Fender launched the Vintera III series on April 14, 2026: 14 guitars and basses, each built to one era of Fender history, and every one with a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, vintage-tall frets, a bone nut and a deluxe gig bag. On our opening order we got six: the Late '50s Stratocaster in Aztec Gold, the Late '60s Stratocaster in Ocean Turquoise, the Mid '60s Telecaster in Firemist Gold, the Limited Edition Early '60s Custom Telecaster in 3-Color Sunburst, the Late '60s Precision Bass in Firemist Gold and the Early '70s Jazz Bass in Candy Apple Red. Prices run $1,249.99 to $1,499.99, shipping is $79 in the U.S., and pickup at the shop is free.
Paul's favorite of the six is the Late '60s Stratocaster in Ocean Turquoise.
- What's new for 2026
- All 14 models and prices
- The six on our wall, side by side
- Late '50s Stratocaster in Aztec Gold
- Late '60s Stratocaster in Ocean Turquoise
- Mid '60s Telecaster in Firemist Gold
- Early '60s Custom Telecaster in 3-Color Sunburst
- Late '60s Precision Bass in Firemist Gold
- Early '70s Jazz Bass in Candy Apple Red
- Which one is yours
- Questions about the Vintera III
- Setting up a vintage-spec neck
What's New for 2026
Fender calls Vintera III the next evolution of its vintage-inspired line, and the change is how narrowly each model is aimed. Fender says earlier Vintera generations drew broadly on whole decades of production. Vintera III builds each model to one era instead: the late '50s, early '60s, mid '60s, late '60s or early '70s. Fender describes it as a "greatest hits" approach to celebrated specs from its golden eras.
Fender's announcement points to the pickups and the necks. Fender says its engineers went back to the company's original archives to develop vintage-style pickups matched to each period, with both Alnico II and Alnico V designs in the range. The neck shapes follow the eras too, from the substantial V and D shapes of the mid and late '50s to the medium C of the early '60s and the slimmer C shapes of the late '60s and early '70s. Headstocks, decals, fingerboard inlays, stamps and finishes are specific to each era as well.
Shared across the series
- Maple neck with a gloss urethane finish, a 4-bolt neck joint and a vintage-style butt-adjust truss rod
- 7.25" fingerboard radius with vintage-tall frets
- Bone nut
- Alder body on most models, ash on the White Blonde Strat and the blonde Teles, all in gloss polyester
- Vintage-style pickups, bridges and tuners chosen for each model's era
- Deluxe gig bag included
- Fender's two-year limited warranty for the original buyer, when bought from an authorized Fender dealer
Fourteen models in all: four Stratocasters, three Telecasters, a Jazzmaster, a Jaguar, a Mustang and four basses, from the 24-inch scale of the Mustang and Jaguar to the 34-inch Precision and Jazz basses. The full spec sheets are on Fender's Vintera III page.
All 14 Models and Prices
| Model | What sets it apart | Scale | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late '50s Stratocaster | One-piece maple neck, late '50s "D" shape | 25.5" | $1,249.99 |
| Limited Edition Late '50s Stratocaster, White Blonde | Ash body, gold hardware, 1958-spec pickups | 25.5" | $1,499.99 |
| Early '60s Stratocaster | Round-laminated rosewood board, early '60s "C" shape | 25.5" | $1,249.99 |
| Late '60s Stratocaster | Large headstock, late '60s "C" shape, F-stamped tuners | 25.5" | $1,249.99 |
| Late '50s Telecaster | One-piece maple neck, soft "V" shape, barrel saddles | 25.5" | $1,249.99; ash $1,349.99 |
| Mid '60s Telecaster | Rosewood or maple-cap board, threaded saddles | 25.5" | $1,249.99; ash $1,349.99 |
| Limited Edition Early '60s Custom Telecaster | Double-bound alder body, 1963-spec pickups | 25.5" | $1,499.99 |
| Mid '60s Jazzmaster | Floating tremolo, lead and rhythm circuits | 25.5" | $1,349.99 |
| Mid '60s Jaguar | Floating tremolo, mute, bass-cut "strangle" switch, 22 frets | 24" | $1,349.99 |
| Mid '60s Mustang | Mustang floating tremolo, an on/off switch per pickup, 22 frets | 24" | $1,249.99 |
| Early '60s Bass VI | Three pickups, floating tremolo, Bass VI mute | 30" | $1,499.99 |
| Late '60s Precision Bass | Split-coil pickup, lollipop tuners | 34" | $1,249.99 |
| Early '60s Jazz Bass | Slab rosewood board, stacked volume and tone controls | 34" | $1,349.99 |
| Early '70s Jazz Bass | Bound neck, block inlays | 34" | $1,499.99 |
The six linked models came in on our opening order. If the one you want isn't in the shop, we can order it: when Fender has it available, it usually arrives in 1–2 weeks. Special orders are final sale. Call or text (518) 217-8695.
The Six on Our Wall, Side by Side
All six share the 7.25" radius, vintage-tall frets, bone nut, gloss neck and deluxe gig bag. The differences that decide it are the era, the neck shape, the fingerboard and the pickups.
The Stratocasters
| Late '50s, Aztec Gold | Late '60s, Ocean Turquoise | |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | One-piece maple, late '50s "D" | Maple, late '60s "C", large headstock |
| Fingerboard | Maple, black dots | Round-laminated rosewood, aged-white pearloid dots |
| Pickups | Three vintage-style late '50s single-coils | Three vintage-style late '60s single-coils |
| Pickguard | 1-ply white | 3-ply parchment |
| Tuners | Fender vintage-style | Fender vintage "F" stamped |
| Shared | Alder body, 25.5" scale, 21 vintage-tall frets, 1.65" nut, 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles, master volume and two tones with a 5-way blade | |
| Price | $1,249.99 | $1,249.99 |
| Pick it for | The substantial late '50s neck on maple | The big headstock and a slimmer neck on rosewood |
The Telecasters
| Mid '60s, Firemist Gold | Early '60s Custom, 3-Color Sunburst | |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Alder | Double-bound alder |
| Neck | Maple, mid '60s "C" | Maple, early '60s "C" |
| Fingerboard | Round-laminated rosewood, aged-white pearloid dots | Round-laminated rosewood, clay dots |
| Pickups | Two vintage-style mid '60s single-coils | Two vintage-style 1963 single-coils |
| Pickguard | 3-ply parchment | 3-ply mint green |
| Shared | 25.5" scale, 21 vintage-tall frets, 1.65" nut, 3-saddle string-through bridge with threaded steel saddles, master volume and tone with a 3-way blade | |
| Price | $1,249.99 | $1,499.99 |
| Pick it for | '60s Tele twang on a rosewood board | The bound Custom body and 1963-spec pickups |
The basses
| Late '60s Precision, Firemist Gold | Early '70s Jazz, Candy Apple Red | |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | Maple, late '60s "C", 1.625" nut | Maple, early '70s "C", bound, 1.5" nut |
| Fingerboard | Round-laminated rosewood, aged-white pearloid dots | Round-laminated rosewood, vintage white pearloid blocks |
| Pickups | One vintage-style late '60s split-coil | Two vintage-style early '70s single-coils |
| Controls | Master volume, master tone | A volume for each pickup, master tone |
| Bridge | 4-saddle, threaded steel saddles | 4-saddle, single-groove steel barrel saddles |
| Tuners | Non-reverse "lollipop" | Non-reverse open-gear |
| Shared | Alder body, 34" scale, 20 vintage-tall frets, bone nut, 3-ply parchment pickguard | |
| Price | $1,249.99 | $1,499.99 |
| Pick it for | Punchy attack and fundamental thump from one pickup | Two pickups to blend, a bound neck and block inlays |
Fender Vintera III Late '50s Stratocaster in Aztec Gold
- Body: alder, gloss polyester finish
- Neck: one-piece maple, late '50s "D" shape, 1.65" bone nut
- Fingerboard: maple, 7.25" radius, 21 vintage-tall frets, black dot inlays
- Scale: 25.5"
- Pickups: three vintage-style late '50s single-coil Strat pickups; master volume, a tone for neck and middle, a tone for bridge, 5-way blade
- Appointments: 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles, Fender vintage-style tuners, 1-ply white pickguard, parchment knobs and pickup covers
Paul's take: "Coolest finish I've seen on a new guitar in years. Absolutely love it."
The Late '50s Strat is the only one of our six with a maple fingerboard, and the only one with Fender's late '50s D neck, which has slightly wider shoulders, starts slim at the nut and thickens moderately toward the 12th fret. Neck and fingerboard are one piece of maple. The three pickups are built to Fender's late '50s spec for the bright, singing tone of that era, over a six-screw vintage-style tremolo with bent steel saddles. See the Late '50s Stratocaster.
Fender Vintera III Late '60s Stratocaster in Ocean Turquoise
- Body: alder, gloss polyester finish
- Neck: maple, late '60s "C" shape, large headstock, 1.65" bone nut
- Fingerboard: round-laminated rosewood, 7.25" radius, 21 vintage-tall frets, aged-white pearloid dots
- Scale: 25.5"
- Pickups: three vintage-style late '60s single-coil Strat pickups; master volume, two tones, 5-way blade
- Appointments: 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with bent steel saddles, Fender vintage "F" stamped tuners, 4-bolt neck plate with "F" logo, 3-ply parchment pickguard
Paul's take: "My favorite sounding and playing one from our first order. It feels similar to an old one, but it's not trying too hard to be something it's not."
The big headstock is the late '60s tell, and this Vintera III keeps it, with F-stamped tuners and an F on the neck plate to match. The late '60s C is the slimmer of our two Strat necks: comfortably rounded, slim at the nut and slightly thicker by the 12th fret, on a round-laminated rosewood board. The three late '60s pickups are voiced for bell-like clarity and dynamic response. See the Late '60s Stratocaster.
Fender Vintera III Mid '60s Telecaster in Firemist Gold
- Body: alder, gloss polyester finish
- Neck: maple, mid '60s "C" shape, 1.65" bone nut
- Fingerboard: round-laminated rosewood, 7.25" radius, 21 vintage-tall frets, aged-white pearloid dots
- Scale: 25.5"
- Pickups: two vintage-style mid '60s single-coil Tele pickups; master volume, master tone, 3-way blade
- Appointments: vintage-style 3-saddle string-through bridge with threaded steel saddles, Fender vintage-style tuners, 3-ply parchment pickguard, knurled flat-top knobs
Paul's take: "Incredible finish and style at a price point that doesn't break the bank. Way underrated for what they are."
Fender puts three threaded steel saddles on a string-through bridge for '60s Tele twang, and the mid '60s pickups are voiced for chime and steely twang. The neck is the mid '60s C. The one we got is Firemist Gold over alder, with a round-laminated rosewood board. Fender also builds it with an ash body in Vintage Blonde ($1,349.99) and with a maple-cap board in 3-Color Sunburst ($1,249.99). See the Mid '60s Telecaster.
Fender Limited Edition Vintera III Early '60s Custom Telecaster in 3-Color Sunburst
- Body: double-bound alder, gloss polyester finish
- Neck: maple, early '60s "C" shape, 1.65" bone nut
- Fingerboard: round-laminated rosewood, 7.25" radius, 21 vintage-tall frets, clay dots
- Scale: 25.5"
- Pickups: two vintage-style 1963 single-coil Tele pickups; master volume, master tone, 3-way blade
- Appointments: vintage-style 3-saddle string-through bridge with threaded steel saddles, Fender vintage-style tuners, 3-ply mint green pickguard, knurled flat-top knobs
Paul's take: "Incredible, authentic '60s vibe and feel. The clay dots are an excellent touch."
The Custom is the bound-body Telecaster, and this Limited Edition builds it to the early '60s: a double-bound alder body, Fender's early '60s C neck, clay dots on a round-laminated rosewood board and a 3-ply mint green pickguard. The pickups are built to 1963 spec for chime and steely twang, on the same threaded-saddle bridge as the Mid '60s. At $1,499.99 it's the highest-priced of our four guitars. See the Early '60s Custom Telecaster.
Fender Vintera III Late '60s Precision Bass in Firemist Gold
- Body: alder, gloss polyester finish
- Neck: maple, late '60s "C" shape, 1.625" bone nut
- Fingerboard: round-laminated rosewood, 7.25" radius, 20 vintage-tall frets, aged-white pearloid dots
- Scale: 34"
- Pickups: one vintage-style late '60s split single-coil Precision Bass pickup; master volume, master tone
- Appointments: 4-saddle vintage-style bridge with threaded steel saddles, Fender-stamped non-reverse "lollipop" tuners, 3-ply parchment pickguard, knurled flat-top knobs
Paul's take: "It's great, as excellent as the Jazz. Love the color and the thump."
A Precision is the one-pickup bass: one split-coil, one volume, one tone. This late '60s one is voiced for punchy attack and fundamental thump. The detail to look for is the tuners: Fender-stamped, non-reversed lollipop keys, which Fender says were a rarity from the factory on Precision Basses of that era. The late '60s C neck has a 1.625-inch nut, wider than the Jazz Bass's 1.5 inches. See the Late '60s Precision Bass.
Fender Vintera III Early '70s Jazz Bass in Candy Apple Red
- Body: alder, gloss polyester finish
- Neck: maple, early '70s "C" shape, parchment binding, 1.5" bone nut
- Fingerboard: round-laminated rosewood, 7.25" radius, 20 vintage-tall frets, vintage white pearloid block inlays
- Scale: 34"
- Pickups: two vintage-style early '70s single-coil Jazz Bass pickups; a volume for each, master tone
- Appointments: 4-saddle vintage-style bridge with single-groove steel barrel saddles, Fender-stamped vintage-style non-reverse open-gear tuners, 3-ply parchment pickguard, black plastic knobs
Paul's take: "INSANE looking and playing. It looks the part and sounds spanky."
A bound neck and block inlays are the early '70s Jazz Bass look, and the one we got is Candy Apple Red over alder. Two single-coils with separate volumes are what give a Jazz Bass its range: neck alone for warm and woody, both for punch, bridge alone for burp. The pickups on this one are voiced for the early '70s sound, warm and punchy with the classic growl. The early '70s C starts off chunky at the nut and thickens slightly toward the 12th fret, with a 1.5-inch nut. See the Early '70s Jazz Bass.
Which One Is Yours
Vintera III guitars and basses are an incredible value for how well they play and sound. They're vintage spec, with stunning finishes that capture the vibes of the '60s and '70s beautifully.
- Player who wants a '50s neck on maple: the Late '50s Stratocaster. Fender's substantial D shape, on a one-piece maple neck.
- Player who wants a slimmer neck and a rosewood board: the Late '60s Stratocaster. The late '60s C, the big headstock and F-stamped tuners.
- Player who wants '60s Tele twang: the Mid '60s Telecaster. Threaded steel saddles and mid '60s pickups, at $1,249.99.
- Player who wants the bound-body Tele: the Limited Edition Early '60s Custom Telecaster. Double binding and 1963-spec pickups, at $1,499.99.
- Bass player who wants one pickup and punch: the Late '60s Precision Bass. One split-coil, one volume, one tone.
- Bass player who wants two pickups to blend: the Early '70s Jazz Bass. A volume for each pickup, a bound neck and block inlays.
Call or text (518) 217-8695 and we'll hold one for you to play first.
Questions About the Vintera III
How much is a Fender Vintera III?
$1,249.99 for the Late '50s, Early '60s and Late '60s Stratocasters, the alder Late '50s and Mid '60s Telecasters, the Mustang and the Precision Bass. $1,349.99 for the Jazzmaster, the Jaguar, the Early '60s Jazz Bass and the ash Telecasters. $1,499.99 for the two Limited Editions, the Early '70s Jazz Bass and the Bass VI.
What changed from Vintera II?
Fender says earlier Vintera generations drew broadly on whole decades of production. Each Vintera III model is aimed at one era instead, with pickups matched to that period and era-correct neck shapes, headstocks, decals, inlays and finishes.
What does the 7.25-inch radius change?
It makes the fingerboard more curved across its width than the board on a Player II. Fender says it gives vintage comfort and feel, and pairs it with vintage-tall frets, slightly taller than vintage, for big bends and wide vibrato.
Vintera III or Player II?
Player II is Fender's current modern-spec line: a Modern "C" neck with a satin back, a 9.5-inch fingerboard with rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets, with Alnico V pickups on the Strat and Jazzmaster. Vintera III builds each model to one era, with a 7.25-inch fingerboard, vintage-tall frets, a gloss neck and vintage-style pickups. Play a Player II next to a Vintera III and the difference is audible. The Player II Stratocaster doesn't include a bag or case; every Vintera III comes with a deluxe gig bag. The two lines side by side, spec by spec, are on our Fender page.
What comes with it?
A deluxe gig bag, on all 14 models. A new one bought here also carries Fender's two-year limited warranty for the original buyer, because we're an authorized Fender dealer. Keep the receipt.
Do you ship it?
Yes, within the U.S., for $79. Orders of $2,000 to $2,999 ship for $99, and $3,000 and up for $119. Pickup at the shop is free.
Can I play one first?
Yes, any one in the shop. Call or text (518) 217-8695 and we'll hold one for you.
Setting Up a Vintage-Spec Neck
Every Vintera III leaves Fender with a 7.25-inch radius, vintage-tall frets and a vintage-style butt-adjust truss rod. New guitars come set to the manufacturer's factory spec. Depending on your playing style, you may want a setup that's different from that spec, and we can do it: $79 standard or $109 deluxe (the one we usually recommend), strings extra. Service is first come, first served.
A brand-new Fender Jazzmaster came in with the factory action higher than the owner wanted, and Dave set it to the owner's spec in 45 minutes, nothing replaced (the Repair Vault entry). What the work covers is in what a guitar setup includes.
Forced-air heat in a Glens Falls winter can drop indoor humidity fast, and that's when fret ends sharpen. The longer version is in how humidity affects your guitar. The Vintera IIIs in the shop right now are in Fender guitars, and the basses are also in bass guitars. Buying a Fender from us, warranty and shipping included, is laid out on Fender guitars in Glens Falls.
On our opening order we got two Strats, two Teles and two basses from the Vintera III series.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If stairs are difficult or you're bringing in something you don't want to carry up, call or text us and we'll arrange access.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5 PM
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com