Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass Rosewood Fingerboard Olympic White Electric Bass

Quick Product Summary

The Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass in Olympic White recreates one of the most distinctive periods in Jazz Bass history, combining authentic mid-'60s styling with period-inspired construction, hardware and electronics.

An alder body finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer is paired with a maple 1966 “U”-shaped neck and a bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboard. The traditional 7.25-inch radius, 20 vintage-tall frets and narrow 1.5-inch nut give this bass a deliberately vintage Fender feel rather than the flatter, more contemporary geometry of Fender's modern professional ranges.

Two Pure Vintage '66 Jazz Bass single-coil pickups provide the articulate attack, growl and tonal blending versatility that make the Jazz Bass such an enduring studio and stage instrument. The Olympic White finish is complemented by a matching painted headstock, white neck binding and four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard for an unmistakably mid-1960s appearance.

For players looking for a premium USA-made Jazz Bass that prioritises historical feel, traditional passive electronics and period-style hardware, the American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass is one of Fender's most convincing modern recreations.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Vintage II
Model	1966 Jazz Bass
Finish	Olympic White
Condition	New
Body	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Profile	1966 “U”
Fingerboard	Bound Round-Laminated Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	7.25"
Scale Length	34"
Pickups	2 x Pure Vintage '66 Jazz Bass Single-Coils
Bridge	Pure Vintage 4-Saddle with Threaded Steel Saddles
Main Appeal	Period-inspired 1966 Jazz Bass feel, styling and passive tone
Best For	Vintage Fender fans, rock, soul, funk, blues, indie, pop and studio work

What's In The Box?

• Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass in Olympic White

• Vintage-Style Black Hardshell Case with Orange Interior

• Chrome Bridge Cover

Why Choose The Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass?

Authentic 1966-Inspired Playing Feel

The combination of a substantial 1966 “U” maple neck, narrow 1.5-inch Jazz Bass nut and 7.25-inch-radius fingerboard creates a playing experience that feels intentionally different from Fender's modern basses.

Bound Round-Laminated Rosewood Fingerboard

White binding surrounds the round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, while large white pearloid dot markers give the bass the distinctive look associated with Jazz Bass production during this period.

Pure Vintage '66 Jazz Bass Pickups

The two Pure Vintage '66 single-coils are voiced specifically around Fender's 1966-era Jazz Bass sound. Their traditional passive configuration gives you direct control over the contribution of each pickup using two volume controls and a single master tone.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish

Fender uses gloss nitrocellulose lacquer across the body and neck as part of the American Vintage II's historically focused specification. This is a very different approach from the polyester and polyurethane finishes used across many contemporary production instruments.

Period-Style Hardware

Pure Vintage “Lollipop” tuning machines, threaded-steel bridge saddles, vintage-style controls, nickel/chrome hardware and the included bridge cover all reinforce the mid-'60s design rather than modernising it unnecessarily.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass vs American Professional II Jazz Bass

The American Professional II Jazz Bass is the stronger choice for players prioritising modern working-bass features. Its Slim “C” neck, 9.5-inch radius, rolled fingerboard edges and HiMass Vintage bridge create a noticeably more contemporary experience.

Choose the American Professional II for modern comfort and practicality; choose the American Vintage II 1966 when period-inspired neck geometry, nitro finish, Pure Vintage pickups and historical hardware are more important.

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass vs American Ultra II Jazz Bass

The American Ultra II Jazz Bass sits at almost the opposite end of Fender's design philosophy. It offers a compound-radius fingerboard, Noiseless pickups and active/passive electronics with extensive onboard EQ.

The American Vintage II keeps everything intentionally simple and traditional. Choose Ultra II for maximum tonal shaping and contemporary ergonomics; choose the 1966 Jazz Bass for classic passive operation and a much more historically focused playing experience.

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass vs American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

The American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass uses a single split-coil pickup and provides the direct, fundamental punch associated with the classic P Bass.

The 1966 Jazz Bass offers two separately adjustable single-coil pickups and a narrower nut, making it the stronger option for players who want greater tonal blending and the characteristic bridge-pickup definition of a Jazz Bass.

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass vs Vintera II '60s Jazz Bass

A Vintera II '60s Jazz Bass offers vintage-inspired Fender character at a more accessible level. The American Vintage II takes the period-recreation concept further with USA construction, nitrocellulose lacquer, Pure Vintage electronics and more detailed year-specific hardware.

Choose Vintera for value and vintage flavour; choose American Vintage II when historical detail and premium USA manufacture justify the step up.

Who Is The Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass For?

This bass is particularly well suited to:

• Players who actively prefer vintage-style Fender necks

• Jazz Bass enthusiasts

• Bassists who prefer passive electronics

• Players who value narrow Jazz Bass nut dimensions

• Vintage Fender collectors and enthusiasts

• Studio musicians

• Soul and funk bassists

• Rock and indie players

• Blues musicians

• Pop and session bassists

• Players moving from a modern Fender towards a more traditional specification

• Musicians who want vintage character without owning an original 1960s instrument

This is not designed to feel like an Ultra II or modern high-performance bass. The traditional fingerboard radius, vintage hardware and straightforward electronics are central to its appeal.

Suitable Genres And Uses

The American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass works beautifully across soul, funk, rock, blues, pop, indie, alternative, R&B, roots music and studio recording.

With both pickup volumes fully open, you get the familiar balanced Jazz Bass response with plenty of clarity and articulation. Favouring the bridge pickup brings forward the focused midrange definition associated with classic Jazz Bass lead and funk sounds, while moving towards the neck-side pickup produces a broader, rounder foundation for supportive bass lines.

The passive master tone control makes it easy to soften brighter sounds without adding unnecessary complication.

What Makes A 1966 Jazz Bass Different?

By 1966, the Jazz Bass had evolved noticeably from the instruments Fender produced at the beginning of the decade.

This American Vintage II recreation reflects features associated with that period including the bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, large pearloid dot markers, matching painted headstock on the Olympic White finish, Pure Vintage “Lollipop” tuners and threaded bridge saddles.

These details are not simply decorative. Together with the 1966 “U” neck profile and 7.25-inch radius, they give the bass a specific identity within Fender history rather than treating every 1960s Jazz Bass as essentially the same instrument.

For players interested in vintage Fender design, this is a significant part of the appeal of the American Vintage II range.

Compatibility And Practical Pairing Advice

Bass Amplifiers

The passive Jazz Bass works with virtually any quality bass amplifier.

Clean, high-headroom amplifiers are excellent for highlighting the differences between the two pickups, while warmer or more driven bass amps can emphasise the instrument's traditional rock, blues and soul character.

Recording And DI

The straightforward passive output works naturally with:

• Bass amplifiers

• DI boxes

• Audio interfaces

• Bass preamps

• Amp modellers

• Studio consoles

• Effects pedalboards

For recording, blending the two pickups differently can often produce more useful tonal variation than making drastic EQ changes later.

Effects Pedals

The American Vintage II Jazz Bass works particularly well with:

• Compressor

• Preamp / DI

• Overdrive

• Fuzz

• Octave

• Chorus

• Envelope filter

Its passive electronics provide an excellent starting point for players who prefer their amplifier and pedalboard to handle the majority of tone shaping.

Strings

The factory specification uses Fender USA 7250M nickel-plated steel .045-.105 strings.

Players looking for a smoother, more vintage-inspired response may also consider flatwound strings, although a significant change in tension can require setup adjustments.

Looking for advice on choosing between a Jazz Bass, Precision Bass or a more modern active Fender? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

The Fender Jazz Bass was introduced in 1960 as a more refined companion to the Precision Bass. Its offset body shape took visual inspiration from Fender's Jazzmaster guitar, while its narrower neck and two-pickup electronics immediately gave bass players a different experience from the established Precision.

The design continued to evolve throughout the decade. By 1966, features such as fingerboard binding, larger pearloid position markers and distinctive “Lollipop” tuning keys had become part of the Jazz Bass's changing visual identity.

Fender's American Vintage II version focuses specifically on this period rather than creating a generalised vintage Jazz Bass. The Olympic White finish with matching headstock, tortoiseshell pickguard and bound rosewood board makes the mid-'60s influence particularly obvious.

For the modern player, that historical focus provides an opportunity to experience the feel and design philosophy of a 1966-style Fender without dealing with the cost, wear, uncertainty and maintenance considerations associated with an original vintage instrument.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	American Vintage II
Model	1966 Jazz Bass
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Olympic White
Body Material	Alder
Body Shape	Jazz Bass
Body Style	Solid Body
Body Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	1966 “U”
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard Material	Bound Round-Laminated Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Neck Binding	1-Ply White
Scale Length	34" / 864 mm
Number Of Frets	20
Fret Size	Vintage Tall
Position Inlays	White Pearloid Dot – 7 mm
Side Dots	Black
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.5" / 38.1 mm
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Bridge Pickup	Pure Vintage '66 Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Middle Pickup	Pure Vintage '66 Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Pickup Configuration	SS
Controls	Volume 1, Volume 2, Master Tone
Bridge	Pure Vintage 4-Saddle with Threaded Steel Saddles
Bridge Mounting	5-Screw Vintage-Style
Bridge Cover	Chrome
Tuning Machines	Pure Vintage “Lollipop”
Hardware Finish	Nickel / Chrome
Pickguard	4-Ply Tortoiseshell
Pickup Covers	Black
Control Knobs	Black Plastic
Neck Plate	4-Bolt with “F” Logo, Serialized
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
String Tree	Vintage-Style Disc
Strings	Fender USA 7250M Nickel-Plated Steel .045-.105
Case	Vintage-Style Black Hardshell Case with Orange Interior

Power Requirements

The Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass uses passive single-coil pickups and does not require a battery.

Connect the bass to a suitable bass amplifier, DI box, preamp, effects setup or audio interface using a standard instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass is a superb choice for the player who does not simply want a premium Jazz Bass, but specifically wants the feel and personality of a mid-1960s Fender.

The 1966 “U” neck, bound 7.25-inch rosewood fingerboard, Pure Vintage '66 pickups, nitro finish and period-style hardware give it a distinct identity that modern Fender ranges deliberately do not try to replicate.

The Olympic White finish with tortoiseshell pickguard and matching headstock is also particularly effective at showing off the details that make the 1966 specification different.

Best suited for: Bassists and Fender enthusiasts wanting an authentic vintage-inspired passive Jazz Bass for recording, performance and long-term ownership.

Customers usually upgrade from: Fender Player, Player II, Vintera and American Professional Jazz Bass models.

Most commonly paired with: Quality bass amplification, compressor, DI/preamp, overdrive and studio recording equipment.

Our tip: Make the neck feel a major part of your buying decision. The narrow 1.5-inch nut will feel familiar to Jazz Bass players, but the 7.25-inch radius and 1966 “U” profile give this bass a noticeably more traditional personality than a modern American Professional or Ultra.

Showroom feedback: The bound rosewood fingerboard and matching Olympic White headstock make this model visually distinctive, but the real difference becomes apparent in the hand. The vintage-radius board and substantial neck profile give it a convincingly old-school Fender feel.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps customers choose guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, drums, studio equipment and much more.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned musical instruments and equipment

Considering a premium Fender bass and want to compare the American Vintage II with a more modern American Professional or Ultra model? Speak to our team by phone, online or in-store for friendly musician-to-musician advice.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, bass, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass active or passive?

It is completely passive, using two Pure Vintage '66 single-coil pickups with individual volume controls and a master tone control. No battery is required.

What does the 1966 “U” neck feel like?

The “U” shape has more substance and shoulder than many slim modern neck profiles. Combined with the narrow 1.5-inch Jazz Bass nut, it offers a mixture of traditional neck depth and familiar Jazz Bass width.

What is a round-laminated rosewood fingerboard?

A round-laminated fingerboard uses a curved rosewood layer that follows the radius of the maple neck underneath rather than the thicker flat-bottomed slab-style rosewood construction associated with earlier Fender instruments.

Why does this Jazz Bass have binding?

Fingerboard binding became part of the Jazz Bass's evolving appearance during the mid-1960s. The white binding is an important detail in Fender's recreation of the 1966 specification.

Are the Pure Vintage '66 pickups noiseless?

No. They are traditional-style single-coil Jazz Bass pickups rather than noiseless designs. Some single-coil hum can therefore occur depending on the environment and pickup blend.

Is the 7.25-inch fingerboard radius comfortable?

For players who enjoy vintage Fender basses, yes. It is more curved than the 9.5-inch radius used on many modern Fender models and is an important part of the instrument's period-inspired feel.

Can I fit flatwound strings?

Yes. Flatwounds can be an excellent match if you want a smoother feel and more controlled traditional bass response. A setup may be beneficial if the new strings differ substantially in tension from the factory set.

Should I choose this or the American Professional II Jazz Bass?

Choose the American Professional II if you prefer a more modern neck, rolled fingerboard edges and contemporary bridge hardware. Choose the American Vintage II 1966 if nitro finish, vintage-radius geometry, Pure Vintage electronics and historically inspired details are what you want from a premium Fender.