Fender Roadworn Series

[Dr. Cheese]

At least I know what AVRI stands for now.

 

[radioface]

Don't sweat what other people would buy. Rat Rods are huge right now! Roadworns are fantastic!

Fantastic, like pre faded jeans.

 

[RED J]

I did put a set of Roadworn pickups in my FSR MIM Jazz. Somebody apparently found them lacking and replaced them, but I can find no fault with them. Vintage-y IMHO which is what I like.

 

[DirkP]

Road Worns are really nice. But I've felt the electronics usually need an upgrade.

IN GENERAL, a Road Worn is no match for an American Vintage Reissue. I'd try to hunt down a deal on a used AVRI bass over a Road Worn. You may find the RW that is the "holy grail", but I would bet your odds being much better if you check out AVRI. And as far as the Flea, its basically a RW with stack-knob controls and a funky "Flea" neckplate, but otherwise is equal in quality to a typical RW.

I have an AVS '64 Jazz as my main bass, but if the RW '64 has the same pickups as the AVS, why upgrading the electronics? Still haven't found a RW '64 at the Fender page or anywhere on the internet. Are there really new models and if so, why does nobody mention them?

 

[Admiral Akbar]

I have an AVS '64 Jazz as my main bass, but if the RW '64 has the same pickups as the AVS, why upgrading the electronics? Still haven't found a RW '64 at the Fender page or anywhere on the internet. Are there really new models and if so, why does nobody mention them?

Electronics include potentiometers, tone caps, wiring, in addition to pickups. The majority of RW's are simply no match for your AVS, even with upgraded pickups.

 

[DirkP]

Electronics include potentiometers, tone caps, wiring, in addition to pickups. The majority of RW's are simply no match for your AVS, even with upgraded pickups.

I kind of doubt this. One guy here posted a part number list of a more expensive mexican model - comparable with the Flea - and the parts like tuners, electronics etc. were identical.
Just a single example:
Invalid Link Removed

"Top-quality potentiometers used on Fender® instruments.

1 Meg Linear potentiometer. 3/8" potentiometer shaft. Split shaft design. Works with push-on style knobs (no set screw). Mounting hardware not included.

Used as a master volume control on the American Vintage '62 Jazzmaster® (US) and Classic Player Series (Mexico) models manufactured from 1998-Present."

The following parts list is just an example, but they are a bit hard to find, the Fender page doesn't have links to them anymore (for reasons I guess), but a while ago someone posted a parts list of a more expensive mexican classic model and a US Vintage model here on Talkbass and the parts were nearly identical, esp. all the electronics. The only thing different were the pick ups.
This is how such a list looks like:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Admiral Akbar]

I kind of doubt this. One guy here posted a part number list of a more expensive mexican model - comparable with the Flea - and the parts like tuners, electronics etc. were identical.
Just a single example:
Invalid Link Removed

"Top-quality potentiometers used on Fender® instruments.

1 Meg Linear potentiometer. 3/8" potentiometer shaft. Split shaft design. Works with push-on style knobs (no set screw). Mounting hardware not included.

Used as a master volume control on the American Vintage '62 Jazzmaster® (US) and Classic Player Series (Mexico) models manufactured from 1998-Present."

The following parts list is just an example, but they are a bit hard to find, the Fender page doesn't have links to them anymore (for reasons I guess), but a while ago someone posted a parts list of a more expensive mexican classic model and a US Vintage model here on Talkbass and the parts were nearly identical, esp. all the electronics. The only thing different were the pick ups.
This is how such a list looks like:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ok. I just called a friend who works for Fender, and you are quite right -- the "Flea" bass has identical pickups AND electronics to the AV '64 reissue jazz bass. Furthermore, both instruments have their wood coming from identical source. Although the wood comes from the same source, the RW instruments often use "more pieces" of wood in the body than the MiA.

Other than that, the HARDWARE of the RW is inferior to that of the 1964 AVS. The fit, finish is superior in the AV, and of course, the AVs come with that nice G&G case with case candy ephemera.

So -- it seems one could purchase a "Flea" bass, upgrade the hardware (bridge, tuners, and that kitchy "Flea" neckplate), and have an instrument that is nearly the same quality in woods, electronics, and hardware to an American Vintage bass.

For about half the scratch... new.

 

[DirkP]

Ok. I just called a friend who works for Fender, and you are quite right -- the "Flea" bass has identical pickups AND electronics to the AV '64 reissue jazz bass. Furthermore, both instruments have their wood coming from identical source. Although the wood comes from the same source, the RW instruments often use "more pieces" of wood in the body than the MiA.

Other than that, the HARDWARE of the RW is inferior to that of the 1964 AVS. The fit, finish is superior in the AV, and of course, the AVs come with that nice G&G case with case candy ephemera.

So -- it seems one could purchase a "Flea" bass, upgrade the hardware (bridge, tuners, and that kitchy "Flea" neckplate), and have an instrument that is nearly the same quality in woods, electronics, and hardware to an American Vintage bass.

For about half the scratch... new.

Not to forget - if you like it or not - the relicing....

I don't have a single mexican Fender (but many japanese ones). The only one I had was a Pawnshop Fender Bass VI and it was a very good instrument. I just sold it, 'cause I liked the more original japanese Bass VI more and couldn't justify to own two of them. But the more expensive mexicans seem to be very good instruments.
I can't even remember the last time I used a case for any of my basses, as beautifull as they are. I always prefer a gigbag.

 

[AngelCrusher]

On a very similar note I will compare my classic 50's P to my AVRI tomorrow when the 50's arrives. They are an insane steal right now. I got mine for less than $600.

The AVRIs can be found for $1200 -$1400 new. Just look for B stock or one that has slight cracking in the nitro finish. When I mean slight. I could not notice mine at all for days. I believe that is a very fair price for the quality of the instrument.

Buying a flea at $1200 IMO is a high price. But if you can get one for $7-800, it will be a nice deal. Especially if the electronics are the same as the AV64.