5
- Split on position 2: 2.2
These figures show the humbucker is hotter than the single coils but not massively so. The split humbucker sits in the hot single coil territory which matches what you hear. Tonally, the transition between humbucker and split modes is useful rather than jarring.
Case, Accessories, and Presentation
The guitar ships in a substantial brown tolex style hard case with gold latches and a bright orange interior. Inside you get a certificate of authenticity, a switching guide for the S-1 functions, strap lock hardware, documentation, and a Fender sticker. There is no strap included which is something Fender does include with some Custom Shop models, so that is a small missed opportunity for extra value.
Price, Value, and the Guitar Auction Angle
This is the top of the range Fender. The name is long: American Ultra Luxe Vintage Sixties Stratocaster HSS. The price reflects the top-tier positioning. If you are thinking of waiting for a bargain at a Guitar Auction, factor in how rare this configuration may be in used markets. People who buy these and keep them as working instruments will not often sell them. If you have a fixed idea that a Guitar Auction will net you a mint example for half price, that is possible but not guaranteed.
If you only need a Strat for occasional fun or you prefer more affordable models, you will not need this one. If you are a working player and you need a single reliable Strat that can cover surf, funk, chunky bridge tones and studio work, this is a compelling option. For many buyers, that reliability and the finish and hardware package will justify the price when compared against chasing multiple guitars or hunting through Guitar Auction listings for the perfect specimen.
When listing or bidding at a Guitar Auction, make sure you examine the finish, verify the serial and build dates, and check for the S-1 switch configuration and the Haymaker humbucker. These are the elements that give this model its identity and resale value.
Final Thoughts
Is this the perfect Strat? I hesitate to use that word, but it is close. Fender have made a guitar that captures the sixties vibe while adding modern staples that make sense on the road. The Haymaker humbucker gives the guitar low end and weight, the split is musical, the neck is comfortable, frets excellent, trem set up from the case, and the case itself is roadworthy.
If you are in the market and you value a single instrument that covers many bases, this should be on your shortlist. If you attended a Guitar Auction and this appeared in the lot list, you would have a strong case for bidding. If you do buy one, expect it to be a frequent player rather than a closet ornament.
FAQ
Does the S-1 split work on all switch positions?
No. The S-1 coil split only affects the bridge humbucker in positions 1 and 2. It does nothing in positions 3, 4 or 5.
Are the neck and middle pickups vintage correct?
Yes. The neck and middle are Fender pure vintage ’61 single coils and sound like what you expect from a sixties-style Strat in those positions.
Will this replace my vintage Strat?
Fender do not intend to replace vintage instruments. This model is designed to be a reliable and versatile working Strat that covers many tones. If you need original vintage mojo for collecting, this is not a direct substitute. If you need performance and flexibility, this could replace several guitars in your case.
Is it worth buying at a Guitar Auction or retail?
Both have pros and cons. A Guitar Auction might yield savings, but availability is unpredictable. Retail gives you immediate warranty support, correct setup, and verified condition. If you find one at a Guitar Auction in excellent condition, it could be a deal, but make sure you inspect S-1 and the humbucker configuration.
How heavy is it and does it stay in tune with heavy trem use?
Weight is about 3.55 kg or 7 pounds 12 ounces. With the locking tuners and the two-point floating trem it stays surprisingly stable for a Strat with a floating system when properly set up.
What would I change if I owned one?
Personal taste varies. I might add a strap and possibly a roasted maple neck option if Fender ever offers one. But the guitar is highly playable as delivered and will satisfy most players without modification.
If you want to dive deeper, check the links in the description where the guitar is available new. If you are scanning Guitar Auction listings, use the features and specs I have listed as a checklist to quickly evaluate any lot. Let me know what you think and whether you would bid at a Guitar Auction for one of these. I will meet you in the comments if you want to discuss setup, mods, or tone choices.
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