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New Fender Road Worn '50s Precision Bass!!!

Joe Murray

Joe Murray

May 14, 2008
500
266
Great Falls, VA
#1
Looks great I must admit, although I dont really care for the pre-reliced pieces...but it does look good. Now, this is what gets me. It's street price is $1200!!!!!!!!!!! (w/ deluxe gig bag)Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but is this not just the regular Mexican made Fender '50s Precision Bass reliced out? :eyebrow:
Fender, ***??? Really.
 
#6
I do see however that they are now going to offer the MIM Jazz and P's with a maple fingerboard option now....which I had dreamed they would do for years! I got a MIM about 10 years ago when that was all I could afford (new bass wise), and really loved it!! I have waited for years for Fender to impress me again.
 
#7
I gotta agree with PRUNEFACE. I have the '57 American Vintage and it's a fantastic bass. If you could get that American made bass for just a few hundred more than one made in Mexico, I think it's a no-brainer. Plus, you don't even get a case with the Road Worn!!
 
#8
I had my hands on a Road Worn '50s Precision yesterday and I really liked it. It was in no way comparable to a Classic 50th, it felt much better. I'm on the way to take one instead of a MIA 2008. So I'd like to ask, if anyone has kind of experience with these basses?

(Please avoid general statements about the sense of relicing. Remember the (thankfully closed) http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501400 thread, eight pages without finding more than two persons that actual knew the instruments. Thank you)
 
#9
I think I'd go the '57 MIA Reissue first - I'd rather have mine "road-worn" by actually playing it myself (or wearing it in the road). I love the 2-tone sunburst/maple neck/anodized p-guard look. Of course there is always the '62 reissue . . . decisions, decisions.

Happy Mardi Gras!
 
#11
GobBass said:
But isn't the Highway 1 basses nitro? With the absence of a maple fretboard of course,you could relic that and have a Badass II to boot for less than the price of a Road Worn.
Click to expand...

They actually have more differences. The electronics are a bit different, so are the frets and the nut width (1.625" and 1.750"), not to mention the better color selection imo and the gold pickguard
 
#15
fenwickbacker said:
I'd rather have mine "road-worn" by actually playing it myself (or wearing it in the road). I love the 2-tone sunburst/maple neck/anodized p-guard look. Of course there is always the '62 reissue . . . decisions, decisions.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with wanting a shiny, new bass instead of a new, yet well-worn looking bass. However, if isn't finished in nitro, it won't have the "road worn" look when your grandchildren are playing it. Poly finishes are just too thick.

Ric5 said:
I will not be buying a road worn Fender bass ... not a good buy in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Have you played one? If not, on what exactly are you basing your opinion? Are you going strictly on the fact that its MIM? Genuinely curious here, but I think these are the sort of statements should be expounded on before they are accepted as actual fact. Of course, you are entitled to not buy one for any reason you choose.
 
#17
I just bought a RW 50's p bass for 950.00 so there is some room for haggling. It's just at the moment there are very few around. I have a Honey Blond 50's classic P bass that is a very nice bass but I don't like the poly finish. The RW has the feel I love on the neck. Same electroics as the HB and are excellant. I sold 2 bass's to pay for this one, so I now have 1 MIM 60's classic Jazz, and 2 MIM 50's p bass's I love my Mexicans.
These MIM classic's are a big step up from the standards and are selling in the stores for 600.00 to 700.00 so 250.00 more for the RW is not that bad.
 
#18
looks like Fender just raised the prices on everything. Who the **** do they think they are? correct me if i'm wrong but, it seems to me that with the recession and all, fewer guitars are being bought. Raising the prices is only going to make it worse.
 
#19
I own a 50s RW Precision for about two weeks and the Fiesta redJazz is on the way rightnow......!!!

These basses are totally different from the 50s MIM; they have the feel and sound of CS basses!!
Hardware is the same, woods are light and very resonant.

The only pain for the US players (and european) there is no MIA logo..............silly!!!!!!

Just wait and see what happens! I've heard from the biggest
musicstore in Europe stock are nearly sold out (basses)

Just wait 1 or 2 day for the pictures of the Jazz!

Cheers,

Theo


PS I also notice the the forums the negative opinions about the RW series.
Mainly non owners and people that never laid a hand on these basses............. with no cash:hmm::crying: (IMO)
 
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#20
Theo, I just got mine yesterday and I agree with all you have said in your review of the bass. I like the 50's RW better than the 59 CS that was stolen from me at a club. I had a question for you about the fret work on yours. Although mine was set up very well, the frets on mine look like someone did a fret leveling but did not finish them very well. So they are flat but look undressed. Not at all like the 50's classic which looked polished. Is yours like that? Is this part of the RW look? It plays fine no complaints. Thanks, Mike
 

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