Thoughts on Fender Road Worn Precision Basses?

[lea56]

I sold my '14 MIA P-Bass because I simply wasn't happy with it. I figured I'd sell it and buy something else instead of wasting time/money putting upgrades into it. Anyways, as I've been looking through the TB forums and the Fender forums, I read posts about people saying great things about the Road Worn P-Basses.

While I think that they look cool, and from what I read they have a great tone/sound, I can't help but wonder if the pre-worn look is a "pretender" thing to do (I know, that seems like a minor thing). Major question is, with them already being aged, will they hold up for many years?

If anybody has experiences with them, please let me know what you think. What do you like? What don't you like? Ultimately, are they worth the price tag?

Thanks everybody!

 

[Gbass75]

I've always thought it a bit silly to buy a new bass that looks used... but, to each, his own.

That said; folks love 'em, and they DO sound great (from what I've actually heard with my own ears)... and, that's what really matters in the end, no?

Do you have a "look" you're going for?

 

[Mosstone]

While I think that they look cool, and from what I read they have a great tone/sound, I can't help but wonder if the pre-worn look is a "pretender" thing to do (I know, that seems like a minor thing).

What do you think? Don't worry about what other people think. Do/buy what you like. If you like the look, sound and feel of the bass, anyone else's opinion shouldn't matter.

Having said that, allow me to render my opinion:

Personally, I could never get around the idea of paying $1k for a Mexican Fender that's made to look like it's beat up already, but that's just me. I won't think any less of you if you love it.

 

[tjh]

... Major question is, with them already being aged, will they hold up for many years?
... Ultimately, are they worth the price tag? ....

.... the aging is a cosmetic thing, I can't see how it will have any affect to diminish how the bass will 'hold up' ...

... 'worth it' is almost a subject thing, up to each user/buyer, but with that said, I couldn't think of a better candidate to buy used, as there is no 'perfect' finish to protect ... and like any instrument, you buy at its used market value, any bass is worth the price, at they generally hold that used value for some time to come ...

Buy based upon the components and specs that you choose, and prefer to play ... a little homework to investigate the specific components used, and specs such as neck profile, radius, etc. will go a long way towards more satisfaction than any one elses opinion ...

JMHO ... as always

 

[bolophonic]

If you have read about this on TB, you would know that there are probably at least 100 threads on this subject already.

 

[JonKim]

I suggest looking for the Nate Mendel model

 

[quickfix]

Try one. I think you'll like it.
They also make the Fender 50's Precision with a nice poly finish and pretty much the same specs. Especially useful if the manked up sticky lacquer finish isn't your thing.
I've got the Fender 50's Precision, but I wouldn't look askance at a roadworn. I think it would be money very well spent.

 

[twinjet]

I would feel like a poser wearing one of those basses. They look cool, but when someone automatically thinks you're a longtime working pro, and you have no stories to those scratches... It's just disappointing. My two cents.

 

[_godspeed_]

For me it all came down to a nut width. I had it for 1.5 years, changed a pickup and electronics. Sounded absolutely amazing and felt really good in hands. Though after playing 1.625 nut for few weeks I realized that I prefer it much more than 1.75. I just couldn't deal with it anymore and put it up for sale.

 

[MrRobert]

Try one. I think you'll like it.
They also make the Fender 50's Precision with a nice poly finish and pretty much the same specs. Especially useful if the manked up sticky lacquer finish isn't your thing.
I've got the Fender 50's Precision, but I wouldn't look askance at a roadworn. I think it would be money very well spent.

Keep in mind that the 'sticky finish' issue seems to happen to certain people and not others. I have 3 fender nitro basses and none of them are at all sticky.

 

[40Hz]

I tried a few and really liked them. Good sounding and really nice necks on the ones I tried.

That said, I absolutely despise "road worn" or "reliced" non-finishes , and would never buy any bass that had that done to it. Period. YMMV.

 

[quickfix]

Keep in mind that the 'sticky finish' issue seems to happen to certain people and not others. I have 3 fender nitro basses and none of them are at all sticky.

I hear ya. I've three Gibson six string guitars with lacquer finishes that get played from time to time.
2007 L-4CES, 2007 SG Standard, and a 1957 ES-125. After three hour sessions under hot lights and sweat, each gets very sticky.
For bass gigs I only have the one Fender Precision. Nice poly finish that never gets sticky.

A quick swipe with a towel (I always have a towel on my amp) and the instrument is dry. Try that with my Gibson guitars and it'll leave marks in the finish. I have to be careful how I clean them up after a gig otherwise the finish will slowly erode/wipe away.

I guess everyone has a different reaction. The triglycerides in the skin are what seems to react with lacquer and makes it reactivate.

 

[sxaxsx]

I sold my '14 MIA P-Bass because I simply wasn't happy with it.

It would be helpful if you told us why you weren't happy with the MIA P. I couldn't recommend you replace a Fender P that you don't like with another Fender P unless I know why you didn't like the first.

 

[lea56]

It would be helpful if you told us why you weren't happy with the MIA P. I couldn't recommend you replace a Fender P that you don't like with another Fender P unless I know why you didn't like the first.

What it really came down to was the tones. It had the '62 Custom Shop Pickup and it just didn't sound right. The neck also felt a bit too narrow to me. I prefer very beefy necks as I have slightly larger hands. This is the reason I dislike Jazz basses as I don't like the thinness of the necks.

I have a '51 Reissue Precision and I absolutely love it!

 

[lea56]

I've always thought it a bit silly to buy a new bass that looks used... but, to each, his own.

That said; folks love 'em, and they DO sound great (from what I've actually heard with my own ears)... and, that's what really matters in the end, no?

Do you have a "look" you're going for?

I'm more going for a sound than a look to be honest. I play a lot of blues, classic rock, country-rock (old stuff like Gram Parsons and the Byrds' Sweathart of the Rodeo). My '51 P-Bass is great but I would like a very solid secondary (or 1A) bass. I have an Epi Ripper which is a fine instrument but I'm not a fan of the Epiphone/Squier brands. I know, I'm a brand whore...

 

[lea56]

If you have read about this on TB, you would know that there are probably at least 100 threads on this subject already.

Thanks for your productive response.

 

[foolforthecity]

I would feel like a poser wearing one of those basses. They look cool, but when someone automatically thinks you're a longtime working pro, and you have no stories to those scratches... It's just disappointing. My two cents.

Well, then I'm a poser cuz I have one, and I bought it because it's a great playing bass in my hands.

I have basses from the time I first started posing in '71 until today, and many, many more that's came and went in between. Every bass I've owned played a bit part in my musical existence, each with its own character and life to help color my own. Stories? Oh yeah, I got enough in almost 45 years to make most anyone's ears break out in callouses and commence bleeding profusely.

That RW Precision is a great axe in the hands of someone that loves the way it can sing. Regardless of how it looks.

 

[bobalu]

I have a RW Jazz and it is a fabulous sounding bass with an amazingly comfortable feel. Like a pair of worn in jeans. I have played the RW Precision many times in the shops and want one real bad .

 

[bolophonic]

Thanks for your productive response.

What did those other threads say about road worn basses?

 

[lea56]

What did those other threads say about road worn basses?

Nothing that fully answered my questions. A lot of what I found was "technical" in nature, where I'm also looking for opinions on the looks and the "idea" of the finish. Didn't mean to sound like a jerk there.