Difference between Fender AVRI '62 Precision and Vintera II

[Crusher47]

I know one is made in USA and the other in Mexico but are the specs. pretty much exactly the same?

 

[Yahboy]

I didn't own AVri 62P , but I been own Vintera Ii 60P previously, and still own the Vintera 1 5OP currently.

The main difference are fretting feel, the small vintage fret on Vintera 50P feel like a glove on my fretting finger; those vintage tall frets on Vintera ll 60P just feel like I playing the Indo Squier CV60P .....

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Avri is nitro.

 

[Pier_]

I know one is made in USA and the other in Mexico but are the specs. pretty much exactly the same?

I've had an AV62, an AV63, a couple of Classic 50, a Vintera 50 and a Vintera 60.

I still have the Classic 50 (sunburst, best Precision I've ever had in my life, and I've had a lot, buying and selling).
tried the AVII60 a few times.

the mai difference between the Vintera 60 and the AVII60 is in the finishes. the pickguard of the Vintera is cheaper, and is visible with a naked eye; also the sunburst (which I've had) is different, is similar to the American Standard/Professional series, glassy and shiny, darker in tone.

the other specs are almost the same: rosewood fingerboard, 44,5mm nut, compound C shape neck profile (behind the first frets is thinner). the hardware is the same (bridge, tuners and CTS pots, they are all the same from the Vintera up to the Custom Shop models).

nitro finish on the AVII, poly finish on the Vintera, so the overall feeling is a bit different, but nothing extreme, and while you play you won't notice.

this is my ex Vintera 60, sold because I prefer maple board on my Classic 50:



wonderful bass, and I'd never spend money on the AV today. I did, more than once I've had three AV74 Jazz, a P63 and P62, and almost bought an old P57 (that now sells for a lot of money to idiots believing legends or collectors).

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I know one is made in USA and the other in Mexico but are the specs. pretty much exactly the same?

Short answer: No.


Long answer:

Both are P-basses with wider "vintage"-style P-bass necks, but the specs are a bit different.

The 57/62 AVRIs (and also the 58/63 AVRIs that superseded them) are possibly the best Fender branded P-basses ever made outside of Custom Shop. Fender really hit a peak during this period.

Most of the Vintera I basses I've played were also very good instruments, although not quite as good as the original AVRIs and definitely not the same level of QC. I've seen a couple of really bad Vinteras too... I'm not sure if I've ever played a Vintera II though. I test hundreds of instruments every year at the workshop so it gets a bit blurry sometimes...

It has also been a while since I actually played an AVRI'62 (although I own an AVRI'57 from the same series). I don't remember the exact specs of the '62, but I'm pretty sure they differ from the current Vintera II P-basses in at least the following areas (please correct me if I'm wrong):


-Different finish. The AVRI 57/62 used an ultra-thin "flash coat" nitro finish that doesn't hold up very well. If you like a relic'ed look they're great. If not, it's probably not the right bass for you. The later AVRI 58/63 used a more durable nitro finish. Vintera II use a FAR more durable poly finish.

-Different pickups. The pickups in the AVRIs are probably the weakest point with these basses IMO. They're not bad, but they're nothing special either. The pickup in the Vintera (I) P-basses were surprisingly good. In fact, they are one of my favorite Fender made P-bass pickups. I'm not sure if they use the same pickups in the Vintera II though....?

-Different fret size. The Vintera II P-basses have "vintage tall" frets, whereas I'm pretty sure the AVRI '62 had tiny vintage-style frets (at least that's the case with my '57 from the same series).

-Different neck profile, which is purely a matter of taste. They may both be called "C-profile" but that doesn't really say much, they're definitely a bit different.

-Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm also pretty sure the Vinteras have a SLIGHTLY different nut width than the AVRIs?


The current AVRI II series come with bone nuts, but I'm pretty sure the original AVRI's (including the '62 P-bass) used plastic. At least that's the case with my '57 from the same series. The Vintera nuts are definitely plastic. Or as Fender's marketing department likes to call it: "synthetic bone"...

Apart from the difference in overall build quality and QC (the original AVRIs were outstanding in this respect!) the most important difference is of course the neck profile. They're probably different enough that you will most likely prefer one over the other. Both are of course wide "vintage"-style P-bass necks, but I'm assuming you've already established that you like this type of neck. They're definitely not for everyone and very different from "modern" P-basses.

Also, keep in mind that an AVRI '62 will be around 20 years old at this point, which means that the actual condition of the instruments becomes a factor. Those tiny "vintage" frets may well be overdue for a re-fret at this point.

The price will probably be different too of course, unless you can find a very good deal on an AVRI '62 in good condition.

It's impossible to say which one YOU will prefer. You should ideally test both. The overall build quality will most likely be better with the AVRI'62, but after 20 years of regular use... who knows? There's no guarantee you will prefer the AVRI over the Vintera II, even though they are "supposed" to be better.

My advice:

-You will need to test both if you want to find out which one feel best for YOU.

-The age of an AVRI'62 means you should defintiely test it before before buying.

-The QC of the Vintera series means you should try before you buy, or at least buy from a store with a good return policy.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Not sure about the AVRI 62, but the AVII 1960s P bass has different pickups and electronics, a slightly slimmer nut width and neck profile, clay dots, rolled fretboard edges, nitro paint and nice color options. Vintera and AVII both have slab rosewood boards with vintage tall frets.

The AV is one step below CS.

I currently own an AV 58 P, Roadworn P, and a AVII 1960s P. I have never owned, nor played a Vintera P, but I did own a MIM Classic 50s Lacquer P that was a really great instrument.

I really only prefer nitro vintage spec instruments, but that’s me.