A whopping 36 different models are on offer in Fender’s vintage-inspired Vintera II series!
Great news for vintage guitar admirers as Fender has revealed their highly anticipated new collection of Vintera II models.
With perennial favourites such as the historic 1950s Stratocaster, Telecaster and Precision Bass featuring different decade releases to slightly more esoteric models like the Bass VI and Tele Bass, there really is something for every creed, style and player.
The Vintera II range is likely to be popular and Fender have implemented some improvements over the previous release we’re sure will please vintage afficiandos.
What is the Vintera II Series?
Before we get into the particular models of this new release, let’s answer a question you may be asking yourself. What actually is the Vintera Series?
Initially released in the summer of 2019, the Vintera series replaced the Classic Series and was Fender’s attempt to pay homage to classic designs of the ‘50s, ’60s and ‘70s. These Mexican-made guitars were released at a more affordable price point and feature era-correct pickups, classic Fender finishes, vintage-style fingerboard radii and era-specific neck shapes of the vintage guitars that they were based on.
Think of the Vintera series as a harmonious blend of the most cherished characteristics from specific decades rolled into one guitar. Their purpose is to capture the essence of vintage guitars instead of being strictly accurate replicas, you’ll still have to pay through the nose for that!
The Vintera II series is committed to continuing that vintage essence whilst introducing popular models that haven’t been in production for a while. Fender has also put in place a few changes we’re confident guitar fans will appreciate.
The Evolution of the Vintera II Series: What’s Different?
The first change we noticed between the original Vintera series and its second iteration is the introduction of Rosewood fingerboards, which we’re sure will please a lot of people. A slight criticism of the first series was the use of Pau Ferro fingerboards over rosewood, the argument being that a ‘vintage inspired’ guitar without a rosewood fingerboard couldn’t be anything of the kind. Not only will the Vintera II series look more authentic because of it, but a rosewood fingerboard will better reproduce the feel of the vintage instruments inspiring the series.
Secondly, Fender has stated that the Vintera II pickups have been recreated to best replicate players’ favourite pickups from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. How they have recreated the initial Vintera pickups is yet to be determined, but any change that may better replicate that coveted tone from guitars’ heyday is always welcomed. The proof will be in the playing!
Fender has also ridden the series of Vintera Modified models that were present in the initial 2019 release. Attempting to blend vintage-inspired specs with modern appointments like S-1 switching systems and hotter pickups, the Modified guitars have been dropped in favour of incorporating rarer models such as the Bass VI. However, if you’re after a guitar similarly priced with all of the mod cons, check out the Player Plus range.
Now, with all of that out of the way, let’s take a look at the models that are getting people talking!
Fender Vintera II ’60s Bass VI
The Bass VI is back! Fender’s first production run of the Bass VI since the Pawn Shop series in 2013, the new Vintera II model is likely to be popular. Available in Lake Placid Blue or Fiesta Red and featuring a 30” scale length, a mid-’60s “C”-Shape neck, a vintage style floating tremolo and the initial Jaguar control system, the Bass VI is ideal for those wanting some out-of-the-box inspiration.
Fender Vintera II ’70s Jaguar
Although the first run of Vinteras included a ‘60s Jaguar, this time around Fender has chosen a different decade for the jangly offset and has introduced a ‘70s model. With a 7.25″ radius bound maple fingerboard and black block inlays tied together with that iconic ‘70s Fender headstock, this Jag looks the business. Available in either Vintage White or Black, the ‘70s Jaguar is ideal for players who appreciate the importance of style.
Fender Vintera II ’50s Jazzmaster
Released by Fender in 1959 the ‘50s Vintera II Jazzmaster is taking this offset right back to its roots. Available in either Desert Sand or eye-catching Sonic Blue, this model features an anodized gold scratchplate, a rich rosewood fingerboard, and vintage-style ‘50s pickups. Expect to hear a sweet and sparkling vintage flavour controlled by the Jazzmasters’ venerated rhythm/control switch for ultimate versatility.
Fender Vintera II ’60s Telecaster Thinline
The Thinline is back, this time representing the ‘60s with a single coil configuration instead of its ‘70s Vintera predecessor with dual humbuckers. The Thinline features a semi-hollow ash body, giving it an acoustic-like resonance when plugged in. The vintage style 3-saddle bridge with slotted steel saddles will please traditionalists and the “F”-style stamped tuning machines are a nice touch.
Fender Vintera II ’70s Telecaster Deluxe with Tremolo
If you’re looking for something with a bit more bite then the ‘70s Telecaster Deluxe should be up your street. Pairing two ’70s wide-range humbuckers this Tele is warm and throaty and the large deluxe pickguard is always a crowd pleaser. The tremolo adds a touch of expressive vibrato atypical of a traditional Tele and the 3-bolt F-logo neck plate screams ‘70s Fender. The Deluxe is available in either Vintage White or Surf Green.
Fender Vintera II ’60s Precision Bass
You can’t go wrong with a P-Bass. The Vintera II ‘60s P-Bass has a slightly more mature look to it than the initial ‘50s Vintera P-Bass in the first release. Largely in part due to the new finishes, Olympic White and 3-Tone Sunburst, which are a little more subdued than the ‘50s Dakota Red and Sea Foam Green. The P-Bass is rounded off with an accompanying tortoiseshell pickguard, traditional thumb rest, vintage tall frets and an early-’60s-inspired split-coil pickup.
Fender Vintera II ’70s Telecaster Bass
An arcane ‘70s release that has remained relatively unnoticed, the ‘70s Telecaster bass with neck humbucker is not one for the faint of heart. Sporting the widely loved Telecaster headstock and a pickguard not dissimilar to the Deluxe, this bass is a whole lotta fun. Fender has paid good attention to detail here down to the authentic 2-saddle bridge which can be found on the original run of Telecaster Bass’ which was in production between ‘71-’79.
Fender Vintera II ‘50s Stratocaster
It would be sacrilege if Fender didn’t include their star child into the Vintera II series and the ‘50s Stratocaster is ideal for all of you Hank Marvin fans, albeit, they still haven’t introduced a Fiesta Red finish! The mid-’50s soft “V”-shape neck may not be to everyone’s taste, but the aesthetic is definitely on point with a single-ply pickguard and vintage-style machine heads. Available in 2-Color Sunburst, Black and a lovely Ocean Turquoise.
FAQs
Q: Will the Vintera II guitars have a nitrocellulose finish?
A: Fender has announced that the new Vintera II guitars will not have a nitrocellulose finish, relying on their tried and tested gloss polyester finishes instead. Although using polyester on the ‘70s models in the Vintera II series is historically accurate, as this is when Fender introduced polyester, finish boffins out there may be disappointed that the ‘50s and early-‘60s models won’t include a nitro finish. However, nitro is a finishing option usually reserved for more expensive guitars, so its inclusion in the Vintera range shouldn’t come as much surprise.
Although it may not be all doom and gloom for nitro fans, Fender did release a limited edition road worn run of the original Vintera series that included a nitrocellulose finish. We may see a similar tactic this time around for the Vintera II series.
Q: What does Vintera mean?
A: There is nothing too mystical about the meaning of Vintera, Fender essentially made up the name by blending the phrase, ‘vintage style for a modern era’. Take the first part of that phrase and mash it together in a marketing word processor and voila, the name Vintera is born!