Please help me decide between these two Tele Vintera

[Jaomusician]

Hey there, good people. So I have two Telecasters in mind. Take a look at this first one, the Fender Limited Edition Vintera 70s:

There is almost nothing about this guitar on the internet. It is no longer on the Fender lineup. As the name says, it is a limited edition. From what I see the special difference between it and the other Vinteras are the Custom Shop "Twisted" Tele single-coil pickups (of which I heard many compliments). Apart from that there are the vintage hardware, 7.25" fingerboar radius, vintage frets, etc., about the same as the traditional Vinteras.

The price is also the same as the Vinteras that are not "Limited Edition" (1,100.00 USD).

I liked it a lot for being a dark scale (Pau Ferro), which is my preference over maple, and also the lake placid blue body. But I wonder why there's nothing about this guitar out there. It must have gone out of production pretty quickly. Is it because of the lack of desirability by Fender of the 70s? On the other hand, limited editions are just that: produced over a short period and in small quantities. What do you guys think?


Now the other guitar, the Vintera 60s Modified:

This one is more unanimous, people say it is the substitute for the beloved Baja Tele. Nice Seafom Green, nice Pau Ferro. Yes, I know about the neck differences, frets, etc. Playability is different but believe me, it is not the main factor of my choice, I adapt very well to different guitars and like both neck profiles.
I'd rather go for this Modified Vintera since there is a certain unanimity regarding its quality, but at the same time I think... 1,373.00 USD for a miM guitar, I don't know...

Let me clarify: I have absolutely nothing against the nationality in which the instruments are made. For example, the problems I've personally seen with some Gibsons I've held in my hand are frightening. Made in USA on headstock means nothing to me after that.
But my point is, unfortunately Mex guitars do not give people the same perception of value as those made in the USA (this makes sense for a possible future resale, in case I needed it). So I'm in doubt if it's worth paying all that money for a miM (that's all).


Important notes: I live in Qatar, these guitars would be purchased online from a store called Fnac. It is a large retail chain that sells electronics and a bunch of other stuff (among them some musical instruments). They don't have these guitars in showroom in any of their 3 branches here in Doha (capital of Qatar), only in their warehouse. That is, I would buy online. But being in the same city it would facilitate a possible return. They only have one peace of each.


Another note: I have converted the QAR amounts to USD for better understanding. So remembering:

Fender Limited Edition Vintera 70s, the unknown guitar with Twisted pups in lake placid blue: 1,100.00 USD

Vintera 60s Modified in Seafom Green, called by some people the new Baja: 1,373.00 USD

One las note: none of them comes with any gig bag.


I really appreciate it if you guys can give me a light on this subject.

 

[Killing Floor]

Like the color of the first one.

Limited Edition in Fender talk means color.

 

[d barham]

The Lake Placid Blue has my vote.

 

[ZiggyZipgun]

+1 for the first one.

 

[kuch]

Welcome to the forum!
Really nice Teles there.
I like the color of the LPB one better, but anymore I won't buy a guitar with anything smaller than a 9.5r neck.
If that does not matter to you, I would take #1.
I'm wondering how much are MIA Fenders there?

Nice to have choices. good luck

 

[jkingma]

I can only comment based on what I see, but if it were me, I'd go with the first one.

 

[ReverendRevolver]

I like the green over the blue, but the neck seems darker Pau ferro on the blue.
I hate how pale fenders mint guards are, my surf green tele, my lpb mustang, and orange duosonic all had the stock guards removed, and only the tele got mint back on it (carved from a blank that was actually mint green in color).

My question is (keep in mind I have 0 idea about shipping to that part of the world, I've only got acquaintances from Jordan...) if you're reluctant to spend that on a new mim fender, have you considered (typically higher craftsmanship) Japanese fenders, or even a used US one?
US standards from '88 to the middle 90s are some of the most consistently great stock guitars I've come across. They typically go for a little less than what those are priced at, but again, I can't speak to shipping. Japanese fenders stand out in 2 ways: they're made to a very high quality standard and the pickups aren't always great sounding.
If you order from Japanese sellers, you can get guitars that are only offered for sale in the Japanese domestic market, which have been appreciating in value.

Just curious, since you had concerns about the $$ amount on mim guitars. Vintura series models with issues I've encountered are NOT the regular teles. The Bigsby tele wasn't great for the $$, and some folks have had loads of trouble with the jags, but the normal teles are great guitars, just not cheap anymore.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'd go with #1. I'm not a fan of the color of #2.

 

[Fendereedo]

Seems like I'm in a world of one, but as an owner of the SF green I would go with that, great guitar, lovely playability et, etc. FYI, all Vintera guitars SHOULD come with a gig bag, either that, or the retailer is removing them from the box, and selling them separately. In which case I would buy elsewhere.

 

[The Angle]

EDIT: I'm leaving this post as-is to avoid causing more confusion, but see post #13.

There's some confusion here about these guitars.

First, I believe all the Vintera '70s Telecasters had at least one humbucker, and some had two. I'm pretty sure that first guitar is not a '70s Modified.

Second, the only Vintera Tele model I'm aware of that came with a 7.25 radius fingerboard was the '50s Standard (not the '50s Modified, which is 9.5).

Maybe the FSR part of that guitar is that they offered a '70s guitar with '60s pickups and a '50s neck profile, but that seems unlikely. Usually FSR just means a different color.

Third, the Vintera model that's considered the Baja replacement is the '50s Modified, which has a one-piece maple neck with a soft U profile (very thick), a 4-position selector switch, and an out-of-phase switch in the volume knob. Those were all features of the Baja. The '60s Modified has the 4-way switch and out-of-phase option, but it has a thin modern C neck.

Because both pictured guitars have pau ferro fingerboards, single-coil pickups, and three-saddle bridges, my guess is they're both '60s Modified Vinteras. Seafoam green and Lake Placid blue are both standard colors for that model. #1 doesn't really look like LPB to me, it looks more like ocean turquoise, but that could be lighting or the color balance of my monitor. I have no idea what colors were offered in the Vintera as FSRs. If #1 really does have Twisted Tele pickups, it would be my clear choice.

P.S. Oh, and by the way, welcome to TDPRI! It's good to hear voices from outside North America and Europe.

 

[Diminished7]

Do you want a straightforward and traditional spec? Or prefer the 4 way switching, and push knob for split/parallel configurations on the modified?

I agree with the above poster that the 70's determination of the first is a bit strange. Only the 50's are going to have a 7.25 and they aren't going to have a rosewood board. These are also 8 screw guards. A 50's is going to have 5. Something is amiss or it's a partscaster one.

 

[mimmo]

I'd get the one that plays better.
If I have to pick one simply looking at the photos, #1 gets my vote but only because the fretboard seems nicer.
I am not really into blue guitars, the sea foam green is a much more appealing colour for me.

 

[Fendereedo]

There's some confusion here about these guitars.

First, I believe all the Vintera '70s Telecasters had at least one humbucker, and some had two. I'm pretty sure that first guitar is not a '70s Modified.

Second, the only Vintera Tele model I'm aware of that came with a 7.25 radius fingerboard was the '50s Standard (not the '50s Modified, which is 9.5).

Third, the Vintera model that's considered the Baja replacement is the '50s Modified, which has a one-piece maple neck with a soft U profile (very thick), a 4-position selector switch, and an out-of-phase switch in the volume knob. Those were all features of the Baja. The '60s Modified has the 4-way switch and out-of-phase option, but it has a thin modern C neck.

Because both pictured guitars have pau ferro fingerboards, single-coil pickups, and three-saddle bridges, my guess is they're both '60s Modified Vinteras. Seafoam green and Lake Placid blue are both standard colors for that model. #1 doesn't really look like LPB to me, it looks more like ocean turquoise, but that could be lighting or the color balance of my monitor. I have no idea what colors were offered in the Vintera as FSRs. If #1 really does have Twisted Tele pickups, it would be my clear choice.

Manufacturer's ID: 0149894302

Buy the Fender Limited Edition Vintera 70s Telecaster Lake Placid Blue Twisted Tele Pickups

The Fender Limited Edition Vintera 70s Telecaster Lake Placid Blue Twisted Tele Pickups is available at guitarguitar. Free next day delivery on orders over £199 or click and collect. You can even trade in your old music gear towards the purchase

www.guitarguitar.co.uk

For players who want the style and sound of Fender’s classic years, we created the Vintera® ‘70s Telecaster®. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel—this guitar has all of the articulation and punch that made the Telecaster a legend.

A pair of Custom Shop “Twisted” Tele® Pickups deliver hot high-output Telecaster tone with a dash of Strat® chime. The Vintage "C”-shaped neck has a 7.25”-radius fingerboard with 21 vintage-style frets for classic feel. A vintage-style Tele® bridge with three slotted steel barrel saddles gives this Telecaster its characteristic twang, while “F”-stamped tuning machines offer period-correct aesthetics, classic feel and rock-solid tuning stability. Other features include four-bolt neck plate with "F" logo, chrome hardware and vintage-style strap buttons. Includes deluxe gig bag.

Specification
Body Alder
Neck Maple
Neck Shape Vintage "C"
Fingerboard Pau Ferro
Scale 25.5"
Radius 7.25"
Frets 21 Vintage
Nut Synthetic Bone
Nut Width 1.650"
Pickups Custom Shop Twisted Tele® Single-Coil Set
Controls Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Way Switch
Bridge 3-Saddle Vintage-Style Tele® with Slotted Steel Saddles
Tuners Fender® Vintage "F" Stamped

They are out there, but they are an FSR.

 

[Fendereedo]

Do you want a straightforward and traditional spec? Or prefer the 4 way switching, and push knob for split/parallel configurations on the modified?

I agree with the above poster that the 70's determination of the first is a bit strange. Only the 50's are going to have a 7.25 and they aren't going to have a rosewood board. These are also 8 screw guards. A 50's is going to have 5. Something is amiss or it's a partscaster one.

It's not a partscaster see post #13

 

[The Angle]

For players who want the style and sound of Fender’s classic years, we created the Vintera® ‘70s Telecaster®. Equipped with the coveted features that defined the decade—including period-accurate neck profile and playing feel—this guitar has all of the articulation and punch that made the Telecaster a legend.

A pair of Custom Shop “Twisted” Tele® Pickups deliver hot high-output Telecaster tone with a dash of Strat® chime. The Vintage "C”-shaped neck has a 7.25”-radius fingerboard with 21 vintage-style frets for classic feel. A vintage-style Tele® bridge with three slotted steel barrel saddles gives this Telecaster its characteristic twang, while “F”-stamped tuning machines offer period-correct aesthetics, classic feel and rock-solid tuning stability. Other features include four-bolt neck plate with "F" logo, chrome hardware and vintage-style strap buttons. Includes deluxe gig bag.

Well whaddya know? I stand corrected. Excellent detective work, Fendereedo.

In that case, I double down on #1. I'm a big fan of the Twisted Tele pickups.

 

[Diminished7]

It's not a partscaster see post #13

Thanks and interesting that they made a 70's FSR with those specs. Just seems a bit of an odd one.

 

[Fendereedo]

Well whaddya know? I stand corrected. Excellent detective work, Fendereedo.

In that case, I double down on #1. I'm a big fan of the Twisted Tele pickups.

Yeah, looks very nice IMO. Wouldn't mind getting one before they disappear.

 

[tigertail]

I think the cost difference would nudge me towards #1. It has unique specs and it looks great.

 

[Jaomusician]

There's some confusion here about these guitars.

First, I believe all the Vintera '70s Telecasters had at least one humbucker, and some had two. I'm pretty sure that first guitar is not a '70s Modified.

[/QUOTE]
Yes, it is not a Modified. Like I said, it's a Vintera 70s Limited Edition.

Because both pictured guitars have pau ferro fingerboards, single-coil pickups, and three-saddle bridges, my guess is they're both '60s Modified Vinteras.

I'm 100% the first guitar is a Vintera 70s Limited Edition and the second one is a Vintera 60s modified.

Seafoam green and Lake Placid blue are both standard colors for that model. #1 doesn't really look like LPB to me, it looks more like ocean turquoise, but that could be lighting or the color balance of my monitor. I have no idea what colors were offered in the Vintera as FSRs. If #1 really does have Twisted Tele pickups, it would be my clear choice.

I'm biased towards that guitar, The Angle. Also almost 300$ cheaper.

 

[Fendereedo]

Thanks and interesting that they made a 70's FSR with those specs. Just seems a bit of an odd one.

I thought so too, had to rub my eyes when I first saw it. But it looks great, all the bells and whistles, nearly of a 70s, tacked onto an old MIM standard from a few years ago. (CBS logo).