Fender classic series 50s P - Road worn vs not...

[Kmonk]

Looking at the Fender website, it seems that the only difference between the ordinary MIM classic 50s P and the roadworn one is the finish and the "distress". Apart from that, they seem to be pretty well the same bass. So what is the advantage of the more expensive roadworn one?

I've always believed the road worn look is merely a marketing tactic to increase the sales of new basses. It's also an excuse to charge more. Instrument companies are struggling so they have to find ways to increase sales. Many people like the look of a road worn instrument so the companies are trying to fill a need in the market. Personally, I have never heard the difference between road worn and non-road worn and would not spend the extra money.

 

[ole Jason]

I've always believed the road worn look is merely a marketing tactic to increase the sales of new basses.

You could say that about anything offered by any company in the world. The road worn basses unequivocally feel different though. You may not like the feel of a worn in neck and that's fine but the relic process absolutely produces a substantially different feeling instrument.

 

[Kmonk]

You could say that about anything offered by any company in the world. The road worn basses unequivocally feel different though. You may not like the feel of a worn in neck and that's fine but the relic process absolutely produces a substantially different feeling instrument.

I disagree with your over generalized comment that it could be said about anything offered by any company. I understand that companies produce products based on a need or a perceived need but most are not creating the exact same product with a slightly different look and charging substantially more for it. This seems to be unique to the instrument industry. It tends to cater to people with the attitude of look at me, I'm cool, I play an old bass when in reality, it's an artificially created road worn instrument. Personally, I have never found that an artificially created road worn sounds or feels substantially different than a non-road worn so why pay the price? Everybody has their own preference. If I'm buying a road worn instrument, it will be a real one not one that's made to look that way.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So.... Ive never owned either but I had very seriously considered a RW P bass back in 08ish. I wound up going with a jazz bass from a different manufacturer but for what its worth... that RW P felt sooooo much better than all of the fender offerings that I had tried. They really did an awesome job on it.

I’ve never owned one either, but klutz that I am, having a bass I don’t have to worry about dings is a big plus.

 

[Fender_Bender]

We seem to go through this every month. The RW series is not an excuse to gouge people. The lacquer is a more painstaking finish to apply and deal with in the drying cycle. The lacquer effectively burns into itself through the various coats, in effect becoming one unified layer. The environmentalists are rapidly hunting down this finish type because of VOC concerns.
The entire body, hardware, and guard have been hand worked to achieve the final goal. Yes, even Mexicans have to actually be paid to do this work. It’s not going to do it to itself.
I can’t really see much if any rust on mine. They are not stupid, they have not sanded through the neck finish or monkeyed around with the tuners or done anything else that would shorten the life of the instrument.
One would have to greatly mistreat a bass made with a current finish over decades to get something like forearm wear. For many of us we’d be pushing up daisies by then.

 

[ole Jason]

Personally, I have never found that an artificially created road worn sounds or feels substantially different than a non-road worn so why pay the price?

The necks feel substantially different. You obviously really dislike relic'd instruments. That's awesome! But it doesn't change the fact that the "stuff" they do to the necks make them feel a lot different. The body also feels much different but it doesn't really come into play since your skin isn't in contact with it regularly.

 

[TMcMan]

I have the non-lacquer MIM 50's P in fiestared and it's great. The neck is big, but I bounce between that, a Rick 4003w and a coronado reissue (1.5 nut width) with no problem. I really like the road worn look too, but my local store had the classic 50's P in stock, so that's the main reason I went with it. Recently got to play the road worn, and the neck does feel different, but just because of the finish, not the dimensions. Otherwise I though they sounded identical. You really can't go wrong with either, and personally, I think if you're set on getting one you just need to decide based on aesthetics and cost moreso than overall sound.

 

[Lowbrow]

A couple years after I bought my RW, I was in a shop and there was a genuine 57' P on the wall for mid five figures. I played it a bit; it was from an estate,well worn from decades of playing. Tempting it was indeed, but my RW seemed nicer.

Indeed, my RW P is an all-around better bass than a ‘61 P that I played for 13 years solid.

 

[MtManiac]

I recall when Long & McQuade in Canada ran a Christmas special on the 50s P back when it was new in 2007 for $475 CAD, which was a steal even back then. I loved it, but did not pull the trigger as I was saving for a MIA. I later played a Fiesta Red RW and thought it was the best playing and sounding P bass I'd ever picked up, but also did not buy it, as I wasn't shopping then, and didn't like Fiesta Red anyway. In 2014, I bought a brand new 50s Lacquer P bass on TB classifieds, new from the factory and still had the plastic on the tuning keys and the hang tag. It's only a couple of years old now, but looks roadworn already, thanks to stupidly playing with my watch on my right wrist. There are a couple of other scuffs and dings aside from the forearm rash, but I love it and it plays and sounds great. Here it is resting on my Fender tweed re-upholstered mid-century modern chair.

 

[Loring]

I recall when Long & McQuade in Canada ran a Christmas special on the 50s P back when it was new in 2007 for $475 CAD, which was a steal even back then. I loved it, but did not pull the trigger as I was saving for a MIA. I later played a Fiesta Red RW and thought it was the best playing and sounding P bass I'd ever picked up, but also did not buy it, as I wasn't shopping then, and didn't like Fiesta Red anyway. In 2014, I bought a brand new 50s Lacquer P bass on TB classifieds, new from the factory and still had the plastic on the tuning keys and the hang tag. It's only a couple of years old now, but looks roadworn already, thanks to stupidly playing with my watch on my right wrist. There are a couple of other scuffs and dings aside from the forearm rash, but I love it and it plays and sounds great. Here it is resting on my Fender tweed re-upholstered mid-century modern chair.

That is a good and proper worn bass...

 

[moishelichtfuss]

The RW bodies and headstocks are thinner. I measured them.

Correct, I forgot. The bodies are definitely thinner (or is that also due to the slighter finish?).

 

[DD Gunz]

I believe the body is a tad thinner on the RW. Not to the point you would notice it without comparing or thinking about it. Hell, I guess it could be the finish.

My 2014 American Standard is poly, but the back of it has worn down to bare wood from my belts. Those finishes are also very thin and somewhat fragile.

 

[selowitch]

I always thought new basses that are pre-distressed to look older were kind of silly.
But then I played a Roadworn P-Bass and it felt, played, and sounded so good that I sort of shrugged and said, "Well, it's a *really* nice bass for not a whole lot of money."

 

[XontheP]

And now to complicate things further, I just saw the new American Original series. No roadworns, but most have nitro finishes, so they'll get that way before long.

 

[Loring]

And now to complicate things further, I just saw the new American Original series. No roadworns, but most have nitro finishes, so they'll get that way before long.

I have a nitro finish on my lado bass(es) and I've them from 1980 on and none of them are as beat up as these so called road worn basses. Then again I don't drop mine down the stairs, wear a shirt with sand paper sleeves or throw them in a truck with no case. I get it if the bass is from the 60's and seen a lot of action but - don't people care for their instruments? I saw John McVie's (fleetwood mac) alembic for sale - looks mint, he played it on the chain and took it on tour. John Entwhistle's instruments also look nearly mint. Pretty sure Alembic was using Nitro during that period...

 

[MordBass]

We seem to go through this every month. The RW series is not an excuse to gouge people. The lacquer is a more painstaking finish to apply and deal with in the drying cycle. The lacquer effectively burns into itself through the various coats, in effect becoming one unified layer. The environmentalists are rapidly hunting down this finish type because of VOC concerns.
The entire body, hardware, and guard have been hand worked to achieve the final goal. Yes, even Mexicans have to actually be paid to do this work. It’s not going to do it to itself.
I can’t really see much if any rust on mine. They are not stupid, they have not sanded through the neck finish or monkeyed around with the tuners or done anything else that would shorten the life of the instrument.
One would have to greatly mistreat a bass made with a current finish over decades to get something like forearm wear. For many of us we’d be pushing up daisies by then.

Agreed. I feel like many people miss this aspect of road worn instruments. Its nice to have the look and feel of a decades old instrument but the functionality and reliability of a brand new one. The tuning machines look aged and give that vibe but they turn flawlessly. Same with the rest of the bass.

 

[stefaniw80401]

I love the sexy amber color of the 50s black lacquer...why didn't they also put that same neck on the RW bodies?