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Fender Road worn 50 vs PB57 japan

P

pepito666

Jul 3, 2019
149
135
#1
Hi. I’d like to get a vintage-style Precision bass to use with flatwound strings. I used to own a Road Worn '50s model and liked it, although I found the nut width a bit uncomfortable. I could live with it, but I’d prefer a slightly narrower neck. I’ve been considering the Japanese PB57, which has a 43mm nut and a C-shaped profile. I prefer the nitro and relic finish of the Road Worn, but playability and sound are the most important aspects.
They go for a similar price on the used market. Which one would you choose? I’m looking for a one-piece maple neck. Thanks.
 
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#5
Check out the Fender Sting Signature P-Bass. Made in Japan and you can find great deals on these. I picked a beautiful 2003 that was in brand new condition earlier in the year and I haven't put it down. It plays and sounds amazing! Plus sports 1.625" nut width and a very comfortable neck profile. I have D'Addario Chromes on it and sounds killer! I just changed the pickguard (not a fan of the stock white ones) and also replaced the vintage style two saddle bridge. A company in the UK makes a direct replacement that looks like the original but sports four saddles for better intonation and string height adjustment.

Sting.webp


Me.jpeg
 
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#6
ClassicJazz said:
Check out the Fender Sting Signature P-Bass. Made in Japan and you can find great deals on these. I picked a beautiful 2003 that was in brand new condition earlier in the year and I haven't put it down. It plays and sounds amazing! Plus sports 1.625" nut width and a very comfortable neck profile. I have D'Addario Chromes on it and sounds killer! I just changed the pickguard (not a fan of the stock white ones) and also replaced the vintage style two saddle bridge. A company in the UK makes a direct replacement that looks like the original but sports four saddles for better intonation and string height adjustment.

View attachment 7531589

View attachment 7531590
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I'm with ClassicJazz. I've got a Sting and had another P with the 1.625" nut width. I've got smaller hands and 1.75" nut is just not doable for me.
 
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#7
I love MIJ basses, I currently have 2 MIJ Jazz basses, but if I had to choose, I’d definitely take the RW. I love big wide air craft carrier necks and the feel of a nice broken in bass. I will never let go of my RW.

Also, RW precisions are very hard to come by and command a premium. I saw one listed here in the classified recently for $900 I believe, which I think is a good price for such a great instrument.
 
#10
The Pb57 is 43mm (1,70”) vs the road worn is 44,5 (1,75”) The Rw is wider, but maybe 43 is too much for me too. I have small hands.
I am used to 41mm (1,62”) on the american pro2, and even I prefer 38 mm (1,5”) jazz necks. I would like vintage specs, but maybe those basses are not for me. Cant try a Pb57 to know if I feel comfortable. Maybe I should save money.
Thank you
 
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#16
I know nothing about the Japanese PB57, but I've tried several times to live with the 1.75" Roadworn (and AVRI) neck. I am primarily a 5 string player, so the width, in and of itself, is not the problem for me. The fretboard string spacing on the the vintage necks was uncomfortable for me. I have since seen several sexy basses with the vintage width necks and passed. The newest "Vintage 50's" Fender basses have slightly narrower 1.70" nuts. Maybe they've notice a trend.
If it's not comfortable, you won't love it. ;)
 
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#17
pepito666 said:
I see the neck in the Heritage series is thick C. I have small hands. Would be for me?
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I have pretty small hands too, and I absolutely adore the neck on my Heritage 60s. It’s got a more modern nut with but front and back it’s like a 63C which is absolutely perfect. I personally don’t like necks that are too thin front to back, it tends to make my hand hurt.
 
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#18
MIJ Fender Guy said:
I have pretty small hands too, and I absolutely adore the neck on my Heritage 60s. It’s got a more modern nut with but front and back it’s like a 63C which is absolutely perfect. I personally don’t like necks that are too thin front to back, it tends to make my hand hurt.
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But the neck on the Heritage 50s and 60s is different. In the 60s is a 1963 C (I guess similar to my Am pro2 P), but the 50s is Thick C. Looks like the Heritage 50s is the japanese version of the Am original 50, similar neck shape, pickup, look...
I've found a 50s P Heritage second hand but I have doubts with the "thick C" neck shape.
 
#19
What does "vintage-style Precision bass" mean to you?
To me it's all in the neck size so 1.75" nut width and 7.25" radius with small frets are both non-negotiable. Otherwise it's just a regular P bass.

The two necks have different nut widths and profile/depth. How can we tell you which one is more playable for you?
You can always strip and refinish a neck as well as have it reliced but you can't add width to the nut.

As for the sound, same as above, who knows what you like?
 
#20
DionClassic said:
I swear by the road worn 50s. The neck is super thin from front to back which makes it very easy to play
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This is exactly why nobody should make recommendations based on personal preferences.
The RW 50s has a thickness of 0.82" at the 1st fret, which is not super thin at all by Fender standards. The Vintera 60s vintage reissues measure way less at around 0.79", or maybe less, and it's quite noticeable.
The profile also contributes to the feel. C profiles have sloping shoulders so those necks feel slimmer.

In addition to that, some necks keep a similar thickness through their length while others, like my Vintera II 60s, taper out from 0.79" at the 1st to a full inch at the 12th fret. That's deeper than some.

I have a 93 MIJ PB62 that is .82" at the 1st fret but the profile is oval with full shoulders and it feels chunkier there than the RW 50s.
 

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