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CG/Fender rant
- Thread starter brekfustuvluzer
- Start date
LilRay
Commercial User
- Dec 27, 2007
- 4,166
- 39
- Disclosures
- Owner: Cockeyed Cow Custom Leathercraft
Hey don't feel sorry for me, I have a great job, a nice house, and a bunch of nice basses
You aren't really comparing the average 60s/70s Fender to the Funk Machine, or the Bass of Doom are you? I appreciate that you have an old bass that was your dad's, and I'm sure it has sentimental value to you -- not because it's an old bass, but because it was your dad's. However, most people with an old Fender bought it already old from a stranger -- if this is a mojo event for you, then have at it! However, to me this whole mojo thing is really silly -- it's just another was of saying an instrument looks old and feels broken in -- like a Roadworn Fender!
To clarify; What I said was that my basses were gifts from my Pop, not that they were his. The Jazz I speak of is a 1998 model so it's not an old Fender. But it's got a helluva lot of "Mojo" for me. When I reffered to "Mojo" I was referring to it's sentemental value, not it's appearance.
I look at it this way, I personally cherish all of my instruments, they all have their sentemental value (aka Mojo). If someone needs to sell an instrument, then that said instrument has "Mojo" from that owner, as I assume it was cherished by that person as I cherish mine. If I buy that Instrument IMO I am carrying on that person's Mojo and "Legacy' by continuing to use the instrument they cherished.
Mojo to me has nothing to do with a specific appearance but rather the story/experiences behind the appearance.
I guess it's all reletave to how you define Mojo. Mojo to me means experience. Manufactured or supposed Mojo/ Experience is silly to me.
God Bless, Ray
A quick show of hands from all those who think these basses are the greatest thing ever and accually bought one. These fantastic basses should be flying off the shelf at $1200.00 but thats not the case. Of the handfull I've played nothing about them wanted to make me plunk down my money on them. I could roll the edges and sand the back of the neck on any MIM bass and it would feel just like a road worn. Tone of any bass is subjective so look and feel must be the main focus on the road worns. The 2 MIM classic 70s Jazz basses I bought killed any of the 6 or 7 road worns I played. I have plenty of worn basses, cant see spending that kind of money to have someone apply wear to my brand new bass. But if you really like the road worns enjoy it...oh wait you have to BUY one first.
I have played a few of each of the MIM roadworn P and J's.
!.) They have all been light weighted
2.) The tuning pegs have been stiff and difficult to turn.
3.) I have found the necks "sticky" and not fast at all
4.) They all sounded good
When I compare the Roadworns to other basses in a comparable price range like Lakland Skyline or US Fender, IMHO value wise they just don't match up with sound or playability.
On the "used" market already the Roadworns are going cheap and don't hold their value. The relic finish has no value to me and is irrelevant.
Everybody (every bass player) has their own opinion what something is worth...if you feel it is a good value buy one...
I don't
!.) They have all been light weighted
2.) The tuning pegs have been stiff and difficult to turn.
3.) I have found the necks "sticky" and not fast at all
4.) They all sounded good
When I compare the Roadworns to other basses in a comparable price range like Lakland Skyline or US Fender, IMHO value wise they just don't match up with sound or playability.
On the "used" market already the Roadworns are going cheap and don't hold their value. The relic finish has no value to me and is irrelevant.
Everybody (every bass player) has their own opinion what something is worth...if you feel it is a good value buy one...
I don't
Yesterday I went to a local non-franchise type of music store that just recently relocated from a mall location into a suburban shopping plaza here in the Lou-evil area. First off, upon entering the store I was impressed by the several aisles worth of guitars hanging from tall "wall" racks, top to bottom. T'was a lot of guitars! Then there was the bass section towards the back wall with about a dozen basses. 
I played the Road Worn Precision that was there and it was as nice as the others I've had the chance to play in other shops. I scan the wall looking for something new to put my mitts on when I do a double-take... then a triple-take. I saw a white on white with rosewood fingerboard Squier Affinity P Bass with a $299 price tag. Next to it is a red Affinity P Bass for $199. I look at the white Affinity again and notice that the price tag states that this bass supposedly has a MSRP of $600!!!
I got out of that shop pretty quickly.
I played the Road Worn Precision that was there and it was as nice as the others I've had the chance to play in other shops. I scan the wall looking for something new to put my mitts on when I do a double-take... then a triple-take. I saw a white on white with rosewood fingerboard Squier Affinity P Bass with a $299 price tag. Next to it is a red Affinity P Bass for $199. I look at the white Affinity again and notice that the price tag states that this bass supposedly has a MSRP of $600!!!I got out of that shop pretty quickly.
So needless to say, if I come home with a new $1200 bass to submit for her approval, it probably better at least be shiny.
HA!
I lol'ed Ahhh, women.
Nobody is saying these are the greatest thing ever. This is going to be my next purchase as I have not found anything that feels this comfortable to play. That includes my 89 MIA jazz and a 2004 pbass.
There is no way to make a MIM feel like a RW MIM. The "plastic" feel of the MIM is still going to be evident. The finish and therefore the feel is entirely different. If you think that you can get the same feel by sanding the neck you are missing the point of this thread.
If you buy the RW and add the upgraded pickups, tuners and bridge you will have a super bass for quite a bit less that the $2500 - $3000. If you think that parts of the MIA are not made and assembled in Mexico you are sadely mistaken. Wood and body blanks fly back and forth across the boarder every day. Fender would like you to think that the MIM are vastly inferior to the MIA so they can protect this market for snobs who only buy the MIA. Why do you think Fender does not want Fender Japan importing any of their basses to the states? 20 years ago Fender snobs looked down at the models made in Japan. Now the are the most sought after of all the Fenders.
I'm not saying that the MIM will be the next of the collectables but I agree with most here that the RW is a step in the right direction. Anyone want to bet that in 5 - 7 years Fender will be moving their Flagship line to Mexico? I have a friend who works for Fender and I was told that some of the very early RW were made by Custom Shop employees who were traning the workers in Mexico.
There is no way to make a MIM feel like a RW MIM. The "plastic" feel of the MIM is still going to be evident. The finish and therefore the feel is entirely different. If you think that you can get the same feel by sanding the neck you are missing the point of this thread.
If you buy the RW and add the upgraded pickups, tuners and bridge you will have a super bass for quite a bit less that the $2500 - $3000. If you think that parts of the MIA are not made and assembled in Mexico you are sadely mistaken. Wood and body blanks fly back and forth across the boarder every day. Fender would like you to think that the MIM are vastly inferior to the MIA so they can protect this market for snobs who only buy the MIA. Why do you think Fender does not want Fender Japan importing any of their basses to the states? 20 years ago Fender snobs looked down at the models made in Japan. Now the are the most sought after of all the Fenders.
I'm not saying that the MIM will be the next of the collectables but I agree with most here that the RW is a step in the right direction. Anyone want to bet that in 5 - 7 years Fender will be moving their Flagship line to Mexico? I have a friend who works for Fender and I was told that some of the very early RW were made by Custom Shop employees who were traning the workers in Mexico.
You're missing an oportunity here. You bring it home and say "You're not going to believe my day". "First I was following behind this junk truck and this old Fender bass falls off. As I was standing there thinking how lucky I was, a man approched me from behind and robbed me of $1200. Don't worry dear I'm unhurt and still alive. After I recover from my trama I can always put this old guitar up for sale to help offset the loss. I'm not sure but I think it may be an antique".
It is up to you to explain why you were carring $1200 cash.
It is up to you to explain why you were carring $1200 cash.
HA!
Ahhh, women.
See my comments below.
I have played a few of each of the MIM roadworn P and J's.
!.) They have all been light weighted
This is bad how?
2.) The tuning pegs have been stiff and difficult to turn.
Try a 80's MIJ
3.) I have found the necks "sticky" and not fast at all
I have found this with the poly finishes but not with the RW.
4.) They all sounded good
Agreed
When I compare the Roadworns to other basses in a comparable price range like Lakland Skyline or US Fender, IMHO value wise they just don't match up with sound or playability.
On the "used" market already the Roadworns are going cheap and don't hold their value. The relic finish has no value to me and is irrelevant.
I have not seen a single used RW for sale. Where are you seeing them cheap? I am looking for one.
Everybody (every bass player) has their own opinion what something is worth...if you feel it is a good value buy one...
I don't
Nitrocellulose is plastic, polyeurathane is catalyzed plastic, sand them both with 1500 grit sandpaper and and they'll both look and feel about the same. Maybe I've become a bit numb to the finer differances after spraying both products for the last 30 years but poly is faster and much more duable and is used by almost all major maunufactures of musical instruments including some of the most loved basses on this board. The point of this thread is why pay $1200 for a new bass that looks old when you can just buy an old bass for $600.
I have no idea what this sentance is about.
I'm really not concerned about bass snobs or where the basses are made. looking at my original post you'll see that my last 2 new Fender purchases were MIM Classic 70 series basses that blew away any of the RW I'd played. My personal experience with the road worns were that they were an average at best bass with a high price tag, just my opinion nothing for others to get upset about. The 70s classics with thier lightweight bodies, blocks, binding, shiney new paint and the same pickups and hardwear as the roadworns at almost $400.00 less seemed to me like a much better deal.
I'm not sure who is seeking all these Japan Fenders but I don't see any of the Fender Japan Guitars , even the JV series bringing as much mony as the Fullerton Models from the same years. Friday I bought a 1987 Japan strat in great condition at guitar Center for $275. It's been hanging on the wall since last Dec with a $499 price tag. They dropped the price last week and it sold, it's a nice strat an plays and sounds great but most people won't spend that kind of money on a MIJ strat. Doubt an 87 USA strat would have hung there a week at $499.00.
Most of the peolple who like them don't own one(see the show your road worn thread).Resale right now is not great, it may be better in the future because if thier rarity since no one is buying them now.
That would be a great idea, can't sell a $1200 mim bass lets move the custom shop to Mexico and charge $4300.00 for a custom shop bass made in Mexico. I'd bet that will work about as well as the 30% price hike did.
These are just my opinions and don't mean much(not even to me). Feel free to disagree, that's why we're here.
Gotta admit, I don't get the "road worn" or "reliced" instrument thing. I don't have anything against them or the people who like them, but having a new instrument intentionally made to look like it has been heavily used is kind of like wearing a clip on tie.
Nitrocellulose Laquer. I have tried sanding the poly finishes and they don't feel the same. The feel like they were sanded and not worn through as the RW does. On top of that they just get sticky. I don't know what process Fender uses but I like the feel and the payability. As you can tell I don't care for poly at all. It does not allow the tone of the wood to come through as well as the laquer and I feel it adds nothing at all to quality of the bass. Yes Poly is more durable. Just ask those who are posting here asking how to remove it. If I was painting my car it would be my first choice everytime.
This is not about to relic or not. I have a 83 MIJ P Base CAR. The original owner had a few major dings and some buckle rash. He tried to touch up the paint and failed big time. He also decided he would try a tinted clear coat over the whole body to hide the touch up area. I was able to remove the clear finish using a few 3 inch wide strips of packing tape (no scuffing up the old finish to help the clear coat to adhere). I sanded down the touched up areas and applied a sanding sealer and it looks much better that it did when I bought it. In this case the relic made a disaster look much better.
I agree that a relic is a waist of time and money but that said I wish all MIM Fenders could feel like the RW. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE LOOK OF THE RELIC! I understand the passion of those who are either side of the fence. I am now sure this is why Fender did not call these Relics.
I also have a 50's PBASS in Fiesta Red. Not the best bass I own. Misaligned neck, lousy tuners and a oodles of fretbuzz. I also have a Dirnt 51 that I am in love with. Nice smooth neck. I believe the Dirnt is now in the $900 range so it is at the upper end of the MIM range so we are not comparing apples to apples here. If the local stores in my area are any indication they are all sold out of the RW's so someone is buying them. If it is like the newest model of a car the prices will be down next year, to closer to the Dirnt's. BTW where are you guys seeing the used RW's?
This is not about to relic or not. I have a 83 MIJ P Base CAR. The original owner had a few major dings and some buckle rash. He tried to touch up the paint and failed big time. He also decided he would try a tinted clear coat over the whole body to hide the touch up area. I was able to remove the clear finish using a few 3 inch wide strips of packing tape (no scuffing up the old finish to help the clear coat to adhere). I sanded down the touched up areas and applied a sanding sealer and it looks much better that it did when I bought it. In this case the relic made a disaster look much better.
I agree that a relic is a waist of time and money but that said I wish all MIM Fenders could feel like the RW. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE LOOK OF THE RELIC! I understand the passion of those who are either side of the fence. I am now sure this is why Fender did not call these Relics.
I also have a 50's PBASS in Fiesta Red. Not the best bass I own. Misaligned neck, lousy tuners and a oodles of fretbuzz. I also have a Dirnt 51 that I am in love with. Nice smooth neck. I believe the Dirnt is now in the $900 range so it is at the upper end of the MIM range so we are not comparing apples to apples here. If the local stores in my area are any indication they are all sold out of the RW's so someone is buying them. If it is like the newest model of a car the prices will be down next year, to closer to the Dirnt's. BTW where are you guys seeing the used RW's?
I got a used mia/mim "depending on who you ask" Hwy 1 Jazz for 550 bucks, Buffed the satin finish to a high gloss and then played the crap out of it...HARD...looks like a road worn now.sounds better than the RW's Ive played as well..can I resell it for more than I paid? I got a relic 1981 volkswagen rabbit as well..
What's not to get about the Roadworns? Old fenders are in vogue right now and people are willing to pay for pre reliced instruments. How is this any different than any other pop culture fad like wearing pants low, long hair on guys, or tattoos, shadow beards, etc... ?
Your GC has two bass rooms? At mine, I'm lucky if they have anything other than a Squier in stock -- and that's in a corner in the back of the store.
OK Where are those cheap RW basses. I was almost convinced that these guys had done their homework and knew what you were talking about. I decided to wander over to Ebay and see what the auction market had to offer. WOW, brand new RW's for $1000 - $1049. Used RW's sold in the last 30 days. $811, $975 and $945 hardly cheap. Go buy a car and see if your depreciation is more than this. Better yet buy a MIA for $1300 and see if you can get $1100 for it on the used Market. I then googled Fender Road Worn Basses to see if anything comes up on Craigslist. Nothing for sale. I'm still waiting to hear from one of you about one of these cheap "prices are falling" basses. I had the GAS for one of these and I was told I could get one "cheap".
Which GC do you go to? The Manhattan one has a decent, if a bit repetitive, selection.
Two bass rooms, 1 for Squier Jazz and 1 for Squier P Basses. NYC? If so you need to come upstate to Rochester or Buffalo. We got lots of stuff. Unfortunatly, no Road Worn Jazz or P Basses they are sold out. I'm serious tried the other day. Looks like I'm going to Ebay. Tough decision $1000 new or $811 used. I would have thought there would have been a bigger difference.
