Fender 50's Roadworn worth a look?

sleevey · #1 12-31-2010, 11:04 AM

Am thinking of trying one of these out, although my first inclination is to pass and buy a MIA.....am I wrong or are these great instruments? I have heard so may different opinions here locally, wanted to see what you guys think.

AMJBASS · #2 12-31-2010, 11:14 AM

Best precision I have ever owned was a 50's Road Worn. I love these basses. They are very well made, and IMO NAIL the vintage feel, and tone. Great value.

steamthief · #3 12-31-2010, 11:19 AM

I was at GC a few weeks ago and this bass with a clearance price tag killed all the other Precisions tonewise, MIA included. If I didn't hate the relic look, I would have bought it.

()smoke() · #4 12-31-2010, 11:29 AM

i played a precision rw, and it was a FANTASTIC p bass...even though i don't really like the relic thing, i would play it...i wonder if fender has considered doing them without the relic job? maybe they worry it adds too much cost to do the nitro finish without any flaws from the assembly process or something?

Steve Clark · #5 12-31-2010, 12:17 PM

Never played one I didn't like. I was once in a GC in Florida and played a road worn J and 60's vintage bass back to back. The road worn felt WAY better.

bh2 · #6 12-31-2010, 01:34 PM

They are bloody great!

Anthony Barrett · #7 12-31-2010, 01:34 PM

Hi - I played a 60's Roadworn Jazz recently along with the Precision. Both felt beautiful. The Jazz had a dead spot (needed proper set-up), but these things play wonderfully.

Bongolation · #8 12-31-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleevey

am I wrong or are these great instruments?

AFAIK, these are only MIM "Classic" instruments with the (very unconvincing) kicked-around look added for more money.

If you like them, get a "Classic" and save the dough.

()smoke() · #9 12-31-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bongolation

AFAIK, these are only MIM "Classic" instruments with the (very unconvincing) kicked-around look added for more money.

If you like them, get a "Classic" and save the dough.

they do look about the same specifications aside from the nitro vs poly finish

DTF · #10 12-31-2010, 02:25 PM

I just bought a roadworn neck from the classifieds here , and have a new hwy one black precision on its way , im gonna make my own since I dont like the relic look, ill just put 62 pups in and a .1uf cap in and a gold pg out the door for 500 bucks, i played a roadworn at GC , easily the best p there with a classic 50's a close 2nd

sleevey · #11 12-31-2010, 02:52 PM

Thanks guys, looks like you all liked em pretty well. I'll go grab one from the local store "on trial" and see for myself.

Smallmouth_Bass · #12 12-31-2010, 02:57 PM

I picked up a Road Worn Jazz just because I liked the feel, sound and playability. Regardless of the relic and that it is a MIM, it is a good bass.

savit260 · #13 12-31-2010, 03:20 PM

They are very good Precisions in my opinion.

This coming from the owner of a well gigged pre CBS P bass.

The factory done relic job isn't my thing, but there's no denying these things are great players.

Anthony Barrett · #14 12-31-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleevey

Thanks guys, looks like you all liked em pretty well. I'll go grab one from the local store "on trial" and see for myself.

post how you feel about it after a workout. Thanks.

sleevey · #15 12-31-2010, 04:49 PM

Okay, I have been playing it the last two hours and its not that bad. The roadworn part is a wee on the cheesey side as it doesnt look truly relic'd, but it balances well, the neck feels fast and smooth unlike a heavily laquered one, and it sounds pretty damn good. The strings are dead sounding (dont know if its just been played alot at the store), and the tuners are okay. If I keep the bass, I will upgrade the tuners,pups and replace the strings and have the action lowered a bit, sooooo basically, for the money and the cost to upgrade......Id give the bass a good 8.5 out of ten in the "bang for buck" category.

Tusec · #16 12-31-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bongolation

AFAIK, these are only MIM "Classic" instruments with the (very unconvincing) kicked-around look added for more money.

If you like them, get a "Classic" and save the dough.

I've had both and they're not the same. The biggie is that the Classic is poly while the RW is nitro. Also the fingerboard edges on the RW are rounded rather than sharp and the body is slightly thinner. There are some other subtle differences as well. When taken together, it's pretty clear that the RWs don't just start off as Classics.

I think the relic'ing on the RWs looks pretty darn cool considering they're mass produced:

sleevey · #17 12-31-2010, 05:17 PM

Sweet Jazzer bro!!

Valerus · #18 12-31-2010, 05:28 PM

I played the 50s Precision at my local shop. It was pretty slick.

DTF · #19 12-31-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleevey

Okay, I have been playing it the last two hours and its not that bad. The roadworn part is a wee on the cheesey side as it doesnt look truly relic'd, but it balances well, the neck feels fast and smooth unlike a heavily laquered one, and it sounds pretty damn good. The strings are dead sounding (dont know if its just been played alot at the store), and the tuners are okay. If I keep the bass, I will upgrade the tuners,pups and replace the strings and have the action lowered a bit, sooooo basically, for the money and the cost to upgrade......Id give the bass a good 8.5 out of ten in the "bang for buck" category.

ill buy the tuners and pups from you those are its strong points imho

sleevey · #20 12-31-2010, 05:51 PM

I will ponder that if i decide to keep her DTF!!