Fender Road Worn P Bass (Not sure of a couple of things)

cassanova · #1 09-08-2010, 03:49 PM

I stumbled across a Fender P bass today that looked exactly like this one in the link. I wrote the serial number down but in my haste I left it sitting on the counter there. I do remember the serial number started with an M, it was MZ649, etc, etc, or something like that, either way, I know it's a Mexican made. If I have the time I'm going to go back and write it down again.

It hasn't hit the floor yet, but the guy said it would tomorrow or the next day if the owner doesn't come in with the money. He's more than likely going to sell it for around $350-$400.

Other than the relicing (which I admit, I'm not a fan of) the bass has what appears to be finish flaws on the back of the neck, a good sized strip where the finish feels worn away. I'm not sure if that's normal on these or not. The E string saddle is also maxed out as low as it can go. Overall, the bass appears dirty, which I'm thinking can be cleaned up, and the bridge issue I'm sure can be taken care of with a good set up. The bridge and tuning pegs looked extremely worn and almost corroded. Again, not sure if that's normal on them or not.

Over all it played pretty good. My biggest concern in the price. Is this an extremely good deal or is it right around where it should be? Though I don't like the P bass tone, if the price he's asking is a steal then I'll jump at it only to resell it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Road-Worn...item439d0299a7

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Spinal Tapper · #2 09-08-2010, 03:52 PM

Seems mighty cheap for a RW...I'd be suspicious.

RTL · #3 09-08-2010, 04:04 PM

That's a ridiculous deal for a RoadWorn, but I'd be slightly suspicious as well. Those things usually float around the $1,200 mark new. They are fantastic instruments, though. I've played a LOT of them, and am always surprised at how consistently great they are.

I'd snag it if I were you, but you know what they say...

"You can't squeeze cheese from a goat before it's hatched."

Reynoldbot · #4 09-08-2010, 04:24 PM

I believe that's a Mexican RW. I've played one or two, they are pretty darn nice for the price. The corrosion on the tuning pegs is part of the RW look, and every one I've ever picked up had a similar setup, where at least one of the bridge saddles was lowered as far as it could go. I think that's also just part of the RW aesthetic, and a nice touch if I may add (how many used Fenders have you seen at guitar stores with the setup all funky like that?) and easy enough to fix. That price is ridiculously low, though, so proceed with caution.

Lakland55 · #5 09-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Go over it again when you get the chance, I'm a RW owner (although I swapped the bridge for a Badass II) and I think they are well worth the price. Although mine didn't come with any worn areas on the neck so I would be suspicious of that.

Nagrom · #6 09-08-2010, 04:33 PM

Take the pickguard off. It's stamped RW into the body. Otherwise maybe it's homemade RW.

Lakland55 · #7 09-08-2010, 04:34 PM

On all models or just the P's?

cassanova · #8 09-08-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

Seems mighty cheap for a RW...I'd be suspicious.

Truth be told, it was me that gave him the very low price. When I saw it, I thought "okay it's a MIM standard P that was reliced" and gave him a used price based on what I've seen them go for around here. Did not take into account or even think that it could be a RW. As I said in my OP, I'm not a P bass fan and I'm definitely not a fan of relicing. So I don't follow resale values and what not on them.

Now, far be it from me to go back and inform him of my mistake and tell him he can get a lot more for it. If it makes the floor and if it's still there when I have $350 to spare, I'll snag it, set it up, and then sell it.

He's also got an OLP 4 banger hanging on the wall that he wants $200 for. I think that's a tad steep. Especially with a 1 or 2 inch crack in the finish, by the bridge. So my blunder balances things out.

Rocky McD · #9 09-08-2010, 04:41 PM

How do you know it is a Road Worn model? There is nothing in the serial number to vaify
the model, only the 2006 mfg. date.

Nagrom · #10 09-08-2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakland55

On all models or just the P's?

Couldn't say for sure. It is on mine, stamped prior to finishing.
Looks like it could be a selection mark.

Regardless, it's a great guitar. Could use some cosmetic repairs....

bobalu · #11 09-08-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakland55

On all models or just the P's?

My Road Worn Jazz has the stamp under the pickgurad as well, so I'm guessing they all do. That price is incredibly cheap. So much so that I would be suspicious as well. That's less than half price. Is it hot?!!

btw, soundwise and playability, the RW's are the shiznit!!

cassanova · #12 09-08-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky McD

How do you know it is a Road Worn model? There is nothing in the serial number to vaify
the model, only the 2006 mfg. date.

I'm basing it by what my eyes saw. When I said it looks exactly like the one in the link I posted I mean exactly. The wear and tear marks (especially the stripped paint) are all in the same locations.

I'm still going to go back and jot down the serial number again though, then post it, just to be on the safe side. Maybe I'll just ask him for a screwdriver and take the pickguard off and check that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobalu

That price is incredibly cheap. So much so that I would be suspicious as well. That's less than half price. Is it hot?!!

btw, soundwise and playability, the RW's are the shiznit!!

Like I said, he asked me what I thought he could get for it. I didn't even think about it being a road worn so I gave him a price based on the MIM Standards, he set it from there. I do have to agree with you on the playability aspect of things though. That bass felt very very nice in my hands. I can't comment on the tone because I didn't plug it in. There are only 2, maybe 3 reasons I'm selling it should I buy it. The first is it's not a 5 string and that's all I play. The second, I'm not a huge fan of the P bass tone. I'm more of a jazz bass guy. The 3rd reason would be, I could make a decent profit off it should I be able to pick it up for that price.

cassanova · #13 09-08-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagrom

Could use some cosmetic repairs....

I agree with this. If for some strange reason I were to keep it (though I doubt I will) I'd refinish it and make it look like new.

Whoever the owner of it is definitely isn't taking care of it. Dust/lint down in the routes by the pickups, and a few dents/dings that shouldn't be there despite its relicing.

Would refinishing this bass kill off any chance of making a profit? I know with collectibles and vintage items it does, but this isn't exactly vintage its just made to look that way.

A-Step-Towards · #14 09-08-2010, 06:20 PM

Great deal but possible there was one on guitar centers used section for 550$ in great shape (for a relic) so its not an unbelievable price.

A-Step-Towards · #15 09-08-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

I agree with this. If for some strange reason I were to keep it (though I doubt I will) I'd refinish it and make it look like new.

Whoever the owner of it is definitely isn't taking care of it. Dust/lint down in the routes by the pickups, and a few dents/dings that shouldn't be there despite its relicing.

Would refinishing this bass kill off any chance of making a profit? I know with collectibles and vintage items it does, but this isn't exactly vintage its just made to look that way.

There are people that would perfer it refinished, I am one because I dont like how the body was relic'd.

I am sure cleaned up as is you could get 650$ shipped pretty easily, myabe less but making a 100$ should not be hard if thats what you want to do.

rodl2005 · #16 09-08-2010, 06:49 PM

DAMN fine basses the RW-P's. Aint played a RW jazz, but My P is superb. Whacked a set of tapewounds on it & it's motown vibe is killin'
I took IT over a Lakland D.D. coz it ATE it!

cassanova · #17 09-08-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

There are people that would perfer it refinished, I am one because I dont like how the body was relic'd.

I am sure cleaned up as is you could get 650$ shipped pretty easily, myabe less but making a 100$ should not be hard if thats what you want to do.

I don't really know what the resale value of these things are. But I'd like to make at least $700 on it. If that's unrealistic then I'll set my sights a bit lower.

Jeff K · #18 09-08-2010, 09:39 PM

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking they hadn't yet started making the Road Worn series in '06. I have an '06 Classic '50s P-Bass, and the S/N on that one also starts as MZ6... So if they hadn't yet started making them, it's probably a MIM Standard Series.

Any of you RW experts know when they went into production?

Jim Carr · #19 09-08-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff K

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking they hadn't yet started making the Road Worn series in '06. I have an '06 Classic '50s P-Bass, and the S/N on that one also starts as MZ6... So if they hadn't yet started making them, it's probably a MIM Standard Series.

Any of you RW experts know when they went into production?

The Road Worn basses started to be built in late 2008. Most dealers got them in early 2009. If this is a 2006 MIM P-bass, it is not a RW. If it is really 2006, I'd offer $250. If you then can't get it for under $300, walk.

Provide pics if you actually want a serious discussion of this instrument.

cassanova · #20 09-09-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Provide pics if you actually want a serious discussion of this instrument.

It's not a standard MIM P bass. I'm telling you it looks exactly like the one I linked you to and exactly like these below. I know what I saw, I had the thing in my hands for at least 30 minutes, if not a bit longer. I was leery of it being a fake for a while, but after looking at a lot of pics of them and seeing the worn paint, screw holes, etc, in all the same spots, and the same ugly ass orange, I lost any doubt. I also don't have a camera so it's a no go on taking pics. You're going to have to take my word about it being identical to all the ones I posted.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...w=1419&bih=700

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Road-Worn...item3f02bdf9ff

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOADED-50s-Road-...item2c549cd177