Bassmingo Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 I never had the chance to try out one of these until recently, but now I see why so many rave about it. The weight, neck profile and fret size tick all my boxes. it's the spec I never knew I wanted. I could take or leave the roadworn look, so the standard classic is a bit easier on the pocket (by about 500 quid!) I don't need one right now, but someday I'm gonna own one. (in sunburst) So, MIM 50's reissue owners, show me your basses so I can live vicariously through you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Here you go....here's my 50's Classic Lacquer DIY Roadworn work in progress... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmingo Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 Nice! I love a good black & maple, and she's a beauty. I'm a little confused by the difference between the Lacquer variant and the standard 50's reissue. Does it refer to the lacquer on the neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grenadillabama Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 I think "lacquer" means the finish on both neck and body . -not Poly. There is a Fender 50s model for about $750 with a wide 1.75" nut , aluminum pickguard, and reverse direction machines. I might go for that model as it is not 'roadworn' and the bridge is shiney. They come in burst and a lovely blonde that matches the yellowish pickguard. The whole bass is close to yellow . -The neck and fingerboard are one piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmingo Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 8 minutes ago, grenadillabama said: I think "lacquer" means the finish on both neck and body . -not Poly. There is a Fender 50s model for about $750 with a wide 1.75" nut , aluminum pickguard, and reverse direction machines. I might go for that model as it is not 'roadworn' and the bridge is shiney. They come in burst and a lovely blonde that matches the yellowish pickguard. The whole bass is close to yellow . -The neck and fingerboard are one piece. Yes, that's the one I want too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) There's actually 3 in the range - all with the wide 44.5mm nut width, reverse tuners and gold anodised scratch plate. Classic 50's Precision - Polyurethane finish neck and body and available in sunburst, red or blonde. Classic 50's Precision Lacquer - Thin nitro finish neck and body, available in black (i think there used to be a blonde version too). Classic 50's Precision Roadworn - Nitro roadworn finish body and a poly neck, available in red or sunburst. I tried all 3 and there was something that worked better for me with the nitro ones, I cant really quantify it but they just felt a bit more alive to me and different enough from a standard Mexican P bass - I wanted a Roadworn one because they feel absolutely lovely to play but the Lacquer popped up for a great price so i grabbed it and its gradually becoming roadworn naturally :-). Someone had already scotchbrighted the neck so it has a nice worn in feel already. I'd like to roll the edges a bit though as i think thats what makes the Roadworns feel so good along with the amount of wood in the big old neck. They're all lovely basses though. Edited November 20, 2018 by Mudpup 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 The Roadworn nitro is the one to have in my book, selected lighter woods me thinks. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmingo Posted November 22, 2018 Author Share Posted November 22, 2018 (edited) On 20/11/2018 at 19:55, Mudpup said: There's actually 3 in the range - all with the wide 44.5mm nut width, reverse tuners and gold anodised scratch plate. Classic 50's Precision - Polyurethane finish neck and body and available in sunburst, red or blonde. Classic 50's Precision Lacquer - Thin nitro finish neck and body, available in black (i think there used to be a blonde version too). Classic 50's Precision Roadworn - Nitro roadworn finish body and a poly neck, available in red or sunburst. I tried all 3 and there was something that worked better for me with the nitro ones, I cant really quantify it but they just felt a bit more alive to me and different enough from a standard Mexican P bass - I wanted a Roadworn one because they feel absolutely lovely to play but the Lacquer popped up for a great price so i grabbed it and its gradually becoming roadworn naturally :-). Someone had already scotchbrighted the neck so it has a nice worn in feel already. I'd like to roll the edges a bit though as i think thats what makes the Roadworns feel so good along with the amount of wood in the big old neck. They're all lovely basses though. 10 11 I guess it's definitely the Classic 50's P for me then, and I'd remove a layer of the gloss from the neck. I'm not a fan of glossy necks, nor do I like the overly orange look of the neck on the Lacquer P, and I see no sense in paying an extra few hundred quid for the Roadworn look, just to get the neck I like, when I can just take some sandpaper to the Classic. Plus I love the 2T sunburst. Edited November 22, 2018 by Bassmingo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 (edited) @Bassmingo I’ve played one of those classic 50s in Pmt Leeds awesome bass partner told me to buy but I wouldn’t as we couldn’t afford at the time ... keeper Edited November 22, 2018 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmingo Posted November 22, 2018 Author Share Posted November 22, 2018 @Geek99 what was the price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 It was circa 7 years ago I’m afraid but I still remember the “yeah baby!” Moment I’d have another in a heart beat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted November 23, 2018 Share Posted November 23, 2018 On 20/11/2018 at 13:22, Mudpup said: Here you go....here's my 50's Classic Lacquer DIY Roadworn work in progress... One of my big bass-related regrets was not having the patience to wait for one of these to come back in stock. Ordered and paid for online, I got an email saying that the shop didn't actually have any in stock (the site said they did) and that it would be a few weeks before they had more in. I politely declined and cancelled the order and ended up spending a lot more putting together a parts Jazz. I think at the time the 50s Classics were around the £400 mark; this was about 10 years ago. Still, the whole thing could've been avoided if I'd not made the mistake of selling my US Standard Precision - the biggest of my bass-related regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted November 23, 2018 Share Posted November 23, 2018 My lovely 2014 Fiesta Red RW, the best P I’ve ever played, and I’ve played 2, maybe 3. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypercarrots Posted November 24, 2018 Share Posted November 24, 2018 (edited) I have a road worn and switched just the body to a classic lacquer and it did not sound the same! Something special about the road worn body. I’ve since switched it back... Edited November 24, 2018 by hypercarrots 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmingo Posted December 12, 2018 Author Share Posted December 12, 2018 Absolutely loving the pics guys, so envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 I'm still kicking myself for not buying a classic 50's in cash converters for 350 quid a few years back. Great basses. Proper angry growl off them when you want it. Word of advice. If you like any of the basses mentioned in this thread, do NOT try the new Fender Original 50s P bass series. Your wallet will thank me. SO good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bootleg Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Never had such a love at first sight moment as with my Fiesta Red Roadworn P. Wasn't even looking for one, but gave one a try randomly in a shop. Hadn't even plugged it into an amp and knew I wanted it just from its feel, just so right. Looks great (to me anyway), balanced, light, and sounds amazing, especially with TI Flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 How ‘clean’ are the frets meant to be on these RW basses? I got my 2014 made bass second hand earlier this year and the frets do have some tarnish on them. Are they shipped with shiny untarnished frets? Thought I’d ask before giving them a polish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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