Lame Fender Road Worn 60's Strat????

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by Axis29

Oh yeah, I also don't like the Highway One pickups.... D'Oh!

This was a huge element for me. With the Roadworns, I didn't play the guitar and think about all the things I would change in order to make it the way I wanted it. I really dug the guitar just the way it was.

[stevieboy]

Originally Posted by sidneystreet

In reference to possible Photoshop trickery, that would be a negative.

I went to GC this weekend to investigate, and the pickguard on their Road Worn Olympic White Strat looked exactly like the one in the photo earlier in the thread.

Curiously, the other models in the Road Worn series (Teles and Strats) had pretty authentic looking aged pickguards. It was only the Olympic White Strat that had that weird brownish perimeter. Odd, for sure.

Okay, I'll take your word for that, I've seen a few of the roadworns and hadn't seen anything like the pic. But I wasn't suggesting trickery just a bad job.

[nrps]

Comes with a Deluxe gig bag included

For that price why not a HSC?

[trousertele]

For all those who just can't accept the price point, please look at this link and see where all your favorite "affordable" MIMs will soon be once the price increase takes affect.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/sear...=high2low&pn=4

Go to the preceding page in that link, and the same story goes for the MIAs.

Musicians Friend, Music 123, and Guitar Center are waiting until their current stock is sold, and then the prices are all going up. Sweetwater, Elderly, and a bunch of others have already raised the prices.

Simply put, these are where they should be compared to the others in the MIM line. Like it or not, this is what Fender is doing.

Now off to check my BP.

[nrps]

Originally Posted by trousertele

For all those who just can't accept the price point, please look at this link and see where all your favorite "affordable" MIMs will soon be once the price increase takes affect.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/sear...=high2low&pn=4

Go to the preceding page in that link, and the same story goes for the MIAs.

Musicians Friend, Music 123, and Guitar Center are waiting until their current stock is sold, and then the prices are all going up. Sweetwater, Elderly, and a bunch of others have already raised the prices.

Simply put, these are where they should be compared to the others in the MIM line. Like it or not, this is what Fender is doing.

Now off to check my BP.

That's pretty much old new's

[trousertele]

Well then what is there to complain about?

[Loco]

Maybe if some of the still persisting and blinkered attitudes that MIM = cheap 'n' nasty could be overcome...?

Ensenada is not home to the Custom Shop, but the factory is still Fender owned and is staffed by a very dedicated and highly skilled team of guitar builders. Same as the one north o' the border!

[Tidepoolbay]

I tried three Road worn Telecasters and on Road worn stratocaster.
I only liked one of the Telecasters.
For the money I feel they are not a good value.
Two of the Telecasters were bloned. One weighed six pounds and the other weighed nine pounds.
Uggg!!

Tidepoolbay

[Sombras]

Originally Posted by Loco

Maybe if some of the still persisting and blinkered attitudes that MIM = cheap 'n' nasty could be overcome...?

Ensenada is not home to the Custom Shop, but the factory is still Fender owned and is staffed by a very dedicated and highly skilled team of guitar builders. Same as the one north o' the border!

Thanks for saying this. Needed to be said.

[boris bubbanov]

I think the rosewood board RWs are much more tolerable. The maple ones bug me in a way these don't. If the pickguard is overwrought you'll be able to find a less outrageous one, somewhere.

I am still concerned that FMIC is in for some rocky times, and these RW models will be the poster child for the era after Bill Schultz' demise when Fender "blew it". So, if you're selling it in 6 months, go for it but if you are saving it for all time, please be wary.

[sidneystreet]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I think the rosewood board RWs are much more tolerable. The maple ones bug me in a way these don't...

That is my feeling also.

In fact, if they offered the Road Worn Tele in blond with the rosewood fingerboard, I just might be persuaded to part with some cash!!!

[fenderaddict]

Sometimes i think i'm the only person left that doesn't like relics of any kind. Call me crazy, but i like a strat thats aged nicely but with no dents and all that. the newer looking the better as long as it has that vintage amber neck and all that good stuff and the wood has had time to mellow. But screw all the dents and missing paint etc etc. Just don't get it. it's one thing to have used it to that point yourself. then again i don;'t like the idea of buying brand new torn jeans either....yep, call me crazy !

[slickschoppers]

"Maybe if some of the still persisting and blinkered attitudes that MIM = cheap 'n' nasty could be overcome"

I don't think that is an acurate statement for everyone involved.

more than a few of the very people that think the Road Worn series is too high priced also own Classic Vibe telecasters that they think are some of the best quality guitars around....

it is NOT where it is made and they think the quality is bad.....

it is the fact that it is a MEXICAN fender, which directly equates to dismal resale value once enough of them are sold and the market is saturated. as it would for a chinese tele too..... Why?

at the end of the day it is mexican fender.

Mexican fenders are quality instruments. I don't debate that at all. but at the price they are selling for now... wow.. I wouldn't consider them a bargain.....

my favorite link latley...

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=526797X

LOL!!! oh no you scratched and dented my roadworn!!!

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by slickschoppers

"Maybe if some of the still persisting and blinkered attitudes that MIM = cheap 'n' nasty could be overcome"

I don't think that is an acurate statement for everyone involved.

more than a few of the very people that think the Road Worn series is too high priced also own Classic Vibe telecasters that they think are some of the best quality guitars around....

it is NOT where it is made and they think the quality is bad.....

it is the fact that it is a MEXICAN fender, which directly equates to dismal resale value once enough of them are sold and the market is saturated. as it would for a chinese tele too..... Why?

at the end of the day it is mexican fender.

Mexican fenders are quality instruments. I don't debate that at all. but at the price they are selling for now... wow.. I wouldn't consider them a bargain.....

my favorite link latley...

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=526797X

LOL!!! oh no you scratched and dented my roadworn!!!

You're absolutely correct. Not EVERYONE is dismissing the Roadworns based on the country of origin. People dismiss them for the identical wear, the "Poor" look of the wear on the neck, the set up, the tone, the country of origin vs. the price point. Lot's of reasons that people don't like them.

Still, at the end of the day, the value of an instrument is what it does for the player. Up to this point, I was forced to buy boutique or Custom Shop instruments to get the tone, feel and features I wanted in a Fender style guitar. Even then, I made compromises on look, fret size, tone and feel.

With the Roadworn, I've found a guitar that comes closest to being perfect for me. Heck, it may even be THE perfect guitar for me as it comes from the factory.

When you consider that I enjoy this guitar more than guitars I paid $3,000 for, then you can certainly understand why I would consider it a GREAT value! :)

[buddastrat]

Originally Posted by fenderaddict

Sometimes i think i'm the only person left that doesn't like relics of any kind. Call me crazy, but i like a strat thats aged nicely but with no dents and all that. the newer looking the better as long as it has that vintage amber neck and all that good stuff and the wood has had time to mellow. But screw all the dents and missing paint etc etc. Just don't get it. it's one thing to have used it to that point yourself. then again i don;'t like the idea of buying brand new torn jeans either....yep, call me crazy !

I'm with you and have wanted Fender to do this for so long. No one really does it. A nice faded, old look and feel, without a bunch of scars and rust. Like a nice pair of faded jeans without the tears. the nicest looking ones were the original Cunettos. They had some scars but didn't look sanded and overly dented. They had the cool fade and charm.

But it'd be so great if they came out with something like that. Fender's closet classic finish is not even close. Nothing's aged, they just put a couple dings in a new finish and call it a closet classic.

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

You're absolutely correct. Not EVERYONE is dismissing the Roadworns based on the country of origin. People dismiss them for the identical wear, the "Poor" look of the wear on the neck, the set up, the tone, the country of origin vs. the price point. Lot's of reasons that people don't like them.

Still, at the end of the day, the value of an instrument is what it does for the player. Up to this point, I was forced to buy boutique or Custom Shop instruments to get the tone, feel and features I wanted in a Fender style guitar. Even then, I made compromises on look, fret size, tone and feel.

With the Roadworn, I've found a guitar that comes closest to being perfect for me. Heck, it may even be THE perfect guitar for me as it comes from the factory.

When you consider that I enjoy this guitar more than guitars I paid $3,000 for, then you can certainly understand why I would consider it a GREAT value! :)

Rhino I couldn't agree more. I bought a brand spankin' new MIA Standard in a Beautriful Sienna Burst finish paid new guitar price etc for it. Sounds great, but I love my RoadWorn. I could give a sh^t about the relic job, or the color or the tinting on the pickguard doesn't affect the sound at all so who gives a sh^t. The body resonates nicely (can't say the same thing for the MIA although the new finishes are supposed to be thinner) the neck is satin smooth, the pups sound fantastic (better than the MIA) and I can't keep my hands off it. Love the tone, I'll be trading MIA for a new tele. All the BS about the relicing aside a good set up and nice tube amp = I be to bed soon honey just a few more minutes....

[fadingcaptain]

IMO the best thing about the RW's are the necks. I really like the feel of the 50's necks. But....can't swing the $900.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by mountainman

Rhino I couldn't agree more. I bought a brand spankin' new MIA Standard in a Beautriful Sienna Burst finish paid new guitar price etc for it. Sounds great, but I love my RoadWorn. I could give a sh^t about the relic job, or the color or the tinting on the pickguard doesn't affect the sound at all so who gives a sh^t. The body resonates nicely (can't say the same thing for the MIA although the new finishes are supposed to be thinner) the neck is satin smooth, the pups sound fantastic (better than the MIA) and I can't keep my hands off it. Love the tone, I'll be trading MIA for a new tele. All the BS about the relicing aside a good set up and nice tube amp = I be to bed soon honey just a few more minutes....

A head of the Fender Custom Shop posted why the relic process makes sense when you consider the finish involved on true thin skin nitro guitar. There's just no practical way to make a super thin, non poly undercoat finish look good to those that desire a mirror finish to their guitar. There's certainly no way to make that finish last for any appreciable time.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Roadworn, and I can't see that feeling changing anytime soon. Of course, you can always add to the finish like I did, and then the relic treatment doesn't stand out so much!

[JamonHamon]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

Only the naive need apply? Hmmm....

I used to work at a shop that carried vintage Fender, Custom Shop Fender, Anderson and Suhr, along with various boutique brands. I've owned Vintage Fender, Custom Shop Fender, Suhr, Glendale, G&L and other hand made bolt neck guitars.

The Roadworns, IMO, are serious instruments. They're certainly more fat than thin. I will agree that they don't bloom forever and that the in between positions are not the best I've ever heard, but the overall sound I would describe as sweet rather than bland.

The Roadworn guitars are currently the best value that Fender offers.

+1

[stagefright]

I handpicked a 50's Roadworn Strat right off the GC display as they were setting them out. 2 50's Strat's ,2 60's Strats,3 Teles (2 sb,1 B-scotch). I played them all and one was great the others so-so. Another guy was there with me at the same time and we took turns A/B-ing them. As soon as I played this one 50's Strat I set it beside me so I could grab it quick in case anybody came near cause I knew it was a winner.Turns out the other guy knew too so I picked it up and headed to the counter and he followed me saying...you gonna buy that? I'm like...yeah. He followed me out to my car and made a final request but I wasn't handing it over.

The same thing happened to me in another town at a more of Mom/Pop store and I wouldn't have given a wood nickel for any of them. Heavy,poor set-ups,...crap.. and that's been my impression of the majority I've seen since. However if you find a good one which I and a freind of mine did (he got a 60's body with 50's neck,factory mistake?)then you have a great Strat.We compared a whole roomful of our vintage and custom shop Strats Including a real 61,Rory Gallagher,Robert Cray,Pink Paisley RI,custom Nash-a-like,Hiway 1,etc. and the Roadworns hung in there so close it was amazing.

I'll say this,I like the body look on the RW's. In some cases they are more authentic looking than custom shop. The necks however...not so much. It's the only thing I don't like about mine. I don't care if the fingerboard is worn or not. I don't care for the bigger frets and neck size...a bit too small for me.I'm in the minority there as most guys who play my RW like the neck. I'd love to get a replacement neck and keep my RW but I might put it up for sale at $650. BTW,who's paying $950 for these? I got mine for $700 +tax and that was my absolute max I'd pay for a new one.I had to do some haggling to get that.I hear some guys are getting them for $499 now? Somethin sounds fishy bout that. I'm wondering if the ones at that price are dogs or returns/repos/damaged/2nds,etc..Or, is Fender reeling from slow sales in their retail system and giving dealers the go ahead to blow these out as they seem to be doing on other Fender products as well.

Finally, guitar players who don't like relics are weenies.Now, I agree that looks account a great deal to most players...condition,color,hardware,etc. but a good guitar has to stand on it's own merits as a musical instrument. I'll take a great guitar under any circumstances. To reject a guitar purely on your own bias of what a guitar "should" look like or if doesn't meet your standards of construction or country of origin is well....weenie-esque.Play great guitars and SHOP WISELY! If you don't like the price don't pay it but sharpen your haggling skills and do research.

[68 Shovelhead]

Originally Posted by stagefright

I'll say this,I like the body look on the RW's. In some cases they are more authentic looking than custom shop. The necks however...not so much. It's the only thing I don't like about mine. I don't care if the fingerboard is worn or not. I don't care for the bigger frets and neck size...a bit too small for me.I'm in the minority there as most guys who play my RW like the neck. I'd love to get a replacement neck and keep my RW but I might put it up for sale at $650. BTW,who's paying $950 for these? I got mine for $700 +tax and that was my absolute max I'd pay for a new one.I had to do some haggling to get that.I hear some guys are getting them for $499 now? Somethin sounds fishy bout that. I'm wondering if the ones at that price are dogs or returns/repos/damaged/2nds,etc..Or, is Fender reeling from slow sales in their retail system and giving dealers the go ahead to blow these out as they seem to be doing on other Fender products as well.

Fishy? I sent them $499 dollars and they sent me a really nice 3 color SB 60's RW Strat. Musicians Friends "Fender Friday" promo is the only source for getting these at $499 as far as I know, this unadvertised special has nothing to do with Fender. Of the other TDPRI guys who bought these, I'm only aware of one guy who got a dud, he returned it for one that ended up being a winner. I agree that it's best to hand select guitars, but the Fender Friday deal is worth the risk IMO, and with Musicians Friends return policy, you really can't go wrong.

[VerySlowHand]

I just bought a new American Standard Strat for approximately $125.00 more than a Road Worn would have cost.

I tried the two and thought the Road Worn felt like a grubby old guitar that someone had not looked after, rather than something that had been through thick-and-thin with someone who valued their gear.

On that basis (and I'm talking cosmetics here, because that's 90% of the concept) I think the IDEA of the Road Worn is fine, but – for the relatively high price – the EXECUTION of the idea, is very poor.

[andrewr]

Originally Posted by VerySlowHand

I just bought a new American Standard Strat for approximately $125.00 more than a Road Worn would have cost.

I tried the two and thought the Road Worn felt like a grubby old guitar that someone had not looked after, rather than something that had been through thick-and-thin with someone who valued their gear.

On that basis (and I'm talking cosmetics here, because that's 90% of the concept) I think the IDEA of the Road Worn is fine, but – for the relatively high price – the EXECUTION of the idea, is very poor.

This quite interesting - my Roadworn strat felt very grubby and slightly unloved. However, it also felt like a far better guitar than those around it in the shop (and it had the stuff I want, 7.25 radius, tall frets, the right number of frets, vintage bridge with six screws, etc, etc, that they didn't have).

After a couple of weeks of playing, slowly setting it up like I want it (all guitars need this bit), and general cleaning and polishing (all guitars get this from me) - it doesn't feel quite so grubby and unloved anymore, it looks almost the same, but more expensive, it actually looks like it's worth a lot more than I paid for it

(of course, anyone "in the know" would be going "oh it's one those roadworns...", but most people, including guitarists, who've seen it aren't, and I have to go "No! I'd never spend that on a guitar... it's just a damn good guitar made in July this year - but you can't buy them without the bashed bits...")

I've only played a few relics, I kinda think the idea, in general, although not offensive to me, is kinda daft and therefore not worth big bucks from me. But I want "vintage spec" kind of guitars, and this thing, as a guitar, although it seemed very much in need of a good home and some serious TLC, beat the cr@p out of some of the relics I've tried, competed very favourably with the others, and was half the price of the cheapest of them...

Imagine if you found a really good two grand custom shop relic, covered in crud, going for £700 in one of those a second hand shops - you know, dodgy hifi, pc, music gear, etc - many of us would bite the bloke's hand off and get the cleaning kit out... it's kinda like that for me (in hindsight, that is, I just bought it because I had to once I'd played it and got over the relic thing, and the deal offered was cheaper than I was expecting to pay for a face-to-face try-it-first sale). They may go even cheaper with the way things are going - but I don't care, I got mine