Classic Series Lacquer vs. Road Worn

[Ryan Donahue]

So which is the better instrument- the Fender Classic Series- Lacquer '50s Precision & "60s Jazz bass or the Road Worn Precision & Jazz bass.

Yeah, this is what I'm trying to figure out. I have seen a lot written about the RWs but, as Jim said, there doesn't seem to be a lot of Classic Lacquers out and so straight up comparisons between the two are pretty scarce. The only reason I was asking about the difference is that if both the CL and RW are essentially equals quality-wise, I'd rather pay $100 less and get a hardshell case. The black p bass with rosewood board looks pretty darn good. I'm not anti-relic though so if the RWs are a step ahead, I'll go with the fiesta red RW and put on a tort guard.

In the meantime I will keep an eye on the classifieds for a Am. Std. or AVRI.

 

[tjh]

OP was about road worns which only come in p and J. When I referred to MIA I was referring to MIA ps and js. Unless there is some other RW basses you aren't telling me about? As far as country of origin goes, some people....get this...LIKE MIA fenders and think well of them. Maybe next time ill tell him to buy a starcaster?

... that was my comment ... to tell someone to buy a 'MIA' is a bit too general, just as someone using the term MIM without a model ... thats a pretty big brush that encompasses many models, some with very different specs/qualities/components than others ... the basses I listed were all MIA P and J's and could not possibly be more different than a Road Worn in components and quality... some people also buy basses because they have a preferrence for such things as neck profile, fretboard radius, etc ...

.. if you told them Starcaster, it would be a step in the right direction by being more specific, but if you told them American Standard, or American Special, AVRI, etc ... it would probably be more beneficial ..

 

[2cooltoolz]

Unless you REALLY dig the roadworn look, I would honestly look for a used MIA.

From the OP, it would seem that similarity of components and specs are the items of inquiry, not where it was made

JMHO

The OP has been a member since 2003; he was obviously asking the difference between two very specific basses. JellinWellin has an American Standard, and wants to share his bliss with everyone else. Many believe the Squier Classic Vibe is the best bass made. It's the nature of the internet.

I've never played (or seen) the lacquer Classic, but I have owned a Road Worn Precision (forced to sell due to bad timing) and currently own a '57 AVRI with a Road Worn neck. These necks feel completely different to me from the Classics. I've never done a side-by-side and the Classics I've played were in music stores, which is uncomfortable, to me, at best. But the Road Worns seem to have a more broken in feel. The fretboard edges have that "rolled" feel of a bass that's been played for years, and the neck just feels welcoming to wrap your hand around. The back of the necks have a worn-in, rubbed down feel, smooth and fast. I think some of this might be psychological, due to the worn appearance, but it works for me. By the way, I could live without the cigarette burn...

I also have an American Standard Jazz bass which is a wonderful bass, but that wasn't the question, was it?

 

[Lowbrow]

Straight up truth: I've never seen a 50s mim Classic in person, but would love to A/B one with a Road Worn - I've been playing for nearly 40 years and have owned 3 pre- CBS Ps and played dozens more.

I now own a mim Road Worn P.

If this bass was un-reliced and said "USA" somewhere on it, it would be no doubt on par with any master built closet classic from the custom shop. The way I see it, I've saved thousands of dollars and own the best bass a fender player could possibly own. That's just me, but I know what I'm talking about otherwise I'd be smart enough to keep this judgment to myself.

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

Straight up truth: I've never seen a 50s mim Classic in person, but would love to A/B one with a Road Worn - I've been playing for nearly 40 years and have owned 3 pre- CBS Ps and played dozens more.

I now own a mim Road Worn P.

If this bass was un-reliced and said "USA" somewhere on it, it would be no doubt on par with any master built closet classic from the custom shop. The way I see it, I've saved thousands of dollars and own the best bass a fender player could possibly own. That's just me, but I know what I'm talking about otherwise I'd be smart enough to keep this judgment to myself.

Agree 100% with the above. I own 3 RWs. I dragged one of them to a shop to amp shop recently. There was a Fender Custom Shop relic on th wall so I did an A/B between the 2 and the Road Worn won. Not by much but enough to easily judge.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[AMJBASS]

Straight up truth: I've never seen a 50s mim Classic in person, but would love to A/B one with a Road Worn - I've been playing for nearly 40 years and have owned 3 pre- CBS Ps and played dozens more.

I now own a mim Road Worn P.

If this bass was un-reliced and said "USA" somewhere on it, it would be no doubt on par with any master built closet classic from the custom shop. The way I see it, I've saved thousands of dollars and own the best bass a fender player could possibly own. That's just me, but I know what I'm talking about otherwise I'd be smart enough to keep this judgment to myself.

I've owned a few of each. IME the Road Worn basses are in general lighter weight, with a better feeling neck(although they share the same neck shape, the finish is different). The hardware is the same. I have found the RW's to be more resonant instruments, although to be fair I've played a couple of 50's Classics that have been outstanding instruments. Its really up to you what you are looking for. The RW's IMO nail the vintage P-Bass tone better than anything else in that price range. The MIA Standards are good, but they do not sound like a vintage bass.

 

[Jim Carr]

Agree 100% with the above. I own 3 RWs. I dragged one of them to a shop to amp shop recently. There was a Fender Custom Shop relic on th wall so I did an A/B between the 2 and the Road Worn won. Not by much but enough to easily judge.

Just my opinion of course.

+1

I played a CS duotone early '60s Jazz relic four times at a shop and then restrung my best RW Jazz (I have two) with the same Fender strings the CS relic was wearing. During the fifth visit to the shop, for me, the CS Jazz relic "won," and I sold a '69 P-bass to get the CS Jazz. Close? Yes, but the CS was more resonant and complex to my ears. I spent a lot of time in a quiet room alone comparing them unplugged and through a Markbass 210 combo. All IMHO, IME.

However, my RW Jazz still sounds just as good as it did BEFORE I bought the CS bass.

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

+1

I played a CS duotone early '60s Jazz relic four times at a shop and then restrung my best RW Jazz (I have two) with the same Fender strings the CS relic was wearing. During the fifth visit to the shop, for me, the CS Jazz relic "won," and I sold a '69 P-bass to get the CS Jazz. Close? Yes, but the CS was more resonant and complex to my ears. I spent a lot of time in a quiet room alone comparing them unplugged and through a Markbass 210 combo. All IMHO, IME.

However, my RW Jazz still sounds just as good as it did BEFORE I bought the CS bass.

I figure most Custom Shop have hand-picked everything on them and most kill over the assembly line Fenders.

The Road Worn I "dragged" with me to the shop was picked by me over others and, like your 2nd and more resonant RW, is an exceptional example.

Since your 2nd purchased Road Worn reminds me of my 2008 in description by yourself I have been intriged by your glee over the "Duo-Toned" Custom Shop you now own. It was one of the reasons I A/B'd the CS to my RW.

I must say I was somehow dissapointed with my results. I would love to try that duo-tone out Jim!

Best regards,

Joe

 

[shrimpflea]

Haven't tried the Classic Series Lacquer basses but I have been very impressed with the Road Worn Basses I've played.

 

[denton57]

Aren't the roadworn bodies dried out at the factory as part of the aging process? I'd imagine the Lacquer series isn't?

 

[Icculus]

From what I've seen (and purchased) on the classifieds here, the RW basses can be had for around $700. MIAs more in the $850 range. However significant that is to the buyer is up to the individual. As someone already mentioned, a MIA bass isn't just a better version of the RW bass… apples/oranges.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

A better comparison is the lacquer finished version , the road worn and the classic. (Poly)

The 50s Classic is best value in Fender
's line IME /IMO. I do like the roadworns and haven 't seen or played the laquer yet.

 

[Jim Carr]

Comparing two identical or similar basses, one belonging to the shop, and one belonging to the buyer is tricky. I wish I could play 3 or 4 Classic Series Lacquer Jazzes and 3 or 4 Road Worn Jazzes in the same place, on the same day, with the same amp, etc. Not a scientific test, but one with the obvious barriers to fairness removed.

I found my first RW Jazz (used) for $675, and a second one (new) for $850. When I got my first one, it soon became the only passive bass I wanted to play. When I compared mine to another RW Jazz, the other one was just more resonant—again the comparison was done with new Fender 7250ML nickel-plated steel .045-.100 gauge strings on my bass—the same strings on the bass in the shop (Sky Guitars in Denton, TX).

The sales guys in the shop played both basses, as did I. Obviously, they would be expected to prefer the shop's bass, but in fact, they just assumed the two basses would sound the same. We were all surprised at how clear the difference was. My (first RW) Jazz sounded good—bright, full, clear old school Jazz tone. The shop's road worn bass was all that, but just had more sustain and what I think was more pronounced upper mids in the attack.

All kind of vague, but I knew immediately that I was going to buy that second RW Jazz. After a go at each bass, the sales guys looked surprised at the clear difference between the basses. N.B., we all liked both.

So...how would YOU go about comparing a Classic Lacquer Jazz to a Road Worn Jazz, assuming YOU bring the Road Worn???

 

[Ryan Donahue]

Comparing two identical or similar basses, one belonging to the shop, and one belonging to the buyer is tricky. I wish I could play 3 or 4 Classic Series Lacquer Jazzes and 3 or 4 Road Worn Jazzes in the same place, on the same day, with the same amp, etc. Not a scientific test, but one with the obvious barriers to fairness removed.

I found my first RW Jazz (used) for $675, and a second one (new) for $850. When I got my first one, it soon became the only passive bass I wanted to play. When I compared mine to another RW Jazz, the other one was just more resonant—again the comparison was done with new Fender 7250ML nickel-plated steel .045-.100 gauge strings on my bass—the same strings on the bass in the shop (Sky Guitars in Denton, TX).

The sales guys in the shop played both basses, as did I. Obviously, they would be expected to prefer the shop's bass, but in fact, they just assumed the two basses would sound the same. We were all surprised at how clear the difference was. My (first RW) Jazz sounded good—bright, full, clear old school Jazz tone. The shop's road worn bass was all that, but just had more sustain and what I think was more pronounced upper mids in the attack.

All kind of vague, but I knew immediately that I was going to buy that second RW Jazz. After a go at each bass, the sales guys looked surprised at the clear difference between the basses. N.B., we all liked both.

So...how would YOU go about comparing a Classic Lacquer Jazz to a Road Worn Jazz, assuming YOU bring the Road Worn???

I guess the only way to settle it is for me to buy both . Honestly though, since there is no way for me to physically play both and A/B them I am going to have to just pull the trigger on one. I have a Baja telecaster which is essentially the Classic Series of teles and the fit and finish is really quite good. Some of the instruments coming out of the Mexico plant are just great players. I don't think one would go wrong with either.

I still have a month or so before I pull the trigger so I will keep debating. Hopefully more reviews show up on the Lacquer series. With the relic-ing being so polarizing you'd think there would be a lot of folks trying out the Lacquer series in order to get the RW quality with the non-distressed looks.

 

[AMJBASS]

If you need to buy sight unseen I'd go with the Road Worn. Its only polarizing around TB. A lot of full time pros play them including Oteil Burbridge with the Allman Brothers. To be fair he has a lot of basses, but you can see him using the RW occasionally.

 

[ShoeManiac]

I've got a Roadworn Jazz bass, and without a doubt, it is a PLAYER. I bought it used on TB, and I'm frankly very surprised that the previous owner let it go. The neck plays amazingly well. And I think the Roadworn process, notably the kiln drying of the wood, really helps these instruments shine.

I've also got a project bass that I'm working on that's somewhat inspired by my Roadworn bass. The original concept was to use a Classic Series Lacquer finished P-Bass body and pair that with a Roadworn Jazz bass neck. I got the body, but the neck has been a little more difficult to source. So I managed to track down a nitro finished Allparts Jazz bass neck. It had something of a relic treatment to it. Why this pairing? I wanted a black bodied P-Bass finished in nitro, but with a Jazz bass neck. Hopefully I'll be able to finish this bass very soon.

So, are these lines comparable? I don't think so. The one similarity to me is that they both feature nitro finishes. The parts are GENERALLY the same. But there's significant differences in the wood and the overall aesthetic. I think the Classic lacquer instruments offer up that taste of nitro to the people who aren't into the whole relic thing, or want to wear the instruments finish down on their own. And truth be told, I'm looking forward to wearing down the finish on my project P-Bass really soon!

 

[Thunderhead]

I don't think one would go wrong with either.

I have the Classic 50's Precision in both poly and nitro. They are both good basses. But if the RW is a better instrument than the Classic Laquer, then RW owners are lucky indeed.

Also - you may already know about it, but if not, check out the 'Musicians Friend' thread in the 'Hot Deals' forum of the classifieds here on TB before you buy.

 

[Ryan Donahue]

*snip*

Also - you may already know about it, but if not, check out the 'Musicians Friend' thread in the 'Hot Deals' forum of the classifieds here on TB before you buy.

Ahh, I hadn't read that thread. Thanks for the head's up.

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

Here is what (I think) the bottom line is.

So many players cry out for that 'nitro' finish. Fender knows this. I heard stories of shops not being able to sell the Road Worns. But the love of nitro remains.

Fender re-creates the "Classic" with nitro finish. If you ask me, if you have played a Classic series instrument, you can expect the exact same Classic series bass with a different finish. I really don't think it will sound or play any different.

It will wear faster and cooler I think and that is what people seem to like.
Just my 1.5 cent

 

[ShoeManiac]

Fender re-creates the "Classic" with nitro finish. If you ask me, if you have played a Classic series instrument, you can expect the exact same Classic series bass with a different finish. I really don't think it will sound or play any different.

It will wear faster and cooler I think and that is what people seem to like.
Just my 1.5 cent

A good deal of the appeal with nitro is HOW it's going to age. A poly finished instrument will lock moisture into the instrument from the time it was finished. That moisture barrier won't allow the wood to age and season as it would with more exposure. Nitro finishes don't create that moisture barrier, and this will allow an instrument like the lacquer finished Classics to dry out over time. Granted, this is going to take a good deal of time. Years, in fact. But the lacquer finish Classic series is going to age much like a vintage Fender or other nitro finished instrument.