The Vintage Hot Rod Series
The Fender Vintage Hot Rod Series, introduced at Winter NAMM 2007, combined the classic appeal of American Vintage Reissue models with modern playability. Early models, the ’57 and ’62 Stratocasters, featured period styling enhanced with flatter fretboards, medium-jumbo frets, and hotter or noiseless pickups. A major 2013 revamp brought compound-radius necks, slimmer profiles, S-1 switching, and modern tremolos, expanding tonal versatility. The refreshed lineup included the ’50s and ’60s Stratocasters, each with unique pickup configurations and checkered-flag neck plates. Despite strong reception, Fender discontinued the series in 2014, leaving it as a transitional bridge between AVRI and American Original lines.