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Fender Road Worn P vs. American Standard- opinions?

D

DrC

Nov 24, 2008
50
2
Vermont
#1
After primarily playing Fender Jazz bass for many years, I want to finally get a precision to go along with it. I was thinking I would get a new or recent American Standard, but reading the reviews here I am interested in the Road Worn- for the sound, etc, not the 'relic' ( let's not get into that).

I haven't been able to find a Road Worn locally to try out. Can anyone who has both, or is really familiar with both, give me an opinion as to the differences, both in playability and sound? How do the necks differ?
I am confused about the RW neck- it has a truss rod? Any problems with adjustments, vs. the Am. Standard?

I have done searches, and can't seem to find enough specific comparisons of these two basses. Thanks for any help, in getting me over to the P Side!
 
#2
Both are great but for the money I would go AS if you are buying new. The RW IMO is overpriced vs say the AS fender. If you are talking used then its a toss up. The RW has a nice neck and vintage feel .The body is cool but the relicing looking like everybody elses RW bothers me. If I get one I'm addding to the relicing myself.
I do not know if the RW has the graphite reinforced neck or not. I just got an 08' AS and it quickly becoming the best P bass I have ever owned.
 
#3
i haven't played the RW but the classic 50's which is the same if i understand correctly? i compared it with an AS a/b.

both are great the build quality is much better with the AS but i like the sound of the classic better. it is more raw. of course strings and set up are important. classic was heavier.

generally the american felt more organic ie more balanced

i would never get a road worn but i'd get the classic over the AS. now they sell classics with nitro finish so no point in rw at all.
 
#4
I would get the AS, primarily because I don't care for the RW concept in the first place, and I figure the RW can't be all that significantly better quality than the AS.
If I buy a new bass, I want it to look new. If I buy a used bass, I'd prefer that any wear on it be genuine.
 
#5
I have a Road Worn Jazz that is a fabulous instrument so I've tried to warm up to the Road Worn P, but I just don't like the neck profile. I have 2 American Ps, one of which is the 60th Anniversary model, and they feel, play and sound great. Plus I like the stability of the graphite-reinforced necks. When I get them set up the way I like them, they're rock-solid. But I have a friend who has a RW P and swears by it .. and I have to agree, it sounds great. And yes, the RW P neck has a truss rod, but I suspect it will need more adjustment. I do have to tweak the truss rod in my RW Jazz a couple times a year as the seasons change.

So I'd recommend the American Standard P too.
 
#6
Like I said both are great but a new RW is almost as much as an AS and I would take the AS then for a few more bucks and to get the reinforced neck. I think resale would be better in the long run on a MIA or a MIM RW or not.
 
#7
I have a Road Worn P currently and I had a 2010 AM Standard. I prefer the feel of the Road Worn neck as well as the 1.75" nut width. People whine about the Road Worn finish... I'm sure there's larger problems in their lives they can focus on.

That said, I did my like 2010 AMStandard, but the neck felt like it was encased in a block of poly. It was quite thick.

For the sound, I was torn, so I kept the one that feels best to me, knowing I can change out the pickups if I want.

You can also check out the new Classic '50s with the nitro finish and tweed case. It only comes in black but it's another option, and $100 cheaper than the Road Worn.
 
#8
I'm not a fan of either of these, but for different reasons.

The Classics, RW, HO, Special and pre-'12 American Standard Precisions all have the same 61276/7 pickup set, so there's not much between them there.

I do think the neck is better if you have the graphite rods on a Precision because they greatly lessen the dead spots, especially with flats. They also have larger frets which translates to longer useful life, especially if you're not using flats.

I think that if I were buying a new Precision at the moment, I'd probably go for the American Special.
 
#9
I played the AS basses a lot when they first appeared, and was very impressed by the fret work, fit, finish, and the sound of the P. I agree the graphite rods are a plus for the long ride. The AS's are Fender's current incremental improvement of Leo's classic's and as such ARE better.

The RW basses are about as close to vintage basses as you will find new from Fender, and the price for a used one can be quite reasonable. I found a used fiesta red Jazz for $675, and later found an even better and new 3tsb Jazz for ~$850.

I like the AS instruments and admire them. I prefer the Road Worn for the feel and vintage sound.
 
#11
Thank you everyone for your opinions- I really appreciate it!

I have spent more time at a local store trying some of the Fender P basses they had (although no Road Worns), and I have pretty much decided that I am not so comfortable with the necks in general, compared to my Jazz bass. If the RW is even 'chunkier', I might like that even less!

Anyway, I may look for a P-style bass with a Jazz type of neck instead. Thanks again for the help.
 
#12
Bongolation said:
I'm not a fan of either of these, but for different reasons.

The Classics, RW, HO, Special and pre-'12 American Standard Precisions all have the same 61276/7 pickup set, so there's not much between them there.

I do think the neck is better if you have the graphite rods on a Precision because they greatly lessen the dead spots, especially with flats. They also have larger frets which translates to longer useful life, especially if you're not using flats.

I think that if I were buying a new Precision at the moment, I'd probably go for the American Special.
Click to expand...
+1 on this. I have a 2011 American Special and I consider it the best of both worlds. The neck is fast and smooth and had the reinforcement rods. The sound is killer and my Classic Rock band loved it on Wednesday.:hyper: I hate to admit it but I have been ignoring My RIC since I got my American Special.:eek: This one is a beautiful example with a flawless finish, perfect fretwork and plays like a dream. It is a 9.5 neck radius so if you pay a lot of attention to silly stuff like that then it may not be for you.
2011FenderAmericanPsecialPBass02_zps424f312f-1.gif

2011FenderAmericanPsecialPBass03_zps7099902c.gif
 
#13
+1 on the American Special. I played several new Specials and Standards in a store the other day, both jazzes and P's. the Specials felt and sounded better to me in every case.

I have a 2011 American Standard and a 2010 57AVRI. The AmStd is a solid, reliable, high quality workhorse. But the RI is really something special. Build quality is as good or actually better, and it just has SOUL. Hard to explain but everyone who has played it agrees. And dead spots are non-existent on it.

So if you aren't dead set on the American Standard or Road Worn, I'd suggest looking into the AVRI and the American Specials. And the 60th anniversary is the best of both worlds IMO, with the modern neck and construction coupled with the classic finish. But for solid, reliable, comfortable, and consistent I'd find a used American Standard for the $$.
 
#14
If you like J necks, maybe you should try the Classic 70 P.

I have an American Standard P and a RW J and if I had to choose between one of them it would be the American (better quality overall, graphite neck, bigger frets).
 
#15
I've had both and like the RW better.

In my hands the Am. Standard was great (I had two 2008s) yet while pretty flawless at the same time felt over-engineered--beefy in build in a way that said quality and care, but also created a bit of distance from me and the instrument in a way that's too subjective to describe accurately.

The RW was a good deal lighter in weight, had vintage frets, and wider nut. All these were pluses to me. It very closely matches the feel of a pre CBS (I played a '62 for years) and was easier to connect with physically.

Pickups I almost never consider in P type basses as there are so many aftermarket options available.

They are both great. Yet for me the Am. Std. is like a luxe Caddy and the RW is like a stripped hotrod. Depends on what you prefer.
 
#18
I think the American Standard will be the better deal in the long run. Either new or used. The AS will probably hold it's value a lot longer. Personally IMO I think the RW's are a current fad, but are very cool indeed none the less. Look at the prices on older AS Precision Basses on the bay for a flavor of resale prices. Take an AS Pbass that was made in the 1970's for example. My AS Pbass is a 1996 and I am confident it will only increase in value the older it gets.
 
#20
I say go with the roadworn.

Honestly, to me they are not only better feeling and playing, but they are, IMO, better made.

Some may get up in arms at this statement, but the matter of fact is that the roadworns are made by people trained by the Fender custom shop whereas the AS productions are not. That's not to say that the AS are not great instruments...they are, especially in recent years. The fact that they are American made does not make them inherently better though, for the reason outlined above.

Check the GC used site, check eBay...I got a RW at one point for $600, brand new. Deals are out there, and you don't even need to look that hard!
 

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