Fender Vintera 60s Jazz vs Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz: which one?

[Marvin]

I'm looking to buy another Jazz bass and the 2 candidates (the only candidates) are first version of the Fender Vintera 60s Jazz or the Squier CV 60s Jazz.

 

I'd just be interested in opinions on either, especially what the necks are like. 

 

Thanks

[Geek99]

The cv is far cheaper - having tried both I wouldn’t say there’s an awful lot in it

[Marvin]

1 hour ago, Geek99 said:

The cv is far cheaper - having tried both I wouldn’t say there’s an awful lot in it

 

Would it be fair to say the Vintera is quite a bit of money to have a Fender decal on the headstock?

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, Marvin said:

 

Would it be fair to say the Vintera is quite a bit of money to have a Fender decal on the headstock?

Yes, in my humble opinion 

[HeadlessBassist]

Having played both, I'd say that they both feel of similar quality. My more recent experience is with the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz and a nice example Firemist Gold Vintera Jazz that was for sale in a branch of PMT. The biggest difference you're going to find is in the pickups and the wood choices. The Squier pickups were the usual Duncan Designed ones which are, in isolation, pretty good. But the Vintera actually sounds like an alder 60's Jazz bass, much like my American Original with its Pure Vintage 64 pickups. You also get the tall and thin vintage reverse tuners on the Vintera. If you can find a nice one, a used Vintera 1 would be a great buy.

 

The neck profile of the Squier is a pretty standard modern C-shape, but the Vintera is a little narrower and thicker (fingers to thumb), again, like a 60s Jazz.

Edited September 28 by HeadlessBassist

[jd56hawk]

Are you talking about a used Squier CV Jazz bass?

If so, go for it. The Crafted In China CVs were among the best Squiers made.

Nothing intrinsically wrong with the Vintera, but it's nothing special. 

Edited September 29 by jd56hawk

[Supernaut]

40th Anniversary if you can find one. I had a Chinese Squier and it's far superior to that. 
 

IMHO. 

[Geek99]

Wise words from @Supernaut and @jd56hawk

if I wasn’t a five string convert, I’d be all over a squier CV or probably several 

[King Tut]

Personally I’d go for the CV (I have a Chinese one) due to the flatter fretboard profile. 

[Marvin]

I'm probably going to go for the Squier.

One thing I have noticed with the Vintera is the truss rod is at the heel which, although period correct, is irritating.

[HeadlessBassist]

8 minutes ago, Marvin said:

I'm probably going to go for the Squier.

One thing I have noticed with the Vintera is the truss rod is at the heel which, although period correct, is irritating.

 

That's definitely a valid concern, Marvin. I've never been able to change the one on my American Original, although it's thankfully never needed it in the 6 years I've had it, and I definitely don't want to be taking the neck off. Nooo.

 

It's interesting how all Fender's modern necks (except the Vintera/Vintage models) have been through production streamlining now, and all now have truss rod adjustment at the nut & a skunk stripe on the back. 

Edited September 30 by HeadlessBassist

[Geek99]

What would be hard about routing out a cutout with a chisel at the base of the neck ? It would be hidden by the plate and a neat solution to your unlike 

@HeadlessBassist

if you like the bass in every other way it seems a trivial fix 

Edited September 30 by Geek99