Fender Road Worn Precision Bass

[FuNkShUi]

Hi

Just recieved this in a trade. Not from this forum by the way. Here it is:

[URL=http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/FenderRW2-1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv109/FuNkShUi/FenderRW2-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/fenderRW.jpg.html][IMG]http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv109/FuNkShUi/fenderRW.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s674.photobucket.com/user/FuNkShUi/media/FEenderRW3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv109/FuNkShUi/FEenderRW3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


Now i love the look of this bass, but i have noticed a few problems with it, and was hoping for some advice.

It had quite bad fret buzz. But as the strings were quite low, i thought id raise them at the saddle and the problem would be sorted. The grub screws in the saddles however, are threaded. I could just replace the saddles, but im thinking i may aswell replace the whole bridge. Any recommendations on which bridge would be best suited for the job? I dont know if it makes a difference, but it is a strung through body.

Another problem it has is that the tone feels quite dead, in comparison to my other MiA PBass at least. This may just be down to the fact it needs new strings, but i have a feeling that the P/Ups could do with a renewal. So again, im asking on any recommendations, but for Pickups this time.
I like that i have the option for a round fat tone, and a brighter punchier tone on my MiA, but on this one i dont have that tonal variation. Is this down to the P/Ups or the tone pots?

Sorry for all the questions. Ive never had to do any of my own modifications on a bass. Im usually a plug in and play kinda person so any advice will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Kert

[thebuckets]

I have a badass 2 on my nate mendel and its very good although I would have preferred the version with several pre cut grooves in the saddles. The Badass 3 has through body sringing option and precut grooves so would do you fine. bit hard to get hold of at the moment but there wa one on ebay yesterday
Bri

[FuNkShUi]

Thanks Bri. Ill have a look on eBay see if its still there

[iamtheelvy]

Nice looking bass! I'm not really into white finishes, but that aged white look is very cool!

I'm sure a bit of upgrading and some TLC will make this a great bass.

[FuNkShUi]

Cheers, and yeh as soon as i saw it i loved it.

Just needs a couple of adjustments, and im sure ill love the whole thing!

[njr911]

The Roadworn P's are red or 2tsb.

Has that had a refin ?

[FuNkShUi]

I thought this. Which is another reason i put it on the site.
In all honesty i dont know if its been refinished. I took a punt with it, and this is what i got

[tedmanzie]

Where is it made? What's the serial? Can we get some pic's of the bridge without the cover on?
I'd go for just replacing the saddles and screws as this would be cheapest and most authentic but would be good to see what's going on under there
If you want to replace the pickups I'd personally put fender vintage pickups (as they are cheap and very good) and you could get new pots and jack + wiring from the chap on this forum (Kiogon I think) that does it if you need to.

Edited January 22, 2014 by tedmanzie

[KiOgon]

I thought the 'road worn' 50's P-bass series were Mexican with truss rod adjuster at the nut. What does the back of the head have printed on it & what's that under the Fender logo? It looks like a USA style pickguard too with a little cut out by the truss rod.

It's easy to get replacement saddles & screws for the bridge, spending out for a complete new lot seems a waste & TBH there's nothing wrong with the good old BBOT

There's probably nothing wrong with the pick ups either but I expect an upgrade wiring kit would help bring out that P-tone

Edit: Thanks Ted

Edited January 22, 2014 by KiOgon

[Musicman20]

Looks like a Roadworn neck on a normal body to me...something is odd!

[FuNkShUi]

I cant remember the serial number off the top of my head, but when i entered it in a checker, it said it was from the corona factory in 2008.
I will take further pictures when i get in.
Ive taken the bridge off because i wanted to get a closer look why i couldnt adjust the saddles. Ill put a few pics of this up too.
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/7835-kiogon/"][color="#282828"]KiOgon[/color][/url] you have mail!
Ill decide if i need new pickups after the upgrade in wiring

[Lozz196]

I`d get a new bridge but the same style, the Fender BBOT (bent bit of tin) is a great bridge, works well and will fit straight on. As your bass is string-thru, maybe get one of the Fender Hi-Mass Bridges. These are standard on US models from 2008 and are really nice.

Re the sound, that could be the strings if they are old, especially as they look like Rotosound Swingbass Steels to me - these sound very flat and lifeless past a certain age, I`d swap those out first, then if you do need any new pickups, get one of Ki0gons wiring looms at the same time. New electrics as per Fender spec won`t hurt any Precision.

[Lewmorg]

Nice looking bass man i like the road worn finishes! I fitted a Leo Quan Baddass 2 bridge to one of my Jazz basses few years back and really liked it! had to get it over from the states though worth it though Enjoy your new bass!

[nick]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1390396677' post='2344874']
Looks like a Roadworn neck on a normal body to me...something is odd!
[/quote]

I don't think that's a Roadworn neck. The decal is different to the one on mine & the tuners are not the same. Roadworn bodies are not string-through either.
Wonder what it is?

[gruffers]

Is it not a US standard with genuine "road wear"?

[FuNkShUi]

[size=6][sub]Ive gone ahead with getting a wiring kit from our resident wiring loom genius on here (KiOgon) so im looking forward for that to arrive to try it out.[/sub][/size]
[size=6][sub]Im going to try get my hands on a badass3, but they are turning out to be quite hard to come by!! If i continue to struggle to get this, ill take Lozz recommendation and try the Hi Mass bridge.[/sub][/size]
[size=6][sub] Im hoping with new bridge and wiring, the sound will be how i want it. If not, i will spend some cash on some new pickups. Ill just see how it goes.[/sub][/size]
[size=6][sub]I think Gruffers has got it right. I think it is a normal MiA PBass that has genuine "road wear". One thing for sure is it has been played!! The serial number does correspond to it being made in Corona in 2008, and it doesnt look like it has been refinished, so im guessing thats the case! [/sub][/size]
[size=6][sub]Ill keep the post updated for anyone interested and perhaps post a video of how it looks and sounds once its all done.[/sub][/size]
[size=6][sub]Thanks to everyone for the help and advice[/sub][/size]