The Vintera III Early ’70s Jazz Bass is a pretty cool snapshot of where Fender was taking the J Bass in the early ’70s. The familiar offset body is still there, but the block inlays, bound rosewood fingerboard, Candy Apple Red finish, and ’70s-style hardware give it a completely different personality from a typical modern Jazz Bass.
The Early ’70s C neck has a 7.25" radius and vintage-tall frets, giving it that unmistakably old-school Fender feel. It’s not a super flat or modern neck, but it’s comfortable and has enough shape to feel like an actual vintage-inspired instrument rather than just a new bass wearing some ’70s cosmetics.
The two vintage-style Jazz Bass pickups are also spec’d for the era, including a bridge pickup positioned slightly farther back than earlier J Basses. That gives the bridge position a little more brightness and bite, while the two independent volume controls let you blend the pickups however you want.
Then there’s the Candy Apple Red finish with the black block inlays. It’s a pretty killer combination, especially with the bound rosewood board and chrome hardware. The vintage-style open-back tuners and 4-saddle bridge finish off the period-correct look without adding anything unnecessary.
Specs:
Body: Jazz Bass, Alder
Finish: Gloss Polyester
Color: Candy Apple Red
Neck: Maple, Early ’70s C
Fingerboard: Round-Laminated Rosewood, Bound
Radius: 7.25"
Inlays: Black Blocks
Frets: 20 Vintage Tall
Scale: 34"
Nut: 1.5", Bone
Pickups: Vintage-Style Early ’70s Jazz Bass Single-Coils
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone
Bridge: Vintage-Style 4-Saddle with Slotted Steel Saddles
