What body wood is used for the Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass?

This model is constructed with an alder body, which is known for providing a balanced tonal foundation with tight lows and defined mids.

What is the neck profile of this bass?

It features an Early '60s 'C' neck profile, designed to be comfortable and authentic to the original era of the Jazz Bass.

What does 'RW' stand for in the product name?

RW stands for Rosewood, indicating that the fingerboard is made of rosewood rather than maple or synthetic materials.

How do the stacked concentric controls work?

There are two knobs, each consisting of a top and bottom ring. The top ring controls the volume and the bottom ring controls the tone for the corresponding pickup, allowing independent adjustment for both.

What is the fingerboard radius on this model?

The fingerboard has a 7.25" radius, which is a vintage-accurate specification that provides a more curved surface than modern 9.5" or 12" boards.

What type of pickups are installed?

It is equipped with two vintage-style Early 60s Jazz Bass single-coil pickups, voiced to capture the specific clarity and punch of that era.

How does the 'slab' rosewood fingerboard differ from other types?

A slab fingerboard uses a thick piece of rosewood with a flat bottom where it meets the maple neck, as opposed to the thinner 'veneer' boards introduced later in the 1960s.

Is this bass suitable for modern playing styles?

Yes, while it has vintage specs, the inclusion of 'vintage tall' frets provides a touch of modern playability that suits contemporary techniques while maintaining a classic feel.

What finish is available on this specific Vintera III model?

This specific version is finished in Olympic White, a classic Fender solid colour that is historically associated with the 1960s.

How many strings does the Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass have?

This is a standard 4-string bass guitar.

What is the typical price for this instrument in the UK?

The typical price range for this model is approximately £1,049.

Does this model include active electronics?

No, this is a passive instrument designed to replicate the original electronics of the early 1960s, unlike models such as the Player II Modified Active Precision Bass.

Gear article

Fender Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass RW Olympic White

The Fender Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass is a four-string electric bass guitar designed to replicate the specific tonal and ergonomic characteristics of early 1960s Fender models. It features a traditional alder body, a maple neck with a slab rosewood fingerboard, and period-correct stacked concentric controls.

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History and Background

The Fender Jazz Bass was originally introduced in 1960 as a more 'deluxe' alternative to the Precision Bass, featuring a narrower nut width and an offset body shape. The Vintera III series serves as a modern recreation of these specific early-decade instruments.

By focusing on the 'Early 60s' specifications, this model replicates the era before Fender transitioned to individual volume knobs for each pickup, instead utilizing the distinct stacked control configuration found on the very first production runs. The Olympic White finish is a historically significant colour that remains a staple of the Fender catalogue.

Design and Build Quality

This instrument is constructed with an alder body, a tonewood favoured for its balanced resonance. The maple neck features a 'slab' rosewood fingerboard, which refers to a thicker piece of rosewood compared to the later, thinner 'veneer' boards.

In terms of playability, the neck follows an Early '60s 'C' profile, which is paired with a vintage-accurate 7.25" fingerboard radius. While the radius is traditional, Fender has opted for 'vintage tall' frets to provide a slightly more contemporary feel and easier string bending without compromising the aesthetic of a vintage instrument.

Electronics and Sound

The Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass is equipped with two vintage-style single-coil pickups. These are voiced to provide the classic Jazz Bass 'growl' and clarity. The neck pickup offers warm, woody depth suitable for traditional blues and motown styles, while the bridge pickup provides a sharper, cutting bite ideal for fingerstyle and slap techniques.

The electronics are a highlight of this specific model, featuring stacked concentric controls. This layout allows for independent Volume and Tone adjustments for each pickup, offering a wider array of blending possibilities than the standard three-knob configuration.

Comparison to Other Models

Within the Fender ecosystem, the Vintera III sits above the Player II series in terms of vintage accuracy. While the Fender Player II Jazz Bass offers a modern 9.5" radius and standard controls, the Vintera III adheres to 7.25" vintage specs.

Compared to higher-end models like the American Professional II Jazz Bass, the Vintera series focuses on historical recreation rather than modern innovation. For those seeking a 5-string alternative or a different era's aesthetic, the Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass V or the Geddy Lee signature models offer different neck profiles and pickup spacings.

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Frequently asked questions

What body wood is used for the Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass?: This model is constructed with an alder body, which is known for providing a balanced tonal foundation with tight lows and defined mids.
What is the neck profile of this bass?: It features an Early '60s 'C' neck profile, designed to be comfortable and authentic to the original era of the Jazz Bass.
What does 'RW' stand for in the product name?: RW stands for Rosewood, indicating that the fingerboard is made of rosewood rather than maple or synthetic materials.
How do the stacked concentric controls work?: There are two knobs, each consisting of a top and bottom ring. The top ring controls the volume and the bottom ring controls the tone for the corresponding pickup, allowing independent adjustment for both.
What is the fingerboard radius on this model?: The fingerboard has a 7.25" radius, which is a vintage-accurate specification that provides a more curved surface than modern 9.5" or 12" boards.
What type of pickups are installed?: It is equipped with two vintage-style Early 60s Jazz Bass single-coil pickups, voiced to capture the specific clarity and punch of that era.
How does the 'slab' rosewood fingerboard differ from other types?: A slab fingerboard uses a thick piece of rosewood with a flat bottom where it meets the maple neck, as opposed to the thinner 'veneer' boards introduced later in the 1960s.
Is this bass suitable for modern playing styles?: Yes, while it has vintage specs, the inclusion of 'vintage tall' frets provides a touch of modern playability that suits contemporary techniques while maintaining a classic feel.
What finish is available on this specific Vintera III model?: This specific version is finished in Olympic White, a classic Fender solid colour that is historically associated with the 1960s.
How many strings does the Vintera III Early 60s Jazz Bass have?: This is a standard 4-string bass guitar.
What is the typical price for this instrument in the UK?: The typical price range for this model is approximately £1,049.
Does this model include active electronics?: No, this is a passive instrument designed to replicate the original electronics of the early 1960s, unlike models such as the Player II Modified Active Precision Bass.