Fender Vintera '50s Precision Bass Dakota Red

This is a re-review of my previous post, five months into ownership. This Vintera P really stands out as a top quality instrument in a world of outstanding Fender products. I'm finding the reverse tuners to be among the best of the best. Last month, after a week of no rehearsals with band mates, the Vintera needed only very minor adjustments to one string, the rest being perfectly tuned. Something I didn't mention was the shape of the neck. Very comfy in my L hand, I realized that it's really unlike those classic/vintage Ps from the 50s and 60s in that neck thickness is quite shallow. Width is consistent with P basses. Coupled with the neck's thickness it's a very playable, fast neck. All other aspects of the bass remain the same as in my last review. For anyone considering this bass as a new acquisition or for an instrument upgrade, feel confident that you're making a sound decision; it's just that good in terms of quality sound, playability and execution of design.

I purchased the Dakota Red Vintera Precision bass because I have been looking for that vintage feel and sound without having to mortgage the house. I wish I could afford a true vintage '58 Precision Bass, but the Vintera does not leave me disappointed. The first thing you will notice is it's beefy neck. If you are looking for a slim modern neck, this isn't it. It is the vintage "C" style neck with a wider fretboard which feels really good to me IMO. The gold aluminum pick guard really stands out next to the red of the body. The craftsmanship and finish is excellent; no fret sprouts or blemishes in the finish. The electronics are excellent with no buzz or crackle and the pups definitely have that vintage sound, particularly when the tone is rolled all the way off; you can definitely channel your inner James Jamerson and Duck Dunn. If you roll the tone back up it nicely brightens things up. I did have my luthier complete a set-up on it and I did change the stock strings with La Bella flats to further provide that old school sound. If you are looking for a bright modern sound then you may want to check out the Vintera Jazz basses. I play the bass through a Fender Rumble which allows this bass to sound it's best. Lastly, the tuners do their job well and provide stable tuning. This is an excellent bass and I have no reservation with recommending it if you want the old school feel and sound. C'mon, you know you want it!!

The Vintera pup and circuitry faithfully emulates the unparalleled, unmatched tone of a vintage-ish P bass I was playing lonnng ago. Then I ventured into funk, jazz and all sorts of stuff in between, so I sold it—stupid! This is the only bass I've found that actually sounds like that ol' P...making up for lost time (and searches on the usual used instruments websites) I bought a Dakota Red model: top notch fit and finish, quality reverse tuners, pots smooth as buttah, and that pickup. I have a few basses, including a favored Fender Aerodyne (awesomeness), yet the Vintera P is becoming my go-to bass. I'm not going to TELL anyone to buy it; it's not inexpensive. I'm never again going to let go of this faithful rendition of a classic P bass. IMO the newer models, including Squiers, sound too similar to Fender J's.

I Love this bass. I got it this morning at Guitar Center. I was the last one they had. I bought it off the wall, Dakota Red. I totally love the tone that come out of this bass. I started playing bass last year with an Ibanez 500, which has been a good one, except it couldn't get vintage P tone. I realized I needed a real p-Bass with an Alnico pick-up to get the tones I wanted to hear. This Vintera has all the tone I wanted. If I leave the tone all the way up it still sounds like a P Bass. . I read online how the necks were thicker but found it comfortable. I also like the smaller frets on this

love the feel of this bass, it has that classic p bass sound. This is my first p bass and I was not disappointed.

Such a nice bass. I know that the made in Mexico series have come up in the past years but this one really delivers. It has a really great tone and the stock pickups sound killer. I especially like the neck, I was apprehensive at the start to get a lacquered neck instead of a satin one but after getting used to it I love the feel. Again, the overall quality for a sub American series bass is very surprising and I would recommend this guitar to anyone wanting a top quality without having to spend so much. The only downside I would say to this model is because it's a 50s era spec model the pickguard has 10 holes instead of the regular 13, so if you wanna change the pickguard it's a little harder and more expensive to do.