Comparing Roadworn Telecasters: 2009 vs 2018

Played one when they first came out - not for me.

Played a new one in 2016 - superb.

If it was me, I'd buy the later RW. Not just for the minimal relicing.

 

I recently bought one of the newer RW Teles. I remember playing one when they first came out and I wasn't impressed. I can't really sat why but I really like the RW Tele that I have.

 

I bought one of the limited purple ones that came out last year and it has a 7.25" fretboard radius. I think the older ones had a flatter radius. Not sure about any other differences.

 

I have a RW neck that is from about 2016. Neck is fine. It started to show some wear spots after about 1.5 years. The original necks have a very smooth back that I loved, but they went overboard with the wear spots on those earlier models. Overall, fine guitars.

 

No, I have a 2010 and it has the7.25” radius. Live that guitar! It’s my #1. I did mid it by swapping out the bridge pup for a SD Broadcaster pup and compensated brass saddles. Sound and plays like a dream!

 

Yeah, the RW only ever came with a 7.25" radius (alas!) and jumbo frets.

I'm a BIG fan of the SD Broadcaster bridge pickup. I used to adorn EVERY MIM 50s Classic I bought with that pickup!

 

I had one of the later RW Strat's, was my favourite when I loved Strat's. Light years better than the earlier ones, which I didn't take to at all, and the wear was way more subtle in the later ones, same as the Tele's.

 

When they first came out GC had tons of them on the floor and they were set up BAD they had fret sprout and two of the ones I picked up had the pickups so low the neck ones were almost even with the pick guard. They were very light however and I liked the fact that you could buy one and not worry. Kind of a Set It And Forget It guitar.

Gary

 

Gotcha. I course swear I've seen RW teles with a larger radius.

I did the same exact mods to move mine.

 

My 2016 RW 50s Tele has medium jumbo frets.

 

There were FSR runs of Roadworns that did have a 9.5 radius, but as far as I know, all of the standard production models were all 7 1/4”.

 

I think the pickups might have changed. My view of the Road Worn series has definitely changed. When they first came out, I was like, "No way!" Why would someone want a beat up guitar? I saw one in my local GC and picked it up. Didn't have time to plug it in but was wowed with the extremely light weight resonate body and the feel of the neck.

Fast forward a couple years. I had a chance to pick one up (early model). Loved the fact that I didn't have to be so anxious not to scratch the guitar. My sons really liked that fact too. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with the sound so it didn't last very long in the stable.

A few years go by and I'm bitten by the RW bug again. I got a newer one (minor relic compared to early ones). This one sounds very different than the first one. Not as bright or thin (brittle) as the first one.

Here is a picture of an early one that my friend plays. I don't think he changed anything on it.

 

I have one of the poo-brown ("Copper") FSRs that preceded the purple one and it has a 9.5" radius fretboard. Are you sure the Barneycaster has 7.25"? I thought all the FSR versions came with the 9.5 radius.

 

Fingerboard [Link]

• Material: Maple
• Radius: 7.25 in.
• Fret size: Narrow jumbo
• Number of frets: 21
• Inlays: Dot
• Nut width/material 1.65 in. (42 mm) Synthetic Bone

 

Fixed

 

My FSR Candy Apple Red 50's RW has similar specs.

Fingerboard Material: Maple
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Narrow Tall
Nut Material: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)

 

I played one when the first came out. I thought the relic job was a little to over the top. But the one I played was pretty good.

What I remember the most the neck was bigger. Pretty fat. Maybe a U or a D shape. The color was more white than the one in your picture. Pickups were different than the Tex Mex. If I remeber the bridge pup was a flat pole with the white rope wrapping.

I have a 2019. It is the guitar in my avatar. I really like it. But when it was new the nut was cut poorly. The frets needed some work. I had to replace the nut.

I was not impressed with all of that. But I thought it would be pretty good once the nut and frets were taken care of.

I thought the original Tex Mex bridge was ok and had some balls.

Now I really dig it. I did put on some compensated brass saddles. I also put in a Budz danocaster set of pickups.

It did say in tune with the original steel saddles.


I play the RW more than my Eric Johnson rosewood board strat.

 

Man, that's interesting. I thought since the Purple ones are FSR limited edition models they have the same 9.5" fretboard as the Copper finish. Also, I see now that the Purple came with narrow jumbo vs the narrow tall on the Copper.

"Available now in limited quantities with a Road Worn Classic Copper finish and modern-playing 9.5”-radius fingerboard with narrow-tall frets."

 

I just bought one from Guitar Center, 2018 Limited Candy Apple Red. Glad to know specs are consistent with the the RW series, other than alder as opposed to ash.