Fender Road Worn 60s Jazz Bass Fits Like Pants For Your Hands

[plangentmusic]

There's something about buying a "badge of honor" that's really, really lame.

[gwugluud]

I did actually wear this bass instead of pants like they suggested here. I didn't even make it down the block before 2 squad cars screeched up, and the cops jumped out and threw me in the back seat. Someone had a phone on that one school bus that went by, probably.

[dreadtodred]

this fuckin bass is the bomb,the neck is awesome.IMHO way better than those glossed over necks on the american standard.Who cares where it made this bass plays like butter

[dreadtodred]

these basses are nice ..who cares how they look its how they play that count.If you had to choose between and prettygirl who aint s---,or a ugly girl who is everthing which one would you choose?

[plangentmusic]

It isn;' so much the "pre-worn" look that I think is lame as much as "paying for it" is lame. Get a bass. Sand the sections that would normally get worn. Stick a screwdriver in a couple of spots. Smack it with a chain a few times. Voila! A "worn" instrument.

[ChiapasZapata]

acutally I saw a lot of them and there are very poor due the aging... just a little sanded here and there - thats it... no traces of a long and hard played bass... But I had to admit: Sounded very well! Really old and I am sad, that fender doasnt publish a 60´s series out of Mexico with less used and less price... I fact: it a lot of cake for a mexico bass with better PU...

[PBANDSNOW]

It doesnt even look worn, its like a rich persons used bass

[nickkalisz]

srv and rory gallagher made worn guitars cool

[letterbekmen]

does it have the 60's or 70's pickup placement?

[TheRareDevil]

@letterbekmen Fender Road Worn 60s Jazz Bass

[mrciaran96]

id rather just buy a brand new bass and let it get like that over time man, it'd be worth the wait

[mouthmw]

@mrciaran96 yea, but most of the new ones have poly finish, and poly will not degrade like nitro and it won't look like this even in 20 years of abuse. I think Highway One Fender are nitro (not sure), and vintage Fenders are nitro, but almost every new bass is poly. Poly is easier, faster and cheaper to work with.

[MetalKidDanny]

No gloss, this sucks, proud owner of a Jazz Bass which is not Road Worn but has it scars.

[UhMysteryGuest]

God damn it, just play the damn thing

[omartheomar]

I don't see what's so great about Fender basses. They aren't that great to me..

[michaelatw86]

How about you play the damn thing.

[Hijjax]

maybe it's as 'road worn' as that ugly hair on your face.

[Insaze]

Obviously some people don't realize what makes this bass what it is. It's not about having the used look, or wanting people to think that you were on tour for years when in reality you were sitting in your basement. It's about the general feel and tone of the bass, at least for me. I tried this bass at my local dealer's booth and I was simply amazed by how truly 60s and real it sounds, as opposed to all the techy-cranked up new basses/guitars.

[crazzyriley]

this is just as stupid as buying them jeans that are already cut on the knees -.- and on other places that jeans dont cut on -.-

[bijouxmusic]

this road worn stuff is just ridiculous!

[swingmanu]

@bijouxmusic may well be ridiculous...is ridiculous...but it sounds!!!

[MooseHunter911]

I just LOVE this bass, I have a Yamaha-something and it's deasent I guess, but I went to my local music store in stockholm and picked one of those up, and jeeesus christ.. the length between the strings and the neck, everything just fits perfect in your hands.. I didn't wanna let it go ;(

[EuphoriaMusicSession]

i've got an '05 MIM tele, and it's already starting to show some wear on the body, as well as a few dings on the headstock. just goes to show, if you really want an instrument to fit you like a pair of pants, you can easily wear it in yourself.

[Bobbyki46]

@lizpan1 btw they dont use any us parts they are mexican built basses. i'm not big on the road worn mostly cus they are hit or miss basses. by that i mean you either get a one that plays well and sounds good or you would be better playing a card board box. In my opinion, for the money save a few more bucks and by an american standard they play and sound much better or find a used highway one they wear very quick.

[rockbass777]

i used to think road worn series were really mental...

until i tried one out.

Fender Road Worn 60s Jazz Bass sounds amazing

sound > appearance. WIN

[delitemyheart]

Can somebody PLEASE explain to me why in the world i would want to buy a bass guitar that has been deliberately worn??? Because i dont get it. C'mon Fender..GET REAL!

If i want the fast neck il buy the 60's mexican jazz..and in 20years time it will have my own real battle scars on it. And not fake scars like on this road worn joke of a guitar!

Its like buying jeans that already have holes in them. I dont get that either. To me this is really REAAALLLY STUPID!!!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

Not true. Modern polyurethane finishes are so much harder and thicker than lacquer that 1) they don't wear nearly as easily as lacquer, and 2) when they do get a ding or something, it's usually a deep, nasty looking chip.

Lacquer wears in a much cooler way than poly.

You could say it makes more sense to buy lacquer finished guitars with pristine unblemished finishes, but Fender doesn't currently offer that below $1k. Maybe they'll introduce an MIM with new lacquer next.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz you said..."Not true .. polyuethane .. lacquer .. blah blah"!

Excuse me...Heeellooo..What planet are you on??? I didn't say anything about polyuerthane vs lacquer. I am already well aware that the new nitrocelulose finishes are superier in terms of durability. But thats not what my comment was about..so dont put words in my mouth. Go back and read my comment again CAREFULLY!

I wouldn't buy a guitar that has been deliberately worn with those try hard scars. What a joke & waste of money!!!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

1) The new finishes aren't nitrocelluse. They're polyurethane. Two completely different materials.

2) You said you'd buy the 60s Mexican Jazz and in 20 years you'd have your own battle scars. But the 60s Mexican Jazz has a polyurethane finish, so it won't have battle scars after 20 years. Or if it does, they'll be nasty looking brittle chunks rather than the nice worn-in rub spots and shallow dings you get with nitro.

Seems pretty straightforward to me.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz i said "60's" mexican jazz" cause its the only other fender jazz bass apart from the "roadworn" with a neck that has a "7.25 radius(184mm).

And the poly finish WILL wear out on the mexican in years to come. Everything wears out lol.

Buying a bass that as scratches and scars all over it is a waste of money. Its like buying jeans with holes in them. Thats the most rediculous idea. Would you pay money for a brand new car with a worn steering wheel, dash and seats???

No thanks fender!!!

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz but actually..i hear that mexican made fenders are not very good quality. So i if i was going to spend my money i would buy the "Highway one" series jazz bass. The neck is 9.5" radius(241mm). Its not as slim its better quality..made in the good old U.S of A. And it comes with a badass bridge 11 aswell. The highway one series is the best value for money fender. And no matter what Finish you have, it will eventually have wear marks here and there. And THATS cool!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

The Highway Ones are okay except that they have a matte finish. Fender keeps cost down by applying only a single coat and then skipping the buffing step. Some people like the matte look. I personally don't. It is a nitro finish though, which means it will age gracefully.

You're just wrong about poly finishes eventually wearing in. They don't. Poly chips but it doesn't wear. And when it chips it chips ugly. Try googling up a nicely worn 70s Fender. Good luck.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz Highway one are ok....WHAT???

Highwayone are made in the U.S. The roadworn's are made in mexico!

Highway one & roadworn's both have the nitro finish. Except the roadworn has scratches and chips all over it.

Il have the Highway one over the roadworn any day of the week and twice on sunday's lol

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

Well, my MIM 60s reissue Jazz bass is superb. Quality is very close to a US model. So I'm not sure how much more the Highway One gets you quality-wise.

They both have the unbuffed nitro finish, so they're both matte. The problem is the lack of gloss looks weird on an otherwise new guitar. Bit it looks fine on the Road Worns since you wouldn't expect to see much gloss left on a 40 year old beat guitar.

Most people like the chips and wear. You're in a small minority.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz The quality on your fender mex is difinately not as good as the U.S made highway one. It doesn't even have any shielding.

I dont think the lack of gloss looks weird at all. it looks wonderful. The critics say fender opted for the nitro finish without gloss to save cost's. Fender say's thats not true. They say the thin nitro finish lets the resonance of the wood resonate better and that the thin nitro finish is actually very durable!

If i am in a minority..then at least im not a pretender!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

I've owned a zillion guitars and I can confidently say that the quality of this bass is excellent. It has no hum problems without shielding. I don't think vintage Fenders were shielded.

The notion that one finish or another makes the guitar resonate is BS. The mass of the finish is tiny compared to the body. Its effect is negligible.

Nitro is not durable, and thin nitro is even less durable.  Its main virtue is that it wears in a cool way, not that it's durable.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz Im sure the quality of the mexican fenders is good. Just not as good as the American made models!

Well thats what fender say..that the thin nitro finish allows the guitar's resonance to come out a little better. I dont think its BS..it makes a lot of sense. And anyone who has played a highway one will testify as to how good they sound!

But Road worn guitars are for the pretender. Somebody who likes to pretend that their guitars are so old & worn. Pathetic really...i mean reeaally pathetic!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

No, the resonance thing makes no sense. The finish weighs a couple ounces while the body wood weighs six or seven pounds. There's no reason to think the finish would have a significant effect.

Road worn guitars are for people who like the look of vintage instruments but 1) can't afford them, or 2) don't feel like waiting 45 years for a new instrument to wear in. So it's completely sensible to be interested in a road worn.

I think you're the pathetic contrarian here.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz YES the thin finish DOES make sense. If a drum shell was was sprayed with a finish on the inside of the shell..it would definately dampen the tonal characteristics a little!

It may not make a huge difference on the highway one bass..but definately a little. Everything adds up..thin nitro finish(better resonance) and badass 2 bridge. IT ALL ADDS UP!

Road worn guitars are for douch bags who like to pretend they have a vintage..when in reality its just an imposter!

Get real!!!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

1) Drums are acoustic instruments. Basses are electric instruments. The effect of finish on the tone of electric instruments is negligible.

2) You're the douche bag. Vintage Fenders are cool. But they're expensive. Road Worn guitars let regular people enjoy some of the coolness of a vintage Fender without having to spend thousands of dollars. It makes sense.

3) Douche has an e on the end. Only douche bags misspell douche bag.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz Drums still get miked up you douch bag!

The electric bass may not be an acoustic instrument but it still gets its resonance from the wood that it is made out of. Ash & Alder are very popular woods for guitars BECAUSE OF HOW THEY RESONATE! So stop talking non sense you douch bag.

The "roadworn" series are not cool. They are a pretend vintage for pretend people like you!

To me..it makes no sense to spend money on a guitar that has been hacked away at!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

Mics don't turn acoustic instruments into electric instruments. An acoustic guitar is still an acoustic guitar when you mic it.  And unlike an electric guitar, it relies on a very thin top to create its sound. That thinness is what make the finish a significant factor. But an electric bass's 7 pound chunk of alder or ash doesn't care what kind of finish is on it. It's going to resonate how it wants to, regardless, you silly douche bag.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz Well thats not what fender say's! Fender says that the "thin" nitrocelulose" finish lacquer finish lets the body woods natural tone shine thru.

Im quite sure that fenders infinate knowledge is far superior to yours.

Your just dirty cause you know that you should have bought the "highway one" series instead of the "60's" classic mexican made axe. Ahh well...too bad. Perhaps you should try selling it on ebay and see what you get and you can save up for the "highway one" made in the U.S.A

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

You have fallen for Fender's marketing hype. The reason they use an unbuffed single coat of lacquer on the Highway Ones is to meet a price point. It saves them several time-consuming manufacturing steps. It has nothing to do with the tone. I bought my bass on eBay for peanuts and have been completely satisfied with it. It's a keeper. The Highway Ones are nice, but the matte finish doesn't do it for me.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz well thats what the critics say..that fender is trying to save money on the highway one. Well i dont believe that because if it was about saving money..they would just have it built in mexico..like the the roadworn series and the classic "60's and 70's series. They dont need to apply a thin nitro coat and try to market it as better sounding just to save money when they could have them built and finished with a full spray job done in mexico..and for much cheaper too!

[1Doz]

@delitemyheart

The point of the Highway One was to create a low end US model, which really didn't exist prior to the Highway One. It filled a gap in their lineup. They did it by dumbing down the finish. Then they marketed it as a feature to suckers like you.

[delitemyheart]

@1Doz LOL i marvel how you think im the sucker here. You have been sucked in to the road worn series.

Dont slag off the highway one's nitro finish because the roadworn's finish has been hacked away at and destroyed. It doesn't have the B A Bridge like the highway one's. And its crafted in (you guessed it) MEXICO!

Looks t me like YOU are the sucker!!!

[Rotarded705]

Suckered? Most of the people that go for fenders are looking for that vintage vibe (Why else would you go for a bass layout that has been virtually unchanged for almost 50 years?). There's something in that old vintage sunburst, and 60's specs that just makes people jump on it like its birthday cake. Honestly, by looking no one could tell my Hammond M3 organ is over 50 years old. People dig the relic specs because the instrument itself screams OLD.

[Rotarded705]

And if you're gonna spout bullshit about how they're being fake for buying new instruments that are made to look old, well it's their fucking money, isn't it? Parting shot for ya, I browse the local sections in Toronto all the time, craigslist, kijiji, even ebay. What seems to still be going for almost the full price? Road worn. Who has to drop the price if they wanna sell it? Highway 1. You do the math.

[delitemyheart]

@Rotarded705 good for you..your entitled to your opinion. Just as im entitled to mine!

Persomally i wouldn't waste my money on a guitar that has been hacked away at to look deliberately worn. Im not not in to the pretender thing..Sorry!

If you want to spend your money on an instrument such as the "roadworn" then good luck to you!

[alwaysopen]

This is how they market and sell factory seconds. The stupid thing is everybody falls for it.

I would rather put my own road rash on it than pay some dumbass with a sander to do it,

[oOJimmySueOo]

Battle scars are to remember battles not fabricated dings. Although I like the idea of an instrument being worn in, the aesthetic is a miss. But if it makes a more comfortable neck, that's a plus

[IntellectualAmy]

I own a Fender Sunburst Jazz in the same colour and I'd hate it to have those battle scars...argh!

[MrAlfredocolon]

the sticker made it a fail. but these things are badass

[bert1086]

and I thought pre-torn jeans were ridiculous...

[inuyashaspet]

Videos like this are a waste of our fucking time. Why bother with moving pictures and sound when you could get the same useless PR bullshit from a page of written text?

[cowsgomoouk]

you can't 'put scars' on most newer fenders because they cover them in polyester rather than nitrocellulose... you could play a 2009 american standard jazz bass for 50 years and it wouldn't rub down to the wood smoothly like the road-worn ones... obviously none of you guys saying that have played the same polyester-coated bass for 20+ years (so you're posers too in a similar way - talking the talk without having walked the walk)

[oOJimmySueOo]

When you say polyester do you mean the polyurethane they put on them these days? I'm looking at the mexican 60s classic vibe things, and I'm pretty sure they have that polyurethane finish. Will that hinder my bass from getting eventual battle scars?

[cowsgomoouk]

I would guess so... I have a Mexican 70's Jazz, and it's a thick polyurethane(?) finish too, so I don't think they'll wear like the nitro finish instruments...

still. those mexican 'classic vibe' basses are nice.. they just wont age like the originals (who cares anyway?)

[Telecasterpunk]

I tried one out, and the neck just feels fantastic. Very comfortable and defintly has that vintage feel.

[TheBARRYFREE]

These instruments are for posers like the guy in the vid! Why not buy a new one and put the scars there youself..........What! Poser!

[ishonru]

word to the wise this guitar no worn is

62,000 yen about 650 Dollars save money buy off of japanese websites cuz the demand is lower

[andytom]

I could never bare myself to buy a worn guitar, unless it's actually from the 50s-60s.

And the CE sticker at the backplate is kinda out of place, I don't think it would be there after 40 years ;)

[PWB87]

agreed

[rmusilli]

I saw one a bass store and thought how silly. Then I picked it up and played it. It was remarkable. Everything the reviewer said and more and I have a 64 custom shop jazz relic.

[ethamajin]

gimmick...

[myspacceer]

it sounds like you would just be buying a used fender jazz bass

[thebassman6880]

yea thats what i thought too but honestly it sounds soooooooo good

[iBlah6666]

Wasn't one of the high way one series gimmicks that you could give the basses and guitars their own "scars" and such? Whatever I love my Tele and I love Fender.

[6y298]

Like so many, I just don't get this 'road worn' concept in the least - what a phony idea. For all the reasons already mentioned, Who the hell could be proud of such a thing????

[lennonmccartneybeat]

i agree maan. He says the scars are to tella story, and to show how much of a player you are, and how much you use it, but these ''scars'' are phoney, they tell no storey, so you may aswell just buy a new jazz bass, P-bass, what ever, and create your own scars :)

[BassRacerx]

it is also a 60s copy that is why it is so expensive not the worness. it is actually cheaper then the "new" looking 60s copys fender makes. this bass is actually very confterble to play and sounds like a real 60s bass so whats not to love really? looks of an old bass but confidence and dependibillity of a brand new one

[pandaman0529]

I don't understand the Road Worn series.

A musician's instrument IS a badge of honor. You don't need to spend extra on a fake badge. Make your own scars.

[satorres82]

I saw these at Guitar center last week and guess what? THEY ARE MADE IN MEXICO!!! $1,100 for a bass that isn't even U.S. made. The guys at fender have clearly lost their minds on this one.

[bugsycline]

I've been trying to find online where these were made for over three hours.

THANK YOU!

Now I know not to waste my time going to an over priced guitar store (Guitar center, sam ash etc...) just to find out.

every one whom has ever owned a Made In Mexico model will tell you they are POOP!!!!

pure Poop.

[satorres82]

I wouldn't go that far. The basses are just overpriced for what you get. I own: 2 custom shop jazz basses, a Japanese Marcus Miller bass, a Music Man stingray and a 2002 Mex standard P-bass I bought on ebay for around $200 including shipping. I replaced the pickup and bridge for another $100 and it's now a great bass for under $300. In fact, the guys in my bands often request I use that bass, live and recording! I just think $1100 for a Mexican made bass is insane. Should be around $450.

[gryzlov]

I like the look, but I want it to be real. I'm going to do this to my Jaguar bass. It's going to be a 30 year project. I dislike fake road wornness. I want it to be real. With a real worn guitar, you pick it up, and it feels loved. well played.

[dust4me]

this is fucked

looks like shit

could buy cheaper and do it my self

[iloverush123]

Mine looks like that, except I bought mine new in '06!

[Pigbomb666]

this is the exact same thing as buying a pair of beat up jeans for $90. Both ideas are rediculous and both, because people are idiots will no doubt succeed.

Although, to legitimately wear your bass/guitar down these days would take ALOT of abuse. New basses are painted and coated with much stronger materials than they were before. Also, I don't want my bass to look like shit...

[miguelbass]

Yes I have to agree with what most of the ppl say here... it reminds me of that Monty Python's Terry Gilliam animation "buy yourself a past". Quality is the issue nonetheless.

[WitteBandera]

Shees..I've seen this bass already, just play on it!

[robkphoto]

It's kind of a cool thing to have lying around your pad though. That way you don't have to bother to learn to play bass and you look like you've been rocking for years. I mean really, is anybody going to ever actually ask to hear you play?

[tbcass]

This is stupid. I'm sure it's a great bass but the day I buy a new instrument that looks all beat up is the day hell freezes over.

[Eejers45]

yeah, the wear and tear is up to the bassist.

[MikeNobodyIsBack]

Those used to be called "damaged goods" and sent back to the factory for a refund.

[Olphus]

I thought this was a yoke at first!

[kaisersosea1983]

These are lame IMO, i've got nothing wrong with Fender basses but this just seems like a silly marketing ploy, maybe Fender should spend they're time and money improving consistancy from bass to bass?

[norin02]

Or you could buy a regular bass, play actual gigs with it, and have your own stories to tell, not the ones that came out of Fenders Road Worn Bass Booklet.