Marc S Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I had a great NBD last Saturday, and, due to the general over-busy nature of life these days, I'm only just now getting around to sharing it on here. As in the title, it's a Fender Roadworn P bass (50's) I've made no secret of my love of my Roadworn Jazz, which is just my fave bass ever And I know some of you out there don't like roadworn / relic basses, and I can partly understand why I wasn't a fan of such instruments myself until I bought the Jazz a few years back But Fender have done a superb job with these instruments! Yes, they are made in Mexico And though there are some fab basses built in Mexico in recent years, these are even better In fact, I prefer them to US Fenders I've also owned, and for several reasons The quality, workmanship, finish and detail in both my Jazz, and my new P are superb I think if they were built to this quality but in mint / un-roadworn finish - they'd appeal to more players just down to the sheer quality, playability and feel of these basses... That said, as I've mentioned - there's something quite liberating about gigging (esp certain venues!) with a bass that you aren't so precious about. I mean, it really doesn't matter if it gets another scratch. I've gigged mint basses before, and been over-protective of them. That's something I try not to fret about, but actually can't help when it comes to a gig. I played it as much as I could over the weekend - I actually hated putting it down. I got it from Daveyboy, who had the neck trimmed by a luthier, so it's narrower and slightly more shallow than the usual P bass necks. In fact, it's quite similar to my modern C shape neck on my Squier CV P bass. I'm really pleased with this bass, it looks, sounds, feels & plays just like a really old, worn-in P bass should and though I don't have any scales to hand - it feels incredibly light. If you're thinking about getting one of these, and you like vintage Fenders but don't have the cash..... Go for it, that's my advice Enough of the waffle. Here are some pics of my new bass [url=http://imgur.com/OlWuRwg][/url] [url=http://imgur.com/6iyZs8F][/url] [url=http://imgur.com/Lr7VNVD][/url] [url=http://imgur.com/4GRXwql][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) The scrachplate is a gold annodised type, as fitted to these when new. But I'm wondering about whether to change? I've just got a "thing" about liking tort plates, and think it would suit this bass nicely - what do you all think? Gold, or Tort? EDIT: As I recently had my Squier converted to a PJ - I'm thinking about asking the brilliant luthier Dave Dearnaley to do the same to this bass. I'm a real fan of the options a PJ gives you.... [url="http://imgur.com/KNhnwqa"][/url] Edited February 22, 2016 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Very nice bass! Congrats! I think the gold or tort will look nice...I'm so helpful My personal preference would be mint. Again...no help at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bass Man Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Hiya Marc - congratulations on your new bass! I have exactly the same as you - I've not played a better p-bass - they really resonate when you play them and they're super comfortable too. I've strung mine with d'addario chromes and it really sings now, plenty of thump! Re: the scratchplate - I'd stick with gold, it looks SO cool ... Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Cheers paul h and Big Bass Man - no help re the plate at all then! I am leaning towards Tort, I have to say. I just like the colour combo of Sunburst and Tort. Some say it's old-fashioned I know. But to me, it's just classic. My other dillemma, is whether or not to P/J it? I had my Squier converted a few weeks back. Brilliant Cardiff-based Luthier Dave Dearnaley did an absolute superb job, and it sounds amazing (I bought an Entwistle PBXN and JBXN for this, and they're great value pickups) I think I'll leave my new bass as is for a week or two. And I'll keep the Fender P pickup in it anyways..... Cheers all EDIT: I'll now be selling my US P bass too - so better start another thread.... Edited February 22, 2016 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Gold seems somehow, more right for that era but Tort is just such a lovely looking material, particularly the 60's variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Great bass, I have GAS for similar! But definitely gold for that authentic 57 look. Tort is valid with burst and maple, but not modern tort. If you're going to do it at all get an original 60s/70s tort guard (tricky and expensive) or a Spitfire tort guard (expensive). https://spitfiretortoiseshellpickguards.wordpress.com/ The one in the pic is not great (sorry). Compare it with the original tort on the 72 P currently for sale and you'll see what I mean. Edited February 22, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I`d def go for tort. Great review as well, confirms my thoughts on these, was never a fan of the fake relicing but these basses are just something else. I just wish they made a black one with the maple neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks for that discreet, lozz and gary mac. I think I will go for tort. The plate in the pic is an old Squier one. Seems to fit, and the screw holes line up, though I'll need a couple more.... I prefer a deeper red tort so I think I'll source one of those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Congrats. Great basses. Might be even more awesome in a PJ config.. I like that idea. I've also been thinking to swap the scratch plate over on my fiesta red RW as well, think I have a spare blackplate somewhere if it fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Looks fantastic... I love that color scheme on a P ... I'd leave it as is with the white pickguard as well Edited February 22, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1456150632' post='2985908'] ... I'd leave it as is with the white pickguard as well [/quote] Should have gone to Specsavers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456150967' post='2985913'] Should have gone to Specsavers! [/quote] don't... specsavers is a sore point at the moment... work have made me order some very fetching prescription safety glasses from there, that are going to make me look like Elton John when I'm wandering around site next week trying to give an air of managerial authority... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1456151181' post='2985921'] ...work have made me order some very fetching prescription safety glasses that are going to make me look like Elton John... [/quote] Edited February 22, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456151412' post='2985929'] [/quote] very similar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Normally relicing brings me out in neck lumps, but I've played a couple of the Roadworns, and they were indeed very very fine 'worn in' feeling Precisions: lovely to play. Being me, though, I'd probably get it refinished... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1456151496' post='2985933'] I'd probably get it refinished... [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456150967' post='2985913'] Should have gone to Specsavers! [/quote] Ah, to be fair, in my less than brilliant mobile phone photos, and under dim lighting, that gold coloured plate does look a bit white... Looking at it, I just can't help but feel there's something odd about having a metal scratchplate.... It's growing on me, but...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1456152070' post='2985945'] ...under dim lighting, that gold coloured plate does look a bit white... Looking at it, I just can't help but feel there's something odd about having a metal scratchplate.... It's growing on me, but... [/quote] Odd? It's all that was available in 1957! Tobacco burst, gold anodised and one-piece maple is the archetypal P Bass, thus: A 1957 P bass yesterday. In 1957 tort was three years in the future. Edited February 22, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Yes sorry I should have read the thread instead of just looking at the pictures... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456152427' post='2985952'] [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Of course, if you can't afford a 1957 P you could always buy a 1958 instead... it's a bit cheaper... [url="http://andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=1014"]http://andybaxterbas...ils.php?id=1014[/url] Now THAT's what you call 'roadworn'. Edited February 22, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 For what it's worth Marc, I think it's the FEEL of the metal plate that gets folk a bit twitchy. Kind of subconscious "not used to this, something is wrong". But you do quickly get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456152427' post='2985952'] [/quote] Mmmm, wish I had one of th..... Ah, mine's not in quite as good condition.... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I've wanted one of these for a while. Maybe next year... Is 3 precisions too many? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.