Fender Unveils Vintera II Series Basses

Vintera II offers players a chance to embrace the vintage essence and sound of Fender's iconic instruments from the "golden age" of sound

Fender Unveils Vintera II Series Basses

Vintera II offers players a chance to embrace the vintage essence and sound of Fender's iconic instruments from the "golden age" of sound

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the launch of the Vintera II Series. This latest addition to Fender’s historic portfolio of electric guitars marks a significant update to the original debut of the Vintera Series. This new line of vibrant and highly playable guitars pay homage to the iconic Strat®and Tele® guitars of the 50s, 60s and 70s while simultaneously nodding to some of the rare gems that have studded the Fender lineup such as the Mustang® and Bass VI. To celebrate the new series, Fender is debuting a full creative campaign that captures the nostalgic style and sound of the “golden age” of Fender and highlights vintage-inspired takes on fan-favorite models. The campaign will also feature an all-star roster of multigenerational artists including noise-rock trailblazer Thurston Moore and The Revolution’s Wendy Melvoin, as well as indie phenom Snail Mail and Grammy-winner Madison Cunningham, as well as era-inspired artists vignettes and more. 

After the initial Vintera series debut in 2019, Vintera II comes at a time when consumers are craving accessibility in their technology without losing the comfort, simplicity and nostalgia of retro styles and sounds. Nostalgia and art are inextricably linked and when the two work in tandem with one another the effects can be tremendous. Today, consumers are voraciously searching for this sort of nostalgia with a modern twist as evidenced by the rising popularity of “oldies” on modern music streaming platforms or demand for vinyls to play on Bluetooth-enabled record players.

Similarly, while the guitar industry and everyday consumers have moved to adopt tech – like super-spec’d guitars like Fender’s American Ultra – players young, old, seasoned professionals and beginners alike still gravitate towards the original Fender formula, colors and body shapes that have paved the way for generations before them. Specifically, for the last three years, sales for the Stratocaster® and Telecaster® body shapes have collectively increased 15% on Fender’s e-commerce channels and across global dealers. The Vintera II series seamlessly bridges the gap between the past and present, delivering the timeless Fender sound, while still keeping a firm eye on the future of guitar playing with cutting edge features and bold design.

“A consistent trend that we’ve seen for decades now is that players, regardless of age or playing experience, still gravitate towards our most classic offerings – be it an iconic ‘60s Sunburst Strat® or a ‘50s Blonde Tele®,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product at Fender. “The Vintera II Series strikes a harmonious chord between tradition and evolution, giving the global playing community a chance to experience an authentic ‘60s P Bass or ‘50s Jazzmaster® and more, with the same modern craftsmanship and playability they expect from Fender.”

Fender’s Vintera II Series offers era-correct neck shapes that deliver a worn-in, super-comfortable feel, reflecting Fender’s most classic neck designs for an exceptional playing experience. The series also includes vintage-voiced pickups, allowing players to capture the authentic sound of bygone eras. Adding to its allure, the Vintera II lineup introduces some of the rarest custom colors ever produced by Fender. Alongside these features, the series showcases all-new models like the Bass VI, Tele® Deluxe with Tremolo and a maple-neck Mustang®, catering to the preferences of even the most seasoned collectors.

Vintera II ‘60s Bass VI ($1,399.99 USD) 

The Vintera II ‘60s Bass VI features an alder body and a maple neck for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The mid-‘60s “C”-shape neck lends a comfortably familiar grip that feels just right in your hand, while the 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Under the hood, you’ll find a trio of vintage-style early ’60s single-coil pickups that deliver all the sweet and sparkling, warm and woody tone that made Fender famous. The vintage-style floating tremolo lets you dive and wail with abandon, while vintage-style tuning machines provide classic looks with a finer gear ratio and enhanced tuning stability to complete the package.

Vintera II ‘70s Mustang Bass ($1,179.99 USD) 

The Vintera II ‘70s Mustang® Bass features an alder body and a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The early ’70s “C”-shape neck is based on a classic ‘70s profile for an intuitive and inviting feel, while the 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Under the hood, the vintage-style ‘70s split-coil delivers the iconic Fender sound: warm, woody, dynamic and powerful. The vintage-style 4-saddle bridge and tuning machines provide classic looks with enhanced intonation and tuning stability to complete the package.

Vintera II ‘70s Telecaster Bass ($1,179.99 USD) 

The Vintera II ‘70s Telecaster® Bass features an alder body and a maple neck for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The mid-’70s “C”-shape neck is based on a classic ‘70s profile for an intuitive and inviting feel, while the 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Under the hood, the vintage-style wide-range bass humbucker delivers the iconic Fender sound: warm, woody, dynamic and powerful. The vintage-style 2-saddle bridge and vintage-style “Fender”-stamped tuning machines provide classic looks with enhanced intonation and tuning stability to complete the package.

Vintera II ‘50s Precision Bass ($1,499.99 USD) 

The Vintera II ‘50s Precision Bass® features an alder body and a maple neck for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The late ’50s “C”-shape neck lends a comfortably familiar grip that feels just right in your hand, while the 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Under the hood, the vintage-style ‘50s split-coil delivers the iconic Fender sound: warm, woody, dynamic and powerful. The vintage-style 4-saddle bridge and vintage-style tuning machines provide classic looks with enhanced intonation and tuning stability to complete the package.

Vintera II ‘60s Precision Bass ($1,499.99 USD) 

The Vintera II ‘60s Precision Bass® features an alder body and a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The early ’60s “C”-shape neck is based on a classic ‘60s profile for an intuitive and inviting feel, while the 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Under the hood, the vintage-style early ’60s split-coil delivers the iconic Fender sound: warm, woody, dynamic and powerful. The vintage-style 4-saddle bridge and vintage-style tuning machines provide classic looks with enhanced intonation and tuning stability to complete the package.

Vintera II ‘60s Jazz Bass ($1,249.99 USD) 

The Vintera II ‘60s Jazz Bass® features an alder body and a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard for classic Fender tone that’s full of punch and clarity. The early ’60s “C”-shape neck is based on a classic ‘60s profile for an intuitive and inviting feel, while the 7.25” radius fingerboard with vintage-tall frets provide vintage comfort with ample room for big bends and expressive vibrato. Under the hood, the vintage-style early ’60s single-coil pickups deliver the iconic Fender sound: warm, woody, dynamic and powerful. The vintage-style 4-saddle bridge and vintage-style tuning machines provide classic looks with enhanced intonation and tuning stability to complete the package.

ABOUT FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION: 

Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)–whose portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, Bigsby® and PreSonus® – follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender’s digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear, and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends. In 2021, Fender celebrated 75 years of giving artists “wings to fly,” carrying on the vision of its founder, Leo Fender, and connecting players through a shared love of music.

For more visit: Fender

Bass Magazine   By: Bass Magazine