NEWS: Fender's Roadworn series

Fender has unveiled its new Roadworn series, which brings Custom Shop-style relic finishing to players who can't afford to spend thousands on a carefully bashed-up instrument, but still want the look, feel and vibe.

Two bass models will be available, based on the 1950s Precision Bass and the 1960s Jazz Bass.

The line will be officially launched at NAMM.

Here are the specs:

'50s P Bass
Distressed body, neck and hardware creating an aged and worn appearance,
Vintage styling
Gold anodized aluminum pickguard,
Synthetic bone nut
Alder body
2-color sunburst, Fiesta Red (nitro finish)
maple neck, 7.25" radius
1.750" nut
20 vintage style frets
1 Precision Bass split single-coil pickup (Mid)
nickel/chrome hardware
American vintage Precision/Jazz bass bridge
Vintage style reverse tuning machines

'60s J Bass
Distressed body, neck and hardware creating an aged and Worn appearance,
Vintage styling
Gold anodized aluminum pickguard,
Synthetic bone nut
Alder body
3-color sunburst, Fiesta Red (nitro finish)
rosewood neck, 7.25" radius
1.50" nut
20 vintage style frets
2 Standard vintage alnico magnet Jazz Bass single coil pickups
nickel/chrome hardware
American vintage Precision/Jazz bass bridge
Vintage style reverse tuning machines

For more info: fender.com/roadworn

You can read about the guitar versions on my other blog, I Heart Guitar.

CLICK HERE to buy the Fender Rock Box watch and accessory gift set from Musician's Friend

CLICK HERE to buy the book 'Pink Floyd The Black Strat: A History Of David Gilmore's Black Fender Stratocaster' from Musician's Friend

New blog coming soon!

Soon I'll be launching the I Heart Bass blog at this address. There will be bass guitar related interviews, news, reviews, videos and lessons.

Lesson topics will include bass chords, using effects, tapping, playing changing lines against static guitar parts, and the secrets to bass distortion. 

I'll also be scouring the net for interesting custom and production basses.

My main instrument is guitar, which I've been playing since I was 8 years old, but I've been playing bass since I was 14 and now I'm 3o. For a while I taught bass at World Of Music in Brighton East, Melbourne, and while my guitar style is influenced by guys like Vai, Satriani, Van Halen, Bettencourt and co, my bass playing is influenced by John Paul Jones, Tony Visconti, Geezer Butler and Mike Inez. I'm also partial to the playing of Billy Sheehan and Bryan Beller, though I don't play like them. And Rohan Drew, the bass player in my band, is a freaking amazing player who is very inspiring to work with.

If you'd like to see your favourite players here, let me know and I'll do my best to include them.

In the meantime, check out my other blog, I Heart Guitar.