NBD: Vintera 50s P bass

[dnp41]

I went to the three largest music stores within 1 hour from my house and tested literally every bass they had on display. A few basses stood out for me. The Mexican fenders and the vintage squier basses we're good value for money and I really liked the necks on em. Also the Ernie Ball basses all had nice necks, but not so good value for money.

I knew the largest store had the vintera serie on stock but not on display, so I asked for a precision just to check the line out... That decision cost me some money. They brought me a sea foam green p, and because I was still torn between "wow that looks so cool" and "this is the ugliest bass I've ever seen" I also asked what other colors they had on stock. Couple minutes later we where unpacking a red one. A very very red one. Firetruck red. Looked a little better but not by much. I a/b-ed them (in the end being handed them to me with my eyes closed) and the green one come out on top.

Bottom line.. nicest playing bass ever! Instant nr 1 bass.

The neck is amazing. Nice and wide but not overly chunky.

I know pics or it didn't happen.. but this color is hard to get right on a picture.

I will post a more detailed review later but I'm so happy with my find.

 

[jd56hawk]

Good choice.
Only Fender I'd consider buying...perfect color, too.
The Dakota Red is nice but you definitely made the right choice.
Looks more blue than green and the gold pickguard puts it over the top.
I have to agree with you on the neck, too.

 

[dnp41]

Good choice.
Only Fender I'd consider buying...perfect color, too.
The Dakota Red is nice but you definitely made the right choice.
Looks more blue than green and the gold pickguard puts it over the top.
I have to agree with you on the neck, too.

That's the picture. My phone had a very hard time with the color. It's much greener in person

 

[dakink]

Congrats!!! Great basses!

Last week I played all three of the colors back to back (Dakota Red, Seafoam, and the semi-transparent Vintage Blonde) and found overall they all felt and played very well. I really dig the wide, semi-thin necks. The only difference between them that I could actually feel was in the weight. Since the blonde's body is ash it felt easily a good half pound lighter than the other two. Tone-wise they all sounded very similar, with the red one sounding a tad darker than the other two for some reason. Fit and finish was excellent on all. Aesthetically I liked the red one the best and the blonde the least, but I kept going back to the blonde for some reason.

Yup, I went home with the blonde...

 

[PercyThrillingt]

I want a 60s-style-precision - but not as expensive as from the American-Original-line ...

 

[EagleMoon]

Gorgeous bass. Love the color!

 

[Texican]

Nice color! I’d probably change the pickguard to some shade of white and save the gold for another bass........ that’s just me though.

 

[dnp41]

Nice color! I’d probably change the pickguard to some shade of white and save the gold for another bass........ that’s just me though.

the differrent screwhole patterns make that a little difficult but sure if you have a couple that would fit. I don't mind the gold plate, though it does seem to scratsch a little easier than the plastic ones

 

[nixdad]

I went to the three largest music stores within 1 hour from my house and tested literally every bass they had on display. A few basses stood out for me. The Mexican fenders and the vintage squier basses we're good value for money and I really liked the necks on em. Also the Ernie Ball basses all had nice necks, but not so good value for money.

I knew the largest store had the vintera serie on stock but not on display, so I asked for a precision just to check the line out... That decision cost me some money. They brought me a sea foam green p, and because I was still torn between "wow that looks so cool" and "this is the ugliest bass I've ever seen" I also asked what other colors they had on stock. Couple minutes later we where unpacking a red one. A very very red one. Firetruck red. Looked a little better but not by much. I a/b-ed them (in the end being handed them to me with my eyes closed) and the green one come out on top.

Bottom line.. nicest playing bass ever! Instant nr 1 bass.

The neck is amazing. Nice and wide but not overly chunky.

I know pics or it didn't happen.. but this color is hard to get right on a picture.

I will post a more detailed review later but I'm so happy with my find.

Handsome!

 

[bassbourne]

Congrats!!! Great basses!

Last week I played all three of the colors back to back (Dakota Red, Seafoam, and the semi-transparent Vintage Blonde) and found overall they all felt and played very well. I really dig the wide, semi-thin necks. The only difference between them that I could actually feel was in the weight. Since the blonde's body is ash it felt easily a good half pound lighter than the other two. Tone-wise they all sounded very similar, with the red one sounding a tad darker than the other two for some reason. Fit and finish was excellent on all. Aesthetically I liked the red one the best and the blonde the least, but I kept going back to the blonde for some reason.

Yup, I went home with the blonde...

Hey, sorry to dig up an old thread, but I'm considering buying the blonde version myself. You mention the ash is lighter? Just making sure as I thought ash was usually heavier. Or does that depend on the type of ash? Still enjoying the bass?

 

[dakink]

Hey, sorry to dig up an old thread, but I'm considering buying the blonde version myself. You mention the ash is lighter? Just making sure as I thought ash was usually heavier. Or does that depend on the type of ash? Still enjoying the bass?

Sorry for the late response.

Yes, well at least in this case. I assume the Vinteras use swamp ash, which I’ve heard can be lighter than adler. Northern ash is heavy. I had a P from the ‘70s in northern ash and I swear it weighed 10+ pounds. Anyway, of those three Vinteras I tried, the blonde (ash) one that I bought was definitely lighter than the other two. I remember seeing the weights listed on Sweetwater for different Vinteras when I was first looking at them and the ash ones were lighter than the alders if I remember correctly. Maybe someone else can chime in with their experiences, too.

Still enjoying it? Heck ya. I love this thing. I’ve done about 6 gigs with it so far. This one’s a keeper. Good luck in your quest!

 

[brian579]

I went to the three largest music stores within 1 hour from my house and tested literally every bass they had on display. A few basses stood out for me. The Mexican fenders and the vintage squier basses we're good value for money and I really liked the necks on em. Also the Ernie Ball basses all had nice necks, but not so good value for money.

I knew the largest store had the vintera serie on stock but not on display, so I asked for a precision just to check the line out... That decision cost me some money. They brought me a sea foam green p, and because I was still torn between "wow that looks so cool" and "this is the ugliest bass I've ever seen" I also asked what other colors they had on stock. Couple minutes later we where unpacking a red one. A very very red one. Firetruck red. Looked a little better but not by much. I a/b-ed them (in the end being handed them to me with my eyes closed) and the green one come out on top.

Bottom line.. nicest playing bass ever! Instant nr 1 bass.

The neck is amazing. Nice and wide but not overly chunky.

I know pics or it didn't happen.. but this color is hard to get right on a picture.

I will post a more detailed review later but I'm so happy with my find.

Nice man! Congrats!

 

[bassbourne]

Sorry for the late response.

Yes, well at least in this case. I assume the Vinteras use swamp ash, which I’ve heard can be lighter than adler. Northern ash is heavy. I had a P from the ‘70s in northern ash and I swear it weighed 10+ pounds. Anyway, of those three Vinteras I tried, the blonde (ash) one that I bought was definitely lighter than the other two. I remember seeing the weights listed on Sweetwater for different Vinteras when I was first looking at them and the ash ones were lighter than the alders if I remember correctly. Maybe someone else can chime in with their experiences, too.

Still enjoying it? Heck ya. I love this thing. I’ve done about 6 gigs with it so far. This one’s a keeper. Good luck in your quest!

Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Good to hear it's a keeper. I'm either going to buy the same bass (same colour too) or save a bit longer for an American Professional P. Tough choice as this bass looks and sounds great.

 

[dnp41]

Excellent! Thanks for the info.

Good to hear it's a keeper. I'm either going to buy the same bass (same colour too) or save a bit longer for an American Professional P. Tough choice as this bass looks and sounds great.

For me it would come down to the neck profile. The Vintera is a bit wider, which is what I liked about the bass.

 

[Donnix82]

I want a 60s-style-precision - but not as expensive as from the American-Original-line ...

I would check out the Squier Classic Vibe 60s precision bass. They come in slightly under $500 brand new and they are available in Olympic white and three color sunburst both with four ply tortoiseshell pick guards/Indian laurel fretboards. The stock precision pickup is very nice although I switched it out with a fender pure vintage 63 p bass pickups. I also added the chrome bridge/pickup covers and finger rest to give it the James Jamerson look.

 

[Donnix82]

For me it would come down to the neck profile. The Vintera is a bit wider, which is what I liked about the bass.

I always wanted a late 50s precision reissue so I was really excited when the Fender Vintera series was announced. I ended up purchasing the sea foam green model. I really like the chunky maple neck and fretboard. The Tim Shaw re-voiced pickups capture the sound of a 1957-59 precision pickup IMO. The value is very high with the $1000 price point.