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Thoughts on Roadworn Fenders

#402
Ha ! So, there IS an affordable Fender that plays as good as a Lakland Skyline ! Action is a little high out of the box but the darn thing was in tune and no fret buzz. Very similar to a fantastic DJ I had a couple years ago. The neck on this one won't move as easy, it's a little thicker. Lol ! I haven't played a P-Bass since the early nineties and I have to say that I notice a heft to the notes on the D and G string (from frets 1-5) that makes me happy. I knew the neck would be substantial, but coming from playing alot of Fiver's , no biggie. I have an instant belief in the strength of the notes with this kind of neck after playing her. I'm going to practice to check it out.

O.k., I'm back from practice and the bass sounded super cool. Great depth that made me ask myself why I didn't pick a P-Bass sooner. I feel like an 800lb. gorilla with this badboy. Very nice vintage whine when I dug in. Again, the weight and substance of the notes are what's exciting me. My iphone camera is all blurry so I can't post a pic. Win.
 
#405
Glad to see there's another convert in the Roadworn community! They really are such great instruments. I love my Roadworn Jazz so much that I've given serious consideration to getting the Precision, too. I just wish that Fender would consider doing a 60's style P-Bass with a rosewood fingerboard!
 
#406
I have a RW jazz in SB.. I like this so much i am going to find a a RW P and have a great set to gig with... .The only thing i dont like about the RW P is the raised "A" string pole piece on the PUP .. so i may throw another pickup in it.... Otherwise they are an incredible playing bass as a perfect price point
 
#410
My recommendation is if you really want the relic vibe do it yourself. There a lots of techniques that leave a more realistic look than chipping away at a new bass with tools. For one remove the neck and pickups and have fun throwing keychains at the body. Drag it on pavement. Whatever. But I think when a relic bass is obvious its kind of a joke. When done right its very cool looking. It's kind of silly to me though to pay fender to do it for you. Just get a mim body and do it yourself of that's the vibe you want.
 
#411
Have you even played one of these basses?


Nephilymbass said:
My recommendation is if you really want the relic vibe do it yourself. There a lots of techniques that leave a more realistic look than chipping away at a new bass with tools. For one remove the neck and pickups and have fun throwing keychains at the body. Drag it on pavement. Whatever. But I think when a relic bass is obvious its kind of a joke. When done right its very cool looking. It's kind of silly to me though to pay fender to do it for you. Just get a mim body and do it yourself of that's the vibe you want.
Click to expand...
 
#413
beatdatthang said:
If a bass gets "road worn" due to actual road wear and play that's fine and can add character.

I just don't get why someone would pay for a "new" bass that's been beat to hell at the factory to look "relic'd".

If you want a road worn instrument, do it yourself... ;)
Click to expand...

Absolutely true X 1,000,000. Create your own mojo by trashing your bass on stage, setting it on fire (a la Hendrix), or any other 1001 ways. Road worn? Sure.
 
#414
Nephilymbass said:
My recommendation is if you really want the relic vibe do it yourself. There a lots of techniques that leave a more realistic look than chipping away at a new bass with tools. For one remove the neck and pickups and have fun throwing keychains at the body. Drag it on pavement. Whatever. But I think when a relic bass is obvious its kind of a joke. When done right its very cool looking. It's kind of silly to me though to pay fender to do it for you. Just get a mim body and do it yourself of that's the vibe you want.
Click to expand...

Lol ! Good one. Just throw keys and drag it on the ground. I can see how that would be realistic. Don't we all do that to our basses ? Lol !
 
#415
svtb15 said:
I have a RW jazz in SB.. I like this so much i am going to find a a RW P and have a great set to gig with... .The only thing i dont like about the RW P is the raised "A" string pole piece on the PUP .. so i may throw another pickup in it.... Otherwise they are an incredible playing bass as a perfect price point
Click to expand...

Raised A? :eyebrow: I've had 2 RW Precisions and neither had the Raised A. I was under the impression only the '57 Reissue came with that. Perhaps you played one with an aftermarket pickup? The RW has the same electronics as the Classic series(MIM Alnico 5). They sound great, and I've never had reason to replace them.
 
#417
Here's my 4 y.o. (abouts) RW Precision along side my 2012 62AVRI Precision.
2013-04-28234344_zps6a2d7bcb.gif

Both great P basses, both pretty different too.
The '62 AVRI has much smaller frets, altho the RW-P's frets aren't what I'd consider large/jumbo/modern (etc..) I had a German Warwick $$ & while it's a beautifully made bass, & sounds great too, I sure prefer the "vintage" or thin frets on these.
Definately smaller on the AVRI tho.
The RW is lighter- on my cr@ppy bathroom scales:-
AVRI approx 8.7lbs
RW -P approx 7.8lbs
I'd always known my RW felt light! :cool::thumbup: Never actually weighed it B4, as it really doesn't worry me as long as it hangs well & ain't a boat anchor.
I'll try & get access to some decent scales at some point & weigh em proper like :D
I also ain't real eloquent on written tonal descriptions, all I know is, I love em both. They're-obviously- similar, but different (deep eh?), the RW full & throaty (now I'm cookin') & the AVRI- punchy & solid.
:eek:
 
#418
Well thats a good thing then.. Yeah.. my friend bought it new from GC.. Had the raised "A".. I played it on one of my local gigs that he came to.. Bass sounded great in FOH and stage.. I just didnt like the raise A Never did, even on my original P bass... I dont know. he bought it brand spanking new maybe he put it in himself.. I guess thats possible......

Well its one more reason for me to just get one now.. I wont have to spend money putting a lollar in there

RickC said:
yeah, raised A on the RW doesn't sound stock. Those pickups were probably changed; US re-issue or Duncan most likely.

/rick
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#419
Nice.. I have a black '62 AV P that i got around 1990 and a real '62.. Honestly, the AV Reissue plays better...
What i like about the RW P of my friends that i Played is the size and feel of the Maple neck.. its wide.. with a thin finish, its lightweight... just a great bass...
I just missed one for sale on local craigslist for $450! ughhhhh
Need to get one...

rodl2005 said:
Here's my 4 y.o. (abouts) RW Precision along side my 2012 62AVRI Precision.
2013-04-28234344_zps6a2d7bcb.gif

Both great P basses, both pretty different too.
The '62 AVRI has much smaller frets, altho the RW-P's frets aren't what I'd consider large/jumbo/modern (etc..) I had a German Warwick $$ & while it's a beautifully made bass, & sounds great too, I sure prefer the "vintage" or thin frets on these.
Definately smaller on the AVRI tho.
The RW is lighter- on my cr@ppy bathroom scales:-
AVRI approx 8.7lbs
RW -P approx 7.8lbs
I'd always known my RW felt light! :cool::thumbup: Never actually weighed it B4, as it really doesn't worry me as long as it hangs well & ain't a boat anchor.
I'll try & get access to some decent scales at some point & weigh em proper like :D
I also ain't real eloquent on written tonal descriptions, all I know is, I love em both. They're-obviously- similar, but different (deep eh?), the RW full & throaty (now I'm cookin') & the AVRI- punchy & solid.
:eek:
Click to expand...
 
#420
Soooo, I notice some pock marks( it looks like tiny air bubbles) on the bottom of the back of the neck finish and there's some gumminess on the neck that keeps coming back. I've wiped the gumminess off several times and it seems to keep coming back after playing awhile. I wash my hands before playing so I know it's not grime.
 

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