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roadworn series

Dragan

Dragan

Oct 5, 2009
1,556
1,085
#1
dont tell me "use the search button" I did and all I could found was old ladies complains about cigarette marks and bunch of trivial comments...
so: anyone really have(had) one of those ( I am particulary interested in Jazz bass,fiesta red...) and what are your opinions on sound,build quality after all this time etc?
here where I live I got to pay around 1600 bucks for it...is it worth?
I know mex fenders sometime could be a hit..but still???

Thanx!!!

now,you:
 
#2
They're okay if that is what you're into. I played one in Alabama that was amazing. The RW P bass. I picked up another one in Dallas, exact same bass, and it played like crap.

I can't really justify spending a grand on a MIM though. But there alot of guys on here that have them and are very happy with them.
 
#4
Bought my RW P bass in preference to a more expensive Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub and a cheaper Fender MIM 50's reissue, it just sounded and played better that the other 2 IMO. The aesthetics are what tends to divide opinion mostly, I would have preferred a pristine bass, but that was 3rd in my list of priorities. The MIM appears to be an issue which I don't really get as no one complains about Lakland Skylines being made offshore, but are still expensive. In short I (and many others) like 'em YMMV.
 
#5
I was interested in the road worn but the problem around here is we pretty much only have GC and all the road worns I've been able to try had ultra high action etc so I couldn't get a good feel for the bass.
 
#6
The Roadworns are like any Fender, a bit inconsistent. I spent some time with a fiesta red jazz and thought it was excellent - lovely neck and the playability was nice without any tinkering. Tone was good too, a nice vintage vibe although slightly lacking in grunt. The aged finish is great, quite subtle in comparison to the 50s sunburst strat I own and the fiesta red is just right, not too salmon pink. I tried out all of the roadworn guitars before I settled on the strat, and I'd probably want to spend some time with the basses before pulling the trigger on one. If you play one and like it (and remember that the action will need some adjusting) buy it. They are very nice indeed!
 
#7
I played a Fiesta Red at GC for about 15 minutes. I'm a jazz guy, so I got a good idea of how it played...very nicely actually! Sounded good, maybe a LITTLE thin, but I didn't have it cranked either.

The pricetag bothers me - but I see them go for 800 or so on Ebay all day, so I'd try and get one there. No way I'd spend 1200 for an MIM jazz...no way
 
#8
GC Fountain Valley has had a Fiesta Red RW J for some time now and I've played on it 3-4 times. Every time I've picked it up I've been amazed at how great it sounds and how well it plays. Last time I put it up against a CS J and IMO it blew it away. Its really the closest thing I've found feel and tone wise to my stock '65J. Now that's only one instrument. Sure there is going to be some lemons out there, but that one is/was sweet.
 
#9
I paid 675.00 for my RR Tele, I got the yellow one. It's ok just remember those necks on MIM are weird.I don't mind it on guitar, but for bass especially for 1K it's a questionable buy.
 
#10
thank all of you guys.
yes,pretty much what i was expected to see,but- still noone who owns it for some time...
man,the fiesta red looks just unbeliaveable! and that finish on neck and those big fat rusty tuners!
 
#11
Ezbass said:
The MIM appears to be an issue which I don't really get as no one complains about Lakland Skylines being made offshore, but are still expensive. QUOTE]

gotta answer this: skyline series completely are worth every dime, I'd even say US models maybe not comparing the two...
as for mexican fenders - they are questionable except classic series and hopefully roadworn.
Click to expand...
 
#13
I played a RW pink J bass at a music store that was unbelievably lightweight
Very good set up and comfy neck (really nicely sanded back of neck); asctualy felt like an old Fender
Sounded very good through a GB 6.0
Could see getting a used one in a couple years after the novelty wears off

Am I the only one that thinks it's dumb that they all have the same wear marks?
Also, how do these compare to a new USA non active Jazz bass as far as sound?
 
#14
Dragan said:
gotta answer this: skyline series completely are worth every dime, I'd even say US models maybe not comparing the two...
as for mexican fenders - they are questionable except classic series and hopefully roadworn.
Click to expand...
Mexican Fenders also suffer from a product marketing strategy that Fender is responsible for. They stratified their offerings by location of manufacture so well that the general public now assumes that the quality of products made there must be inferior.

Mike
 
#15
Jim C said:
I played a RW pink J bass at a music store that was unbelievably lightweight
Very good set up and comfy neck (really nicely sanded back of neck); asctualy felt like an old Fender
Sounded very good through a GB 6.0
Could see getting a used one in a couple years after the novelty wears off

Am I the only one that thinks it's dumb that they all have the same wear marks?
Also, how do these compare to a new USA non active Jazz bass as far as sound?
Click to expand...

I agree, the exact same wear marks are stupid. i dont want some dude at a gig yelling out "FAKE" or some guy at a multi band gig with a bass (RW) that looks just like mine worn in the same places...that would be weird :eyebrow:
 
#17
:cool:

I have a "Roadworn" Jazz Fiesta Red.

I had the option of playing 4 Roadworn Jazz basses, that were delivered to a friends music store. ( He is a Fender dealer)

Two were outstanding, one very good, the last OK (Thats Fender)

I a P-bass guy, but this Jazz blew me away.
I has a great neck, light weight, very good pickups, and great playability.

I may change pickups, I prefer "Lollar". but that's just me.
The price is a little high.
Fender should sell these for $950.00 like the guitars.
They would sell a s**t load more in volume.
 
#18
bassbully said:
I agree, the exact same wear marks are stupid. i dont want some dude at a gig yelling out "FAKE" or some guy at a multi band gig with a bass (RW) that looks just like mine worn in the same places...that would be weird :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

Are people really that shallow? I've been asked about mine once only and that was from a friend who's a bass player, I told him it was a relic job and that was the end of that, no recriminations or snide comments. I really don't think anybody in the audience gives a crap what the bass player is using, except maybe other bass players and if all they care about is how your bass looks rather than how it sounds when you're playing, then do you really want to waste any time with them? This whole "stencil" relic thing is getting old, all brand new shiny basses look exactly the same and no one says anything there, what's the difference really?

We need an emoticon for YAWN.
 
#19
I wasn't referring to what others might say about the wear marks but rather, if these are machine made, can't the wear marks be programmed in with a more random fashion?

Then again, if it's Mexico, I suppose there could be some sort of sheet metal template that is hold over the body for sanding through by hand

Still curious as to how these compare with the US made basses for playability and tone
Should have A/B's vs an American previously although that wouldn't have shown inconsistency as the RW one I played had a great set up
 

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