Fender adds Olympic White to the American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass for 2025, expanding the color options alongside the existing Black and 3-Color Sunburst. At $2,299, the AV II ’60 P Bass sits just below the Strat and Tele models in the series and delivers what many bass players consider the definitive Precision Bass spec — the year the rosewood fingerboard arrived and the pickup design was perfected.
1960 was the year the Precision Bass hit its stride. The split-coil pickup (introduced in 1957) had been refined, the rosewood fingerboard replaced the original maple, and the body contours were fully mature. This is the P Bass that James Jamerson used to define Motown, and it’s the foundation of virtually every bass tone recorded in the ’60s.
Bottom Line: The American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass is the definitive vintage P Bass reissue — the split-coil pickup that built Motown, a slab rosewood board, and now in Olympic White alongside Black and Sunburst.
What’s New on the American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | Premium alder, nitrocellulose lacquer finish |
| Neck | 1960 C-shape maple, 7.25″ radius, slab rosewood fingerboard, vintage tall frets |
| Pickups | Pure Vintage ’60 Split-Coil Precision Bass |
| Bridge | Pure Vintage 4-saddle with threaded steel saddles, bridge cover included |
| Tuners | Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear |
| Scale Length | 34″ |
| Frets | 20 vintage tall |
| Nut | Bone, 1.625″ |
| Pickguard | 4-ply tortoiseshell |
| Controls | Master volume, master tone |
| Finish Options | Olympic White (new), Black, 3-Color Sunburst |
| Street Price | $2,299 |
The Olympic White finish is the big addition for 2025, and it’s a color that makes perfect historical sense on this bass. White P Basses were common in the early ’60s, and under nitrocellulose lacquer, Olympic White will gradually yellow into a cream shade over the years — the same aging process that gives vintage white Fenders their distinctive warmth. Against the tortoiseshell pickguard, it’s a striking combination.
The slab rosewood fingerboard is a key differentiator from later P Bass designs. “Slab” means the rosewood is a thick, flat piece glued directly to the neck — as opposed to the “round-lam” (curved veneer) that Fender switched to in 1963. Slab boards are tonally warmer and have a slightly different feel under the fingers. They’re also more expensive to produce, which is why Fender stopped using them.
The Pure Vintage ’60 Split-Coil pickup is the heart of this bass. It’s hum-canceling (the two halves are reverse-wound/reverse-polarity) while retaining single-coil clarity. The tone is deep, punchy, and focused in the low-mids — exactly where a bass needs to sit in a band mix. No active EQ, no blend knob, no complications. Volume, tone, plug in, play.
Who Is the American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass For?
Session bassists, Motown devotees, and anyone who believes the Precision Bass is the only bass you’ll ever need. The P Bass is the most recorded bass guitar in history for a reason — it sits in a mix without any EQ adjustment and punches through with a midrange growl that no other bass can replicate. If you play funk, soul, classic rock, country, or punk, a ’60 P Bass handles all of it.
The C-shape neck is comfortable for four-hour gigs without hand fatigue, and the 7.25″ radius rosewood fingerboard rewards players who use their fretting hand fingers (rather than slap technique). Speaking of slap — this isn’t the ideal slap bass. The vintage pickup voicing is more James Jamerson than Marcus Miller. If you need modern slap tone, the Jazz Bass or an active bass is a better choice.
At $2,299, the competition includes the Fender American Ultra II Precision Bass ($2,149), the Music Man StingRay Special ($2,399), and the Fender American Professional Classic Precision Bass ($1,499). The Ultra II is more versatile with its active/passive switching, but it lacks the vintage soul. The APC P Bass gets you 90% of the way there for $800 less. The StingRay is a completely different animal — aggressive, modern, and punchy in a way the P Bass isn’t.
How Does It Compare to the American Professional Classic Precision Bass?
The APC P Bass ($1,499) and the AV II ’60 P Bass ($2,299) share the same basic layout but differ in construction philosophy. The APC uses new Coastline pickups with slightly higher output, a Modern C neck with 9.5″ radius, and a polyester finish. The AV II uses Pure Vintage ’60 pickups wound to period-correct specs, a vintage C-shape neck with 7.25″ radius, and nitrocellulose lacquer.
The $800 difference buys you the nitro finish, slab rosewood board, bone nut, vintage-correct tuners, and the tonal character that comes from period-accurate construction. For gigging bass players who care about reliability and playability over authenticity, the APC is the smarter buy. For players who want that specific ’60s P Bass sound and feel, the AV II is the only production Fender that delivers it.
First Impressions and What Players Are Saying
TalkBass forum members have praised the Olympic White option as long overdue, with several players posting NBD (New Bass Day) threads showing the finish aging beautifully even in early examples. The Pure Vintage ’60 pickup continues to receive excellent reviews, with players comparing it favorably to aftermarket options like the Fralin P Bass pickup and the Lollar P Bass pickup.
Weight has been a recurring discussion point — several owners report their AV II P Basses coming in around 8.5-9.5 lbs, which is heavier than some modern options. The lack of weight relief is period-correct but may be a concern for players with back issues. A quality padded strap helps significantly.
Pricing and Availability
Street price is $2,299 for all three finishes. The Olympic White is a standard catalog addition and should remain available alongside Black and 3-Color Sunburst. Available through authorized Fender dealers. Includes a vintage-style hardshell bass case.
FAQ
Is the Fender American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass worth it?
For players who want the definitive vintage P Bass experience, yes. The slab rosewood board, Pure Vintage ’60 pickup, and nitro finish create a bass that sounds and feels remarkably close to an original ’60 P Bass — which would cost you $10,000+ in the vintage market. The American Professional Classic at $1,499 is the smarter value play if you don’t need full vintage authenticity.
What’s the difference between the AV II 1960 and the American Professional Classic P Bass?
The AV II ’60 has a slab rosewood board, Pure Vintage ’60 pickup, 7.25″ radius, nitro finish, and vintage-correct hardware. The APC has a round-lam rosewood board, Coastline pickup, 9.5″ radius, poly finish, and modern hardware. The AV II is more authentic; the APC is more practical and $800 less.
What pickups does the American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass use?
A single Pure Vintage ’60 Split-Coil Precision Bass pickup. This hum-canceling split-coil design delivers the classic P Bass tone — deep, punchy, and focused in the low-mids. It’s wound to replicate the output and frequency response of original 1960 Precision Bass pickups.
What is a slab rosewood fingerboard?
A slab rosewood fingerboard is a thick, flat piece of rosewood glued directly to the maple neck. Fender used this construction from 1959 to 1962 before switching to a thinner “round-lam” (curved veneer) method. Slab boards are considered tonally warmer and are more expensive to produce, making them a prized feature on vintage reissues.
Where is the American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass made?
Made in Corona, California, USA. Like all American Vintage II instruments, it uses premium materials and period-correct construction methods at Fender’s American production facility.
The AV II ’60 P Bass is the bass equivalent of a perfectly broken-in pair of work boots — it does one thing, and it does it better than anything else on the market. The Olympic White finish is a gorgeous addition, and the slab rosewood board gives it a tonal depth that modern P Basses can’t match. If you need versatility, buy a Jazz Bass. If you need the greatest bass tone ever recorded, buy this.