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After a few weeks with a Roadworn Jazz...

ledyard

ledyard

Jan 31, 2010
1,655
46
Upstate NY
www.elephant-mountain.com
#1
I cant say enough about how impressed i am with it. Better than any MIA(2) or MIJ (and one MIM) Jazz I have ever owned or played. With the exception of the neck on the 73' jazz I had when I was 17.
I cant even complain about the fiesta red which I was scared to death about from the pics. Its mellow looking, not obnoxious at all.
The neck just feels so awsome. It probably doesnt hurt that the cat I got it from had it Plek'd :smug: . The pups are WAY better than I expected. Total vintage snotty tone. I have been using it for a couple weeks at rehearsal through an early 70's SVT and my Mesa PH1000 cab. Turn the tone pot down at least 50% and the mids up to 1 oclock on the amp and its like Geddy Lee heaven. I never turn the tone pot up past half. Too clicky clacky if i do. Running on the neck pup only is also great for a nice P bass style snotty tone. I run that setting when we end the show with Mule's live version of 30 Days In The Hole.
I havn't touched my P bass (my baby) since I got it. I'm conflicted now... I sooooo want a roadworn P bass but the problem is I only like P basses with J necks on them. My P is a 94' 62-reissue with a 89' J neck.
The RW will get its live beating/test in a couple weeks when we play a Nascar event here in NY.
 
#4
I considered a Road Worn Jazz before I bought my '62 AVRI. They're awesome basses but the American Vintage Reissue felt and sounded better. It's not exactly a fair comparison because of the difference in price and origin but they were surprisingly close.

The great thing about the Road Worn series is that they're popping up in the used market at great prices. One local shop even had one marked down to $650 and it was being sold as new. That price makes them a much more worthy contender.

I've been thinking about trying a Precision bass again and it's hard to ignore the Road Worn as an option. Truth be told, since I love my Jazz basses so much, I could get by without one. It's fun to shop around, though!
 
#5
After a few weeks with my Roadworn Jazz (3-Color Sunburst) I made quick mods by switching the tort pickguard to black and the stock bridge to the Badass II. The pups are great and I also turn the tone down to 50% - through my Little Mark III its got an awesome growl.

Now, I'm on the war path for the AV '75 RI and the Blacktop Jazz.
 
#9
:cool:

One of Fender best deals.
I had a Roadworn Jazz for a year.
It was great, but the P-Bass was calling.
The necks of these basses just kill.
Even if you don't like the stock pickup, at there price, changing pickups makes a great bass.
I changed my to a set of Lollar 60's Jazz. ( it rocked)
 
#10
The handfull I've tried have been great. I think a lot of people are put-off by the relic thing(I can understand and respect both points of view). I bet if Fender had put out a "Closet Worn" version of the same bass with very little wear they would have sold a few more.
 
#11
-=DanAtkinson=- said:
They are the only factory Fenders I would consider owning.
Click to expand...

I would say thats pretty good praise right there.



Lakland55 said:
After a few weeks with my Roadworn Jazz (3-Color Sunburst) I made quick mods by switching the tort pickguard to black and the stock bridge to the Badass II. The pups are great and I also turn the tone down to 50% - through my Little Mark III its got an awesome growl.

Now, I'm on the war path for the AV '75 RI and the Blacktop Jazz.
Click to expand...


What did you gain in switching the bridge?



I need to find me a RW J neck to pair with a RW P body.
 
#12
Still very happy with mine.

One thing I wonder about is how the nitro body and poly neck will age together. Will the neck stay young while the body wears into old age? (like Hugh Hefner and his recent wives...)

I guess we'll see, but for now it's a pretty cool bass.
 
#17
i put together a roadworn neck with a 57 avri body since I didnt like the relic treatment on the bodies , I was thinking theyd clash but I lucked out, the neck doesnt stand out as over relic'd with a brand new body these necks kill , feel wise

IMG_0231.jpg
 
#19
DTF said:
i put together a roadworn neck with a 57 avri body since I didnt like the relic treatment on the bodies , I was thinking theyd clash but I lucked out, the neck doesnt stand out as over relic'd with a brand new body these necks kill , feel wise
Click to expand...

I did the same. I put a RW P neck on my Deluxe Jazz. I sold the RW tuners & installed a set of Hipshot vintage ones. I love this neck! The best I have had in my hand. Best thing of all is I can stick my smoke in the E string and not have to care because the burn & stain is already there, same with the nicks. I play that bass more now than I ever have.
 

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