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

[sidneystreet]

http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store...ries-60s-Strat

What is up with that pickguard tint?

[Axis29]

That does look a bit zealous...

Mine looks much better then that:

[Loco]

Might involve some lame use of Photoshop...?

[play_loud]

Dayum that looks super fake (the OP's link).

[bo]

It looks almost like an antigua pickguard.

[Post Toastie]

i tried a 1997 Am Std Strat with a poly finish and
-It was very heavy
-The beat up poly finish-the guy did not take care of it-it Looked stupid,a chunk type look
-These MIM Road Worn Guitars look way better than anything that Fender made in the last 20 years that would have aged like a 50s or 60s Guitar.

[Alexandre]

I thought it might grow on me, but no... I just don't like the road worn series at all...

[Scotland]

Originally Posted by Axis29

That does look a bit zealous...
Mine looks much better then that:

Yours looks a hell of a lot better than.......

[HOBBSTER01]

Originally Posted by Alexandre

I thought it might grow on me, but no... I just don't like the road worn series at all...

+1.
I tried.
They just don't do it for me.

[91xlntS-3]

I don't care for/like the RW series. My wife likes them even less! I'm not going to spend $950 + on a MIM guitar that looks like that. I've seen used 52 RIs for less money and made in USA! That's where my money would be going, just my opinion...

[buddastrat]

Originally Posted by Post Toastie

i tried a 1997 Am Std Strat with a poly finish and
-It was very heavy
-The beat up poly finish-the guy did not take care of it-it Looked stupid,a chunk type look
-These MIM Road Worn Guitars look way better than anything that Fender made in the last 20 years that would have aged like a 50s or 60s Guitar.

Are you serious?

The Road Worns look like aged highway strats. They have a funky matte finish to them, even on the neck. Not authentic if you've seen vintage strats or even the nicer custom shop strats. Check out the RI that have aged really nicely over the years, and of course the original Cunetto relics are still considered some of the best looking. Those are Fenders.

I really don't like the aging on those pickguards, it's a tint that they spray around the edges. Looks real phony and will probably wear off in time, which would be ironic. the guitar will become less aged, the more you play it! Same with the matte finish, it will develop a shine wherever you play it. That's kinda funny that the guitar will get newer with age and use.

The maple fretboards are terrible as far as relicing goes. and the neck is poly on top of that? why not nitro Fender?

They do sound pretty good though for a Mexi strat, and that's the main thing. Not bad, they just look a little cheezy. Ridiculous pricing at $900+!

[Dan German]

Originally Posted by sidneystreet

http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store...ries-60s-Strat

What is up with that pickguard tint?

I think it looks pretty authentic. Assuming, of course, that it is meant to be a faithful recreation of a guitar played only at shows in small clubs with a mandatory chain-smoking policy. It's Nico-tastic!

[Brock Lee]

And most of the "nicotine" affects are myth. Yellowing on old Fender guitar plastic and finishes is mostly caused by UV's, not smoke. Smoke caused the brown discolorations, not the yellows or ambers.

[Middleman]

I've played a number of these RW guitars and they just seem a rip off. The tone is terrible, the playability marginal. The price is ridiculous. Reminds me of the CBS years only worse.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by Middleman

I've played a number of these RW guitars and they just seem a rip off. The tone is terrible, the playability marginal. The price is ridiculous. Reminds me of the CBS years only worse.

Please expound on this. In what way is the tone terrible? Was the guitar set up?

What guitars do you play for comparison?

[Middleman]

I have a 2008 American Deluxe Strat and American 1972 Telecaster Custom. Comparing the RWs to these I came away noticing a lack of sustain, minimal musicality and overall bland sound, more like emulations of what a Fender sounds like. I tried 2 or 3 teles and the same number of strats. They have the thin sounding tone of lower priced MIM guitars but at a higher price point. Only the naive need apply.

I also picked up one of the 2009 Eric Johnson guitars. The experience goes to another level of playability and control.

I just think that Fender needs to rethink the price point on these RW guitars. They are not better just beat up looking MIM caliber. I think it taints the brand.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by Middleman

I have a 2008 American Deluxe Strat and American 1972 Telecaster Custom. Comparing the RWs to these I came away noticing a lack of sustain, minimal musicality and overall bland sound, more like emulations of what a Fender sounds like. I tried 2 or 3 teles and the same number of strats. They have the thin sounding tone of lower priced MIM guitars but at a higher price point. Only the naive need apply.

I also picked up one of the 2009 Eric Johnson guitars. The experience goes to another level of playability and control.

I just think that Fender needs to rethink the price point on these RW guitars. They are not better just beat up looking MIM caliber. I think it taints the brand.

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.

[sidneystreet]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

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

Wow! If you really believe that, I'm stunned.

How about the incredible bang for the buck, and amazing quality, of the $299 Classic Vibe Series?

I'd recommend those as the absolute sure thing/best buy in Fender guitars.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by sidneystreet

Wow! If you really believe that, I'm stunned.

How about the incredible bang for the buck, and amazing quality, of the $299 Classic Vibe Series?

I'd recommend those as the absolute sure thing/best buy in Fender guitars.

I think that the CV series is also great bang for the buck, but I'm left feeling like I want to change too many things on the CVs I've played.

I'm talking about finding a guitar the old way. Walk in to a store and play everything until you find a guitar that blows your mind. The Roadworns I've played are the ones that meet that.

[sidneystreet]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

I think that the CV series is also great bang for the buck, but I'm left feeling like I want to change too many things on the CVs I've played.

I'm talking about finding a guitar the old way. Walk in to a store and play everything until you find a guitar that blows your mind. The Roadworns I've played are the ones that meet that.

Fair enough, I can't argue with that. A guitar that inspires is a keeper.

I really wanted to love the Road Worn Series, but I just haven't played a magic one yet, I guess. Maybe I just played a bad bunch, as that is certainly possible.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by sidneystreet

Fair enough, I can't argue with that. A guitar that inspires is a keeper.

I really wanted to love the Road Worn Series, but I just haven't played a magic one yet, I guess. Maybe I just played a bad bunch, as that is certainly possible.

We all have different needs. We are also all at a different emotional place at the moment that we demo a guitar. I absolutely feel that many of the "reviews" of the Roadworns have been more based on attitude before the demo than they have been about the actual merits of the guitar. Of course, I've only played Roadworns in 2 shops and maybe my experience doesn't reflect what's going on in other areas.

We have many complaints that you can buy an American Fender for $50 more than the Roadworn. That's one that is wearing a bit thin. What is the American price point for thin nitro with no acrylic undercoat and vintage appointments?

I'm interested in real reviews based on the merits of the guitar in question. Unfortunately, once you introduce relicing, objectivity tends to leave pretty quickly.

[Middleman]

Well, I have now played about 6 different RWs in 3 different stores. I just don't buy your value comment. Now I agree, you may find a magic "one" even in the MIM line but overall these do not represent a players guitar. I have a lot of years playing professionally. Played a lot of gear along 35 years and these average low against their price point. Heck, I only use Fender gear so it's not like I don't endorse using their products.

This smells like some MBA did a price point analysis leveraging the visual attraction of vintage gear to increase the value of MIM production. Seriously $900+ for an MIM? This does not compute.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by Middleman

Well, I have now played about 6 different RWs in 3 different stores. I just don't buy your value comment. Now I agree, you may find a magic "one" even in the MIM line but overall these do not represent a players guitar. I have a lot of years playing professionally. Played a lot of gear along 35 years and these average low against their price point. Heck, I only use Fender gear so it's not like I don't endorse using their products.

This smells like some MBA did a price point analysis leveraging the visual attraction of vintage gear to increase the value of MIM production. Seriously $900+ for an MIM? This does not compute.

All I can say is that I went in predicting the same things you say, and I came away with a completely different impression. I too am a serious player with plenty of high profile playing experience and high end tastes. This is the first import that has blown me away. I don't say that lightly. I've never been shy about sharing my views of import Fenders that I've played in the past.

In my experience, the Roadworns are a bargin.

[trousertele]

Originally Posted by Middleman

This smells like some MBA did a price point analysis leveraging the visual attraction of vintage gear to increase the value of MIM production. Seriously $900+ for an MIM? This does not compute.

Check out sweetwater.com to get an idea of the new price point for MIMs. $950 is actually in the "reasonable" range when you see what the new MIMs will be going for everywhere shortly.

[trousertele]

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

[bluesmanmartin]

I plan on 'road wearing" my Eric Johnson strat myself. I do however own a Bill Nash Telecaster though. Not totally authentic, but it's cool as can be. Both are on my avatar. The Nash is a 2004 one of the early ones from Nash.

$950 is to much for a MIM, but then again I paid to much for my Tele.

anyway, I have my guitars for now, until I get the Billy-Bo Jupiter. I'll need that for when I'm drunk and my twiddley diddley becomes diddely.

Martin.....

[ramseybella]

Well it looks like sombody was Eating to many Tacos on the pickguard!!
But what do I know I am left handed and have no say in the right handed world of to many guitars to choose from!!

[Axis29]

Unfortunately, the "950 is too much for a MIM" argument probably ain't gonna be around long. With the price increase, I think within the next few years we'll be seeing that on used MIM's too.

Oh, but I guess those'll be "honestly reliced"?

I'm gonna try to stay out of the relic/nonrelic argument... My last little jab is about it from me (Although I do have some strong feelings about some of the things that have been said in the Roadworn Series threads)

I'll say this much, they've sure created a he** of a buzz! Ain't they?


That might be the most interesting part about it for me. So many bashers... but yet, I see a steady stream of buyers. They aren't geting the love that some of the cheaper guitars get, like Classics or Classic Vibes, etc., but there're enough of us buying that it looks like it's a little bit of a success! And most who 'hate' them, haven't laid hands and eyes on them... which I realy find... amusing...

Don't like 'em? Want 'em to go away, stop saying anything about them!

[buddastrat]

Well I have played them and sit on the fence. I think it's a great idea from Fender and the reason they're selling for many is that now they can afford a strat that is beat and will wear. It's tough to fork out $2K for a CS. But the quality of these is what's questioned.

A comparable USA strat would be the highway one. Basically the same finish, but the highway one is a good bit cheaper ($200 or so) and you get a fuller feeling neck, imo. 22 frets, and it comes with a real steel block.

Now that doesn't matter if you found one that feels or sounds good to you, but on paper, the highway one is a better value for the money.

[slickschoppers]

I guess this is what I don't understand about the road worn series....

Everyone has always said,, the LABOR cost is what makes the mexican guitars so much cheaper.

the parts have always been very similar in cost. it is the labor that is so much cheaper.

the "labor" of "relicing" these guitars isn't costing fender much I would imagine..... yet it is basically a similar guitar to the Highway one USA fender.

Nitro Body, the Road worn has a poly neck,, I don't know of the Highway one.

yep, one is newer style tuners ect.. and the other is vintage.. but there shouldn't be a real cost difference there...

SO.....why does this mexican made version cost so much.. the extra Hour in labor?????

the wear marks look almost identical.. I've seen two identical strats and tele's next to each other and the "relicing" looks the same... actually so similar it makes me wonder how the heck they are making them look so close...

they are making these assembly line style.. so the bodies already have the nitro on them and a guy picks it up and hits it agains a buffer wheel ect... same with the necks.

i would be surprised if there is more than 1 to 2 more hours of CHEAP labor into them to get them to look like this.......

same with the nitro finish.. the big cost of a nitro finish is labor.. AGAIN this is MUCH cheaper in mexico...

SO... what is it that is making them so much better.

I compared them to a fender deluxe players strat and the fit and finish (NOT PAINT FINISH) appears to me to be better on the deluxe players strat...

So again... why such a big cost difference?????

as you all know i'm not a big fan of fake vintage guitars (relics) but that is not why I'm asking,....

I am just wondering WHY the large cost difference....

[Zeonoid]

Mexico fender for 950$ ? I say hell NO. Last month I bough 79 TOKAI limited edition from ebay there was only 1 bad picture in the auction price was setted on 249$. When it came from japan it became my no.1 guitar..and yes it is road worn ...Fender Am. standard sounds like a poor causin compared to it how would that be with mexico guitar? I m sure you can imagine.

[fauxsuper]

Road Worn threads can often get quite contentious.

None of the ones I've played have struck me as anything special, but I don't think these things are selling on their merits as instruments. Much like Harley Davidson, Fender knows their products are sold more by image and nostalgia than by function. They also make rather durable and long lasting products, so they have to keep coming up with new ways to market their products.

I notice Fender didn't make a version without the road worn stuff. I suppse that will happen when the Road Worn series starts to slow down, sales wise: and they'll charge extra for that.


I'm not saying there aren't people who are buying them because they like them as guitars: just becuase I don't like them certainly doesn't mean there aren't people who will.

But the interesting question is how long the Road Worn series will continue to sell well, and also how much it's success is due to taking sales from other products in the Fender line. I'd also be interested in the demographics of the people who buy them. They seem like they wouldn't have all that much appeal to hard core players as they are kind of spendy. Guitars on stands are now a cliche in TV and movies as an acceptable decor item. You have to admit that one of the "Road Worn" guitars on a stand certainly give that romantic "Leftover from my wild days on the road-Yeah, I've played guitar for years." impression.

But, I should think we should all be happy that playing guitar seems to be "cool" again. And getting more players into the fold is always good. A percentage of people who pickup the guitar to be "cool" fall in love with it.

Some of us baby boomers who might have a little resentment against "johnnie-come-latelys", (And I don't see a lot of names here that I used to see in the late 90's and early 2000's) have forgotten some of the reasons we picked up the instrument back in the day.

Guitars have always been marketed as fashion accessories to a degree, and many a guitar has been sold because some famous guy played one, and it is not always because of the sound that others buy what their hero plays.

Still, nobody is forcing anyone to buy these guitars, and if you don't think they are a good deal, don't buy one. But, if Fender can make a few extra dollars selling these, maybe they can afford to make a lower-cost players version. Also, I wonder what they used market for these will be like in five years or so. I can just see the guy behind the counter at the pawn shop: "Well, that ding there doesn't look like a factory ding, and the additional neck wear doesn't match the factory neck wear, so I can only give you $200 for it."

[stevieboy]

Originally Posted by Loco

Might involve some lame use of Photoshop...?

Worth repeating.

[sidneystreet]

Originally Posted by stevieboy

Worth repeating.

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.

[Axis29]

Mine has a brownish stain around the edges, and it's on the trem cover too (my only complaint is that the Fender bullet sticker seems to have been placed before the stain was sprayed on! LOL) You can see it here: Fender Roadworn Review - Long

I'm sure that some are darker than others. Someone commented that when they are used the color will wear and get shiny. It does, but that's kinda the way old pickguards get too. It really shows me where my fingers ride though!

I would say that the pickguards don't look exactly like a vintage mint green guard, but for a mass made guti, it's not horrible... I have seens omse example sof vintage guitars where the guard is that ugly and brown. About the only place it doesn't get it is under the strings... WHihc always end up being the dustiest place on my guitars!

Here's one fomr some random search for pre-CBS stratocasters on google:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pzychotropic/2075953632/

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...x?Item=1981550

http://flickr.com/photos/13379117@N04/1426957524/

Now, of course these seem to be the exceptions really... but any guitar as worn as a roadworn, would have to have an ugly pickguard too, right? Oh and realistically, none of them look as dark as the example by the original poster!

[markw51]

Why pay a MIA price for a MIM guitar?

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by markw51

Why pay a MIA price for a MIM guitar?

I bought my Roadworn based on the merits of the guitar. It felt perfect, it sounded great and I haven't found the combination of elements in this guitar even in my Custom Shop Fenders.

I just worked perfectly for me in a way that no similarly priced Fender ever has. I consider the guitar a bargin. :)

[trousertele]

Originally Posted by markw51

Why pay a MIA price for a MIM guitar?

I give up.

[Axis29]

Originally Posted by markw51

Why pay a MIA price for a MIM guitar?

'cause it had the features I wanted for much less than what I could have bought a MIA with those features for.

If you read the review I posted over at Strat-Talk.com and listed in my earlier post you'll see I had begun searching for a three tone sunburst with a rosewood board, preferably nitro finish, with a little hotter pickups than my 57/62's, relic was a bonus. I sold another guitar with the idea of searching out a new (or used) one.

I had been eyeing the Thinskins, etc. but had no opportunity to even play one that would cost about $600 more at the least...

These came out about two weeks into my serious search with cash in hand.

I played several and liked them, then found mine at a lower than list price and walked out smiling. I had a GC 10% off coupon, but got it even cheaper than that through a freind.

Now, almost a month later it's still a great guitar. I absolutely love the darn thing and can't put it down. I love how it sounds, how it plays and how it feels. I win! Yeah me!

[Axis29]

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