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Post subject: mikefrommontreal post
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:06 pm
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"Hi guys I recently bought a road worn jazz bass and I have to admit bought it because it stood out over all the other basses at the music store, it had a nice peachy orange tinge and it looked really unique. "

OK, since this is the Precision Bass forum, the Jazz comparison is a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, two single coil pickups versus one split coil, narrower, thinner neck profile, Indian Rosewood fingerboard, as opposed to the single piece higer mass Maple neck. Hey at least you tried one of the Road Worn basses for real.

"That being said I took it home and played it and just hated it.
I think it was the combination that it was made in Mexico and it's high end American series price tag that really turned me off, not to mention that the road worn look began to creep into my mind that I was now an official poser holding a brand new expensive bass that had sub par parts and quality that looked kind of cool and sounded and played horrible.
I then though of the conversations I would be having after every show about my sick relic bass and how I'd be explaining that it just looks cool but is actually made in Mexico and it doesn't play or sound nice."

Wow! Where do I start, I think that when you go to a music store you are suppose to really try it out, doesn't sound like you did that at all. The made in Mexico with the American price tag, not nearly, even wheeling and dealing there is still over a $500.00 price tag difference, at least. It sounds like you were more worried about what other musicians would think of you for owning one, that seemed to ruin everything you thought about it. Played horrible, did you try checking the intonation, adjusting the truss rod, pickup height, string height? There is a reason these are adjustable, taste, playing style, envionmental varibles. It also doesn't sound like you made any adjustments.

"The logic behind those feelings made me return it and I am just done with the road worn series."

What logic, if you didn't try any adjustments to tailor it to your playing preferences, you are going only on emotional reaction. It's your life, your preference, but not logical.

"If you want that vintage look, I am telling you as honestly as I can as a real player and lover of sound and style that the road worn is for posers only."

Really, Sting owns a custom shop relic that he takes on the road to replace his real '54. Geddy Lee has a custom shop, that is reliced, to keep that look and feel like his '74 Jazz. Posers, huh? Let me ask you this, what makes you the almighty subject matter expert on a real player is, over a poser.
As I said in my post, I didn't think much of them either way, but I tried one out, listened carefully, compared it some of my 30 other basses and using my 30 years of professional experience, thought that they are worth taking a look at. But, I suppose, all those years touring and putting bread on the table as a poser, just doesn't make me as qualified to speak.

"Take it from me, I bought one, then I spent the few extra hundred and bought a real one."

Although you did actually try one, and you stopped there, your comment should be about that experience. But when you buy one, don't try to set it up your way, maybe better, fresher strings, and then just take it back and start pontificating about how bad it is, that's something else entirely.

I stand by my original statement to try one, listen to other guitars as a comparison, don't judge without trial. If you buy, then adjust accordingly and you might get quite a surprise.

But for heavens sake don't say they suck because you don't like them, and you don't need to try one, because your opinons don't need facts to get in the way. Or you took one home once, after not trying it out properly, and then not trying to really do a set-up or fresh strings. Then worry about what other musicians might think of you for having, then pronouncing everyone who has one as uncool. We can get this from the guitar rags.


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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:08 pm
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Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
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Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
Road worn- I can see the appeal of these basses.

I think they fill a market need even though I don't like the idea of fake wear on a bass or guitar. These instruments sound and feel good.

The originals that they are modeled after are now priced out of sight.

See what a '58 Precision bass or a early 60's Jazz bass sell for and no the vintage reissue is not the same because the finishes are too heavy on those basses.

The thin finish makes it sing!

I am starting to see these get discounted from their intro prices of around $1250 down to under a grand.

It still a lot for a Mexi bass but these are nice basses.

And one question:
Aren't you more of a poser if you play a Geddy Lee or Marcus Miller bass?

Food for thought-LOL

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:30 pm
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Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:30 pm
Posts: 203
BCbassman wrote:
And one question:
Aren't you more of a poser if you play a Geddy Lee or Marcus Miller bass?

Food for thought-LOL


Oh no: I have an SRV Strat, Jerry Donahue Tele, Gary Moore LP, Lonnie Mack Flying V, and an original Music Man Van Halen. AND a RW P-bass. Guess I'm a super-poser ;)

My daughter is jonesing for a Geddy, though.

To continue the thread on a positive note, the RW P is a great modding platform. I've dropped an SD vintage pup in, re-did the wiring, and replaced the pickguard. Gigged it last weekend (with flats), it has real deep reach in the lower octaves. I'll still say one of the nicest/straightest/best-feeling necks I've ever played on a P-Bass, Mexi or otherwise.


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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:00 am
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Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:10 am
Posts: 1086
to me appearance doesn't really matter that much... what matters most is sound, and feel and comfort..

i once got myself a pre worn mexican jazz.. well a little scratch here and there but the sound and feel is there...

i tried other basses recently from epiphone to gibson to ibanez and yamaha... i always end up going back to Fenders...


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