NBD - Fender Road Worn 50s Precision

[Thom Fioriglio]

I have the exact bass, added the HIPSHOT Drop D...if you ask you can see if they will age it for you.
IT's a stellar bass. I'm a Jazz GUY...but I wouldn't call this neck "BEEFY"...it's a WIDE Flat C..It has the bark and Bite of the original, and I took a Zen approach, play it as it is...It's Super Light. and Records spot on. I also have a Sadowsky J, which is MUCH easier to play...HOWEVER, it's not a P...It's the right tool for ALOT of Jobs. I did change out the Pickguard as the metal one feels funky to my fingers. Love it!

Thanks for the great feedback. I did find a shop online that relics parts. Will look into an aged D-tuner

 

[JOME77]

I bought one on Joe’s recommendation and I was not disappointed (thank you Joe!)

it’s a fine P and plays/sounds as good as any of the multiple P basses I have owned or played .

Congrats!!!

Glad to hear that you're still digging it Jim. I really like the red one that you got!
Truth is, I miss my road worn but I'm so anal about my gear that I was in one of my "man this bass is beat up" moods and a nephew of a good friend (and bass player) stated that he'd love to have it so I sold it to him and bought the shiny new blonde NOS 50's Precision.
Quite honestly they both sound and play great but I do prefer the feel of the broke in neck finish of the road worn.
He's a a pic of both .... I've always been a sucker for white (or blond) with a tort pick guard.

 

[Lownote38]

If Fender is smart they will start manufacturing these basses again ASAP. The used prices for these are crazy right now. I believe the first run of these could be bought for ~$675 new.

$599. I purchased one when they were first introduced.

 

[68Goldfish]

Great basses! I had one that I put a roadworn jazz neck on. Even had it routed for a J pickup at the bridge. Probably shouldn’t have gotten rid of that one. Enjoy the bass!

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Glad to hear that you're still digging it Jim. I really like the red one that you got!
Truth is, I miss my road worn but I'm so anal abut my gear that I was in one of my "man this bass is beat up" moods and a nephew of a good friend (and bass of player) stated that he'd love to have it so I sold it to him and bought the shiny new blonde NOS 50's Precision.
Quite honestly they both sound and play great but I do prefer the feel of the broke in neck finish of the road worn.
He's a a pic of both .... I've always been a sucker for white (or blond) with a tort pick guard.

View attachment 4073968 View attachment 4073969

I am a lot like you. When I saw the Classic 50s come up on Reverb I think I might be happier with a “new” 50s bass rather than the roadworn. But that’s just my OCD

 

[JOME77]

I am a lot like you. When I saw the Classic 50s come up on Reverb I think I might be happier with a “new” 50s bass rather than the roadworn. But that’s just my OCD

lol
Yeah. Totally understand. I loved the Road Worn but it was a constant battle for me. I finally caved in and got the shiny new version.
Although with the Road Worn I didn’t have to baby it. Any scratches that I put on it just added to the authenticity of the bass!

 

[alembicguy]

The bass is a replica of a 50's Precision. Everything that you mentioned was a feature of the 50 precision (yes, even the tuners were stiffer back then).
You might should have done your research a little better prior to making the purchase.
Maybe you just prefer the newer designs.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
This

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I've spent a week with this now and the neck is no longer an issue. It feels good in my hands and I don't notice the extra thickness. The tone on this thing is great and comfortable to play. The other issues like the bridge and truss rod, once all set up, are also no problem. I always loved the look of the 58 P bass and this is the closest I'll come to getting one. This one is a keeper. With flatwounds on here, it is the sound I was looking for. Thanks all for your feedback in this thread.

 

[jfh2424]

Got one of these. I really like it.

Yup, it takes while to get comfortable with them in my opinion. The ergonomics are special. But it’s worth the effort, as you are discovering.

Enjoy!

 

[kevinpmajka]

I think these are great. I put a Klein 59 pickup in mine. The RW and the Classic Lacquer series are really awesome. Try the RW JMJ Mustang Bass next.

 

[JOME77]

Check these out Thom.

For Sale - Hipshot HB3 Relic tuners 4 string set

Might be a nice upgrade.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I am happy with the stock tuners. Lol though still have to think about which way to turn them.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

lol
Yeah. Totally understand. I loved the Road Worn but it was a constant battle for me. I finally caved in and got the shiny new version.
Although with the Road Worn I didn’t have to baby it. Any scratches that I put on it just added to the authenticity of the bass!

Lol, so here is an update. I bought a shiny and in perfect condition 2018 Classic Series 50s Precision. It's gorgeous and in the end, I think the bass I really wanted. One came up on Reverb for $700 and I jumped on it.

I reread through this thread, and like some of you, you couldn't get past the RW look. I was also surprised to see I had posted about wanting a shiny Classic 50s P. I haven't sold the RW yet, and I keep playing them side by side to see if there really is a difference in feel or tone. None that I have noticed. One is shiny, in near mint condition, and plays great. The other is beat up, worn and plays great.

Here are some pictures.

 

[JOME77]

Lol, so here is an update. I bought a shiny and in perfect condition 2018 Classic Series 50s Precision. It's gorgeous and in the end, I think the bass I really wanted. One came up on Reverb for $700 and I jumped on it.

I reread through this thread, and like some of you, you couldn't get past the RW look. I was also surprised to see I had posted about wanting a shiny Classic 50s P. I haven't sold the RW yet, and I keep playing them side by side to see if there really is a difference in feel or tone. None that I have noticed. One is shiny, in near mint condition, and plays great. The other is beat up, worn and plays great.

Here are some pictures. View attachment 4139296View attachment 4139297View attachment 4139298

Lol
Been there done that!
I too really like the shiny new 50’s P-bass.
Good choice. At least now every scratch and dent that you put on it will have a personal real story.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Lol
Been there done that!
I too really like the shiny new 50’s P-bass.
Good choice. At least now every scratch and dent that you put on it will have a personal real story.

Lol, I’ve been thinking about the RW and now I keep going back and forth between the 2. Ugh! This is driving me nuts and I am over analyzing it.

 

[murphy]

My new Fender Road Worn 50s P Bass arrived yesterday. My first impressions were not good. The neck is WIDE. That is going to take some getting used to. The bridge to me just seems so basic. I have a Fender Himass bridge on my other P bass and love it. The tuners were stiff and accessing the truss rod screw is a pain. With that said, I will give it time. My other bass is a Fender Player Precision and the neck on that one seems perfect, so the chunkier neck will be an adjustment. The tone sounds great and the more I play the more comfortable it is becoming. I don't have buyers remorse but I am not yet sold on it. Has anyone else experienced this?

Here are some pics now that it arrived. View attachment 4073429View attachment 4073430View attachment 4073431View attachment 4073432

was the back of the neck sanded down to bare wood?

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

was the back of the neck sanded down to bare wood?

Hmm, not sanded down to bare wood but worn in, if that makes sense. Not a high gloss finish.

 

[PRANG]

Love the duller look of the road worn! Trying to decide between one of these or a JMJ Mustang. Long or Short...

 

[jfh2424]

Lol, I’ve been thinking about the RW and now I keep going back and forth between the 2. Ugh! This is driving me nuts and I am over analyzing it.

So…what did you decide?

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

So…what did you decide?

I ended up selling the Roadworn bass and buying a Fender Classic 50s Precision Bass, which is identical, but without all the fake wear. For me, I wanted something new and shiny. In the end, I couldn't get past the fake relic look. And all the Roadworn basses I would see are worn in the same way and look identical.

I have since sold the Classic 50s as well. Though I did love that bass, the neck was just too wide for me. When I got my first Jazz bass, a Classic 60s Jazz Bass, I fell in love with the slimmer neck. I've since moved on to Lakland basses, which have absolutely fantastic necks.