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Buying a road worn bass

#3
Some people don't have the money to shell out for a nitro finished bass that will wear. Poly just doesn't wear out like nitro. It takes MUCH longer. The Roadworn was the affordable way for people to get into this, and still have a quality bass.

Until just this year, the only reasonably priced nitro basses available were a used Highway One (going up in value due to people confusing them with American Standards and overpricing them), or the RoadWorn series. All other nitro basses were American Vintage series.

Fender just announced that the Classic 50s/60s series basses have been redone in nitro, though. So people can buy a reasonably priced quality instrument that will wear with age. :D
 
#9
I thought worn paint and neck were badges of honor not something you buy.
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I agree.

An extreme example of this would be those clowns that go to the airport wearing a military uniform decked out with medals and ribbons, without having served, let alone earning that Medal of Honor they're wearing. To me it's a total slap in the face to that have earned them. Ok back on topic before I get too bent out of shape.

My "Road Worn" Strat is a guitar I got new when I was 13 and then gigged with for over 25 years. Oh and yes... this has been covered numerous times.
 
#10
msaone said:
Am I the only one that is missing the point here? I thought worn paint and neck were badges of honor not something you buy.

Tell me what attracted you to your road worn bass.

Oh and no offense intended. I'm really curious about this.
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Yes, you missed the point. Worn paint and neck are not badges of honor. Any goober can ding and scrape a bass; it *means* nothing. It does *look* cool however, which kinda is the point imo.

/rick
 
#16
msaone said:
Seems like there are some thin skinned bassists out there. I've never played a road worn bass just curious.
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Here's a quick summary - from my perspective, but I think it's been born out by the umpteen RW threads on TB.

Most people buy RWs because they sound and play exceptionally well. They may or may not care about the looks. I think a lot of folks in this category buy them *in spite* of the looks; they'd actually prefer if it wasn't there. But the RW is such a good bass that they overlook it.

A smaller segment are people who are attracted to the look and/or like the idea of a pre-dinged instrument that they don't have to be afraid to take out. In many cases, that's what gets them to try it in the first place, and they turn into category #1 above.

I suppose there are a few sad souls who actually think they're buying "mojo" or something. I've never met one, and I doubt that many exist.

/rick
 
#17
msaone said:
Seems like there are some thin skinned bassists out there. I've never played a road worn bass just curious.
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It's not about being thin skinned brother...it's about hearing the same drivel over and over. How naive is it to believe you are the first to express this opinion?

All of the "badge of honor" and "jeans with holes" arguments have indeed been beat into the ground. There is absolutely no new territory here.
 
#19
I wouldn't personally buy Road Worn basses even though they are pretty. I'm pretty overprotective of all my gear, I would buy a used guitar/bass/amp that has some scratches or dents in it but I'm not pleased when I cause them.
 
#20
Biggbass said:
Which Road Worn bass is the best bass for metal?
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Love it!

Re: the title of this thread, I had been thinking the same thing lately. An old instrument with real road wear....now there is something to said about that. But buying one off the shelf that has been antique'd......kinda poser-sih IMHO....no offense intended. The RW instruments do look good...and I imagine they play well.

Full disclosure, I have a 2009 Kolstien Fent acoustic...which was purchased new. A little to my dismay, the shop to which this was subed out for build; antiqued the top...I assume so that the bass looks like it has character/a history. It sounds great, plays great....and the wear is somewhat subtle (so much so a friend of mine thought at first look like it was just sloppy workmanship)....but the pre wear was't why I bought the bass.
 

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