Why do people buy "road worn" style insturments?

[placedesjardins]

There's a market out there with customers who want that look and feel. I think some of those customers are guys who grew up in the 60s or 70s and that was the "it" bass but they didn't have the money. Years later, they still want it and they want it to look like it's been weathered, not ruined. There's probably also musicians who had to sell/pawn their bass or it got stolen. So, they know the feel of a vintage bass neck but it takes years to get it to that point again.

Me, I'd rather have a new vintage-replica bass, but not road-worn.

[SR505bassman]

Just happened to read an interview with Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith:

"Most of the songs were done with a Fender Jazz bass, one of their relics, where the custom shop makes a really nice bass and then they beat it up and kind of make it look old. But it’s funny, we were out on tour and it was our last gig, we were up in Vancouver. Steven and I were walking around and hanging out, and we went into a music store with a couple of other friends that were with us. One of them was a bass player, so he and I were drooling all over this Fender they had in a glass case. I got a look at the price tag and said, you know, forget that, and I went upstairs to look at the computer recording stuff. When I came down, Steven had his American Express card out and he bought it for me. And the damn thing turned out to have an amazing sound."

I guess he likes them...

[klejst]

Whether we are talking about buying a factory issue road worn model or a used bass with ware on it you buy, some people just like to have that mojo look. Just like some like to keep their basses in pristine shape as all possible.