Fender American Vintage II vs Vintera II? Are the Vintera II's too good?!

[@themanwhowasntthere6311]

I have both (only difference is my Vintera II is sunburst). I did all checks and measures, and I can tell you they are the same guitar. Even frets are the same, they both have the same rolled fingerboard edges, same neck profile, same wiring, same bridge (just different block and saddles). The differences (beside the obvious nitro/poly and dots) are pickups, the tuners, the string guide position and the decal without the pat pend in the vintera. The only thing that it's affecting the difference in tone are the pickups (which you can find aftermarket as Pure Vintage 61 set). And I have to be honest here; the Vintera arrived with a much better setup and rosewood is higher quality than the Vintage II. The Mex factory is doing amazing stuff and if you are not obsessed with the USA stuff, these Vintera II are the real deal.

[@aaronp6426]

Thank you. You helped me decide.... Vintera II

[@nickpatsios407]

Love the vintage iipick ups I also have both play Great. inside my vintera no shielding pick up cavities are raw wood. The American has cloth wire, full shielding and painted cavities, I love them both Mexican, harder to tell the difference with distortion, but clean American wins nice rounded highs, but still great sound out of the Mexican Strat. I think these Mexican stats are the best they ever made and they both stay in tune great whether it’s floating or deck.ed i’m just happy Fender gives us such a variety to choose from and of course nothing like the smell of nitro and a nice case with the vintage ii

[@toddwilliamson2651]

I love your commments here folks. Just a note to ‘reasons’ one Fender has not been ‘Fender’ since 1963. Instead it is a brand name that has been passed from one holding company to another over the years. Since the introduction of the CNC machine guitars are made to specific and exacting specifications, unlike pre 63’ which were shaped by hand, a resulting in variations. The Fender Mexico plant is their newest factory. Neither guitar is actually accurate to their year. I personally wanted a Vintera 70’s but they are hard to find and the AVii 73’ is amazeballs, so YMMV. Attention to small details and some hardware and electronics differences are the main differences. Bottome line the Fender Mexico plant and the Cort factories in Indonesia and China (PRS SE, Schecter, ESP/Ltd, MusicMan on and on) are killing the high end market because everything is so well done regardless of location. American labor is still very expensive. I love the Ultras, Pro, Performers and AVII but reality is what it is. The sweet spot is Mexico or Indonesia.

[@themanwhowasntthere6311]

@@toddwilliamson2651 CNC at fender are doing just the rough shape out of lumbers. Sanding and final shaping is all by hands as it was in the old days. A good 80% of machines used today at USA plant are the same they were using in the pre CBS era. Mexico plant also receive A LOT of parts from USA plant and as far as it's my personal experience. As for mine, Im still struggling to setup my AVII, while the Vintera II it's perfect. They do overcrown the frets edges at USA plant, so it's really hard to setup a medium action (low is impossible) as it would cause fret buzz because of the fret ends. The Vintera, at the opposite, it's perfect. Rolled edges but not overdone so I can use a much lower action without hassles. It feels like MiM crowd care better of their creations so they do guitars to be played out of the box. (I do have a good set of recent MiMs and USA so I can say I see a trend)

[@toddwilliamson2651]

@@themanwhowasntthere6311 Sanding yes, shaping no, I’ve been to both factories. The only shaping is going on at the Custom Shop.

[@mattgalbraith3050]

I liked the sound of the Vintera better in the opening clip.

[@landocalrissian5180]

Me too

[@tdc_2021]

Me three

[@y.a4407]

Me 4

[@seanfields7765]

Me cinco

[@justokotoeh]

Me 6

[@oceantree5000]

Not sure how it is in Stratworld, but over here in Teleland, I bought a 60s Vintera over several US models, including the Ultra. It’s an amazing sweet spot and a testament to the excellence of the Mexican luthiers.

[@jayteesgear]

Those teles rock!

[@81ghale]

I’m sitting with mine right now trying to decide which Strat to get. I put Lollar’s in mine, I didn’t even get a chance to hear the neck pickup because it was broke when it came. Got a partial refund instead of returning it because the guitar itself is fantastic! And the fiesta red is gorgeous on the rosewood board Tele’s. I might grab one of the American Vintage to try out, if it’s not anything special it’ll go back for a Vintera II.

[@johnstanley6977]

American is more reserved. Both are amazing. I noticed the harder you hit the American the more it sings.

[@denbodg9311]

The importance of playing one, & how it feels can’t be understated. I’m old enough to remember what a 60’s Strat feels like. No I don’t have one, but I’m lucky to have a 1982 AVRI with 57/62 pickups, a 2022 Vintage ii with Vintage 60’s pickups, & an FSR Ltd edition Road Worn 60’s with C/S 59 pickups, originally from Anderton’s. The AVRI contours & nitro are the closest, the Vii has nitro over a thin poly base coat which feels harder, the RW 60’s has a very thin nitro which feels & looks close. They all sound similar, they feel totally different, there was a vast difference in cost.

[@Squall6575]

I think thats one thing most watchers dont get about these comparisons. A Mexican vs USA vs Custom Shop strat can sound 99% the same. But the difference in resonance, playability, comfortability, and all these other matters that you can only feel by actually playing the instrument cannot be conveyed.

[@denbodg9311]

@@Squall6575 Precisely, well said! I’d like to try a Vintera 2 if only to see what everyone’s talking about, & I may at some point. Regarding your reply, I also have a Strat Pro2 which is fantastic to play. Frankly, if you disregard all the vintage style re-creations Fender have come up with since Fullerton closed the Strat Pro2 is the best they’ve come up with for “feelability” in my opinion. It’s outstanding for me. The neck is fantastic. The bodies are your normal CNC carved Strat fare as on all but CS Strats so they feel familiar to all. The V-Mod pickups aren’t everyone’s taste but digging in can come up with great tones. And of course you can change them. I would recommend anyone to try one if you don’t mind the poly finish.

[@Squall6575]

@@denbodg9311 you dont have to sell me on the pro ii! I have one myself. I dont love the vmod ii pickups normally, but they seem to sound great on my particular strat! Pro ii is definitely the best strat fender makes overall. Not overly modern but not beholden to vintage appointments

[@themanwhowasntthere6311]

I had a chat directly with a Fender guy, who's actually working on these guitars. He smiled at that "nitro over poly", as they always been like that, and isn't actually a nitro coat over poly shot. It's nitro over a poly filler, which is - again - what they always did and how it should be done to preventing nitro falling apart in flakes.

[@denbodg9311]

@@themanwhowasntthere6311 Hi, I have no reason to suspect that’s not true. I would find it hard to believe some sort of base coat has to be applied first in any case. I’m no expert which is why I said “poly”. Would it be polyester, polyurethane or anything else? Here in the UK, the old 50’s/early 60’s Strats came in & were already refinished over sunburst, or were refinished by dealers, especially Fiesta Red.

[@Dragon_rls]

Almost undistinguishable. I have the vintage 2, but that’s a once in a lifetime purchase. Great video. Thanks for posting 🎸👍👍👍🎸. Rock on 👍🎸

[@restofthejunk01]

I was spot on..the Vintage is a tad warmer in tone.

[@LukeMosse]

They sound very similar tonally I wouldn't be surprised if the pickup height was the main factor. The Vintera pickups on pickup database have the same spec as the Fender Vintage pickups. They're probably very very similar. Low cost too.

[@Hockeyguy1021]

I never realized how much creamier the vintera is apperance wise... would there be a way to reverse age it to appear like the vintage II body?😅

[@LM-uk5fo]

I have US Fenders and I tried some player series and vintera 1 ones, but I just didn’t like the very dry reddish Pau Ferro. I just got the 60’s vintera II in sunburst with a very dark/uniform rosewood fretboard and I couldn’t be happier. It sounds, feels and looks great. I’m enjoying the vintage 7 inch radius more than I was expecting. You can still swap the pick ups, tuners, if you want, but it is a great a guitar guitar out of the box.

[@patrickgiles2700]

I purchased a Vintera II Strat in sunburst last week and so far I am loving it. The tall frets feel fine. The neck shape is good. Tones are quintessential Stratocaster and the aesthetics are excellent. I put more money into my higher gain instruments and the Vintera is perfect for what I use it for.

[@BHM2345]

Where do I get the 8 Bit guitars from? ;) Great video Adam👍

[@5thcrx]

I went with a pre-owned 61' Fender American Vintage II. Buy once, cry once.

[@simonsmith2642]

I have the 73. It has a very nice beefy rounded C with great shoulders for bending and vibratos.. How does the neck on the 61 compare?

[@kevinmackfurniture]

I don't have either guitar, but I do have the Vintera 2 60's pickups in my 81' American Strat. They're fantastic.

[@Nicholas-dreamlove]

I purchased a 70's Vinterra II Fender Stratocaster in 2023, and from what I see and understand is practically the same as a vintage 70's Strratocaster.

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

I played both extensively over a month at 2 of my local shops and ended up going with the JV Modified 60’s strat purely by accident. Since I was more of a Gibby LP/SG player I just thought strats were boring and didn’t have much of a clue about them admittedly. IMO, it just felt better off the shelf and I connected with that soft v carve on the JV neck. I’m not a strat guy at all but as I got older I just got that traditional strat itch. Although I’d love to be in a position to pull the trigger on a CS strat I honestly feel like the JV instruments are top notch although you couldn’t go wrong with any of these. The quality has gotten so good that unless you’re spending big big dollars you’re essentially splitting hairs.

[@Nikoo033]

During the blind test I felt that guitar B had a tiny bit more clarity.

[@andreaperugini6467]

I played both Yesterday...2 completly differenti Guitar, the AV Is far superior

[@Geir63]

This was a great comparison, as it should be.

[@badsanta518]

I'd love to have both. I have the AVII and love it.

[@bryancollins6796]

I've played both. The differences are very little. You do feel the nitro, but the sound is close. Gig the Vintera II, save the cash!

[@cherrybumman541]

The MIM strats sound so good practically indistinguishable from the MIA Version

[@81ghale]

Damn I was hoping B was the Vintera lol the low end is nice and clear, the Vintera is a little more subdued and not muddy but going that direction. I’ll still be picking one up, that can be fixed.

[@SirSendys]

Yeah the MIM factory has been killing it. The Roasted Maple Fat 50s strats that are 650 right now might be the best strat deal...ever?

[@edmondgebara6163]

Have first gen Vintera and American vintage ii 1961. Vintera pickups all day. Vintage ii sounds too thin. It feels like there should be a 6 position too. Also lacks the bell and glasiness in other positions. Just felt it lacked clarity. Not sure if it’s the same pickups in the vintera ii.

[@MelodyCarroll-rx8tk]

I'm getting the Vintera II 60s strat and putting in my favorite pickup set. That's still cheaper than getting the American Vintage II.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

When did the Vintera start using poly? I have an absolutely gorgeous gold one from 2019/ 2020, and the nitro and checking, as well as the pick ups, are absolutely gorgeous.

[@johnbriggs3916]

Ordinary Vintera models have always had a poly finish. Only the Road Worn models have ever been nitro. The reason for that is that the Mexican plant cannot reliably produce an NOS finish in nitro.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

@@johnbriggs3916 Interesting. I’d love to know more about these guitars. I had a road worn from 2011 with nitro also.

[@themanwhowasntthere6311]

@@johnbriggs3916 No. The reason is that a NOS in nitro at a lower price than an american, would blow up the USA market. They need and want mex to always be a step under the USA specs, because this is what keeps the hype alive. There is nothing Mex plant couldnt produce that Usa plant does. Spraying nitro isnt rocket science.

[@81ghale]

@@johnbriggs3916the classic series (the Road Worn’s and predecessor to “Vintera”) guitars did have a “Lacquer” version that wasn’t road worn. My closest GC had one a couple months ago I was going to get, then I had him get it down and grabbed the neck, and handed it right back to him before he even climbed down 😂 I forgot how skinny and sharp the edges of the neck/fingerboard were on those. Ended up leaving with a Gretsch G5210-P90 Electromatic Jet 2 in Cadillac Green I had no intentions of buying until I played it. Those (or at least mine) are one of the best guitars you can buy for under $800.

[@HatRock]

​@johnbriggs3916 that's not the reason man. The only reason is model differentiation. You think mexican workers aren't capable of paint with nitro? I'll tell you a little secret my friend: All the original Fender guitars were painted by Mexican workers in USA, and still there are alot of mexican workers in USA factory... There's nothing special or magical in paiting with nitro in the USA that can't be done in Mexico or any part of the World. There's no 'secret formula' 😂.

[@stratjed]

Like the color of the Vintera plastic parts much better . Look more authentic than the American vintage

[@MassimilianoIppolitoPetrilli]

In the initial blind test, I decided the 2nd sounds better. Is it something worth 1200 euros? I don't know but they are not the same...

[@johnbriggs3916]

I am still stunned by the Peperami/Eiffel Tower calculation. I would only add that if you do indeed buy Peperami in bulk, the price plummets somewhat.

[@mixmixture7049]

American had slightly rounder low but very little bit. Almost not expected

[@tendingtropic7778]

are the nuts the same on both? another important difference, the AVII comes in fiesta red ;-)

[@tendingtropic7778]

in terms of sounds there is not much difference, so it will come down to feeling (of the neck etc)

[@tendingtropic7778]

correction, there is a clear difference in the middle position

[@joemccarthy641]

I have the Vintera II 60s Strat in Olympic White. I was disappointed after picking up a different Vintage II model. I might replace it with it's Vintera II counterpart.

[@MelodyCarroll-rx8tk]

Which model are you referring to? I'm interested in the 70s but love the 60s. Tough choice.

[@joemccarthy641]

@@MelodyCarroll-rx8tk I wasn't too happy with the Vintage II Telecaster.

[@RUBBERTANK_3]

Nothings too good. I'm just glad fender finally nailed these guitars because man I adore my Mustang, it's perfection.

[@voiceofexperience]

The AVII actually sounds more like the original Vintera 60s Strat than the V2. They seem to have "beefed up" the pups on the Vintera II somewhat.

[@juliocesartapia4747]

I have a 50s and a 70s Vintera (I) Stratocaster, and I want a 60s, here the truth is they sound the same to me, and anyone who says they hear a notable difference is lying 😅, I definitely plan to go for a 60s Vintera II Stratocaster After this video, the only reason I can find for an Am Vin II is the Lacquer, because even the pickups can be changed if you want.

[@HatRock]

I'd rather buy a vintera ii 60s and a vintera ii 50s with the money that costs just one AVII and would enjoy a lot more to have those two guitars. Those guys at Fender are crazy, those AVII are too expensive.

[@ShaneStoneOfficial]

Two questions… are the pickups in the Vintera white or parchment? And… are you James McAvoy?

[@gokhanyilmaz7938]

Definitely Guitar B, huge difference!

[@ChrisHariis]

Best MIM strat ever owned and still have is the Classic Player's 60's. 12" radius, two point trem and 69 Custom shop pickups wound by Abigail. Have tried the Vintera guitars and quite fine. Once you start getting to a grand for a MIM try to find a used American Strat. Just saying

[@jeffreyfoster4260]

The 60’s classic player has a 7.25 radius

[@ChrisHariis]

@@jeffreyfoster4260 actually it is 12" and 69 Custom shop pickups. Two point trem and you obviously have not owned one. Own one and the specs are as said.

[@ChrisHariis]

Try to find one, and then tell me. medium jumbo frets and on the neck plate says custom shop designed. Arctic white..

[@ChrisHariis]

It is the best MIM ever.

[@ChrisHariis]

Only Mexican Strat owned.

[@iancurrie8844]

Vintera was EXCELLENT and seems Vintera II is more of the same. But, where I live, 20% price increase. Totally outrageous!

[@k.t.5864]

In other words, the 61 American Stratocaster is more dynamic.

[@AndreMartinez-l8m]

Now, some Squiers 60 strats sounds amazing. I look for high quality in the way it's made.Well, it's like this, vintera as a Corvette, US vintage 2 as a Mercedes. Lol 😊 PS take the Vintera. Cheaper price for the same sound.

[@heldercoltura8420]

I feel that the reason why the Vintera is set up with higher action is because there would otherwise be fret buzz. My mexican player plus has this problem as well. The fretwork is just a lot better on American fenders unfortunately.

[@RUBBERTANK_3]

Yeah true, this is why I 9.5" the frets past the 12th fret, basically giving it the fall away it needs to be able to solo with no choke at all. Don't know why the old fender don't have that problem but I guess it's because all the leveling over time flattens the radius a bit more. Get a straight block of wood and run it over the centre of frets past the 12 fret and you have a perfect playing guitar.

[@cherrybumman541]

I have a vintnera and my action is super low with no buzz

[@timetraveler_0]

That's not true, but have high action due to smaller fingerboard radius.

[@timetraveler_0]

​@@RUBBERTANK_3 Running a block of wood between frets would do nothing, as the fret height will not change. It's the frets that do the choking, not the wood.

[@BisserBatov-nx5ux]

New player 70th /pure vintage 59 pick.

[@stevemiller1203]

My 70 year old ears can't tell much difference, especially on a KZbin video, I'm more interested in what's under the hood, the quality of the components.

[@jedsonkemper2090]

Which of the two has the most comfortable arm? thinner.. or they are the same size.. the arms, can anyone help me. grateful for the attention

[@taylor12elementvb]

When playing live onstage quite frankly NO ONE would be able to tell the difference tonally. But, if you absolutely feel the need to spend more money for only a very slight difference between the 2 guitars I say you likely have money to burn so "have at it"!

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

While Fender's American vintage 2 1961 Strat is nice, they should have equiped them with the're 57/62 pickups! As they come now, the Classic & Vintera 60's models blow them away!

[@Saladzingers]

I actually prefer the sound of the Vintera but frankly I’d go for either if they made it in a decent hot rod/torino red rather than anaemic feckin’ fiesta every time.

[@Lean6]

I went for the Vintera II based on value to me. I didn't see enough discernible difference aesthetically or aurally to justify the price bump. Also, I didn't need a case. If I go for the AV2, I'll find a mint to excellent condition one on Reverb, and pay $1000 less.

[@dudemandudebro938]

Good luck waiting for the lemon guitar on reverb for a thousand less that somonewants to just get rid of

[@4chords184]

IMPORTANT POINT/or question @astringsuk : Is the rosewood SLIGHTY (or more?) darker on the Vintage II than the Vintera II? It looks like, in videos, like most expensive guitars with rosewood, always are a little darker in wood!?!? Anyone else?

[@ThisMoth]

I live in Japan and frequently visit all the big guitar shops. To me it seems very random which guitars have dark boards besides ultras which now have ebony. It doesn't really look like the spend the time to find the darkest wood for the more expensive models.

[@AndreMartinez-l8m]

The Vintera sounds better to me. A lot cheaper in price. Nice setup.

[@nichohells]

One is nitro and the other one is poly, that's the main difference if you even care about that stuff

[@alexstrums]

Vintera II for me. They seem to be pretty similar except for the nitro finish. On that point, would the American one even wear 😂

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Which is interesting, because my 2020 Vintera has a nitro finish.

[@johnbriggs3916]

​@@davidbrucemusicvideo That’s because it's a Limited Edition Road Worn model.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

@@johnbriggs3916 I’m not so sure about that. I’m thinking maybe some years have nitro, some have poly? Because I own 2 that both have a nitro finish, one being from 2019, the other from 2011.

[@johnbriggs3916]

​@@davidbrucemusicvideo To reiterate: as a general rule, all Mexican-made Fenders have poly finish. The only exceptions are Road Worn guitars, which are all nitro (you can't successfully relic poly.) Road Worn guitars are relicked using a template. No NOS guitars are produced in nitro at the Mexican plant, because they cannot reliably produce a good enough finish.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

@@johnbriggs3916 you just confused me. That’s what I’ve been saying, that both of my road worn Strats have a nitro finish on them. So I don’t know why this guy in the video is saying that Road Worn doesn’t have a nitro finish.

[@cptntwang]

Mine was way too heavy

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

I have a 2010 Classic 60's, and to my ears, it sounds better than the Vintera II

[@zazz63]

the nitro is a big difference ..my 2000 avri jazzmaster now looks like a closet classic, poly never will do that.

[@astringsuk]

One of us have the AVii Jazzmaster too, and completely agree with you!!

[@문주철-x4x]

3:02 3:10

[@d.wilson1402]

The AV II just sounds a bit more articulate than the Vintera.

[@ebmax55]

I love my Vintera, but is it me or is that thing heavy af?!

[@powbobs]

Nitro!

[@tfive1060]

Vintera sounds better to me😊

[@TheManToby]

How do I claim my free peperami?

[@jakevoutilainen3455]

Vintera has more teeth and bite (spank)in the treble 2-4 khz. The American Vintage has less highs and sounds maybe more pleasing to ear, but at the same time lacks spank and quack. Cold rolled steel block would probably help. Also Vintera might benefit of having lower output pickups.

[@MELONenSURPRISE]

Not crazy about both of them ...

[@lucasg4624]

People talking about how they are basicly the same guitar must be delusional or be straight liars. Vintera is a great guitar thats fact. but its nowhere near the AV2. Dont listen if you decide between them both, go test them and see for your self.

[@lacroix9407]

I'd rather spend my time playing guitar than eating sausages Just saying...

[@빵빵이-x9f]

urethan finish + pau ferro = 😢

[@RubenStuveling]

Actually rosewood on both guitars

[@chuckwolfboyer7830]

THE FIRST GUITAR SOUNDED BETTER THE NEXT GUITAR SOUNDED LIKE A TOY

[@WendigoSotomonte]

Sounds the same.

[@alwynvillaruel9152]

At first I thought both were Japanese Strats.

[@kkrsnn5632]

Adam Jones plays strays 😱😂?

[@justhereforthecontent8537]

I knew it.. i play everyday so i’m pickier. That said- the vintera looks great for the money! Way better and more consistent than this level of fender 20 years ago. Ps- strats feel best if they are ~8lbs . Just sayin.

[@heldercoltura8420]

In my experience, mexican fenders really don't have good quality control and have bad fretwork these days. I own a player plus strat and I have to get it Plek'd next week to get rid of the buzz. I've also seen a player plus tele in the music store with extremely poor sting alignment due to the bridge being placed like 5 mm to the left of center. Don't trust all the reviews of these youtube channels because at the end of the day, they're trying to sell these.

[@justhereforthecontent8537]

@@heldercoltura8420 agreed, I had the same issue with the MiM Jimmie Vaughan Strat. I had to get the nut swapped out. My 2022 american ultra QC is stellar all around. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

[@vincentbull]

8lbs is way too heavy 7.5 tops

[@justhereforthecontent8537]

@@vincentbull I say let em figure that out for themselves.. let the inexperienced buy the heavy ones 😉

[@vincentbull]

@@justhereforthecontent8537 haha 🤣

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

UPDATE: BOTH the Fender Classic 60's and it's newer version the Vintera 2 60's (which are identical), have a ONE PIECE ALDER BODY. The American vintage 2 DOES NOT!

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

The Vintera is BRIGHTER SOUNDING

[@user-jb4um9tl8d]

Did you know that the 61 reissue has a 2 piece body, while the Vintera has a ONE PIECE SLAB ALDER BODY!

[@-rubbersoul-]

give us the proof please