Thoughts on Roadworn Fenders

[One Drop]

I played a me RW P a few months ago and it was as good as the others I've tried.

The neck on your Geddy might have ambered with age, it would have been whiter than it is now, no? Add strings, setup, and variation between individual instruments, coule ne a lot of things. There are differences over the years with the GLs as well, like the earliest ones having real inlays and even slimmer necks than later, IIRC.

 

[Jungy]

I have a question in mind. Some mass production Fender instruments lose some quality in years of time. Can anyone compare the '08 or '09 made RW'S to 2012 made ones. The reason why I'm asking is I've experienced that on my Geddy Lee. I have a 2004 made Geddy which plays like a dream but recently I've played a brand new one in a local shop which really disappointed me. The maple neck seemed white like a soap, whereas my 2004 made is almost yellow. And it obviously didn't sound as good as mine... Can anyone compare older and recent RW's? I'm about to order a RW J online, without playing because no stores have in stock where I live...

Can't be sure but your 2004 Geddy is made in Japan and would have a vintage gloss neck. I think they have recently started making the Geddy's in Mexico so maybe they don't do the vintage gloss necks there.

 

[lemongrenades]

I just recently acquired a Fender RW P. I was also on the fence about the faux worn look. HOWEVER, this thing resonates like no other bass I own. The neck is thick, but way dif from the MIA P I owned. In fact, after owning 2 Laklands, 2 American Fenders, 2 Mex Fenders, I have to say that this "mexican" bass out plays all of them. No exageration. I love Laklands too, and Im quick to say they top every fender Ive played, except this one. You gotta try one. Like any Fender Im sure theres better ones, but if you get a good one, the 900 price tag will seem very fair, i promise

 

[thedudebrah]

I was also on the fence about the faux worn look. HOWEVER, this thing resonates like no other bass I own.

I really didn't pay any mind to these basses when they came out, until I picked one up and played it. I was floored by it, even before I plugged it in. It sounded AMAZING. Now it's one of my go to basses and I'm not afraid to really dig in and get rough with it when I play it. It's a great instrument.

 

[pacojas]

i said it earlier in this very thread and i'll say it again. these RW's are AMAZING!!!

the sound and playability trump the looks.

 

[BoyaFromNagoya]

Thanks for all the info who participated. I'm currently waiting for a shipment of a sunburst RW jazz.

 

[tjnkoo]

These are definitely nice basses, although I haven't played em enough to say how nice really. A friend of mine is a road worn junkie though, and has a RW Jazz bass in fiesta red and a custom Nash P bass (reliced of course). His take is that they feel good, have the sound, look good enough and past that nothing really matters. I like his quite a bit, although I think the Nash feels a bit more artificial than the Fender. I think he's spent right over $3,000 on those two basses combined. I don't have a problem with them at all, but I would take a legitimate vintage over a road worn if I had to choose. The buddy of mine however swears by the relic'd ones. Clearly they're great for some.

 

[Jim Carr]

...Some mass production Fender instruments lose some quality in years of time. Can anyone compare the '08 or '09 made RW'S to 2012 made ones...

...Can anyone compare older and recent RW's? I'm about to order a RW J online, without playing because no stores have in stock where I live...

I bought a 2009 RW Jazz online and fell in love with it, and forsook a lot of other nice basses for it. Over a year later, I found a 2008 in a local Mom and Pop music shop that was better. I bought it, too.

I dig them both, but there is no doubt the second one is better—more resonant and sets up a little better. I don't think it is the year, rather it is just slightly better wood in either the neck, body, or both.

It is fine to buy one online. Even the lesser of my two is a great sounding Jazz. I'd play it as my number one 4-string if my '08 were lost.

 

[Jim Carr]

Thanks for all the info who participated. I'm currently waiting for a shipment of a sunburst RW jazz.

We need a full report once it reaches you in Turkey.

 

[Stewie26]

I am one of those guys is who pretty anal about keeping all my bass quitars looking almost factory new. A lot of the post here say the RW basses feel and play well, perhaps better than the MIA gloss finish Fenders. With that said, it would be nice to be able to play gigs without having to worry about one of my basses getting a ding or scratch in the finish. Hey, if the RW bass gets knocked over its just a little mojo. Right? In the past, I would have never considered a RW bass but now I may have to rethink this. For me it would be great to own a nice playing/sounding gig bass and not have to worry about it at the same time.
.

 

[bobalu]

I have a RW Jazz that is just an awesome feeling/sounding bass (which is why I bought it). To me, relic'd or "road worn" is no different than another colour or finish option. I don't know why so many guy's get bent out of shape about it not being "authentic". Do you guy's not wear pre-washed jeans? Or do you think all the faded jean guy's are "posers". Also, the nitro finish on a Road Worn will wear pretty fast (compared to poly) so it will become "real" in a short time if it bothers you that much. I say get over it and let people buy what they want. There's enough arrogance in the music world without the antic-relic whiners!

 

[ShoeManiac]

I've made my feelings on the relic subject well known in this thread. I love my Roadworn Jazz bass more for the fact that it feels amazing in my hands and sounds great. If everyone else would just shut their eyes, play one and listen to the tone, I think a lot more people would be digging Fender's Roadworn instruments.

 

[bassgod76]

I used a RW neck on my Jaco tribute bass. The feeel alone makes me want to get a RW P bass.

 

[One Drop]

I have a RW Jazz that is just an awesome feeling/sounding bass (which is why I bought it). To me, relic'd or "road worn" is no different than another colour or finish option. I don't know why so many guy's get bent out of shape about it not being "authentic". Do you guy's not wear pre-washed jeans? Or do you think all the faded jean guy's are "posers". Also, the nitro finish on a Road Worn will wear pretty fast (compared to poly) so it will become "real" in a short time if it bothers you that much. I say get over it and let people buy what they want. There's enough arrogance in the music world without the antic-relic whiners!

Roadworn and Relic threads are like nectar to bees for the my-way-is-the-highway folk, not sure why it generates such extreme passions. Their arguments about 'real' wear don't make much sense to me, either. If I buy a bass that someone else wore down, does that mean I'm pretending to have played it more? etc., etc.

 

[Margus Alviste]

Roadworn and Relic threads are like nectar to bees for the my-way-is-the-highway folk, not sure why it generates such extreme passions. Their arguments about 'real' wear don't make much sense to me, either. If I buy a bass that someone else wore down, does that mean I'm pretending to have played it more? etc., etc.

It's not about relicing. It's about the RWs feel and tone! Really amazing basses!

 

[One Drop]

It's not about relicing. It's about the RWs feel and tone! Really amazing basses!

I know, and I've been crowing about how good they are since I first tried them a few years ago. But I am responding to the inevitable posters who must criticize these finishes in every thread where remotely possible.

 

[Margus Alviste]

I know, and I've been crowing about how good they are since I first tried them a few years ago. But I am responding to the inevitable posters who must criticize these finishes in every thread where remotely possible.

Wish you luck!

 

[One Drop]

Wish you luck!

It's a thankless task, someone has to do it!

 

[Stewthebassman]

GASSSSSS!!!!!!!!

 

[BoyaFromNagoya]

I bought a 2009 RW Jazz online and fell in love with it, and forsook a lot of other nice basses for it. Over a year later, I found a 2008 in a local Mom and Pop music shop that was better. I bought it, too.

I dig them both, but there is no doubt the second one is better—more resonant and sets up a little better. I don't think it is the year, rather it is just slightly better wood in either the neck, body, or both.

It is fine to buy one online. Even the lesser of my two is a great sounding Jazz. I'd play it as my number one 4-string if my '08 were lost.

We need a full report once it reaches you in Turkey.

Thanks for the info Jim... I have to wait two weeks for the delivery and I'd love to report my opinions when the package arrives.