“A ‘best-of-the-best’ in terms of retro features”: Fender Vintera II ’60s Precision Bass review

Vintage looks? Timeless P-Bass tones? We size up the latest incarnation of Fender’s flagship 4-string

 Vintera II '60s Precision Bass
(Image: © Fender)

Guitar World Verdict

Offering a combination of some of the best vintage P-Bass features, this Vintera II is a fantastic reminder of why the Fender Precision Bass has remained the ‘go-to instrument’ for so many bass players, for so long.

Pros

  • +

    High standard of build and setup.

  • +

    Terrific body and neck finishes.

  • +

    Complete set of P-Bass sounds.

Cons

  • -

    Some of the vintage-styled features won’t suit everybody.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

While Leo Fender will be forever revered for his iconic Telecaster and Stratocaster electric guitar designs, without doubt his greatest contribution to the advancement of popular music was unveiled in October 1951 – the first year of the Precision solid-body electric bass.

There were attempts at an electrified double bass before the P-Bass, but nothing that has become anywhere near as influential. The main characteristics that we know and love were achieved back in 1957. The secret was essentially an effective 34-inch scale length and split-coil humbucking pickup.

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