Here's one for the Fender Experts: Vintera Neck

[el murdoque]

Experiences from the past led me to the belief that Fender necks are uncomfortable for my hands and my prefercences. That is, until I bought a Fender Vintera '50s Precision Bass. That neck is awesome. Easily the most comfortable 4 string neck I ever played.

I was told that this neck has the original 50s width with 1.75", but the profile is a bit flattened compared to the original 50s necks.
For some obscure reasons, I don't happen to have an original Fender Precision from the 50s sitting here to apply the caliper to.

So I'll have to rely on the gathered knowledge of TB.

Is the above statement about the Vintera's neck shape true? Are there other Fender basses that sport identical neck dimensions?

 

[Ricky Rioli]

The Fender site describes the Vintera 50s neck as “Vintage C”-shaped profile, 7.25”-radius maple fingerboard, 0.820" at 1st fret, 0.920" at 12th.

Here is a chart of some necks. The numbers for the 50s examples generally seem a good step up from the Vintera

I don't think I've seen anywhere the exact numbers for any other current 1¾" Fender neck. The G&L 1¾" neck is 0.820 / 0.94, so fairly similar.

 

[el murdoque]

I don't think I've seen anywhere the exact numbers for any other current 1¾" Fender neck. The G&L 1¾" neck is 0.820 / 0.94, so fairly similar.

First of all, thanks for the reply. I knew this is the place to ask.
You write these numbers are not found on any current Fender neck.
Are there out of production models that sport these numbers?

I'd be kinda glad if this was a one off - this would mean that I found 'my' P bass and that's the end of it

 

[Ricky Rioli]

You write these numbers are not found on any current Fender neck.

Are there out of production models that sport these numbers?

It's funny, their website gives the numbers for some necks but not for others. Perhaps giving that degree of precise description is a new thing? I don't know.

The American Original 50s is 1.73" with a "Thick “C”-shaped neck profile; 9.5”-radius fingerboard"

The American Original 60s is 1.73" with a "Thick “1963 C”-shaped neck profile; 9.5”-radius fingerboard"



In the past people have given links to PDF spec sheets for certain individual basses, so the information must be out there somewhere. Unfortunately, I'm not the guy that can help you find it

 

[el murdoque]

Well, you did more than enough.
This was more or less to spark my curiosity - but curiosity can easily lead to GAS.
I'm quite happy with what I got.

 

[spike42]

Warning, anecdotal evidence only and based upon a sample of one - I've had numerous of the maple P
necks, from MIA '57 RI to MIM '50s Classic. Being primarily a J neck fan, each of these basses (or necks) were
sent "down the river" eventually. Just a little too much lumber for me, it seems. Guess I was looking for
something that felt like the '65 P bass I (foolishly) sold long ago....wide at the nut, yet nice and thin front
to back; it just felt great.

Eventually I wound up with an early G&L L1K, which as noted above is similarly wide-yet-thin. It's great, and
that bass ain't going nowhere Thus, I wasn't really looking for another P bass when the Vinteras were
announced. I rarely buy for bass color, but I was definitely interested in a Dakota Red so when my local GC
got a batch, I had to go check them out.

Each of the 4 examples they had was very nice, but the first three I picked up didn't "talk" to me at all. But
the last one was different. That neck felt very much like my L1K and also reminded me of that ol' 65 - just a
bit thinner and very playable. Never did put that bass down and it's with me still. Matter of fact, I liked it so
much that I bought a brand-new Vintera P neck from the ebay chop shop guy, for one of my project basses. It didn't feel anything like my red bass, so it didn't stick around.

Logic tells me this stuff is all made on CNC machines and should be cookie-cutter, but that doesn't seem to be true in this particular case. Dunno how or why, but I'm not complaining - enjoy your Vintera but do think twice about ever selling it cuz the grass ain't always greener

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I guess everyone of us has some understanding of what a Fender neck feels like, based on the ones we have played.
While they all are somewhat alike, they vary by model, year and individually.
The newer ones are shaped by machines and consistant, but the early ones were shaped by men using belt sanders and every one of them was a little different from the others.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

the early ones were shaped by men using belt sanders and every one of them was a little different from the others.

Was just about to say this! I don't know about belt sanders being the tool used but might have been - in any case there was a lot of handwork done and there's no one figure for a 'true' neck of a particular era.

 

[Donnix82]

I really love my Vintera 50s precision, I was a little concerned when I ordered it because I have only played modern p(1.625, 1.685) and j necks(1.5). I always wanted a 50s style precision with the 1.75 in nut width and a maple fretboard but getting it online without having played it can be a risk. It came the following day after ordering the bass and I could not be happier with the instrument. I really like the wider neck it is quite comfortable especially after practicing on it. It is a Vintage C shape, which really gives you something to hold onto, although the American Original 50s has a Thick C, I’m not sure if it is much different than the Vintera.

 

[elgranluis]

something that felt like the '65 P bass I (foolishly) sold long ago....wide at the nut, yet nice and thin front
to back; it just felt great.

this is EXACTLY my experience with ‘65 necks (I’ve owned and sold more than a few of them), and each time , the neck was exactly as you describe it. Also , the ‘64 and ‘66 necks weren’t like the ‘65s.