Nate Mendel P or Road Worn P

[crucislancer]

I've been saying for some time that my next bass is going to be a Precision, and I've really been leaning towards the the Road Worn Precision. But, I'm also hearing some good things about the Nate Mendel Precision.

So, I'm kinda torn. I'm sure I can make either one work for me in the context of the band that I'm in (heavy rock with some punk elements) but I have a feeling that the NM might have a bit more balls for that kind of music, and while I prefer a maple board on a Precision, I like the fact that the NM has the slim neck profile and nut width, as I'm primarily a Jazz bass player. But, I used to have a Precision and didn't have any problems with the nut width or profile.

Both basses look sweet, as far as color goes, so again, tough call. Would go sunburst over FR if I go road worn, though.

Unfortunately, no one seems to have either one of these basses locally for a demo. Chances are that I will come to some kind of decision and get one online through a dealer with a long return policy and cross my fingers.

My question is: Anyone have any practical experience with both that might point me in the right direction?

I might have to flip a coin LOL

 

[mpdd]

i looked at these basses and i ended up going with a lakland skyline bob glaub, because it could easily do the heavy rock/punk alternative thing with the neo punch pickups and i really liked the super wide flat neck

 

[Grooveline]

From reading your post I would pick the nate mendel model for you. It has the neck style you are more familiar with and the common "rock p bass" upgrades of a badass style bridge and quarter pound pickup. This is my suggestion even though I have a roadworn p. To me the roadworn does a better flats type sound with the pickup that comes in it.

 

[crucislancer]

i looked at these basses and i ended up going with a lakland skyline bob glaub, because it could easily do the heavy rock/punk alternative thing with the neo punch pickups and i really liked the super wide flat neck

That's a possibility, and a great suggestion. Though, I will say that I'm pretty sweet on the NM and RW Precisions, so, I don't know.

From reading your post I would pick the nate mendel model for you. It has the neck style you are more familiar with and the common "rock p bass" upgrades of a badass style bridge and quarter pound pickup. This is my suggestion even though I have a roadworn p. To me the roadworn does a better flats type sound with the pickup that comes in it.

I've been thinking about that, and it's one of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on the road worn already. The NM seems suited to hard rock right out of the box. Funny thing is that my previous P bass was an alder body/maple board from the 80's that crushed in a hard rock situation. But yeah, my first thought with the road worn is "throw some flats on it and thump away".

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Big difference for me is the neck width because pickups and bridges can be swapped, I prefer a 1 3/4 inch neck so I'd take the 50's RW.

 

[UK Philip]

buy a non-worn '50s precision and throw it down the stairs a few times. save $300.

 

[crucislancer]

Big difference for me is the neck width because pickups and bridges can be swapped, I prefer a 1 3/4 inch neck so I'd take the 50's RW.

That's something I've been thinking about. I never really had a problem with the wider neck of a Precision, though I've been playing Jazz basses exclusively for 15 years and before that Ibanez Soundgear 4 strings. The NM does have the advantage of the narrower width at the nut. Still, the vintage styling of the RW 50's has been catching my eye.......

I've got both open in separate tabs, I might have to close my eyes and point and see what happens.

 

[wvbass]

Yep. Its all about the neck. Slender neck = Mendel P. Traditional P neck = Roadworn. Pickups don't matter. Both sound good, and you can always change them for very little money. I've had both the SPB-3 and the SPB-1 in my Mendel P, with no real preference between the two.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I don't think you can go wrong with either bass.

Sounds like you prefer slimmer necks so based on that, the Mendel P might be more suited for you. I doubt if the Mendel is any more suited for heavy rock than the RW. Both will do the job and then some.

 

[Osztertag2112]

Id go with the NM, i did the same mods to a Mim std p and it is my favorite bass!

 

[mfbolton]

I've got a RW that I put a RW Jazz neck on. I've also put in a set of Aguilar PJ pickups in with 62 jazz style wiring. It's pretty killer. I might be willing to part with it. PM me if you're interested.

 

[crucislancer]

I've got a RW that I put a RW Jazz neck on. I've also put in a set of Aguilar PJ pickups in with 62 jazz style wiring. It's pretty killer. I might be willing to part with it. PM me if you're interested.

That does sound killer. But, made the choice a couple of minutes ago. I should be getting my brand new Nate Mendel Precision before the end of next week

The slightly narrower neck width was the clincher.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[gnarlyWarlock]

Like many have stated, purchasing a "relic" you're paying a premium for their weathering process, which is almost purely cosmetic. At least a signature model potentially comes with non-standard mechanics/electronics. Then again, maybe it's also a cosmetic rehash.

Basically, buy a non-relic 50 p bass if you want the fiesta red scheme. And put it under heat lamps/ UV to give it a vintage tint. Idk if that works with modern urethane finishes, but it might.

 

[Moosehead1966]

I too was considering the Nate P at one point. Is the American Special discontinued as alluded to in other thread(s)? Slimmer neck with stabilizing bars and most likely higher resale value ( If a consideration)?

Marc

 

[MovingPitchers]

buy a non-worn '50s precision and throw it down the stairs a few times. save $300.

Buy a used MIM P and throw it down the stairs about twenty times. Save $500.

 

[MovingPitchers]

That does sound killer. But, made the choice a couple of minutes ago. I should be getting my brand new Nate Mendel Precision before the end of next week

The slightly narrower neck width was the clincher.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I made my MIM P look like the Nate Mendel P with only $150 in upgrades. LOL. The colour combo is really nice but I do not like them QPs...

I too was considering the Nate P at one point. Is the American Special discontinued as alluded to in other thread(s)? Slimmer neck with stabilizing bars and most likely higher resale value ( If a consideration)?

Marc

I never liked the American Specials. Just felt like overpriced MIMs.

 

[20db pad]

I've played both, and both are great axes. FWIW, the Nate Mendel has light relic work on it, obviously not as heavy as the Road Worn but it does look like a bass that's been around.

I'm not the only one that thinks that the Road Worns are the best sounding model line Fender offers - I prefer them to other Fenders that cost thousands more. That said, either choice is win/win because they are both among the most practical, attractive, and great sounding P basses at any price.

 

[crucislancer]

Like many have stated, purchasing a "relic" you're paying a premium for their weathering process, which is almost purely cosmetic. At least a signature model potentially comes with non-standard mechanics/electronics. Then again, maybe it's also a cosmetic rehash.

Basically, buy a non-relic 50 p bass if you want the fiesta red scheme. And put it under heat lamps/ UV to give it a vintage tint. Idk if that works with modern urethane finishes, but it might.

Fiesta Red wasn't in the running. I don't like that color of red. The NM candy apple red is more appealing to me, or sunburst for the RW. As far as urethane finishes go, very durable and not worth it to me to waste my time with it. But, this was never about the road worn finish per se, though I've heard that the neck on those are very comfortable and "broken in" as it were, and I'd like to have a bass with a lacquer finish. I would have picked up the Lacquer finished 50's Precision if they had another color, but those are only black. I like to have a variety of finishes, and that was another reason for me to go with the NM Precision, I already have a sunburst Jazz.

As far as the pros and cons of the relic job, or the need for it, or what "many have stated", I can only say this: Whatever floats your boat.

My OP was to see if anyone had practical experience with either or both of the two models in question. I didn't come to this point on a whim, I've been weighing my options for a Precision for some time now, including MIA, AVRI, MIM, and various signature models.....cost, features, availability in the finish that I like, whether I'm going to have to swap out parts for one reason or another. I didn't come into this cold. Those two seemed to fit the bill for me, and pretty much felt that I could get either one and be happy, but I wanted one, not both, hence the thread. Some were kind enough to give me some advise that pointed me in the right direction. Others, not so much. For instance:

I made my MIM P look like the Nate Mendel P with only $150 in upgrades. LOL. The colour combo is really nice but I do not like them QPs...

Thank you for chiming in, MP. I'm sure your MIM P looks quite nice, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Fiesta Red wasn't in the running. I don't like that color of red. The NM candy apple red is more appealing to me, or sunburst for the RW. As far as urethane finishes go, very durable and not worth it to me to waste my time with it. But, this was never about the road worn finish per se, though I've heard that the neck on those are very comfortable and "broken in" as it were, and I'd like to have a bass with a lacquer finish. I would have picked up the Lacquer finished 50's Precision if they had another color, but those are only black. I like to have a variety of finishes, and that was another reason for me to go with the NM Precision, I already have a sunburst Jazz.

As far as the pros and cons of the relic job, or the need for it, or what "many have stated", I can only say this: Whatever floats your boat.

My OP was to see if anyone had practical experience with either or both of the two models in question. I didn't come to this point on a whim, I've been weighing my options for a Precision for some time now, including MIA, AVRI, MIM, and various signature models.....cost, features, availability in the finish that I like, whether I'm going to have to swap out parts for one reason or another. I didn't come into this cold. Those two seemed to fit the bill for me, and pretty much felt that I could get either one and be happy, but I wanted one, not both, hence the thread. Some were kind enough to give me some advise that pointed me in the right direction. Others, not so much. For instance:



Thank you for chiming in, MP. I'm sure your MIM P looks quite nice, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

Sorry...forgot to add my input. Here it is.

I have tried the NM P. I like it. Just the feel and playability of the bass is amazing. Well,the one I tried anyways. It was the last of the models with the BAIIs so it was really in tune. Years of being on the racks gave it some extra wear and tear, but nothing big. I like it. I'd probably get one if I really GASed for one.

As for the RW, I love the look and feel of the bass. Everything about it screams Precision Bass. I feel like when I hold it, I'm holding an M1 Abrams tank. It's so solid and it's so chunky that whatever you play, it'll give you that nice fat chunky tone that Precisions are known for. I think it has reverse tuners which I do not like.

The width of the neck was pretty darn chunky for me, but like I said, it added to the feel of holding the Bass World's version of an M1 Abrams tank.

Between the two, I'd get the RW. I don't like sunburst as much either, so I'd get the other colour. I swear they had a dark yellowish colour too?

 

[crucislancer]

Sorry...forgot to add my input. Here it is.

I have tried the NM P. I like it. Just the feel and playability of the bass is amazing. Well,the one I tried anyways. It was the last of the models with the BAIIs so it was really in tune. Years of being on the racks gave it some extra wear and tear, but nothing big. I like it. I'd probably get one if I really GASed for one.

As for the RW, I love the look and feel of the bass. Everything about it screams Precision Bass. I feel like when I hold it, I'm holding an M1 Abrams tank. It's so solid and it's so chunky that whatever you play, it'll give you that nice fat chunky tone that Precisions are known for. I think it has reverse tuners which I do not like.

The width of the neck was pretty darn chunky for me, but like I said, it added to the feel of holding the Bass World's version of an M1 Abrams tank.

Between the two, I'd get the RW. I don't like sunburst as much either, so I'd get the other colour. I swear they had a dark yellowish colour too?

That's what I was looking for, thank you!

I had forgotten about the fact that the NM doesn't come with a BAII bridge anymore, but I don't think that's an issue at the moment. As long as the bridge works, and doesn't cause any problems, then it doesn't matter if it's one of the Fender high-mass bridges or a BAII.

The RW 50's P comes in 2TSB and Fiesta Red, I wish they had more options though. You might be thinking of the Mike Dint RW P, which has a model in White Blonde, which is an awesome finish IMHO (had an MIA Jazz with that finish), or even the non-RW 50's P.

I got the NM from Zzounds, if they ship from the same location as the last time I got a bass from them, I might be putting up a NBD thread on Tuesday or Wednesday.