ROAD WORN P v CLASSIC SERIES - Same or Different?

[noeinstein]

Besides the road worn finish, is there any difference between these two basses?

FENDER ROAD WORN '50S PRECISION BASS

FENDER CLASSIC SERIES '50S PRECISION BASS LACQUER

 

[Philibuster]

The playability for some on the Road Worn could be different because of the 'worn' neck, whereas the neck on the lacquer is quite lacquery.

 

[noeinstein]

Frets are rolled on the RW, but not on the Classic?

 

[noeinstein]

I understand there will be differences in preference. My question is, other than worn v new finish, are they the same bass?

 

[hypercarrots]

Pickups, electronics, wood, hardware all the same but I’ve had both and they sound very different. I prefer the road worn’s sound and feel. The body resonates and vibrates more acoustically. It translates into a different playing experience.

 

[noeinstein]

Pickups, electronics, wood, hardware all the same but I’ve had both and they sound very different. I prefer the road worn’s sound and feel. The body resonates and vibrates more acoustically. It translates into a different playing experience.

Thanks, very good information.
Fender still makes RW's. Do you think there is a significant difference in older v newer?

 

[hypercarrots]

Thanks, very good information.
Fender still makes RW's. Do you think there is a significant difference in older v newer?

Older ones have rosewood fretboards, newer have pau ferro

 

[noeinstein]

Older ones have rosewood fretboards, newer have pau ferro

Ugh, thanks... All the more reason to look for a good used one.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Besides the road worn finish, is there any difference between these two basses?

FENDER ROAD WORN '50S PRECISION BASS

FENDER CLASSIC SERIES '50S PRECISION BASS LACQUER

If you're buying brand-new, it appears the '50s Lacquer only comes in White, while the Road Worn P's are either Sunburst or Fiesta Red.

 

[hypercarrots]

If you're buying brand-new, it appears the '50s Lacquer only comes in White, while the Road Worn P's are either Sunburst or Fiesta Red.

the precisions used to come in black. many used ones are available. i tried switching road worn body with a black lacquer body but it didn't sound as resonant.

lacquer jazzes come in white now

 

[Bassmingo]

https://shop.fender.com/en-IE/electric-basses/precision-bass/50s-precision-bass/0131702303.html This one is the roadworn.......without the roadworn. So if it were me (and I tried a roadworn and loved it, but found it overpriced) I'd buy this one and use some 600 grit sandpaper and 0000 steel wool and "wear" the neck a bit myself, and save myself a few hundred bucks.

Also, the current classics range don't have rosewood OR pau ferro necks, only maple. Did they ever? i don't think so.....

 

[noeinstein]

https://shop.fender.com/en-IE/electric-basses/precision-bass/50s-precision-bass/0131702303.html This one is the roadworn.......without the roadworn. So if it were me (and I tried a roadworn and loved it, but found it overpriced) I'd buy this one and use some 600 grit sandpaper and 0000 steel wool and "wear" the neck a bit myself, and save myself a few hundred bucks.

Also, the current classics range don't have rosewood OR pau ferro necks, only maple. Did they ever? i don't think so.....

One of these is on the local CL for $600... my only hesitation is I want the lacquer finish.

 

[noeinstein]

Older ones have rosewood fretboards, newer have pau ferro

As I think of it, don't all RW P's have maple boards?

 

[Bassmingo]

One of these is on the local CL for $600... my only hesitation is I want the lacquer finish.

That's 526 euro in my money. The one I linked is closer to the roadworn than the lacquer is. Personally, I don't like the look nor the feel of that type of lacquer so if I was in your area with 600 bucks in my pocket, well it wouldn't be in my pocket for long.

 

[Bassmingo]

As I think of it, don't all RW P's have maple boards?

I believe all classic P's have maple boards only, but I'm open to correction.

 

[hypercarrots]

As I think of it, don't all RW P's have maple boards?

You’re right I was thinking of road worn jazzes and forgot the original question was only about precisions

 

[hypercarrots]

One of these is on the local CL for $600... my only hesitation is I want the lacquer finish.

Play it, play both. You’ll see they sound and feel very different. You may be able to work on the neck to make it feel broken in but I found the two bodies to be very different and key to the sound.
View attachment 3272983

 

[Bassmingo]

Oh and the Lacquer comes with a tweed case. The RW/non RW with a gigbag.

 

[hypercarrots]

Oh and the Lacquer comes with a tweed case. The RW/non RW with a gigbag.

Correct that’s the case in my photo

 

[wraub]

[snip] You may be able to work on the neck to make it feel broken in but I found the two bodies to be very different and key to the sound.

Would you please elaborate?