Fender Vintera III Sunburst - why no wood grain?

[skycruiser]

The latest Vintera line appears to have a completely solid color sunburst instead of the typical style that shows the wood grain through the orangish color. Anyone know the story behind this?

They all look like this.

 

[BrentD]

It's probably because that's what they looked like in the "late 60s" - just a guess.

 

[skycruiser]

It's probably because that's what they looked like in the "late 60s" - just a guess.

That's not what I see in example images online. Plenty of wood grain in the late 60's sunburst basses.

They use the same finish for the Vintera III Late 50's Strat.

Maybe there's something unique about the alder they are using and it just doesn't have any visible grain.

 

[Luckydog]

If you research old Fender finishes, I recall reading some of the processes they used to use. Bodies were sealed with a finish early in the process prior to final paint, so some with less than stellar grain had a more opaque finish in the yellow portion of the burst which either covered up the grain “defects”, or lack of grain. Strictly an economic measure to maintain Leo’s output while eliminating waste. My opinion.

 

[BrentD]

That's not what I see in example images online. Plenty of wood grain in the late 60's sunburst basses.

They use the same finish for the Vintera III Late 50's Strat.

Maybe there's something unique about the alder they are using and it just doesn't have any visible grain.

It's more the mid-late 60s CBS finishing process.

Post in thread 'What happened to the Black-Red-Yellow bust finish like the older Fenders?'

 

[skycruiser]

It's more the mid-late 60s CBS finishing process.

Post in thread 'What happened to the Black-Red-Yellow bust finish like the older Fenders?'

Thanks! The thread topic is all over the place but this particular post is helpful. Maybe the new Vintera uses a similar technique to blank out the middle part. The Orange they're using now looks a lot better than the Yellow from the 60's (to me anyway).

 

[birminghambass]

Might be because they're using 7 pieces of mismatched wood for the body.

 

[sears]

I like that.

 

[CamJazzBass]

That is most likely Ultra Burst. That is what they use on the Ultra basses and it is opaque. I like it better than regular transparent sunburst. Why? I am a weirdo I guess.

 

[Ostie]

Could be worse. Could be Antigua.

 

[Root 5]

The latest Vintera line appears to have a completely solid color sunburst instead of the typical style that shows the wood grain through the orangish color. Anyone know the story behind this?

View attachment 7494946 View attachment 7494947

They all look like this.

I was wondering the same thing just yesterday!

 

[Root 5]

Might be because they're using 7 pieces of mismatched wood for the body.

Very underrated comment!

 

[Root 5]

Could be worse. Could be Antigua.

When I become King, I will decree that all instruments in antigua be thrown into the nearest volcano

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

When I become King, I will decree that all instruments in antigua be thrown into the nearest volcano

So Anyway, does the owner get to take it off first? Asking for a friend.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

I’ve tried many of the vintera III basses and have been underwhelmed. Body finishes much too glossy, rosewood too pale looking.

Better off with a roadworn.

 

[logdrum]

Orange is the new black

 

[Yahboy]

I’ve tried many of the vintera III basses and have been underwhelmed. Body finishes much too glossy, rosewood too pale looking.

Better off with a roadworn.

The dull rosewood issue are proudly happen on Vintera II , pretty much like current day Fender standard.

 

[Wood and Wire]

The latest Vintera line appears to have a completely solid color sunburst instead of the typical style that shows the wood grain through the orangish color. Anyone know the story behind this?

View attachment 7494946 View attachment 7494947

They all look like this.

Might be because they're using 7 pieces of mismatched wood for the body.

I brought this up in another thread recently :

The vast majority of Sunburst Precision Basses have a three-piece body, and the joins are clearly visible (Fender always seems very proud of their ability to glue pieces of wood together).

However, I've noticed that every example I've seen of the new Sunburst American Professional Classic line appears to have a one-piece body, and it's got me wondering if they actually have a veneer covering a four, five, or six-piece body.

If that turns out to be the case, I can imagine a similar policy for the Vintera line, or simply forego a translucent finish in favour of opaque yellow / orange.

 

[Root 5]

So Anyway, does the owner get to take it off first? Asking for a friend.

The King is a benevolent king and grants your wish!

 

[Root 5]

I brought this up in another thread recently :

The vast majority of Sunburst Precision Basses have a three-piece body, and the joins are clearly visible (Fender always seems very proud of their ability to glue pieces of wood together).

However, I've noticed that every example I've seen of the new Sunburst American Professional Classic line appears to have a one-piece body, and it's got me wondering if they actually have a veneer covering a four, five, or six-piece body.

If that turns out to be the case, I can imagine a similar policy for the Vintera line, or simply forego a translucent finish in favour of opaque yellow / orange.

Very very likely. They pulled that trick with the American Deluxe line in the mid to late 1990s, covering the tops & backs in an ash veneer..