What is it?
Fender's celebrated Vintera series has been a cornerstone of the Californian guitar giant's lineup since 2019, and its sequel, launching in 2023, only cements these models as the go-to choice for fans of vintage specs at an affordable price. Fast forward to 2025, and Fender is once again shaking things up with a delightful twist on an already winning formula, with limited edition models introducing distressed finishes for that irresistible played-in feel.
With its exquisite Road Worn aged nitrocellulose lacquer, this stylish offset electric guitar boasts a more subtle ageing process than some of Fender's previous Ensenada-made relic guitars. Think light checking, gentle wear marks, and the occasional scratch or ding. Fender is trying to give the impression this instrument has been well-loved and road-tested over a number of years - well-played, not abused.
This model features the iconic asymmetrical alder body and a comfy '50s C-shaped maple neck paired with a 7.25” radius fingerboard and vintage-Tall frets. The tone is handed by a duo of vintage-style ‘50s single-coil pickups that deliver that classic Jazzmaster jangle, with the rhythm circuit being perfectly period-correct. Plus, it comes equipped with a vintage-style floating tremolo and tuning machines.
Available in two tasty colourways, Fiesta Red for those wanting to turn heads, and the timeless 3-Colour Sunburst for a classic vibe, each Jazzmaster proudly showcases a striking gold anodised aluminium pickguard.
So, whether you’re channelling those infectious surf rock vibes or diving into the lush, reverb-drenched soundscapes of shoegaze, the Jazzmaster is undoubtedly the ultimate weapon of choice. But how does this new model stack up, and does it live up to the high standards set by the previous entries into this series? Let’s find out.
Specs
- Launch price: $1,699.99, £1,399, €1,649
- Made: Ensenada, Mexico
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Alder
- Neck: Maple, Late '50s "C"
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Scale length: 25.5”/647.7mm
- Nut/width: Synthetic bone, 1.650" (42 mm)
- Frets: 21, Vintage-Tall
- Hardware: Vintage-style floating tremolo with tremolo lock button and push-in tremolo arm, 6-saddle vintage-style adjustable with floating tremolo tailpiece, Fender vintage-style machine heads
- Electrics: Vintage-style '50s single-coil Jazzmaster pickups, 2-position on/off slide switch for switching between "Lead" and "Rhythm" circuits
- Weight: 8Ibs/3.2kg
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Fiesta Red, 3-Tone Sunburst
- Cases: Fender Deluxe gig bag
- Contact: Fender
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
This guitar is impeccably constructed, featuring a neat and tidy build along with a snug neck pocket
I can’t help but admire how stunning this model looks on first impression. Its alder, asymmetrical body is as handsome as ever in its Fiesta Red finish, and the gilded Anodised Aluminium pickguard is the icing on the cake.
Thankfully, as I examine closer, the overall finishing is on point as well. This guitar is impeccably constructed, featuring a neat and tidy build along with a snug neck pocket. The frets are dressed perfectly, and the nut has been well cut. No complaints in that department from me.
As you’d expect, the guitar comes equipped with vintage-style saddles and that classic tremolo unit. While this setup certainly helps you achieve that signature Jazzmaster sound, the strings can pop out of position with even minimal force.
To make matters worse, the bridge on my review model rattles quite a bit, especially when striking the open E string. This is a fairly common issue across many Jazzmasters, from vintage models to budget-friendly reissues, so I'm not too surprised to see this guitar suffer from the same problems. But it's something you'll need to address as a result.
It has the essence of a pre-loved instrument that’s seen some serious stage action without being abused or mistreated
A standard modification to address this is to add a buzz stop behind the strings at the bridge, which increases that rather shallow break angle, and to swap out the saddles for those typically found on a Mustang. Given that Fender advertises this model as having vintage aesthetics combined with modern playability, it raises the question of why these modifications weren’t already made at the factory. Okay, Fender doesn't usually install buzz stops, but I'd at least like to see the Mustang saddles come as standard. It's one area where I'd like to see vintage authenticity jettisoned.
Now, let’s talk about what sets this model apart from the standard Vintera II ‘50s; the Road Worn finish. Full disclosure, I wasn’t expecting this model to look so good. I’ve had many relic’d Fenders in my hands over the years, and the results can vary significantly from guitar to guitar.
I’m happy to say this one looks genuinely impressive. It has the essence of a pre-loved instrument that’s seen some serious stage action without being abused or mistreated. The subtle checking lines appear natural, and the dings are all in the right places. This model proves that Fender is honing its relicing craft, and it’s clear that the influence of the Custom Shop’s attention to detail is now making its way to the Mexican-made instruments. It’s a job well done indeed.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
Coming equipped with what Fender calls a late-'50s "C"-shape neck, this guitar is incredibly comfortable to hold. The neck here is a little thinner than some players will be expecting, considering the mention of its 1950s origin.
Be aware that this isn’t a baseball bat fat Les Paul; the neck here is slim, sleek, and exceptionally playable. The 7.25" radius fingerboard with its period-correct vintage-tall frets reminds you that this is a vintage instrument at heart, but I think both retro enthusiasts and contemporary players alike will find this neck rewarding to play - I certainly did.
This guitar feels played in, like an old friend I’ve known for years
The back of the neck benefits from a smooth satin finish that has the remnants of what used to be a high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, but one that’s been worn down over time to an almost bare neck. This leads to an effortless playing surface that in no way, shape, or form gets in the way of my performance.
This guitar feels played in, like an old friend I’ve known for years. But better yet, it has none of the problems associated with a well-played, used instrument. There’s no fretware to worry about, no maxed-out truss rod or flaking finish to contend with - with the Fender ‘50s Jazzmaster Road Worn, you get all the benefits of a brand new and used guitar in one.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
This guitar reminds me why I love the sound of a Jazzmaster through a Fender Twin
I reach for my own Jazzmaster when I want that unmistakable open, bright, and detailed tone, and thankfully, this new iteration has it in spades. Precise and defined but not brittle, this guitar reminds me why I love the sound of a Jazzmaster through a Fender Twin. You can hear every note as clear as a bell, and the attack is sharp and immediate. Soak it in so much reverb that it’s a drowning hazard, and you have a tone I could play for days on end.
Cracking out my beloved Electro Harmonix Big Muff, and we’re deep in J Mascis country. There’s something about how a Jazzmaster sounds fuzzed up that warms my heart, and the Vintera II wears the silicon distortion with pride.
The bright attack means notes remain clear even well drenched in fuzz, and the hollow nature of the Jazzmasters midrange means it never sounds pokey or too boxey.
Unlike the Player II iteration, the Lead/Rhythm control is represented in all its retro glory.
Unlike the Player II iteration, the Lead/Rhythm control is represented in all its retro glory here. For those not in the know, very basically, the Rhythm circuit is used to bypass all other controls while singling out the neck pickup. A change in tone pot and capacitor results in a much mellower sound that's useful to have at hand. The discrete thumbwheels adjacent to this switch are simply independent volume and tone controls for this circuit.
I’m an “overdrive pedal always on” type of player, and like to use my volume control to dial in the amount of saturation for any given song, so I use this switch a lot on my own Jazzmaster. I dial the volume down on the Rhythm side and use the switch to go from clean-ish to full-on distortion. So I’m glad to see it make an appearance on this model, untouched and unaltered, just the way it should be.
Verdict
If you love vintage offsets, you’ll undoubtedly fall for the Fender Vintera II ‘50s Jazzmaster. This Jazzmaster perfectly evokes the feel and sound of the guitar from which it draws its inspiration, while also benefiting from contemporary building methods - and it comes in at a respectable price point for a relic of this standard, too.
Now, I know that Road Worn finishes tend to split the crowd. Some players view the battle scars an instrument wears as a part of its history and its story, and they believe these shouldn’t be artificially added; instead, they should be earned through a life on the road. Others see a relic’d guitar as a way of getting a played-in instrument that looks and feels like a vintage example should, without the need to tour the thing for years on end.
Whatever your view, it can’t be denied that this is a fabulous guitar - and one that certainly looks the part, in my opinion. From style to playability, build quality to tone, this ’50s offset offers players an affordable way to harness a little bit of vintage mojo without breaking the bank.
MusicRadar verdict: Subtle ageing complements a neat and tidy build, superb playability, and knock-out tone. Okay, the bridge suffers from the usual Jazzmaster buzz found on many models of this style, but the guitar more than makes up for it with plenty of retro mojo.
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality |
Superbly put together with a nice tight neck pocket. Pity the bridge rattles when playing harder – and the vintage spec saddle design is a Jazzmaster bugbear Fender probably needs to address now. |
★★★★☆ |
Playability |
Excellent fretwork and a very comfortable neck profile. |
★★★★½ |
Sounds |
Sounds exactly as a Jazzmaster should. |
★★★★½ |
Overall |
Stunning guitar with brilliant tone and great playability – just mod that bridge. |
★★★★½ |
