Fender Road Worn P vs. American Standard- opinions?

DrC · #1 05-15-2013, 10:35 AM

After primarily playing Fender Jazz bass for many years, I want to finally get a precision to go along with it. I was thinking I would get a new or recent American Standard, but reading the reviews here I am interested in the Road Worn- for the sound, etc, not the 'relic' ( let's not get into that).

I haven't been able to find a Road Worn locally to try out. Can anyone who has both, or is really familiar with both, give me an opinion as to the differences, both in playability and sound? How do the necks differ?
I am confused about the RW neck- it has a truss rod? Any problems with adjustments, vs. the Am. Standard?

I have done searches, and can't seem to find enough specific comparisons of these two basses. Thanks for any help, in getting me over to the P Side!

bassbully · #2 05-15-2013, 10:56 AM

Both are great but for the money I would go AS if you are buying new. The RW IMO is overpriced vs say the AS fender. If you are talking used then its a toss up. The RW has a nice neck and vintage feel .The body is cool but the relicing looking like everybody elses RW bothers me. If I get one I'm addding to the relicing myself.
I do not know if the RW has the graphite reinforced neck or not. I just got an 08' AS and it quickly becoming the best P bass I have ever owned.

backup · #3 05-15-2013, 11:06 AM

i haven't played the RW but the classic 50's which is the same if i understand correctly? i compared it with an AS a/b.

both are great the build quality is much better with the AS but i like the sound of the classic better. it is more raw. of course strings and set up are important. classic was heavier.

generally the american felt more organic ie more balanced

i would never get a road worn but i'd get the classic over the AS. now they sell classics with nitro finish so no point in rw at all.

C.Linton · #4 05-15-2013, 11:27 AM

I would get the AS, primarily because I don't care for the RW concept in the first place, and I figure the RW can't be all that significantly better quality than the AS.
If I buy a new bass, I want it to look new. If I buy a used bass, I'd prefer that any wear on it be genuine.

totem · #5 05-15-2013, 11:50 AM

I have a Road Worn Jazz that is a fabulous instrument so I've tried to warm up to the Road Worn P, but I just don't like the neck profile. I have 2 American Ps, one of which is the 60th Anniversary model, and they feel, play and sound great. Plus I like the stability of the graphite-reinforced necks. When I get them set up the way I like them, they're rock-solid. But I have a friend who has a RW P and swears by it .. and I have to agree, it sounds great. And yes, the RW P neck has a truss rod, but I suspect it will need more adjustment. I do have to tweak the truss rod in my RW Jazz a couple times a year as the seasons change.

So I'd recommend the American Standard P too.

bassbully · #6 05-15-2013, 11:57 AM

Like I said both are great but a new RW is almost as much as an AS and I would take the AS then for a few more bucks and to get the reinforced neck. I think resale would be better in the long run on a MIA or a MIM RW or not.

Tmw2011 · #7 05-15-2013, 02:01 PM

I have a Road Worn P currently and I had a 2010 AM Standard. I prefer the feel of the Road Worn neck as well as the 1.75" nut width. People whine about the Road Worn finish... I'm sure there's larger problems in their lives they can focus on.

That said, I did my like 2010 AMStandard, but the neck felt like it was encased in a block of poly. It was quite thick.

For the sound, I was torn, so I kept the one that feels best to me, knowing I can change out the pickups if I want.

You can also check out the new Classic '50s with the nitro finish and tweed case. It only comes in black but it's another option, and $100 cheaper than the Road Worn.

Bongolation · #8 05-15-2013, 09:54 PM

I'm not a fan of either of these, but for different reasons.

The Classics, RW, HO, Special and pre-'12 American Standard Precisions all have the same 61276/7 pickup set, so there's not much between them there.

I do think the neck is better if you have the graphite rods on a Precision because they greatly lessen the dead spots, especially with flats. They also have larger frets which translates to longer useful life, especially if you're not using flats.

I think that if I were buying a new Precision at the moment, I'd probably go for the American Special.