Fender Roadworn Ps and Js

[Bassomatic]

Anyone gotten their mitts on one yet?

Impressions?

The new prices aren't too attractive, but I'm curious nonetheless.

[derekd]

None of the GC's in town have them in. A local mom and pop store just called me to let me know they got their FRW J in. I will try to swing by there and check it out.

[Kitsapbass]

tried it out at my local GC. I thought it was too much money for too little bass.

[musicofanatic5]

Waiting for a coupla years till the market is flooded with used examples. I am a whore for Fiesta Red, would like a fender bass in that color!

[Yodaddy53]

I have trouble buying something new that I go out of my way to prevent...If I want an old lookin' bass-I,ll just buy an old bass & then bitch ,moan & cry when it gets a new scratch or ding!!!

[RickC]

I wasn't expecting too much from these, but I saw some pics over on TalkBass

:drool

They look pretty nice, and reports are there are some good vibey players in the bunch if you pick through em, just like the guitars.

/rick

[musicofanatic5]

I have trouble buying something new that I go out of my way to prevent...If I want an old lookin' bass-I,ll just buy an old bass & then bitch ,moan & cry when it gets a new scratch or ding!!!

Check prices on an "old bass" (I presume we're talking fender). I looked up my pbass in the recent VG price guide and nearly swallowed my tongue! The RW is around a grand. Times ten that for my bass. I'd have been happier not knowing.
I played a couple at NAMM and they were as good as any other Mex fender (which is, by my experience, not bad). I'd be willing to pay 6-7 hunnerd for a used one as long as it's FIESTA RED.

[joshmickelson]

a grand for a mexican pbass seems pretty steep to me.

[Thor]

They do seem to be at a pretty steep price point. For only a few kola nuts more you could score a Nash or other small assembler/builder who does relic work.

Have yet to lay my hands on one, so I can't really say.

-Edward

[mr coffee]

local ma~pa has one of each..
have not played the basses... but I build better teles.. I KNOW that Chris/KLINE does also. lots of fret ends etc..

[walterw]

the jazz i played felt really nice and "broken-in". they're pricey, but there's something about them.

[testing1two]

I played one last week and the sound was great. The profile of the neck was good and it had the familiar "nitro-tacky" feel to it. My only complaint was the fretwork, which was laughable.

[DanGouge]

They go for the same price as a used Am Std. P or J. If you like the nitro feel, you can also get used Am Vintage series Ps or Js for the same price. The thing is, if you resell a used American P or J you'll probably get most of your money back. You will take a hit on a brand new road worn series bass.

[RickC]

I had my first encounter with one of the Roadworn basses today - a 60's Jazz bass in sunburst with tortoise guard. I had to work hard to come up with reasons not to buy it. From this sample anyway, the basses are even better than the guitars. It totally nailed the feel, sound, and vibe of a great 60's Jazz bass. Oy vey!

:AOK

[Bassomatic]

I'd be surprised if i like the J any more than the Squire "Vintage Vibe" J a local music store guy encouraged me to check out - this was a ridiculously nice sounding/playing bass for the money, and if I wasn't a broke student right now i would have grabbed it on the spot.

Then again, one of the Jaguar basses I've played was dynamite (and uber flexible) , too. Have the Japanese Fenders had a price increase as well? This one was still at about $750.

[Bassomatic]

local ma~pa has one of each..
have not played the basses... but I build better teles.. I KNOW that Chris/KLINE does also. lots of fret ends etc..

Not being a smartass, but I don't understand this post. Could you clarify?

[Bassomatic]

the jazz i played felt really nice and "broken-in". they're pricey, but there's something about them.

Okay, having played 1 and only 1 lately, I have to agree with this post.

Neck was a bit wider at the body than either my real thing '65 neck or my Bachhus 62 J-style fretless. That was my only real niggle, aside from the price, which was well over a grand at this regional chain store.

[RickC]

According to an interview in the latest BP, it looks like Oteil has picked up a Roadworn 50's Precision. I saw him using this bass during the Allman's Beacon run this past spring, and at the time thought it was a real '57.

He sounded great on it btw. I thought the P-bass drove the band harder than his usual J-bass. Even the non-bass players I was with could tell something was up.

/rick

[Bassomatic]

Rick-

I definitely want to check one of the Ps, as well. If it's good enough for Oteil after all...

[RickC]

I'm anxious to try one myself. As mentioned earlier, the J-bass I tried was pretty happening.

/rick

[Bassomatic]

Same here, Rick.

The price tag is more than a bit off-putting, though. Should increase prices on the used F market, too. Oy.

[whoatherechunk]

fender pricing officially blows

[bard2dbone]

They are definitely overpriced. I've played a few and, like many production line instruments, they varied a bit. I really a Tele and a Jazz that I played. I kind of appproved of the others (two strats, a P and another J)