What body wood is used for the Vintera II '60s Telecaster?

The guitar features an ash body. Ash is a premium tonewood selected for its punchy response, clarity, and well-defined grain pattern.

What is the fingerboard radius of this model?

This model uses a vintage-correct 7.25" fingerboard radius. This is rounder than modern 9.5" or 12" radii, providing a feel consistent with 1960s Fender instruments.

What type of neck profile does it have?

It features a mid-'60s "C" neck profile. This shape is designed to sit comfortably in the hand, offering a balance between thin and thick vintage carves.

What kind of pickups are installed?

The guitar is equipped with two vintage-style mid-'60s single-coil Telecaster pickups. They are specifically voiced to produce the bright sparkle and cutting lead tones iconic to that era.

What bridge design does this Telecaster use?

It uses a vintage-style 3-saddle Tele bridge. It is equipped with threaded steel saddles, which enhance the guitar's sustain and vintage aesthetic.

What frets are found on the Vintera II '60s Telecaster?

The guitar is fitted with vintage tall frets. These provide a traditional look and feel but offer enough height to make expressive vibrato and string bending easier than on shorter vintage frets.

What is the typical price for this guitar?

The typical price for the Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster is approximately GBP 1049. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current promotions.

Does this model come with a rosewood fingerboard?

Yes, this specific model features a rosewood (RW) fingerboard. The rosewood adds a touch of warmth to the tone and provides a classic visual contrast against the maple neck.

How does the sound differ from modern Telecasters?

The vintage-style pickups and ash body emphasize the 'twang' and high-end clarity typical of the 60s. Modern Telecasters often use different woods or higher-output pickups for a flatter, more contemporary frequency response.

Is the Vintage Blonde finish a solid color?

Vintage Blonde is typically a semi-translucent finish that allows some of the natural ash wood grain to show through. It is a signature look for mid-century Fender guitars.

Is this guitar suitable for lead or rhythm playing?

It is highly versatile and suits both roles. The bridge pickup provides the 'cut' needed for lead lines, while the neck pickup offers the 'sparkle' and warmth required for rhythm work.

How does it compare to a Fender American Professional II?

The Vintera II focuses on vintage specs like the 7.25" radius and threaded saddles. The American Professional II series typically features modern updates like a 9.5" radius and different tonewoods like Roasted Pine.

Gear article

Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster (Vintage Blonde)

The Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster is a vintage-accurate electric guitar designed to replicate the specific tonal and physical characteristics of mid-1960s models. It features an ash body, a rosewood fingerboard, and period-correct hardware to deliver the classic 'Tele twang' associated with that era.

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Overview

The Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster represents a meticulous effort by Fender to provide the feel and sound of a 1960s instrument at a production-line price point. This model is distinguished by its use of an ash body—a tonewood known for its clarity and punch—paired with a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The Vintage Blonde finish provides a classic aesthetic that remains faithful to the heritage of the Telecaster line.

Design and Construction

The instrument is built around a mid-'60s "C" neck profile, which is designed to provide a comfortable, period-correct grip. Unlike modern guitars that often use flatter radii, this model features a traditional 7.25" fingerboard radius. This is paired with vintage tall frets, allowing for an authentic vintage playing experience that still supports expressive techniques such as wide string bends and vibrato.

Hardware choices further reinforce the mid-60s theme. The bridge is a vintage-style three-saddle design, utilising threaded steel saddles. These saddles are historically accurate and contribute to the specific resonance and sustain characteristics of the guitar.

Electronics and Sound

The guitar is equipped with a pair of vintage-style mid-'60s single-coil pickups. These are voiced to capture the specific 'snap' and 'sparkle' of the era. The bridge pickup provides a cutting lead tone with the iconic Telecaster twang, while the neck pickup offers a warmer, smoother response suitable for rhythm playing. Together, they provide a versatile range of tones from bright, percussive cleans to gritty, overdriven lead sounds.

Target Audience

This model is primarily aimed at players who prefer traditional specifications over modern appointments. Its 7.25" radius and specific neck profile suit those looking for the feel of a vintage instrument without the cost of a Custom Shop or original vintage model. It is well-suited for genres ranging from country and blues to indie rock and pop, where the Telecaster's signature clarity is a staple.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Fender ecosystem, the Vintera II sits between the entry-level Player series and the premium American Professional II. While the American Professional II Stratocaster might offer modern features like a Roasted Pine body or a flatter radius, the Vintera II focuses on historical accuracy. Compared to high-end options like the Custom Shop '61 Telecaster Relic, the Vintera II provides a similar aesthetic and layout at a significantly lower price point, though it lacks the 'Relic' aging process. For players on a stricter budget, the Squier series offers simplified versions of these classic designs.

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Frequently asked questions

What body wood is used for the Vintera II '60s Telecaster?: The guitar features an ash body. Ash is a premium tonewood selected for its punchy response, clarity, and well-defined grain pattern.
What is the fingerboard radius of this model?: This model uses a vintage-correct 7.25" fingerboard radius. This is rounder than modern 9.5" or 12" radii, providing a feel consistent with 1960s Fender instruments.
What type of neck profile does it have?: It features a mid-'60s "C" neck profile. This shape is designed to sit comfortably in the hand, offering a balance between thin and thick vintage carves.
What kind of pickups are installed?: The guitar is equipped with two vintage-style mid-'60s single-coil Telecaster pickups. They are specifically voiced to produce the bright sparkle and cutting lead tones iconic to that era.
What bridge design does this Telecaster use?: It uses a vintage-style 3-saddle Tele bridge. It is equipped with threaded steel saddles, which enhance the guitar's sustain and vintage aesthetic.
What frets are found on the Vintera II '60s Telecaster?: The guitar is fitted with vintage tall frets. These provide a traditional look and feel but offer enough height to make expressive vibrato and string bending easier than on shorter vintage frets.
What is the typical price for this guitar?: The typical price for the Fender Vintera II '60s Telecaster is approximately GBP 1049. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current promotions.
Does this model come with a rosewood fingerboard?: Yes, this specific model features a rosewood (RW) fingerboard. The rosewood adds a touch of warmth to the tone and provides a classic visual contrast against the maple neck.
How does the sound differ from modern Telecasters?: The vintage-style pickups and ash body emphasize the 'twang' and high-end clarity typical of the 60s. Modern Telecasters often use different woods or higher-output pickups for a flatter, more contemporary frequency response.
Is the Vintage Blonde finish a solid color?: Vintage Blonde is typically a semi-translucent finish that allows some of the natural ash wood grain to show through. It is a signature look for mid-century Fender guitars.
Is this guitar suitable for lead or rhythm playing?: It is highly versatile and suits both roles. The bridge pickup provides the 'cut' needed for lead lines, while the neck pickup offers the 'sparkle' and warmth required for rhythm work.
How does it compare to a Fender American Professional II?: The Vintera II focuses on vintage specs like the 7.25" radius and threaded saddles. The American Professional II series typically features modern updates like a 9.5" radius and different tonewoods like Roasted Pine.