[Detailed Explanation] Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage: A Complete Look at the Latest USA Line that Combines Tradition and Innovation [Sound Demo and Reviews]

This model, based on a 1950s-style Stratocaster, features a body crafted from carefully selected alder (3-Color Sunburst) or ash (White Blonde). The beautiful grain of the White Blonde or 3-Tone Sunburst finish is enhanced with a Heirloom nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which gives it a refined sheen and patina with age, creating a vintage-inspired look. The neck features a modern "D" shape made of quarter-sawn maple, and the fingerboard is a one-piece maple, typical of 50s models. The fingerboard has a 10-14 inch compound radius and medium jumbo stainless steel frets. High-end details include carefully rolled fingerboard edges, luminous side position markers, and a GraphTech TUSQ nut. This sophisticated build combines a vintage look with uncompromising playability.

Featuring Pure Vintage '3 Strat® single-coil pickups in the front, middle, and rear positions, this guitar delivers classic Fender sound, from the sparkling clean tones characteristic of '57s Strats to rich, expressive lead tones. Controls include a master volume (with built-in S-50 switch), two tones, and a five-way switch. The S-1 switch expands the range of tones, allowing for unique neck and bridge combinations. It also features a two-point American Ultra synchronized tremolo bridge with polished stainless steel saddles and a cold-rolled steel block, along with locking tuners for stable tuning and quick string changes. Combining classic styling with cutting-edge hardware, this model is the ultimate evolution of the '2s Strat.

This model recreates a 1960s Stratocaster, featuring a traditional alder body with a nitro lacquer finish. Available in colors like Surf Green, reminiscent of classic surf culture, and Ice Blue Metallic, a beautiful pale metallic finish, both feature a spaghetti logo on the headstock and a rosewood fingerboard for a quintessential '60s vibe. The neck and fingerboard specifications are essentially the same as the '50s model, featuring a quarter-sawn maple modern D-neck with a rosewood fingerboard (the '60s model features a rosewood fingerboard). The same specifications enhance playability, including stainless steel frets, rolled edges, and a compound-radius fingerboard, and the tapered-cut heel maintains comfortable grip in the upper positions. While the appearance is vintage, the playing feel is modern and sophisticated.

The guitar features three Pure Vintage '61 Strat® single-coil pickups, delivering a wide range of tones, from the lustrous clean tones typical of 3s Strats to powerful lead tones. While the basic wiring and controls are the same as those of the '1960s Strat models, this model features a modern upgrade: the bridge pickup is also wired with a tone control. (Traditional Strats don't have a tone knob assigned to the bridge pickup, but this series allows you to reduce the bridge's treble for a more mellow tone.) The S-50 switch also blends the neck pickup, allowing you to add the neck pickup to position 1 (bridge alone) for a thicker, Telecaster-like sound. The bridge features a two-point tremolo and locking tuning machines, providing both stable tuning stability and practical usability. Overall, this model blends the sound and look of a '1s Strat with modern functional beauty.

While the basic construction is similar to the '60s Strat model, this model features an HSS layout, replacing the bridge pickup with a humbucker. The body is made of alder and comes in a variety of 1960s-inspired colors, including vibrant Fiesta Red and refreshing Sea Foam Green. The neck is maple with a rosewood fingerboard, and the rest of the neck shape, frets, and hardware are the same as other Strat models. Aside from the change in the bridge pickup from a single coil to a humbucker, this model appears largely unchanged from the '60s Strat, but beneath the pickguard lies a diverse range of sounds.

The neck and middle pickups feature Pure Vintage '61 Strat® single-coil pickups, while the neck pickup delivers the classic tone of a standard '60s Strat. The bridge pickup, meanwhile, boasts a Haymaker™ humbucker, delivering powerful output and volume. Its distinctive design delivers a thick, powerful drive sound that's beyond the subtlety of a single coil, as well as noiseless, powerful lead tones. Users have praised it for its ability to deliver modern, high-gain lead tones with the humbucker while maintaining a vintage sound. The five-position switch utilizes standard HSS Strat wiring, and the center pickup is reverse-wound polarity (RWRP), ensuring clear half-tones with the humbucker. Engaging the S-5 switch blends the neck pickup, creating a unique, thick sound with two single coils and a humbucker. The hardware, including the bridge and tuning machines, is the same as other models, maintaining high tuning stability and playability.

This model is inspired by the 1950s Blackguard Telecaster. The body is crafted from ash, known for its excellent acoustic properties, and is available in two colors: classic Butterscotch Blonde (a tan finish that allows the wood grain to show through) and elegant White Blonde. The bridge plate is a single-cutaway design, typical of '2s Teles, but the back is contoured (elbow and back cuts) like other models, providing a comfortable fit even when held for long periods of time. The neck features a modern "D" profile made of quartersawn maple, and the fingerboard is made of one piece of maple. Features like stainless steel frets, rolled edges, and a heel cut at the neck joint are shared with the Stratocaster model, providing ease and smoothness in the upper registers that was previously unavailable on '50s Telecasters.

The guitar features two Pure Vintage '51 Tele® single-coil pickups in the neck and bridge positions. The alnico magnets offer a crisp, cutting sound, a lustrous clean tone, and a shimmering twang reminiscent of the classic Blackguard Tele. The electronics include a traditional three-way switch and master volume/tone knob, plus an S-2 switch integrated into the volume knob for series pickup wiring. Pressing S-3 connects the bridge and neck pickups in series, doubling the output and delivering a thick, humbucker-like tone that's perfect for leads and hard riffs. The hardware has also been upgraded, with this model featuring a six-brass block saddle bridge, replacing the three brass saddles typically found on vintage Teles. While each string can be independently adjusted for octave, the rich overtones and attack characteristic of brass are still present. Furthermore, deluxe locking tuners and a graphite-filled nut ensure stable tuning, even during heavy bending and country bends. This Telecaster embodies the spirit of the 1s while also improving playability and practicality.

This model recreates the 1960s Custom Telecaster. The body is primarily made of alder, available in two classic and vibrant colors: 3-Color Sunburst and Lake Placid Blue. This model is unique in that it features white binding around the body, marking its authenticity as a "Custom Telecaster." The binding adds a touch of luxury to the instrument, evoking the distinctive character of a 2s Custom model. The neck features a combination of quarter-grained maple and a rosewood fingerboard, which is made of slab-laminated rosewood with a subdued dark brown finish. Playability, including the neck shape, fret configuration, and heel cut, is consistent with other Ultra Luxe Vintage models, providing a comfortable playing feel that belies its traditional appearance.

The guitar features Pure Vintage '63 Tele® single-coil neck and bridge pickups. These pickups replicate those found in mid-1960s Telecasters, offering slightly more output and a fuller midrange than those found in '50s Teles. From the thick, sweet tone of the neck position to the edgy, country-inspired sound of the bridge, this setup delivers the full "Telecaster" vibe. The controls and S-1 switch are identical to those found on '50s Teles, and series wiring allows for a powerful sound with a single touch. The bridge features a six-way chrome-plated brass saddle. The brass resonates well, and the chrome finish enhances the tone response, further enhancing the guitar's aesthetic. The plated parts complement the Sunburst or Lake Placid Blue body colors. Hardware like the locking tuning machines and Graph Tech nut are naturally high-end, concealing the guitar's vintage-style exterior as a tough and practical instrument.