Roadworn vs 60's Jazz

[Slaine01]

Looking to maybe grab either a Roadworn Jazz or a Fender 60's Jazz bass soon.
The Roadworn is more expensive but I havent had a chance to try either out until next week. Once I have played them I will know what I like better but until then - can someone give me a comparison?
I am interested in if the necks are the same and I know the RW is a nitro finish, but can't find info on whether the 60's is as well?

 

[f.c.geil]

The necks are the same shape, but the finish makes a world of difference. The '60s basses are poly finish, not nitro, and that's all the difference in the world. The nitro finish plays like a dream, and sounds better, too. The poly finish, IME, is quite sticky and really chokes the tone.

 

[Slaine01]

Great -nice review- have you tried the 70"s as well? - love the block inlays, but I read a review here that the necks where fairly chunky and they are probably poly as well I guess?
The RW's seem to get a great rap everywhere, so looks like that could be my choice.

 

[f.c.geil]

I haven't played one, no. Sorry.

 

[BrentSimons]

Of the Roadworns and 60's Jazzes I've tried, the Roadworns won out for me. The 60's necks always felt, eh to me nothing special.Great finishes though. But the Roadworns feel fantastic. Nicely broken in and slick. Hope this helps.
Take Care,
Brent

 

[tdizzle]

The necks are the same shape, but the finish makes a world of difference. The '60s basses are poly finish, not nitro, and that's all the difference in the world. The nitro finish plays like a dream, and sounds better, too. The poly finish, IME, is quite sticky and really chokes the tone.

The necks are not the same. 60s Classic necks are a tad more chunky, RWs are very close to pre-CBS shape. I own both. I have a RW that has the best feeling neck I have EVER played on a Jazz Bass, of any era. They both sound good, but not the same. I wouldn't go so far as to say one sounds better than the other, just different. As far as the 70s Classic, yes, those necks are way chunky. All a matter of preference, really.

 

[narud]

The necks are not the same. 60s Classic necks are a tad more chunky, RWs are very close to pre-CBS shape. I own both. I have a RW that has the best feeling neck I have EVER played on a Jazz Bass, of any era. They both sound good, but not the same. I wouldn't go so far as to say one sounds better than the other, just different. As far as the 70s Classic, yes, those necks are way chunky. All a matter of preference, really.

+1. the necks definitely are not the same profile.

 

[f.c.geil]

According to Fender (and my hands), they are the same. 7.25" radius "C", 1.5" width on both.

 

[tdizzle]

According to Fender (and my hands), they are the same. 7.25" radius "C", 1.5" width on both.

According to the Fender website, the only difference between the two are the paint and the wear. This could not be more inaccurate. They really are two different instruments. I own one 60s classic and two RWs. I also once quoted the Fender website on this very debate, until I got my first RW. The difference is night and day. Again, not saying that one is better than the other, just different. I like the sound of them both, and perhaps even edging a little toward the 60s classic, but for feel it's RW all the way.

Although the wear patterns are the same, each RW is a little unique. Of my two, one has a neck that is a little less than 1.5 at the nut. The 60s Classics, I find, are more standard in production.

 

[steamthief]

Out of the four Jazz basses I owned, I liked the Classic 60's better than the '75 MIA RI, MIA Hot Rodded Jazz and MIA Hamer Cruise. I've never tried a RW Jazz, but the RW P i played was ridiculously good.

 

[narud]

According to Fender (and my hands), they are the same. 7.25" radius "C", 1.5" width on both.

two necks can have both of those things and have very different depths of profile. by your reasoning my 78 and 62 jazzes should feel the same because they both share a 7.25 radius, 1.5 nut width and a C shape. the 62 is much thinner from front to back. just like the road worn is as compared to the 60's classic.

 

[One Drop]

two necks can have both of those things and have very different depths of profile. by your reasoning my 78 and 62 jazzes should feel the same because they both share a 7.25 radius, 1.5 nut width and a C shape. the 62 is much thinner from front to back. just like the road worn is as compared to the 60's classic.

So true. There is a world of variation in Fender necks with those same measurements, and our hands are extremely sensitive to tiny differences.

I love the RW profiles, they just feel right to me.

 

[Wallace320]

Go for '60s Classic my friend

I got a Geddy Lee (anymore) and in those times I was choosin between a '70s Classic and it: same alder body different neck (Maple/black blocks/binding; Rosewood/pearloid blocks/cream binding)

But the thing I look at the most stays the overall finishing

That's why I'm planning a MIM '60s Classic (& MIA Deluxe 5er) and, IMHO can't think of myself in same sentence with a Road ("factory scratched") Worn. Just think about it it's (artificially) rough, ugly and more expensive?:scowl:

Come on...
Cheers,
Wallace

 

[One Drop]

Go for '60s Classic my friend

I got a Geddy Lee (anymore) and in those times I was choosin between a '70s Classic and it: same alder body different neck (Maple/black blocks/binding; Rosewood/pearloid blocks/cream binding)

But the thing I look at the most stays the overall finishing

That's why I'm planning a MIM '60s Classic (& MIA Deluxe 5er) and, IMHO can't think of myself in same sentence with a Road ("factory scratched") Worn. Just think about it it's (artificially) rough, ugly and more expensive?:scowl:

Come on...
Cheers,
Wallace

Have you tried the Road Worns? They are generally lighter and more resonant, and to a lot of people, including myself, sound better.

Aesthetics are important, but tone and playability trump them any day in my book.

In the end it's very personal, the OP has to decide which are the determining factors in his choice.

 

[Slaine01]

Great reviews guys. I am swinging towards the RW.
Had a few of my bass playing mates over here mention the 'factory" scuffs and dings being a little on the poser side of things, but hey!. I played a Bongo for years and got the "..looks like a toilet seat.." arguement from them as well.....until they played it!, lol - then all agreed that was a SWEEEEEET sounding and playing bass!

 

[Wallace320]

Alright: I'm with you about that

cit. "In the end it's very personal, the OP has to decide which are the determining factors in his choice".

That's why I only tribute what my experiences and intentions are.

And: yes, I happened to try two RWs (e.g. a "fiesta red used P" and a "fiesta red ex-demo Jazz": used, ex-demo and fiesta finishings being the ways to lesser their price and move me to like'em so that I could even stand the opportunity to buy RW)

Again IMHO (I own both Yamaha Attitude limited II, Ken Smith Design '60s Jazz and a Fender Reggie Hamilton...), and for my massive weapon kinda sound, the heavier the better...

Then: pricewise, and forcing myself not looking at those "non finishings", I'd still have to put a bass extender and a different bridge on, just to let it sound my way.

That's why (let the MIA 5er alone, with no need for upgrades) the '60s Classic Jazz is "state of the art" finished, instead of
"factory scratched" (this, plain and simple) and even cheaper, if you're going for any useful upgrade (like in my humble needs)

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Wallace320]

You're great man!

I owned a Yamaha RBXJM2 (this is me with it)


So when the mighty Myung started following his Petrucci mate


I must confess I started going round my toilet seat with cable in my hands in search of an input jack

Oh my God!
I'm kiddin' folks

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Slaine01]

lol - toilet seat or not..believe me when I tell you - this rig used to scare grown men!
(also known as the infamous "Vinny Rig"..for all you Edenites out there.. )

 

[Wallace320]

I do not only believe you, I trust you, I tell ya man.

Wonderful rig! Never put my guilty hands on any Eden so far.

But I grew up spendin' lotta time over GB, especially in East Sussex (for I'm Italian so "I need the sun"), and they misused me with their sense of humor... follow me please...

I recently traded my Crate BT410E with both SWR Goliath jr. III (2x10) and SWR Son of Bertha (1x15 - e.g. Bertha is 2x15 just like yours)

Now: my head is an almost historical Trace Elliot AH3007, his is an SWR WorkingMan4004. The WorkingMan comes with an empty avalilable bottom placement for rackwise something (overdrive, tuner as you did, etc.) and the two SWR cabinets I took are - and were - placed 1x15" (or 2x15" to compare to yours) below, 2x10" above.

So my cusiosity (forgive me) goes:
why the hell have the rack tuner up your head, and the 2x15" up your 2x10"?
Is it because of your "down under" location?

Sorry man, I'm tired for other reasons, I'm tryin' to have a laugh (not off of you, but rather with you)

Great rig, tho'

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Nikoubis]

I've tried several MIM Classic 50s and Road Worn P basses. They sounded pretty much the same, but I actually liked the feel of the Classics better than the Road Worns.