Fender Standard P Bass' gloss

So a couple of weeks ago I had the chance to try this bass and everything was OK (great tone, good finish...) but I have a question to ask.
The bass I tried had a maple neck with the maple fingerboard, and I saw that the finish was quite "bright".
As I love vintage glossed fingerboard I asked the shop manager if that bright finish could turn close to vintage by using it for years as other instruments do. BUT, he told me that Fender uses a special varnish in order to avoid that change in the finish..
My question is, is that actually true? Or it's just that kind of advertising made to catch customer's eye?
And if so or if not, it's possible to change the fingerboard's finish?

The vintage gloss that I'm talking about is sth like this... (on a bass neck, of course xD)

 

Thanks for your help!