The Fender Vintera II: Your Gateway to Authentic Vintage Tone – A Complete Comparison Guide

When it comes to capturing the magic of vintage Fender guitars without the vintage price tag or maintenance headaches, few series have struck the balance quite like the Fender Vintera II.

Stuart Palmer

Stuart Palmer

When it comes to capturing the magic of vintage Fender guitars without the vintage price tag or maintenance headaches, few series have struck the balance quite like the Fender Vintera II.

But with so many excellent options in today’s market, how does the Vintera II stack up against other popular Fender series? Whether you’re considering upgrading from a Squier, comparing it to the modern Player II series, or wondering if it’s worth stepping up from other mid-range options, this comprehensive guide will help you understand exactly what makes the Vintera II special and whether it’s the right guitar for your needs.

What is the Fender Vintera Series all about?

The first Vintera series presented us with vintage looking and sounding guitars that focused on representing each of the golden ages of Fender. Stepping in to replace Fender’s Classic, Classic Player and Road Worn collections, the Vintera had some big shoes to fill.

Offering value-for-money and superb quality, the Vintera series grew with popularity. Although the Vintera series was meant to replicate all the great things about vintage Fenders, they also put their own spin on things, featuring Pao Ferro fretboards, and re-voiced pickups that were designed in homage to the original voicings but produced hotter outputs. The pickups featured on these guitars are softer, producing that authentic vintage Fender sound.

The first series of Vintera guitars included a fairly wide variety of different Fender styles to choose from, such as the StratocasterTelecasterJazzmasterJaguarMustangJazz Bass, Mustang Bass, and Precision Bass.

What Makes the Fender Vintera II Series Special?

With the Vintera I line now discontinued, the Vintera II took that philosophy and ran with it.

Fender have truly outdone themselves with the Vintera II series, building upon the foundation of their original Vintera line to create what are arguably the most accurate recreations of classic electric guitars from Fender’s golden eras. These instruments don’t just look the part but also deliver authentic vintage specifications that transport you straight back to the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.

The Vintera II series represents a significant step forward in period accuracy. Where the original Vintera series took some modern liberties with components like Pau Ferro fretboards and re-voiced pickups, the Vintera II commits fully to authenticity. You’ll find era-specific pickups that capture the exact tonal characteristics of their vintage counterparts, the return of classic rosewood fretboards, and meticulous attention to period-correct details that make these guitars feel like genuine time machines.

This dedication to classic accuracy extends to every aspect of the instruments. From the nitrocellulose finishes that age beautifully over time to the vintage-style hardware and electronics, the Vintera II guitars are designed to not just sound like their golden-age inspirations, but to feel and respond exactly as those legendary instruments did. The series pays homage to the innovatively designed guitars that defined decades of music, putting that authentic experience within reach of modern players.

Fender Vintera II Series

Shop All Fender Vintera II Series

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Original Vintera vs. Vintera II Series

The evolution from Vintera to Vintera II represents Fender’s commitment to getting even closer to vintage authenticity. While the original Vintera series was excellent in its own right, offering vintage aesthetics with some modern conveniences, the Vintera II takes a more purist approach that vintage enthusiasts have been craving.

The most significant improvement is in the pickup department. Where the original Vintera featured re-voiced pickups designed as homages to vintage specifications but with hotter, more modern outputs, the Vintera II uses era-specific pickups that faithfully recreate the exact tonal characteristics, output levels, and harmonic content of the originals. This means you get that authentic vintage Fender chime, warmth, and dynamics that made these guitars legendary in the first place.

The reintroduction of rosewood fretboards is another major enhancement. While Pau Ferro was a practical choice for the original series, rosewood provides that classic feel and contributes to the overall vintage tone and aesthetic that serious players demand. Combined with period-correct neck profiles and hardware specifications, these improvements make the Vintera II feel more authentic under your fingers and respond more like a genuine vintage instrument.

Fender Series Comparison Table

Here’s how the American Vintera II Series stacks up against other popular Fender guitar ranges, from the contemporary Player II Series to the affordable Squier Classic Vibe Series:

Feature Player II Series American Vintage II Series American Pro Classic Series Squier Classic Vibe Series
Guitar Models
  • Stratocaster
  • Telecaster
  • Jazzmaster
  • Jaguar
  • Mustang
  • Precision Bass
  • Jazz Bass
  • Stratocaster
  • Telecaster
  • Stratocaster
  • Stratocaster HSS
  • Telecaster
  • Hotshot Telecaster
  • Jaguar
  • Jazzmaster
  • Precision Bass
  • Jazz Bass
  • Mustang Bass
  • Stratocaster
  • Telecaster
  • Jazz Bass
  • Precision Bass
  • Jaguar
  • Jazzmaster
Pickups
  • Player II Telecaster: Player Series Alnico V single-coil Tele
  • Player II Stratocaster: A combination of Player Series Alnico II humbucker (in the HSS model) and Alnico V single-coil
  • Player II Jazzmaster: A pair of Alnico V single-coil Jazzmaster
  • Player II Modified: Player II Noiseless pickups, some modified
  • Player II Precision Bass: Player Series Alnico V Split-Coil Precision Bass
  • Player II Jazz Bass: Player Series Alnico V single-coil Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Stratocaster: Pure Vintage ’61 Single-Coil Stratocaster pickups.
  • 1963 Telecaster: Pure Vintage ’63 Telecaster pickups.
  • 1977 Telecaster Custom: Pure Vintage ’77 Single-Coil Tele and Authentic CuNiFe Wide Range Humbucking pickups.
  • Stratocaster: Coastline ’57 Single-Coil Stratocaster pickups for the SSS models, and Coastline Humbucker in the bridge position for the HSS models.
  • Telecaster: Typically uses Coastline ’63 Telecaster pickups.
  • Jaguar: Uses Coastline ’65 Jaguar pickups.
  • Mustang Bass: Uses Coastline ’70s Mustang Bass pickup.
  • Telecasters: Typically have Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups.
  • Jazz Bass: Comes with a pair of Fender-designed alnico single-coil J-Bass pickups.
  • Esquire: Features a single Fender-designed alnico pickup.
  • Stratocasters: The ’50s models have low-output alnico single-coils, while the ’60s models have moderate-output alnico single-coils.
Body Woods
  • Alder
  • Chambered Ash
  • Chambered Mahogany
  • Alder
  • Ash
  • Mahogany
  • Alder
  • Pine
  • Nato
  • Poplar
Fingerboard Woods
  • Maple
  • Slab Rosewood
  • Maple
  • Rosewood
  • Maple
  • Rosewood
  • Maple
  • Indian Laurel
Tuners
  • Player II Modified: Locking Tuners, Short Post Locking Tuners
  • Player II: ClassicGear Vintage-Style Tuners
  • Vintage-Accurate Tuners
  • Fender Staggered ClassicGear Tuners
  • Vintage-Style (Split-Shaft)
Neck Shape
  • Modern “C”
  • 1951 Telecaster: Features a large, round, and proud “U”-shaped neck profile.
  • 1957 Stratocaster: Has a comfortable “V”-shaped neck.
  • 1961 Stratocaster: Comes with a medium “C”-shaped neck.
  • 1963 Telecaster: Equipped with a “C”-shaped neck.
  • 1973 Stratocaster: Features a “C”-shaped neck. 
  • Modern “C”
  • Slim “C”
Rolled Fingerboard
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
Fretboard Radius
  • 9.5″
  • 7.25″
  • The American Vintage II 1975 Telecaster Deluxe has a 9.5″ radius fretboard.
  • 9.5″
  • 9.5″

Final Thoughts: Is the Vintera II Right for You?

The Fender Vintera II series has successfully carved out a unique position in today’s guitar market by delivering authentic vintage specifications and tone at a reasonable price point.

If you’re a player who values historical accuracy, authentic vintage tone, and the indefinable “mojo” that made classic Fender guitars legendary, the Vintera II should be at the top of your list.

The series represents excellent value when compared to USA-made vintage reissues, while offering significantly more authenticity than budget alternatives. For intermediate to advanced players seeking a classic Fender experience, or anyone looking to step up from entry-level instruments, the Vintera II provides an excellent balance of quality, authenticity, and affordability.

Ultimately, the Vintera II succeeds because it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. Instead, it focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: bringing the magic of vintage Fender guitars to modern players who appreciate both history and quality. In a world full of modern innovations and high-tech features, sometimes the best path forward is honouring the designs that got us here in the first place – and the Vintera II does exactly that.

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Stuart Palmer
Stuart Palmer
Stuart is one of our content specialists and a big fan of metal, prog, jazz & jazz fusion - but an even bigger fan of Strandberg Guitars & Neural DSP!

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