American Pro II vs Vintera 60s Modified

[ElephantCat]

In lockdown again

Have a bit of a larger budget now for my new Tele. Had my eye on a Vintera 60s Modified, but recently the American Professional II Tele has caught my eye - especially the Roasted Pine model.

The specs between the 2 look very similar on paper: the C-neck, series wiring, etc.
The Vintera has the phase switching, while the Pro II has what sound like superior pickups. And the Roasted Pine is attractively lightweight.

Not exactly in a position to A-B them for a couple of weeks at least. I know these things are subjective, but anyone with experience of the two care to weigh in on which one they would choose?

 

[wblynch]

Both are very nice. Let’s see what some owners have to report.

PS... there is the AO going on. Perfect lockdown viewing.

 

[Blues Twanger]

The specs look similar on paper but they are going to feel different in hand. Despite being the modified version that 60s Vintera will still have a more vintage vibe than the Am Pro. The glossy finish on the neck of the Vintera is in contrast to the smooth satin of the Am Pro. You also get a 22nd fret and compensated saddles with the Am Pro, taking it further from the traditional look and feel whereas on the Vintera you still have the old school saddles and a 21 fret neck. The frets are similar but different enough some will notice and the Am Pro also has a rolled edge on the fingerboard which further changes the feel.

I do like the bridge plate of the Am Pro better than anything else vintage or modern but I changed out the pickups fairly quickly so it's hard to say those are better than what comes in the 60s modified.

 

[John C]

The specs look similar on paper but they are going to feel different in hand. Despite being the modified version that 60s Vintera will still have a more vintage vibe than the Am Pro. The glossy finish on the neck of the Vintera is in contrast to the smooth satin of the Am Pro. You also get a 22nd fret and compensated saddles with the Am Pro, taking it further from the traditional look and feel whereas on the Vintera you still have the old school saddles and a 21 fret neck. The frets are similar but different enough some will notice and the Am Pro also has a rolled edge on the fingerboard which further changes the feel.

I do like the bridge plate of the Am Pro better than anything else vintage or modern but I changed out the pickups fairly quickly so it's hard to say those are better than what comes in the 60s modified.

All correct - except the Vintera 60s Modified is supposed to have a satin finished neck as well. I've not played the Tele, but I have played the Vintera 60s Modified Strat and it definitely has a satin finish on the neck.

 

[swervinbob]

In lockdown again

Have a bit of a larger budget now for my new Tele. Had my eye on a Vintera 60s Modified, but recently the American Professional II Tele has caught my eye - especially the Roasted Pine model.

The specs between the 2 look very similar on paper: the C-neck, series wiring, etc.
The Vintera has the phase switching, while the Pro II has what sound like superior pickups. And the Roasted Pine is attractively lightweight.

Not exactly in a position to A-B them for a couple of weeks at least. I know these things are subjective, but anyone with experience of the two care to weigh in on which one they would choose?

I really like the V Mods in the pro series. I think the Modifieds have custom shop pickups, though.

 

[capgun]

American Pro II. Once you start paying $1000+ for a MIM guitar you may as well pay the extra and get the nicer guitar.

 

[ElephantCat]

I really like the V Mods in the pro series. I think the Modifieds have custom shop pickups, though.

Just the 50s Modified has the custom shop pickups. The 60s Mod has "Hot 60s" pickups.

 

[swervinbob]

Just the 50s Modified has the custom shop pickups. The 60s Mod has "Hot 60s" pickups.

OK. But I clicked on a 60s in SW site that had the custom shops. May have been a type-o

 

[Blues Twanger]

It's worth pointing out how different the narrow-tall frets are from medium jumbos. They haven't been as ubiquitous as the medium jumbos but I think folks see the Jumbo in the description and assume they are bigger. In fact the narrow talls are indeed narrower but also taller than a medium jumbo, more akin to a true jumbo in height.

I'm not saying OP is unaware of this but since other may find this thread in the future I thought I would come back to add that.

 

[ElephantCat]

American Pro II. Once you start paying $1000+ for a MIM guitar you may as well pay the extra and get the nicer guitar.

Makes sense. A pity no American guitars come with stock phase-switching options.

 

[Blues Twanger]

Makes sense. A pity no American guitars come with stock phase-switching options.

Perhaps they don't feel it's a needed selling point for MIA stuff.

 

[ElephantCat]

Perhaps they don't feel it's a needed selling point for MIA stuff.

Perhaps not. Still a cool feature though.

 

[Fenderdad1950]

Imho, no high end mim is worth the asking price, that said, I bought a 2020 Nashville for $824. Yeah I did, even though I preach against buying any mim over $699. (I am giving Players a break on this one)