The Antigua Strat Makes a Comeback
Sweetwater guitarists are stepping back into the ’70s with this 70th-anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster from Fender. Donning a groovy throwback special-edition Antigua burst finish across its alder body, this 6-string pays homage to a long bygone stop on the Strat’s 70-year journey — and one that certainly garnered a lot of attention! Not only does the Antigua Stratocaster look like something that only the ’70s could produce, but its sound is entirely accurate to the era courtesy of a trio of 70th-anniversary vintage-style single-coil Strat pickups. The ’70s “U” neck profile makes an appearance as well, along with other period-correct elements such as a larger headstock, vintage-style “F”-stamp tuners, black pickups/control knobs, and a hardtail bridge. Even the hand-painted pickguard joins in the retro revelry!
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Wood that’s spec’d to ’79
Beneath its sandy, toasted marshmallow aesthetic, the structure of the Antigua Stratocaster stays fairly faithful to the original model from 1979. This Strat comes rooted with a bright and balanced body of solid alder, complemented by a brilliant maple neck topped in a dark and expressive cut of vintage-fretted rosewood. The neck itself has been carved to ’70s “U” specifications for absolutely nailing that deeper old-school grip — if you’ve played a real one, you’ll feel it instantly! A larger era-accurate headstock completes the wood component puzzle, making for an impressive physical replication that’ll stand out from any 6-string in its vicinity.
True ’70s single-coils
A Strat is only as good as its single-coil, and the Antigua Stratocaster is primed with a trio of absolutely exceptional period-correct pickups to get every job done. A 70th-anniversary vintage-style ‘70s single-coil Strat pickup stands at the bridge, middle, and neck positions to deliver that iconic bell-like glassiness and punchy tonality that defined the model for an entire decade. Traditional Strat controls accompany this outfit, including a pair of Tone controls and a master Volume with a 5-way pickup selector for reeling in a feel that’s just right. From the heavy blues and soaring rock solos to gentler jazzy motifs, this sonic armament always remains ready to unveil its diverse musical palette.
Hard-to-beat hardware
The vintage-spec celebration continues into this 6-string’s hardware, leaving no surface of the Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster unaccounted for. At the body, a vintage-style hardtail bridge with appropriate block saddles plays with a responsiveness that’s quite true to the original. At the headstock end, a complementing set of closed-back and properly marked “F”-stamp tuning machines ensure impeccable intonation, permitting accurate tuning tweaks with unfaltering reliability in any setting. To cap everything off, its black pickups, control knobs, and pickup selector switch tip totally nail the original Antigua’s essence.
Fender 70th-anniversary Vintera II Antigua Stratocaster Electric Guitar Features:
- A tribute to the original 1979 Antigua Stratocaster to celebrate 70 years of the Strat
- Alder body is balanced and bright, allowing for solid command
- Brilliant and articulate maple neck with period-correct '70s "U" neck profile
- Smooth and well-sustaining rosewood fingerboard with 21 vintage frets
- Large '70s headstock completes the era-appropriate wood vibe
- 3 x 70th-anniversary vintage-style '70s single-coil Strat pickups are glassy, punchy, and defining of the decade
- Classic Strat controls including 2 x Tone, master Volume, and 5-way pickup selector
- Dependable retro hardware such as a vintage-style hardtail bridge and "F"-stamp tuning machines
- Black pickups, control knobs, and switch tip complete the vintage picture
- "Antigua" burst paint job with hand-painted pickguard pays uncanny homage to the original model
