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Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
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Playability
68
Sound
81
Build
70
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
74
Value
76
Score
76
FIND IT ON:
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Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass vs Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Specs Comparison
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
General
Brand: Fender Fender
Year: 2023 2023
Configuration: SS Split S
Strings: 4 4
Made in: Japan United States
Series: Made in Japan International Color Vintera II
Colors: Blue, Yellow Blue, Yellow
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Alder
Bridge: 4-Saddle Vintage-Style 4-Saddle Mustang Bass Strings-Through-Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage Style Fender '70s Vintage-Style Stamped Open-Gear
Fretboard: Maple Slab Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple Maple
Decoration: White Pearloid Block White Dot
Scale Size: 34" 30"
Shape: Bass U Shape Bass Early '70s C
Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 20 Vintage Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 7.25"
Nut: Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 38.1mm (1.5'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage-Style 70s Split Single-Coil Mustang Bass (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup:
Switch: 0 Way 0 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 1 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Nickel Chrome

Reasons to Get
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass over Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass

Neck Profile
Bass U Shape vs Bass Early '70s C
Comfortable neck with more grip
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Pickups
SS vs Split S
Beautiful cleans
Nut Width
1.5'' (38.1mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Scale Length
34'' (863.6mm) vs 30'' (762mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Reasons to Get
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass over Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Bass Early '70s C vs Bass U Shape
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickups
Split S vs SS
Reduced interference, warm tone, and strong midrange presence for versatile bass sounds.
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.5'' (38.1mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
30'' (762mm) vs 34'' (863.6mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
76 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass vs Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass

Middle Pickup
Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Jazz Bass vs Fender Vintage-Style 70s Split Single-Coil Mustang Bass
Different Middle Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass vs Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
4
Same Headstock
Strings
4
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
0
Same pickups versatility
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
20
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Vintage Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Price History Comparison

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both favor large hands .

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

Both meet 4 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first bass to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Winner: Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass has an SS configuration while the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass has Split S pickups.

SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

On the other hand, A Split S, or split single-coil pickup, has a classic, warm, and punchy tone, characterized by a strong midrange presence and noise reduction. Its design cancels out interference, making it suitable for various musical styles and ideal for live performances and studio recording.

Pickups Quality

Both come with some of the top pickups on the market. You can't go wrong with either of them. You'll probably never need a pickup upgrade.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Preamp Circuit

A preamp in an electric bass functions as an electronic circuit that acts as an interface between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its main purpose is to amplify and customize the bass's initial signal before it reaches the amplifier, offering enhanced control over factors like tone, volume, and sound attributes. Preamps typically come equipped with tone adjustments, equalization options, and sometimes built-in effects, empowering bass players to fine-tune their sound to suit their personal preferences and the musical environment.

Both basses have a Passive preamp.

Passive: A bass with a passive preamp lacks an onboard electronic circuit for tone shaping and signal boosting. Instead, it relies solely on passive pickups and basic tone controls, typically consisting of volume and tone knobs. Passive preamps don't require an external power source like batteries, making them low-maintenance and dependable. While they offer a simpler and more straightforward tonal character, passive basses are appreciated for their warm and vintage sound, often favored in genres like classic rock, blues, and funk. They are an excellent choice for musicians who value the simplicity and timeless appeal of their instrument's tone without the need for active electronic components.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 77
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 81
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass compares to the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass is built in Japan while the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass is made in United States.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your bass to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's are Vintage Style while the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's are Fender '70s Vintage-Style Stamped Open-Gear

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a bass is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass
  • Made in Japan
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Active Preamp
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Active Preamp
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass
Quality of materials 56
Features 70
Quality Control 85
Build Quality 70
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
Quality of materials 66
Features 70
Quality Control 85
Build Quality 74

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a bass might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a bass feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Nut Width
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Nut Width
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Nut Width
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass has the wider nut with 41.3mm (1.625'') vs 38.1mm (1.5''). This is a 3.2mm (0.125'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's Scale Length
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's Scale Length
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's Scale Length
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass has the longest scale: 34". The Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass is only 30" long. This is a 4'' (101.6mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the bass sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Neck Profile
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's neck profile
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Neck Profile
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Fingerboard Radius
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's Fingerboard radius
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Fingerboard Radius
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's Fingerboard radius

Most bass fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass.

Fret Size

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass Frets Size
Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's Frets Size
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass Frets Size
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass's Frets Size

The Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass has Vintage Tall frets, which should be taller than the Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Made in Japan Limited International Color Jazz Bass
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 50
Playability 68
Fender Vintera II '70s Competition Mustang Bass
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 73