This Mexican Fender CRUSHES Fender USA | Vintera II Roadworn
The Fender Vintera II Road Worn ’50s Jazzmaster is here, and it might just prove Fender Mexico is outbuilding Fender USA. This limited edition offset comes lightly relic’d straight from the factory with vintage specs and a nitro finish. If you’re wondering whether to skip Squier and go straight for the real deal, this review shows you exactly what to expect.
In this video I unbox the Vintera II Road Worn Jazzmaster, test it through Fender and Marshall amps, and dig into the rhythm circuit, pickups, and build quality. I compare it to Squier offsets, open it up to see the guts, and push it from surf tones through grunge fuzz. Fender say this model is road worn, not relic’d into oblivion, and the result is a guitar that feels broken-in yet rock solid. If you’ve ever doubted Jazzmasters or been burned by cheaper models, this one might change your mind.
Get it here:
Sweetwater (US ????????) – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/e10nNz
Thomann (EU ????????) – https://www.thomann.de/fender_vintera_ii_rdwn_50s_jazzm_3ts.htm?offid=1&affid=288
Andertons (UK ????????) – https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=323652&a=3288404&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.andertons.co.uk%2Ffender-vintera-ii-road-worn-50s-jazzmaster-rosewood-fingerboard-3color-sunburst%2F
Guitar Center (US ????????) – https://guitar-center.pxf.io/e10nNj
Other Gear used in this video
Fender Deluxe Reverb ???? :
Thomann (EU ????????) – https://thmn.to/thoprod/132510?offid=1&affid=288
Sweetwater (US ????????) – https://imp.i114863.net/4eXd2L
Andertons (UK ????????) – https://bit.ly/3FthJe6
Marshall JTM Studio ????
Guitar Center (US ????????) – https://guitar-center.pxf.io/19KGmD
Sweetwater (US ????????) – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/2aBRA0
Thomann (EU ????????) – https://thmn.to/thoprod/550465?offid=1&affid=288
Andertons (UK ????????) – https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=323652&a=3288404&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.andertons.co.uk%2Fsearch.php%3Fsearch_query%3Dmarshall%2520jtm%2520studio
Recorded with a Lewitt 440DM through the Orange PPC212 with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers and combined with a Celestion 212 setting on a Captor X for the most accurate representation of what i heard in the room.
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DISCLAIMERS
Some of the links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase gear through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!
All opinions shared in this video are my own and were not reviewed or influenced by any outside parties.
My Recording Gear
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00:00 – Unboxing Fender Vintera II Jazzmaster
01:05 – First Impressions and Key Specs
02:00 – Key Specifcations
04:26 – [SOUND SAMPLE] Surf clean – Deluxe Reverb
06:20 – [SOUND SAMPLE] Cleaner tones less reverb
08:50 – [SOUND SAMPLE] Overdrive – Tube Screamer
10:53 – [SOUND SAMPLE] Higher Gain – 1991 Pedal
13:07 – [SOUND SAMPLE] Big Muff OP-Amp Fuzz 90s alt tones
15:12 – [SOUND SAMPLE] Marshall crunch classic rock try
16:26 – Teardown under the pickguard
18:41 – Price talk expectations
19:57 – Buying advice why to skip Squier and go Vintera
21:20 – Final verdict and comments
#TheGuitarGeek #fender #fenderjazzmaster #vinteraiiroadworn
#Mexican #Fender #CRUSHES #Fender #USA #Vintera #Roadworn
Originally posted by UCI5i6aBbINMIEkYW3b6olHg at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRP2RI4czUU
Would you save longer for this over a Squier?
Get it here:
Sweetwater (US ????????) – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/e10nNz
Thomann (EU ????????) – https://www.thomann.de/fender_vintera_ii_rdwn_50s_jazzm_3ts.htm?offid=1&affid=288
Andertons (UK ????????) – https://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=323652&a=3288404&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.andertons.co.uk%2Ffender-vintera-ii-road-worn-50s-jazzmaster-rosewood-fingerboard-3color-sunburst%2F
Guitar Center (US ????????) – https://guitar-center.pxf.io/e10nNj
Even the box is road worn. Absolutely genius, Fender!
@2:00 Try applying some GHS fast-fret to the back of the neck and then wipe it down and tell us what you think. Super smooth but not slippery, it will straighten out any sticky necks without need of fine sandpaper or steel wool treatments. Works great on piano keys also if you want to play fast and the keys are too sticky, give it a shot. ????
I mean, there’s a lot to like in theory. I had one of those 90s Japanese Jazzmasters as well, and I couldn’t put my finger on why it didn’t satisfy me like I thought it would because I didn’t have the knowledge at that time that the pickups in those models apparently weren’t true Jazzmaster soap bar pickups. I haven’t since confirmed that rumor, but it makes sense. I remember it NOT sounding like a Jazzmaster.
Anyway, this model seems almost perfect for me EXCEPT the body looks super orange. And if you look at the ones from the 50s, they don’t look like that.
Why is it so hard to make a guitar the same as 60+ years ago?? And don’t say the chemicals are different, because they both have nitro-cellulose finishes . . .
I know that he's playing the Jazzmaster here, and while I haven't tried that one in the Vintera II Road Worn lineup, here is my experience with another one of the models in this new line. I just ordered one of these from Sweetwater a few days ago (Sonic Blue strat). The relic treatment is nice in person, and it does sound great. I will say, however, even though it was one of the nicest Mexican strats that I've played, it's still pretty obvious that it's a step down from most of the American made models. The switch, pots, saddles and tuners all look decent and function well, but it's fairly easy to tell that the quality of the materials and the overall fit and finish is maybe only a 7 out of 10 or so, whereas the American guitars are 8's or 9's out of 10 and custom shop guitars being 10 out of 10. Also, right out of the box with mine, the low E string was sitar'ing (a specific kind of string buzz that is occurring because of an improperly cut nut, burr(s) at the saddle, or both), and upon further inspection of the nut (which is plastic, I might add, which is crazy on a $1600 guitar), it was cut extremely poorly, and what's even worse is that both Fender AND Sweetwater didn't seem to think that mattered enough to fix before they shipped it out. How much does all that matter? Well, I think at the $1600+tax price point for these (the strat, that is), I think these issues are too much to ignore, so much so that I just returned it and bought an American Vintage II. Currently, I got my AVII for $2200+tax new, and while that's another $600 more than these, I'd say you get MUCH more guitar for that amount of money. Sure, if you put another $200-300 into one of these on a bone nut, better hardware and pots/switches, and a good luthier setup, it'd probably play and sound pretty close to an American strat, but for a couple hundred more you could get an American strat that doesn't need anything done to it at all. All that said, I think the price point of this guitar is probably the biggest issue, as you'd be better off spending less on something like a Player II, Player II Modified, or a regular Vintera II and then just paying for a luthier to set it up perfectly for you, and then you'd still have a few hundred dollars leftover before you got to the price of these. It's a solid guitar, but there are far better options for the money.
Any chance of reviewing a Fernandes strat LE2?
Bridge pickup through the earbuds is unbearable, but getting the video on real speakers makes that guitar sound great.
Mmmm….I think I will need to take a look at one of these in person…Wish I could make Guitar Summit to meet up with you!
That Jazzmaster in Canada is $2400.00 . It may be a great guitar but this price point is a little insane. A classic vibe is $639.00. Is it worth that much more? You tell me. I’m not buying one.
ugliest pickups
Still no shielding inside..
those paid Fender reviews killing me lmao if you ever had Mexican guitar and compare it with US made one. its like day and night difference, ofc USs are better
Nearly £1400 for a MIM guitar, get yourself to f*ck!
That middle setting needs help – it's oddly squeaking…
Just me, but I would sure like to see this "road worn" "relic" (fake guitar) fad come to an end. But this guitar is really nice. The burst look is very nice. All the guts look to be great quality as well. I would buy this if I were in the mood for a Jazzmaster. Thanks for the review!
Are they P90s???
Pete also mentioned the stickiness on the back of the neck in the Andertons video. Not something I would expect from a road worn guitar
would love one of these, but if I was spending €1600 on a guitar, it would not be a Fender, and much less a MIM. No shade on Mexican workmanship, but resale value will not be great
2:37 "it is a factory cosmetic failure, which we are going to sell to customers at a premium."
Isn't it a pity Fender won't come to Guitar Summit? That's what I'v heard recently. I really would love to test some of them in real.
I hate conservative brands who stick to the formula. Fender is one of them, that bridge system sucks, switches suck, controls suck. You can't invent anything without Leo? Leo even updated that design ages ago with Doheny.
pick-up's have that bee-gees teeth thing going on. I'd probably leave them in my bass players house for a month to yellow them a bit.
I really enjoyed this episode! I've never played a jazzmaster., and really didn't grok why people like them. I do now….that thing is a beast! Thanx much.
Hafta admit…even though I'm a Fender fan, I didn't hear a single tone I would ever use….not that the tones are bad, just not for me. Though it did sound kinda cool with the Big Muff….
This guitar for sure suits you and it sounds amazing I think your going to keep that one around a little awhile oh and look what is hanging up in the back ground the Hartwood Charger seems like a review coming soon awesome.
This guy is a fucking dork
3,55 kg is Not light.
Heard about Mexican Fenders. The story I heard said a bunch of Mexican employees of Fender went back home when Leo left but loved the job so much they started making them back home. Old Fender quality, low price.
What no Caught By The Fuzz pedal from Funny Little Boxes? Just the 1991.
sorry Andy I think you're wrong with Squier JMs. The classic vibe and 40th anniversary punch waaay above their weight for the money! I'll give you the bad trems though, I heavily modded my 40th Anniversary JM had some custom vintage pickups made and biggest QoL Staytrem bridge and AVRII tremelo! Great vid as always though!
my unrequested opinion 🙂 I think this guitar looks great! I am very happy they choose nitro – laquer finish and they didn't do any aging, beating on the guitar. I love that this guitar will easily age with me. Now what I DO NOT love : the price 🙂 In Europe is 1600 Euro for a Fender Mex, with a hard case. It is pretty expensive for me. I understand times are changing but I got my Jazzmaster Anniversay (nitro finish and hard case) for 900 euro in 2020. …i would also prefer a more modern neck and not a 7.25
Do the vinteras still have the truss rod adjustment at the base of the neck, where you have to remove the neck? Dealbreaker
Hearing Danish Peter play this one on Andertons was awesome. These are def. a winner…basically a $200 upcharge for the nitro…but people gonna hate on the price cause you can get a US model for the same on sale.
$1600 US, for a MIM guitar, is stupid. They'll be blowing these out for 20% off by christmas.
Great video and axe, But why True Love is so expensive?? sniff sniff
That distinct fuzz sound of Dinosaur Jr. without even knowing it.
That guitar ???? generally lists for $1699 US which I personally think is a lot for a MIM guitar. I have a few MIM Strats and they all cost new about half the price of that Jazzmaster and I can find no fault with them compared to US ???????? made guitars. I have a MIJ ???????? pink paisley Jazzmaster that I’m selling because I don’t really like playing it. Bottomline: it’s not a Strat. The quality is as good or better than US ???????? made guitars including Custom Shop editions. I’m a fan of Japanese???????? Strats. And I’m not surprised that Mexican Vintera II Jazzmaster is very high quality. ????☮️????????????⭐️