Introdcuding the New Fender Vintera Series
Combining the words Vintage and Era – Fender bring us Vintera! It's a new range that replaces the Classis Series. They are high quality, affordable models of Fender's most popular guitars and basses and offer great value for money and an array of options that should suit the vast majority of players of all styles.
About The Vintera™ Series
Much like its “big brother” the American Original series, the Vintera series combines the best features of decades past to create inspiring and authentic testaments to the Fender history. For many of the decade correct models, there’s also a “Modified" counterpart version that offers upgraded features and hotter pickups.
An Homage to Fender Heritage – Vintage Style for the Modern Era
Fender has an unbroken legacy of equipping artists with guitars and basses that have helped define each and every decade of popular music. The sounds and styles of these past generations continue to inspire today’s players to create their own authentic sonic identity.
With the the Vintera™ series, we’ve curated the best of each Fender decade to create a fresh take on our vintage models. Each guitar embodies the period-specific vibe that will motivate modern day musicians to explore the limits of their musical creativity.
Built with pride in Ensenada, Mexico
Located approximately 180 miles south of Fullerton where Fender began, Ensenada is a thriving city on the coast of Baja, Mexico. The Ensenada Fender factory has employed many of it’s guitar builders for over 20 years. The quality and value of Mexican-made Fender guitars and basses is exceptional, and it is the highly-skilled and motivated team of guitar builders that makes it so.
The Vintera series reimagines, consolidates and replaces the Classic series, which had included Classic Player, Road Worn and Baja models.
Introducing the Vintera™ Series
On a practical level, the Vintera Series is ideal for a player who desires the look, feel and sound of a vintage Fender instrument. This buyer looks to add Fender’s iconic style and sound to their arsenal of instruments – without spending the time, money, or energy it can take to locate and purchase a stage-ready vintage Fender guitar or bass.
New Vintera Series Pickups
Guided by the legendary pickup engineer Tim Shaw, the Fender team collectively spent thousands of hours to custom design each pickup for this series. First, original pickups from each vintage era were listened to and studied. Then experimentation with voicing, materials and output took place, and prototypes were wound and tested. The goal was to remain true to each era’s tonal character while improving the overall sound and performance.
More than any other game-changing aspect of the new Vintera instruments, the re-voicing of the pickups while maintaining the integrity of their respective eras is at the forefront.
"Each pickup is voiced for the instrument, for the period, and for position. Era-specific magnets, wire, and winding specs for each decade were all part of the equation." Tim Shaw.
Vintera series pickups utilize Alnico magnets as pole pieces.
Alnico refers to a family of iron alloys which are routinely used as magnets in guitar and bass pickups. Made of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co). The Vintera series employs three types of Alnico magnets, Alnico 5, Alnico 3 and Alnico 2.
Vintera Pickups: Wire, Coatings and Winding
Among the many things that can affect the tone of a pickup, the type of coating on the copper wire that is wound around the bobbin can make a dramatic difference. For the new Vintera pickups, we’re using three different types of coated copper wire. These three types of wire align with different decades of Fender history and each had a major effect on the overriding tonality of the era’s guitars and basses.
Fender’s unique Wide-Range™ humbuckers – Vintera Series ’70s Humbucking Pickups
For Vintera ’70s models, we’ve re-voiced Fender’s unique Wide-Range™ humbucking pickups. by placing the internal coils further apart than the traditional designs, the lows are emphasized, and the highs and mids are smoothed out. The Vintera ’70s Tele Thinline, ’70s Tele Deluxe and ’70s Tele Custom are equipped with these chrome-covered powerhouses, click on the Continue Learning button for more details.
Incorporating the Best Features – Fender Vintera™ Series: The Decades Concept
The Vintera series celebrates the hallmark Fender instruments born in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Each decade has a distinct look and feel that draws on the innovations that were introduced in those eras.
Each Vintera decade features a selection of models that bear the most well-known benchmark appointments of the day. The pickups, finish colors and component parts on the models coalesce into a “best of the era” while retaining the authentic look, feel and sound.
Fender's Meteoric Rise – The 1950s: The Atomic Age
The birth of electric blues, rhythm and blues, soul music, rock ’n’ roll and the successive concussions of their many offshoots coincide directly with Fender’s meteoric rise in the 1950s. That being said, it was much more than simply being “in the right place at the right time”, Fender directly enabled these musical explosions and the sonic fingerprints of Fender guitars, basses and amplifiers are not only ubiquitous, but absolutely essential to these musical art forms.
The Vintera ’50s Telecaster
For guitarists who love this instrument’s original-era tone, look and feel, the Vintera series ’50s Telecaster epitomizes the guitar in the decade of its debut. With unmistakable early style and snap, authentic single-ply pick guard, maple fingerboard and classic colors from the decade, the Vintera ’50s Telecaster looks, feels and plays like the “Fender guitar that started it all”.
The Vintera ’50s Telecaster
For guitarists who love this instrument’s original-era tone, look and feel, the Vintera series ’50s Telecaster epitomizes the guitar in the decade of its debut. With unmistakable early style and snap, authentic single-ply pick guard, maple fingerboard and classic colors from the decade, the Vintera ’50s Telecaster looks, feels and plays like the “Fender guitar that started it all”.
Vintera ’50s Telecaster Modified
For players who long for a vintage Telecaster with modern appointments, meet the Vintera ‘50s Telecaster Modified. Blending classic looks with a modern neck profile and fingerboard radius, hotter pickups and updated electronics—this guitar offers unprecedented power for the price. For modern Fender tone we included a pair of Custom Shop pickups, kicking things up a bit with a vintage-style bridge pickup and fat sounding Twisted Tele neck pickup. Twangy and articulate, they have the crisp, snarling sound that put Fender on the musical map.
The Vintera ’50s Stratocaster
For players who want the style and sound of Fender’s golden era, we created the Vintera ‘50s Stratocaster. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and hardware, along with re-voiced pickups—this guitar has all of the chime and articulation that made the Stratocaster a legend.
Vintera ’50s: White Blonde = Ash Body
In the 1950s, Fender frequently used ash for guitar bodies and has continued to do so on select models over the decades. When combined with certain finishes, the look and feel became iconic. For the semi-opaque White Blonde finish on the Vintera ’50s Strat and ’50s P Bass, we’ve used ash for it’s beauty, resonance and authenticity.
Vintera ’50s Stratocaster Modified
For players who appreciate the mojo of the past matched to contemporary features, we created the Vintera ’50s Stratocaster Modified. Blending classic looks with a modern neck profile and fingerboard radius, hotter pickups and updated electronics, this guitar packs a surprising amount of power under the hood.
A contemporary, two-point synchronized tremolo with vintage-style bent-steel saddles offers rocksolid performance and tuning stability. The S-1™ switch adds the neck pickup in positions 1 and 2, unlocking even more tonal variety. Other features include vintage-style locking tuning machines, vintage-style strap buttons and chrome hardware. Includes a deluxe gig bag.
The Vintera ’50s Precision Bass
For players who want the style and sound of Fender’s golden era, we created the Vintera ‘50s Precision Bass. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel, along with a re-voiced pickup—this bass has all of the punchy tone that made the P Bass® famous.
For authentic, original-era tone we re-voiced the single split-coil P Bass pickup to sound true to the original. Seismic and punchy, it has the tone that has made the P Bass® world renown. The “50s P Bass C”-shaped neck has a 7.25”-radius fingerboard with 20 vintage-style frets for classic playing feel. A vintage-style, 4-saddle bridge with threaded saddles and vintage-style tuning machines provide original-era aesthetics, rock-solid performance and tuning stability.
An Explosion of New Sounds and Tones – The ’60s: A Cultural Revolution
The 1960s youth counter culture tore down the facade of 1950s idealism and created a soundtrack of unforgettable music in the process. Folk rock, Motown and Memphis soul, surf, the British Invasion, psychedelic rock and flower power pop broke all conventions with their lyrical content, experimental recording techniques and sheer decibel levels for the ever–growing audiences at live shows. Fender was “there” at every juncture and traveled every new road taken by the musicians of the day.
Vintera ’60s Telecaster Bigsby®
Celebrating one of the first aftermarket accessories developed specifically for Fender guitars, the Vintera ‘60s Telecaster Bigsby is a real gem! Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period accurate neck profile, re-voiced pickups and cool-looking Bigsby tremolo—this guitar has all of the growl and twang that made the Telecaster famous, plus the legendary vibrato system. The Vintera ‘60s single-coil Telecaster pickups sound true to the originals – twangy and articulate, they have the crisp, snarling tone that put Fender on the map.
Vintera ‘60s Telecaster Modified
For the players who want classic Fender vibe and contemporary features, we present the Vintera ‘60s Telecaster Modified. Blending classic looks with a modern neck profile and fingerboard radius, hotter pickups and updated electronics—this guitar packs a surprising amount of power under the hood.
For modern Fender tone we recreated the pair of ‘60s single-coil Telecaster pickups then kicked things up a bit by increasing the output. Twangy and articulate, they have the power you need for any style of music. Series wiring makes this Tele sound fat, like a humbucking pickup, while the S-1™ switch puts the pickups out of phase with each other for a cool “strangled” tone.
The Vintera ’60s Stratocaster®
For players who want the style and sound of Fender’s golden era, we created the Vintera ‘60s Stratocaster. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel, along with re-voiced pickups—this guitar has all of the chime and articulation that made the Stratocaster a legend.
For authentic, vintage-style tone we recreated the trio of single-coil Stratocaster pickups to sound more like the originals. Crystalline and bell-like, they have the crisp, articulate tone that put Fender on the map!
Vintera ’60s Stratocaster Modified
For players who appreciate the mojo of the past matched to contemporary features, we created the Vintera ‘60s Stratocaster Modified. Blending classic looks with a modern neck profile and fingerboard radius, hotter pickups and updated electronics, this guitar packs a surprising amount of power under the hood.
For modern Fender tone we re-voiced the trio of single-coil Stratocaster pickups, kicking things up a bit by increasing the output for more girth and gain. Thick-sounding, yet articulate, they have the power you need for any style of music.
A Wonderful Tonality A Word About Vintera Pau Ferro Fingerboards
At the end of the ’50s and into the ’60s, Fender began using rosewood for guitar and bass fingerboards – the maple fingerboards of the early ’50s really showed their player wear. Due to current day rosewood scarcity, the Vintera series uses Pau Ferro which is actually an upgrade over rosewood. It has a wonderful tonality and its rich chocolate color carries the vibe of the era without compromise.
Vintera ’60s Jazzmaster®
Leo Fender envisioned the Jazzmaster as the guitar for the professional session musician. Over the years the Jazzmaster has found a home among a variety of musicians and genres of music; from big bands, to punk rock, to alternative, to country and back again. The Jazzmaster player knows that they have found their guitar of choice the first time they play one.
Vintera ’60s Jazzmaster® Modified
For players who appreciate the mojo of the past matched to contemporary features, we created the Vintera ‘60s Jazzmaster Modified. Blending classic looks with a modern neck profile and fingerboard radius, hotter pickups and updated electronics—this guitar packs a surprising amount of power under the hood.
For modern Fender tone we re-voiced the pair of single-coil Jazzmaster pickups, kicking things up a bit by increasing the output. The warm, smooth-sounding neck pickup is balanced by the bright, cutting bridge pickup.
Vintera ’60s Jaguar®
Born in the 1960s (1962 to be exact), the Jaguar was considered Fender’s high water mark in design and sound. The American Original ’60s Jaguar embodies that spirit. Surf’s up!
For players who want the style and sound of Fender’s golden era, we created the Vintera ‘60s Jaguar. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel, along with recreated vintage-style pickups—this guitar has all of the “round”, yet bold, tone that made the Jaguar a legend.
Vintera ’60s Jaguar Modified
For players who appreciate the mojo of Fender’s golden era matched to contemporary features, we created the Vintera ‘60s Jaguar Modified. Blending classic looks with a modern neck profile and fingerboard radius, hotter pickups and updated electronics—this guitar packs a surprising amount of power under the hood.
The Vintera ’60s Jaguar Modified sports a new modified rhythm circuit. Coil-splitting has been integrated in the two wheels on the upper bout. To crank out giant-sized tone from this short-scale wonder, we loaded it up with a pair of high-output Atomic™ humbucking pickups. They have the power to easily drive a tube amp into luscious overdrive, while retaining the articulate sound that made Fender famous.
Vintera ’60s Mustang®
For players who crave the style and sound of Fender’s golden era, we created the Vintera ‘60s Mustang. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel, along with re-voiced pickups—this guitar has all of the punch and style that made the Mustang a legend!
Vintera ’60s Jazz Bass®
For players who fantasize about owning a vintage 1960s Jazz Bass the Vintera ‘60s Jazz Bass will hit the spot. For authentic, original-era tone and growl the pair of single-coil Jazz Bass pickups have been re-voiced to sound more true to the originals, which were used on so many classic albums. Gritty and growling, they have the tone that made the J Bass popular.
Vintera ’60s Mustang® Bass
Originally intended as a student bass the Mustang Bass has come a long from it’s original incarnation. Most notably, the pickups in the Vintera ‘60s Mustang Bass have never been this powerful!
Incorporating the most popular Mustang features, a period-accurate neck profile, and re-voiced pickups—this bass has all of the seismic tone that made the Mustang Bass a legend. For authentic Fender tone Tim Shaw and team reengineered the split-coil ‘60s Mustang Bass pickups developing a voice that sings and growls like the original.
Vintera ’70s Telecaster® Deluxe
Synonymous with Fender’s golden era – the Vintera ‘70s Telecaster Deluxe is equipped with the coveted features that defined a decade of Teles with bite.
Tim Shaw and team re-voiced the pair of Wide-Range humbucking pickups to sound like the originals, and then some – bold and thick these new pickups have that punchy Tele Deluxe tone that’s inspired musicians for over forty years.
Tele with a Stratocaster headstock?
As noted, Fender engaged some pretty radical experimentation the ’70s, the Telecaster Deluxe is a prime example. Twin Wide-range humbucking pickups, a massive pickguard and an oversized Stratocaster headstock! The odd combination became the defining look for this new guitar and the Vintera series keeps it true to its ’70s roots.
Vintera ’70s Telecaster® Custom
Nothing else sounds like the Telecaster® Custom – the combination of a vintage-style single-coil bridge pickup with a fat-sounding Wide Range humbucking neck pickup has made this model one of the most sought-after vintage Telecasters.
With the Vintera ‘70s Telecaster Custom Fender has added some beef to the traditional Tele® bite. The pickups have been voiced and designed to sound more like the ‘70s originals.
Vintera ’70s Telecaster® Thinline
To make use of wood stocks that exceeded acceptable weight limits, Fender introduces a Roger Rossmeisl designed semi-hollow body version of the Telecaster, replete with a new curvaceous pickguard and “F” hole, the ever popular Tele Thinline debuted in 1972.
The Vintera ‘70s Telecaster Thinline sports a pair of Tim Shaw re-voiced Wide Range humbucking pickups to sound true to the ‘70s originals. This semi-hollow body Telecaster has always been in high demand.
Vintera ’70s Stratocaster®
The Vintera ‘70s Stratocaster is equipped with the coveted features that defined that decade — period-accurate neck profile and playing feel, re-voiced pickups, natural finishes – all the chime and articulation that made the Stratocaster a legend.
For authentic Fender tone we recreated the trio of ‘70s single-coil Stratocaster pickups to sound true to the originals. Flat-staggered pole pieces (an authentic ’70s element) create a balanced string-to-string response. Crystalline and bell-like, they have the crisp, articulate sound that make Fender so versatile.
Vintera ’70s Jazz Bass®
For players who want the style and sound of the Fender’s golden era, we created the Vintera ‘70s Jazz Bass. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel, along with re-voiced pickups—this bass has all the growl that made the J Bass® famous.
For authentic tone we re-voiced the pair of single-coil Jazz Bass pickups to sound more like the originals. Gritty and growling, they have the tone that made the J Bass popular.
For more information about the new Fender Vintera Series, call us on 01524 410202.