Roadworn Basses Opinions

[Sparkdog]

When the Road Worn line first came out I thought it was downright crazy to pay more than the cost of an MIM Standard for the relic thing. Since that time I have played a bunch of them and in every case I was blown away by the feel and sound, and the fact that they are MUCH lighter than any of the other Fender models. That alone would be worth the price to me. I'm a Jazz guy so I bought a new Sunburst maybe a year ago. I just can't work with single coils so I swapped out the pups for Dimarzio Model J's and that bass (at 8 pounds even) is easily my favorite of the many Jazz basses I own. I just bought another one in Fiesta Red, got it used, and it's just as nice as my first one. I don't really follow the "cheesy" comments regarding the finish, I've owned real vintage instruments and these certainly have a very similar vibe. Many experienced bassists ask me what year they are, clearly thinking they are vintage pieces. Sure, an expert would know the difference, but I'm not trying to fool anyone and I don't really care about the LOOK of the bass. The point for me is that it FEELS like a vintage Jazz and I don't have to worry about taking it to the bars where I play. It's light, super resonant and throaty, perfectly balanced, and feels like it was born about the same time as me...what more do you want?

 

[UK Philip]

it's pretentious.

"look how cool i seem with this purposely-damaged thing i paid 20% more than the RRP for. look how experienced i appear despite me paying a craftsman extra for it."

...and can you disagree?

 

[Pork_Chop]

I own one and thought a lot like UK Philip before tying one out. I wanted a P bass, so went to my local music store. They had about ten that qualified so I tried them all. Going into it, I hated the look of the road worn, and thought it was cheesy and for suckers. Unfortunately, after playing all ten, it wasn't even close. The road worn blew all the others away. In the end, the quality of the instrument, sound and feel are more important to me than what someone like UK Philip thinks of me, so I bought it, and have loved it ever since.

 

[pedroims]

it's pretentious.

"look how cool i seem with this purposely-damaged thing i paid 20% more than the RRP for. look how experienced i appear despite me paying a craftsman extra for it."

...and can you disagree?

Road worn is just another finish option, same like the shinning black or white. If you read carefully you will notice that people's comments are about weight, feeling and sound, nobody so far said that he/she bought the RW because they look cool.

 

[UK Philip]

Road worn is just another finish option, same like the shinning black or white. If you know read carefully you will notice that people's comments are about weight, feeling and sound, nobody so far said that he/she bought the RW because they look cool.

yes, they bought them because they are slightly lighter, not because they paid extra for a damaged instrument that looks old.

the sad part is, they DID pay extra for a damaged instrument yet they cannot openly state why because it's ridiculous regardless of it being a selling point.

 

[Frankjohnson]

it's pretentious.

"look how cool i seem with this purposely-damaged thing i paid 20% more than the RRP for. look how experienced i appear despite me paying a craftsman extra for it."

...and can you disagree?

I do disagree - your statement seems argumentative, rather than objective.

Its sort of like finding the ice cream you like at a place that has a wide array of flavors and toppings.
You don't don't need to be an ass about it - you know?

 

[Pork_Chop]

Pretentious is assuming you know how much I paid for my bass. Uninformed is thinking that a road worn bass is damaged. It just has a finish you don't like. I don't like white basses, but I don't think you are ridiculous because you do.

 

[pedroims]

the sad part is, they DID pay extra for a damaged instrument yet they cannot openly state why because it's ridiculous regardless of it being a selling point.

They paid extra for what they consider an overall better bass, young boy, RW are even owned for well respected players, their experience is big enough to recognize the value of the RW. If you like your bass shining and pristine it is ok too, I hope you dont like them that way just to pretend how a clean guy you are: heyy look how cool and clean I am, check my bass , my shoes !!

 

[headband]

I have a RW jazz and it is a fine instrument. I did change out all of the electronics and that was an improvement. The finish on the body is very thin and will wear fast. I also did some additional relicing and that plus the play wear makes mine look unique. I also have 2 vintage jazz bases and I think it compares well for the $$.

 

[Whit Townsend]

Though I've never owned one, I've read a lot about them on here and they seem to be held in general high regard. My experience is only from picking one up here and there in a music store - some of the best feeling necks on a four string that I've ever put my hands on. I don't care for the relics aesthetically though but if I played four string basses I could get past that for the great feeling necks. Here's one of the bigger threads that's still active and has been around for a couple of years that might be worth a read...

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/thoughts-on-roadworn-fenders.855006/

Have not played the basses but have likewise similarly tried the roadworn teles and agree with this assessment. Didnt buy one cause I thought they were lame but GREAT NECKS! Now I wish I had.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I just bought my second. I bought one a couple of years ago, absolutely fell in love with the feel, tone, weight, worn in neck feel, hated the finish. In the first place, I love three tone sunbursts, don't care much for the two tone. It just looks dull to me. Secondly, I didn't care for the faux wear.

I loved the bass anyway, but the day after I received it, I got hit with an unexpected emergency vet bill, and had to send the bass back.

As times got better, I tried to recapture that vibe, minus the "faux mojo".

My first effort was a AVRI ash body, with a Road Worn precision neck from Stratosphere. All other parts were identical to the 50s Road Worn precision, the pickups, pickguard, and tuning machines being RW "pull-offs".
I love it! Sounds great, feels great; maybe better, maybe not, but different.

Next, I bought a 2007 Highway One precision body (3TSB), another Road Worn neck (with tuners), reliced bridge (Fender pre CBS reissue, as used on AVRIs, Custom Shops, and Road Worns) to match the RW tuners. This one, stylistically, I went more '62 P-bass, mostly because of the 3TSB. I just didn't connect with this one, and found myself never pulling it out of the case.

So, last week I broke down and ordered a brand spanking new 50s Road Worn precision bass. It arrived Friday, and it was like an old friend came home!! The "mojo" may be faux, but it sure doesn't feel like it!!

 

[Mvilmany]

Played one at GC. The tone was killer. Really good.

I don't care for the finish worn off the body. The wear on the neck feels wonderful however.

 

[Hans Gruber]

I've owned 60+ instruments and my RW is one my favorite so far. It's not about the relic look, but the warmth and feel. It's SO light, and they use very high quality woods. I found it much more pleasing than even the MIA stuff that's more expensive. "MIM" may have a less pleasing reputation, but they really nailed it.

 

[Amara]

I think the whole relic look looks awful, and I fail to understand why people want new instruments they've paid well for to look shabby. Or why they would want to give the impression that they don't take care of their equipment.

 

[bluesdogblues]

I don't really think about relic etc, but my friend has one and I tried it, it's a great bass. I'd like to have one used, was gonna buy it. Sadly none is available. If my budget refilled, maybe I'll be looking for a used MIJ instead

 

[interp]

I can't help but notice that virtually everyone who has played or owns a RoadWorn bass is impressed by the sound, feel, weight, etc. and cares little or nothing about the fake relicing, while virtually everyone who has negatively commented on the relicing knows little or nothing about the sound, feel, weight, etc. of the instrument and will probably never know anything about it because they place cosmetic appearance above sonic characteristics and playability.

Who are the real poseurs?

Incidentally, the RoadWorn Jazz and Precision bodies, like the pre-CBS Fenders, are 1/8" thinner front to back than the standard Fenders. Same with the necks. This more than anything accounts for the weight difference.

 

[Wallace320]

you know what?

Problem is just - as always - bucks!

Would I pay cost of a Pino Palladino Custom Shop Precision?
Sure not. Well: here's the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision!
I'm exaggerating here

What I mean is:
many out there (in the audience) don't know about the RoadWorn (or other) Fender series, they just don't even care about a MIM/MIA difference. They sometimes can't tell bass in a band mix when live. But hey, they pay attention to that weary sweaty thing you seem to have discovered in the dungeons someplace/somewhere, so maybe - no certainly - no it must (!) be a find, so you're cool, you're great, how accomplished a musician you are, there before their eyes!

I'm not preachin' here
I was wrong many many times in the past
I didn't even like MusicMan Bongos-now I'm in love with my 6er like I never ever thought I'd get pleased in music again

But I do get UKPhil (and it's not the first time) and just say
I out of curiosity tried RoadWorns in shops (they're cheaper than Nashes after all) and yes they were (no: they are) light and resonant at the very same time (a plus) and I can get their fans over here

You know why?
Because, if only I could stand the fake wear and tear (I don't) I'd still replace the pickups (too low output for my needs) the bridge (downtunin' is not threaded saddles playground) and place a Hipshot Bt3 (reverse) bass extender (same mods I arranged for every MIM Classic '50s Precisions I happened to own in the past)
But I'd do that: still they (RoadWorns) would be far less expensive than a real Vintage item I sure (at that price) wouldn't even touch, still I'd get the wows and woas from the crowd, still I'd have opportunity to jump out to the front and "steal the show" before unaware yet curious eyes

No:
not my cup of tea

I want power and I tear down the walls with my gear and if people watch me play, I know they can hear me also in my killin' thrash metal band where axemen play active downtuned seven string guitars

If it wasn't the case, a (almost inexpensive) Vintage-wannabe bass would do the trick for me quite fine

My €. 0,02

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[bluesdogblues]

Sounds like someone who'd gonna go to a war or something LOL.

I'm a simple musician, I don't care about what other people's instrument is except if it's good enough to attract my musical sense and at the same time triggered my musical curiosity, and usually it's the sound and how he/she plays it. No matter how it looks.
I'm a simple musician.

 

[ShoeManiac]

yes, they bought them because they are slightly lighter, not because they paid extra for a damaged instrument that looks old.

the sad part is, they DID pay extra for a damaged instrument yet they cannot openly state why because it's ridiculous regardless of it being a selling point.

I didn't pay extra. I bought mine on the used market, and for significantly less than retail.

FWIW, there is a Talkbass policy about arguing the merits of relic finishes. You appear to be treading that line.

The Roadworn series is notable because of several features. First, because of the wood. The process that it goes through hasn't been disclosed, but there's been much discussion that it's a significantly higher grade than that which is used in other MIM instruments. Additionally, it appears to have been kiln dried in order to more closely approximate the natural drying process that a 40+ year old instrument has gone through. These processes lead to lighter and more resonant instruments.

The finish is also notable. It's closer in composition to what was used in vintage instruments. Modern Fender instruments feature a poly finish which effectively serves as a moisture barrier. As a result these modern era instruments don't dry out the way a nitro finished instrument will dry out. A Road Worn instrument features a thinner, more porous finish that will age much in the same way that vintage basses will.

The relic process also helps the necks. It makes the necks feel broken in and far more comfortable.

As for the apearance? It doesn't bother me. In fact, I find it freeing. Because in the past I dinged up a couple of my poly finished basses. In one case a big chip wound up taken out of the finish of one of those basses, and it looked like part of an eggshell that had been cracked off. Frankly, it drove me crazy! But with my Road Worn Jazz bass? I feel like any new dings that it gets are fine because the process has already been started.

So, if you still don't want to buy a Road Worn instrument? Fine. That's your choice. It leaves that many more instruments for people who can get beyond the appearance and appreciate them for their light weight, resonance and easy playability.

 

[Wallace320]

FWIW, there is a Talkbass policy about arguing the merits of relic finishes. You appear to be treading that line.

(...) The Roadworn series is notable because of several features. First, because of the wood. The process that it goes through hasn't been disclosed, but there's been much discussion that it's a significantly higher grade than that which is used in other MIM instruments. Additionally, it appears to have been kiln dried in order to more closely approximate the natural drying process that a 40+ year old instrument has gone through. These processes lead to lighter and more resonant instruments.

The finish is also notable. It's closer in composition to what was used in vintage instruments. Modern Fender instruments feature a poly finish which effectively serves as a moisture barrier. As a result these modern era instruments don't dry out the way a nitro finished instrument will dry out. A Road Worn instrument features a thinner, more porous finish that will age much in the same way that vintage basses will. (...)

I've been down that road before: I don't get the need to call the police (I'm on parole)

That's why I already started my post with caution and sort of apologies

I'm not playin' UKPhil barrister, but I deeply believe policies can't be against freedom of speech/opinion.

It's a Forum and, unless you're goin' too rough/rude, an ironic sense of humor should also be mandatory.

Cheers,
Wallace