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Thoughts on Roadworn Fenders
- Thread starter bassgod76
- Start date
If ya wanna see the show, you gotta buy a ticket
I'd rather buy a cheap seat (RW) ;-)
I paid $600 shipped for a minty RW P from a Talkbass member (including fresh strings and a pack of new flatwounds). It weighs 8 lbs 3 oz 
I don't know what the PUPs are, but I'm not looking to change them (can't say that for my CS Pbass).
I don't know what the PUPs are, but I'm not looking to change them (can't say that for my CS Pbass).
My SB RW Precision weighs 7 lbs. 9 oz.
Here's my take:
Fender-lovers generally agree that the ideal bass is often a pre-CBS P or J. These are prohibitively expensive and hard to find. There are also poor examples of pre-CBS Fender basses.
I played a '62 Precision at hundreds of gigs spanning more than a decade. I also worked at a vintage guitar shop, and as a large-city resident had the opportunity to handle countless basses of all types.
In all that time, with all that hands-on experience and informed judgement, I have NEVER played a non-pre-CBS instrument that captured the actual paying experience of a pre-CBS Fender Precision bass better or closer than my '09 RW Precision. It also surpasses poor examples of real pre-CBS Fender basses (duh).
It has also fared better than a Fender CS '50s bass and 50s AVRI in side-by-side playing tests. It is in my opinion preferable to the '08 MIA standard P that I traded for it (apples/oranges comparison as a new MIA standard Fender is really not much like a pre-CBS in terms of feel).
That it is only available in a reliced finish is unfortunate, and was a hindrance to my considering owning one. I will testify that now I will never part with it, and that it ranks among the finest Fender basses I have ever played.
If you want a pre-CBS Fender that you can afford, the Road Worn is the bass to choose.
My '62:
My '09 Road Worn:
If you're a DIY person, you could always refinish it with a can of Reranch Oly White which is nitro. You can probably just sand the original finish down a little and spray right over it. I've been thinking of doing this with one of the P basses and going Mint Green. With the gold guard, I think that would be money.
If you're a DIY person, you could always refinish it with a can of Reranch Oly White which is nitro. You can probably just sand the original finish down a little and spray right over it. I've been thinking of doing this with one of the P basses and going Mint Green. With the gold guard, I think that would be money.
Would you use the Reranch nitro clear after you finished the color coat?
After playing one a couple a years ago I've been tossing around the purchase of a sunburst 50's RW P bass ever since but haven't come across a 'deal' on one, other than the standard 999 discounted sale price all over the internet and an occasional 899 on the bay...and those are always the red finish. And my local GC hasn't had one in stock since then. But Sweetwater is doing a Presidents Day promotion that includes Fender and offering 3 payments with free shipping. That at least makes the purchase a little less of a one time hit on the wallet.
Oh the humanity!
Oh the humanity!
I'm not a fan of relic'd instruments but I do love the RW basses. The ones I've played had a great feel and sounded nice. As for 'poorly' or mismatched body pieces with seams... hey, no big deal. IMHO it kinda goes with janky scuffed and scraped appearance.
There is no need to if you go through the process of wet sanding and polishing. Reranch give very good instructions on their site on the whole process plus they sell all of the sand paper and materials needed to do the job. There is also, a section to ask question ans learn from people who have been doing refinishing projects. There's some really great info there plus a gallery.
I've used their amber nitro on a few neck projects. I was very happy with their product.
I've never used their solid colors before. I may do this If I score a RW. Oly white with that brass pickuguard and maple board is sexy to me.
Oh god....his wheels are turning.
I can see it now "The Best Bass for the Money is Road Worn, So I'm Re-Finishing It" thread!
Oh god....his wheels are turning.
I can see it now "The Best Bass for the Money is Road Worn, So I'm Re-Finishing It" thread!
I know. Then I have you and Darkstrike planting ideas in my head, critiquing my work, causing me to redo the project so it's correct, etc.
Solids are easy to shoot. I did a Epi non-reverse tbird in Fiesta Red and really liked the results. It's definitely something to consider.
Mine sounds great. String-to-string, it is the most balanced sounding of all my basses. I bought it, did some minor tweaking, gigged with it that night (which was a bit of a risk since I nearly always used a Stingray with my band, week after week), haven't brought out another bass since. Just a really, really good P.
