Road Worn Precision Blasphemy!

[Gaolee]

Am I the only one that thinks buying a new "road worn" instrument is like having a guide paddle you down a river and calling it an adventure.

Yes, you are. It's just a finish, that's all, and if you like the bass, it doesn't much matter.

As far as bolting a Jazz neck onto a RW P, isn't mix and match the whole point of bolt on necks? I think it's great.

 

[MVE]

Carl Radle often played a P with a J neck.
I believe that is what is heard on the Layla album.

 

[Davbassdude]

I Love the 1 1/2" when it can be found on the Precision, which is not very often. Once Upon A Time; I had a 1972 with a 1 1/2" width with Rosewood fretboard that was ripped off. So, if I were able to find one with a wider existing neck at a reasonable price and was able to replace it with a 1 1/2", I would do the same thing.

 

[Son of Wobble]

I have a 62 AVRI P bass that is one of the best sounding P basses I've ever heard, very resonant with clear highs, mids and lows. Like others I'm not a fan of 1.75 nut width and I swapped the neck with a jazz neck--completely changed the tone of the instrument. I have resigned myself to just put up with the lack of comfort.
Or should I have the neck professionaly altered? (It definitely is not a collector )

Sonically I too find the 62 AVRI the "bee's knees of Ps." For that reason, I learned to love that fat neck. As the ladies say, beauty before comfort!

 

[Nobody]

Am I the only one that thinks buying a new "road worn" instrument is like having a guide paddle you down a river and calling it an adventure.

No you're not the only one that feels that way but there are just as many people that like relics. That's why there's a big debate every time they are mentioned.

 

[Mr Gaston]

No you're not the only one that feels that way but there are just as many people that like relics. That's why there's a big debate every time they are mentioned.

Sorry. Kind of new here and I've never seen it discussed.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Sorry. Kind of new here and I've never seen it discussed.

Stick around and you'll see this topic debated over and over and over again. It is one of the "rice and bean" fillers that help round out the daily TB menu, and as such, actually necessary. So really there is no reason to you to apologize for your opinion; rather, the challenge moving forward is for you to come up with new and clever iterations and articulations of the same idea. Kind of like with pop music.

 

[Doctor Hugocat]

Great job! It's the bass I'd love to play (my old Fury is a P with a Jazz width neck). It looks cool, it's what you want, and it's not exactly an un-reversable mod. Enjoy!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I guess as usual I am the oddball. I would totally prefer a Jazz with a P-neck.

Me to.

In fact I had a roadworn Jazz bass and I met up with a guy on craigslist who had a roadworn P bass and we swapped necks.

 

[Son of Wobble]

Me to.

In fact I had a roadworn Jazz bass and I met up with a guy on craigslist who had a roadworn P bass and we swapped necks.

Super freaky!

 

[bonespatrol]

They always put the fake wear on those basses in the most ridiculous places...so silly. I'm not against the "wear" look so much but they could at least put the wear where it would actually occur. I mean, below the thumbrest that no one uses? How would it get THAT worn down there? Just wondering...

i wouldn't call it a thumb rest in that position at all, and i use it all the time on mine.
anyway, the bass looks great, and i'm sure it sounds sweet. have fun with it!

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

Am I the only one that thinks buying a new "road worn" instrument is like having a guide paddle you down a river and calling it an adventure.

NO there are a bunch of you mis-guided people out there

 

[Mr Gaston]

NO there are a bunch of you mis-guided people out there

Well, I'm obviously misguided. It didn't take a genius to figure that one out.

 

[wvbass]

Wait. It's not an adventure? Can I get my money back?

 

[morgansterne]

I have a jazz with a super thick made in Japan P neck. I like it that way.
I think the roadworn series have all looked pretty nice! and I'm no fan of relic'ing, usually.

 

[2cooltoolz]

My reasoning behind the "blasphemy" aspect is not the intrinsic or collectable value of the bass. It's that many RW aficionados consider the neck to be one of the major attributes of the line. They have the rolled edges, and "broken in" feel of a much played neck. To me, the value of the bass lies in its thinner, lighter body, coupled with the Fender 56003/56004 pickup set. Some people (Ed Friedland among them) claim that the bodies are kiln-dried to be more resonant. Don't know.

I agree with who(m)ever posted about the shiny new neck on the old looking body. It'll get there, in about 40 years!

I had an audition today with the pro-est group I've ever played with. Both guitar players and the keys player complimented my tone (didn't say *@!% about my chops!) and didn't ask about the new neck. Waiting to see on the gig!

 

[2cooltoolz]

Stick around and you'll see this topic debated over and over and over again. It is one of the "rice and bean" fillers that help round out the daily TB menu, and as such, actually necessary. So really there is no reason to you to apologize for your opinion; rather, the challenge moving forward is for you to come up with new and clever iterations and articulations of the same idea. Kind of like with pop music.

This is just about the best perspective I've ever seen on the entire forum concept!

I love you, man

 

[ggoat!!!]

the bodies are kiln-dried to be more resonant

"They are filled with helium, so they're very light."
-Del Griffith, Director of Sales, American Light and Fixture Company, Shower Curtain Ring Division