Thoughts on Roadworn Fenders

[Davo-London]

The RWs I've played have been great instruments but they look wrong. They look like someone has had a go at one or two areas and left the rest. Odd. My 64P shows proper wear. Nothing like it:
Davo

[okc-zee]

I really like the RW P's I've played and I wouldn't have a problem buying one but I just don't see them as 2-300 bucks better than the classic 50's Ps I've owned and played..Both awesome basses though...

[el basso]

i love my RW enough that i bought another; one in fiesta red and one in burst.

[goldenglory18]

I just spent a good two hours playing a road worn P in the local mom and pop shop.

That thing played SO GOOD in the pocket but man alive, did it have a bad buzz from the 11 fret and up. Couldn't bend the high strings at all and any real firm finger playing really made it bark. Too bad because the whole purpose of this bass would have been a recording monster...

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

I just spent a good two hours playing a road worn P in the local mom and pop shop.

That thing played SO GOOD in the pocket but man alive, did it have a bad buzz from the 11 fret and up. Couldn't bend the high strings at all and any real firm finger playing really made it bark. Too bad because the whole purpose of this bass would have been a recording monster...

Sounds like it just needed a truss rod tweak.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Sounds like it just needed a truss rod tweak.

It's possible, but for what they were asking for it, it better have played perfectly.

Stupid too, they were really stubborn on selling it as-is. I was trying to get them to pay for a full set-up or at the least, lower the price to compensate for it (roadworns need to have the neck removed to adjust...) and they upright refused. I told them I refused to pay top dollar for a used bass that was unplayable and walked out empty handed.

Oh well. Maybe it wasn't meant to be....

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

It's possible, but for what they were asking for it, it better have played perfectly.

Stupid too, they were really stubborn on selling it as-is. I was trying to get them to pay for a full set-up or at the least, lower the price to compensate for it (roadworns need to have the neck removed to adjust...) and they upright refused. I told them I refused to pay top dollar for a used bass that was unplayable and walked out empty handed.

Oh well. Maybe it wasn't meant to be....

Used basses rarely get a set-up in a shop, and I guess they knew it would sell as is or they would have cut you a deal. Maybe.

[AMJBASS]

Agreed, you can never base your overall opinion of an instrument on poor setup. Unless there was something structurally wrong, but that is highly unlikely. I still stand by what I've said the last few years... The Road Worn basses essentially nail the feel and sound of the early 60's basses for a LOT less money. I would never hesitate to recommend one.

[sven kalmar]

i have a red roadW P, and its fantastic. the most resonant and nicest sounding P bass ive layed my hands on. I love the aluminum plate and have added ashtray and pickup cover. I think both the plate and covers do something to the sound. it does something to the overtones. Im sure the fat onepiece neck also contributes a lot to the powerful warm tone
i think the pickup sounds absolutely great. To me its like a mexican made customshop bass. great tuneres too..

[sven kalmar]

oh yes. the serial nr on mine is MZ 937-34-09
nice in someone knows how to interpret this.
nr 937
model 34
year09
???

[Stewthebassman]

Here's my rig for tonight, including a newly acquired RW Jazz!

[DJ Bebop]

Originally Posted by Stewthebassman

Here's my rig for tonight, including a newly acquired RW Jazz!

Is that a Squier VM Jazz and if it is, how are you diggin' it?

[Stewthebassman]

Originally Posted by DJ Bebop

Is that a Squier VM Jazz and if it is, how are you diggin' it?

It's the fretless Vintage and its amazing. For the price I don't know how they do it.

[bh2]

Originally Posted by Stewthebassman

It's the fretless Vintage and its amazing. For the price I don't know how they do it.

Yes... I must stop gassing for a roadworn and get one as a backup to my fretless 62 active jazz.

OR...! Get a RW Jazz and get those frets orf?!

Nice rig Stew... speakers look cool.

[Stewthebassman]

It was a tough decision whether to get the RW or not. It certainly has a feel and sound all of its own. I have a couple of other basses that are pretty nice, but I had never owned an old school basic Jazz. The F bass is a modern twist on the jazz, and showing up at a party rock gig with a 6 string is a little much. My 20 year old jazz (the Fender Lace pickups) has a great touch but is heavier than the RW and the high end isn't as punchy and clear. The fretless Squier is dangerous to take to a gig where half the songs I have never played before and I've never met the other musicians either....

I tried the other Fender basses in the $500-$1000 range, and the RW had something that was a little better.

I also appreciated other TB members' opinions in regards to how the RW stacks up against their original 60s Jazz basses.

The RW last night - we played drums, em and a singer/guitarist. Songs ranged from 50s rock to Blue Rodeo and REM....quite a varied range of tunes. We also had a guest come up and sing Oh Darling and Maggie May(!).

The fact that I was playing a bass that I had never played before was never a factor. It sounded GREAT all along the neck. The bass and mid notes are punchy and authoritative. No annoying overtones got in the way. Open notes sounded good also.

Overall a very satisfying bass to own and play.

Oh, and as for the relic thing? Nobody commented on it except for the drummer....he thought it was a an old bass haha. And I actually dig the look....I can't afford nor would I spend $5k and up to own a vintage Fender when this kind of product is available. And I liked my stage "look" with this bass. Old jeans, old boots (old guy too haha) t-shirt, and reliced bass. It's show biz after all.

[Stewthebassman]

Originally Posted by bh2

Yes... I must stop gassing for a roadworn and get one as a backup to my fretless 62 active jazz.

OR...! Get a RW Jazz and get those frets orf?!

Nice rig Stew... speakers look cool.

I wouldn't touch the frets on this bass but I bet it would be great as a fretless also.

Thanks, the Hartke and GK are officially over 20 years old now! And the Eden cab on the bottom is about 10 years old, the whole thing pushes air like crazy, a very reliable stage rig.

[Jim Carr]

Need a report from Boya From NAGOYA...

[BoyaFromNagoya]

Hey Jim. Sorry I've been busy playing around with my new toy

I've received my new Road Worn Sunburst Jazz Bass a couple weeks ago and I've finally figured why so many TBers like RW's so much. It's easily the best JB I've ever owned, including American Standards and a Geddy Lee. I always liked the relic image but never ever thought I'd like it this much. The finish just feels great and right.

The neck is chunky, comfortable and fast. The body is really lightweight probably because of the nitro finish, so when playing with a strap, the chunky neck causes a little unbalance. But this thing is really resonant. You can feel the wood vibrating all the time. Just hit an open string or an harmonic, flip the stringed side of the body to your face and you'll see what I mean. Before buying any electric guitars or basses, I always believed to play it unplugged first, and then go amplified. The natural sound of it says it all. And when I plugged it in to my GK it just blew me away. This is my most balanced sounding bass. I really like how the stock pickups sound, but I have an extra pair of SM Antiquity II set, so I will put them on after the next change of strings and let you know how it sounds with them.

But for now, I think I'm finally done with looking for another JB.

[slipitin]

When Andy Milonakis did his youtube song about the superbowl, he should have included roadworn fenders.

[jbiscuti]

Originally Posted by BoyaFromNagoya

The neck is chunky, comfortable and fast. The body is really lightweight probably because of the nitro finish, so when playing with a strap, the chunky neck causes a little unbalance.

Trust me - Hipshot Ultralites.