Fender 50s Classic Precision vs 50s Road Worn- help me decide!

MrRobert · #1 07-14-2011, 11:04 AM

So I have been doing a lot of research to help me figure out what my next bass will be, and I've settled on either the Fender 50s Classic Precision or the 50s Road Worn Precision. According to fender's website, the bodies are made of the same wood, the pickups are the same, both necks have the same nut width and radius.
The major differences seem to be the poly vs nitro finish and also the road worn aspect. I found all this info on the Fender website, which of course, is very vague

I've heard that the RW series uses ligher woods for the bodies, and that they are a bit more woody sounding and resonant.

I've played the RW and loved the hell out of it, but I have not found a classic 50s locally to check out. My question is this:
Since the necks seem to be the same size, they should play pretty similarly if set up the same way, right? I'd rather have the possibly heavier classic 50s than the RW because I like heavy basses, and I like the idea of owning it for 30 years and letting it age naturally instead of the pre worn RW. That said, I already love the RW and the way it plays, but the extra $240 for a nitro finish and relic job do not appeal much to me ha ha
What do you think???
Has anybody played both and noticed a significant difference?
All replies are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
-Robert

Mojo-Man · #2 07-14-2011, 11:10 AM

Both are nice basses.
I prefer the RW.
Lighter weight bass, great feeling neck, better pickup, and hardware.
That fast playing neck, broken in feel, thin finish.
To me it's worth the extra $$$.

-=DanAtkinson=- · #3 07-14-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRobert

I like the idea of owning it for 30 years and letting it age naturally instead of the pre worn RW.

A poly finish will never "wear naturally" like a nitro finish does. Just won't happen. When a modern poly finish "ages", it gets a bit ugly IMO. You won't get nice worn spots like a nitro finish. You'll get nasty cracks, chunks of finish broken off, etc.

I'd go with the RW hands-down. But then again, I would never own or play a poly finished bass. They look like they've been dipped in plastic.

MrRobert · #4 07-14-2011, 11:40 AM

I really do like the way thr RW plays! And honestly I like the look too. I do prefer a heavy bass though!

MrRobert · #5 07-14-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=DanAtkinson=-

A poly finish will never "wear naturally" like a nitro finish does. Just won't happen. When a modern poly finish "ages", it gets a bit ugly IMO. You won't get nice worn spots like a nitro finish. You'll get nasty cracks, chunks of finish broken off, etc.

I'd go with the RW hands-down. But then again, I would never own or play a poly finished bass. They look like they've been dipped in plastic.

Interesting, Dan. I was under the impression that most 70s fenders had a polyurethane finish as well, and I like they way they look now. Maybe it was a differnt type of polyurethane or a thiiner coat?

waynobass · #6 07-14-2011, 11:45 AM

Road Worn bodies look very fake to me. If I could combine a regular unworn body with a Road Worn neck, that would be alright.

MrRobert · #7 07-14-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynobass

Road Worn bodies look very fake to me. If I could combine a regular unworn body with a Road Worn neck, that would be alright.

TRUE THAT!

Tmw2011 · #8 07-14-2011, 01:17 PM

They look the same on paper, but I have to go with the Road Worns hands down. You don't get the gloss stickytastic neck (yeah, that can be fixed with scotchbrite pads), rolled frets, and if you buy it used, you really can't tell the difference from a new in the box one and you save $$.

I concur about the finish. If Fender offered the roadworns without the 'wear', I would have snapped one up instead of my FAS with no second thought. For a while I thought of buying one and having it refinished, but I figure I wouldn't want to give it up long enough for the refinish to actually take place.

**ShoeManiac** · #9 07-14-2011, 01:23 PM

I had a 50's Classic Precision. Key word there is "HAD". It was an okay bass, but just not for me. The neck felt a bit too chunky for me (I've traditionally been a Jazz bass guy), and I tend to stick more to rosewood fingerboards.

That being said, I tried out the Roadworn Precision, and I REALLY liked it. The neck was far more comfortable than my 50's P-Bass. And tonally I found it much more pleasing. Could that be the differences in the finish? Quite possibly.

Also, I've found the roadworn basses to be some of the best basses coming out of Fender's Mexican factory. Pretty much every roadworn bass I've played in a shop or elsewhere has been ready to play. And when you see guys like Oteil Burbridge, who have major gigs (Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, etc) playing a roadworn P-bass at festivals and more, I think it's a pretty good testament to the quality of these instruments.

MrRobert · #10 07-14-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

I had a 50's Classic Precision. Key word there is "HAD". It was an okay bass, but just not for me. The neck felt a bit too chunky for me (I've traditionally been a Jazz bass guy), and I tend to stick more to rosewood fingerboards.

That being said, I tried out the Roadworn Precision, and I REALLY liked it. The neck was far more comfortable than my 50's P-Bass. And tonally I found it much more pleasing. Could that be the differences in the finish? Quite possibly.

Also, I've found the roadworn basses to be some of the best basses coming out of Fender's Mexican factory. Pretty much every roadworn bass I've played in a shop or elsewhere has been ready to play. And when you see guys like Oteil Burbridge, who have major gigs (Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, etc) playing a roadworn P-bass at festivals and more, I think it's a pretty good testament to the quality of these instruments.

Yeah, the road worn seems like a really nice bass. The main reason I want one of these basses is because of the fat old school P neck, not in spite of it. I'm also one of those weird guys that likes the vintage super thick style of gloss on a neck... I'm not a big fan of the satin at all! The worn neck on the RW does feel great though. Right now I'm leaning strongly toward the 50s classic. It really seems like it has everything I want. If only I could find one to play in person here in austin!!!

**ShoeManiac** · #11 07-14-2011, 03:53 PM

You can almost certainly get the Classic for less money, but I really think the roadworn plays MUCH better. I've also seen the roadworn P-Bass go for about $700 used. That's in the same ballpark as a new classic.

bh2 · #12 07-14-2011, 04:12 PM

I have the same dilemma... the classic is £300 cheaper here which is swinging me.

MrRobert · #13 07-14-2011, 04:47 PM

I'd love to buy a classic or road worn used, but I haven't seen either used here in Austin once in the last 6 months. I have seen a few classics here on TB, but didn't have the funds at the right time. I'm sure if I end up getting a new one the next day a used one would pop up immediately ha ha ha

totem · #14 07-15-2011, 01:18 AM

I too am a fan of the Road Worn P. A few months ago I played one up against an American Standard P and I liked the RW better. If I didn't have three P basses already, I'd get one. Hmmm, maybe I should sell a couple and do just that. I did buy a RW Jazz a couple years ago, and it's also a fantastic bass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

And when you see guys like Oteil Burbridge, who have major gigs (Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, etc) playing a roadworn P-bass at festivals and more, I think it's a pretty good testament to the quality of these instruments.

Funny you should mention that. The other night I was watching Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Festival DVD, and there was Oteil playing this bass. I paused to get a good look and there it was, a RW P, right down to the fake cig burn on the headstock. Ha!

Tusec · #15 07-15-2011, 01:24 AM

I can't comment on the Precisions, but I will say that I owned an RW and a 60s Classic J at the same time and the RW was the better bass. Both were good but the RW was better.

Lowbrow · #16 07-15-2011, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmw2011

T... For a while I thought of buying one and having it refinished, but I figure I wouldn't want to give it up long enough for the refinish to actually take place.

Funny you say that because I've even gone as far as speaking with my local refinishing fellow, getting a very reasonable estimate on a nice vintage white paint job, and gosh darn it if I'm unsure I'm ever going to work up the willpower to part with my RW for a month.

And that's even with having a 2008 MIA P and a Squier CV 60s P as spares.

**ShoeManiac** · #17 07-15-2011, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totem

Funny you should mention that. The other night I was watching Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Festival DVD, and there was Oteil playing this bass. I paused to get a good look and there it was, a RW P, right down to the fake cig burn on the headstock. Ha!

I was actually lucky enought to be in attendance at the 2010 Crossroads show, and when the Tedeschi-Trucks band came one I said to my friend who I went with "Holy ****, is Oteil actually playing a roadworn P-bass?!?!"

Also, to the OP there is currently a 50's Classic P-Bass for sale in the classifieds right now. IIRC, the price is $550.

MrRobert · #18 07-15-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

Also, to the OP there is currently a 50's Classic P-Bass for sale in the classifieds right now. IIRC, the price is $550.

Thanks for the heads up! Yeah, I saw that post when it originally went up. I'm pretty set on the burst finish though, and I won't have the dough ready until I get a travel reembursement from my company in early august. I still dream about the one that was sold here a little while ago that included three pickguards...

lpdeluxe · #19 07-15-2011, 09:20 AM

I have a Classic '50s that I bought before the RW series came out, and before the price increase, come to that. I think it's an absolute bargain for <$600. The advantage of the RW is the nitro finish. Playing at a Fourth of July gig, outdoors at the lake, in 104F heat, ruined me for that poly finish on the Classic '50s, as much as I loved it inside air-conditioned dance halls. I didn't like the looks of the RW, and I had some cash in my jeans, so I got an AV '57. BUT I frequently visit the local pro studio (the manager/engineer is all old gigging buddy) where a RW fiesta red Jazz sits in a rack with some other instruments. The manager being an incredible bass player, I'm sure it's there for a reason.

DTF · #20 07-15-2011, 12:45 PM

get both