CG/Fender rant

[LilRay]

You know Ray, I don't even like Relics and I want a road worn

Do they feel/play differently than an AmStd? I'm clueless having never touched one.

It's very easy to make a guitar look beat up and abused, it is a bit trickier to make it look naturally worn. Most of the home relic jobs look terrible.

Then you've got two other options (other than a roadworn).

1. Buy one and "Naturally" relic it yourself. (As was/is the case with a Vintage instrument).

2. Buy one "Naturally" reliced by someone other than yourself.

Fact is Roadworn may look naturally reliced but they're not. And when you relic one naturally yourself you've got stories behind your relicing process.

And you wont have to say "no not that ding, that was done by Fender, the other ding, that's the one I did when I fell offstage"

God Bless, Ray

 

[wildhorse]

Fender as well as many manufacturers of any items are raising their prices during the recession instead of lowering them... I hope GC ends up with a lot of guitars and basses just sitting on the walls if they are chosing to buy them in volume at jacked up prices.
Supply and demand? Let me see here, a lot of demand for something and the price goes up because everyone is buying them. Very little demand for something and the price goes up because noone is buying them. Just doesn't make sense. But yeah I say buy used. Maybe GC and the other biggies will stop buying so many items and the manufacturers will be forced to lower the prices not raise them. Either way the economy isn't getting better any time soon.

 

[GeneralElectric]

Do they feel/play differently than an AmStd? I'm clueless having never touched one.

They feel a lot different. I've owned 5 different 08 American Standards (still own 2) and I really like the Road Worns. I don't really like the RW P-basses personally (they sounded a little thin to me) but the necks on the RWs are to die for. Their bodies are also very resonant. The Fender relic process really dries out the wood. Its not really as simple as them just gouging up some new basses. They have a machine to gouge up those new basses.

There was a Fiesta Red RW Jazz that I was tempted to put on my credit card.

 

[experimental bassist]

I think there's two things that the RW's really have going for them. The "relic" (cosmetic) is obviously one thing, but the playability is another. These two issues seem to get lumped together and are often lossed in the "relic debates", and that is a shame.

I tried a RW Precision a few weeks ago. I was surprised how light it was, and how loud it was unplugged. The neck was one of the nicest I've ever tried on a bass.

I'm not looking for a relic for cosmetics, but I would happily own a RW for the playability.

 

[bhass]

I hope this doesn't turn into a relic hating thread. Some people have to realise that with modern basses, it can take more than a lifetime to 'relic' them. They simply aren't made to be damaged. That's why some manufacturers have realised that not all people want to wait all their life for a bass to feel 'worn'; the feeling that lot's of people like on a bass. It's not necessarily the look, but the feel.

I've played one in a store, and not being a fan of relics myself (however I understand them!) it was great. If MIM really bothers you, just sand out the decal and call it a relic

 

[GeneralElectric]

I'm not looking for a relic for cosmetics, but I would happily own a RW for the playability.

We're in the same boat.

 

[LilRay]

I'm all for a playability/feel difference. I'm just not a fan of the "Fake" appearance.

Another question then, If Fender can create a relic with a better "Broken In Feel/Playability" why not do so without the aesthetic mods?

I've read that this is Part of what makes Lakland's basses great. The "broken in" feel.

Interesting.

God Bless, Ray

 

[king_biscuit]

I'm all for a playability/feel difference. I'm just not a fan of the "Fake" appearance.

Do women who wear makeup have a fake appearance and are you a fan of them?

What about tanning booths? -- it's not like you sat in the sun and earned that cancer causing patina the honest way.

Cosmetic dental surgery/dentures, etc? -- again it's fake.

What about buying an old bass that you, yourself, didn't age/relic? Are you a poser for that? Actually I fail to see the difference in buying an old naturally worn bass and a new relic. In either case you didn't create any mojo yourself.

 

[GeneralElectric]

Do women who wear makeup have a fake appearance and are you a fan of them?

What about tanning booths? -- it's not like you sat in the sun and earned that cancer causing patina the honest way.

Cosmetic dental surgery/dentures, etc? -- again it's fake.

What about buying an old bass that you, yourself, didn't age/relic? Are you a poser for that? Actually I fail to see the difference in buying an old naturally worn bass and a new relic. In either case you didn't create any mojo yourself.

I've seen some nice Relics. The RWs... well... I've seen better, and I've seen a lot worse. I don't think they look real.

I hate chicks who wear makeup...

 

[king_biscuit]

Really, though, to call it a fake appearance... The flippin' paint itself is a fake appearance -- that didn't happen naturally!

 

[Bone]

Do women who wear makeup have a fake appearance and are you a fan of them?

What about tanning booths? -- it's not like you sat in the sun and earned that cancer causing patina the honest way.

Cosmetic dental surgery/dentures, etc? -- again it's fake.

What about buying an old bass that you, yourself, didn't age/relic? Are you a poser for that? Actually I fail to see the difference in buying an old naturally worn bass and a new relic. In either case you didn't create any mojo yourself.

Road Worns, the Joan Rivers of basses!

 

[Hawaii Islander]

Fender as well as many manufacturers of any items are raising their prices during the recession instead of lowering them... I hope GC ends up with a lot of guitars and basses just sitting on the walls if they are chosing to buy them in volume at jacked up prices.
Supply and demand? Let me see here, a lot of demand for something and the price goes up because everyone is buying them. Very little demand for something and the price goes up because noone is buying them. Just doesn't make sense. But yeah I say buy used. Maybe GC and the other biggies will stop buying so many items and the manufacturers will be forced to lower the prices not raise them. Either way the economy isn't getting better any time soon.

Prices are already dropping on several Fender lines. Price drops are also happening with other manufacturers, they've been doing so for the past several weeks.

 

[Photoman1969]

Interesting thread...

I played that fretless Precision on Friday and it was marked $850. I wasn't impressed much. Like GE predicted, it was in rough condition and I suspect the neck is not original.

Regarding the RW's...I had the same reaction the original poster had...$1200 for a Mexi?! I had not tried one of these "relic" jobs as I just don't get the "holes in new blue jeans" theory but I took down a sunburst RW Precision yesterday at the Plano store and...uh oh...I done done it now! That thing was NICE. What a fantastic tone and it just felt really right.

The Plano GC had an American Standard Precision for $1200 but I didn't get a chance to try it out...

 

[WoodyG3]

They wanted a thousand Percent for their bass? a thousand percent of what?

The % key is right next to the $ key. Just a typo, I'd guess.

First, the 78 P bass for $600.00 is still about $500.00 more than it should be. IT'S AN OLD USED INSTRUMENT! Second, Fender AND Guitar Center have received so much hype and free publicity from forums like this that the prices will continue to go way up until people stop saying things like "Fender is the original and that's what people want". People spending the kind of money you mention on ANY Fender product are being taken for a ride.

Don't be silly. $600 for a '78 P Bass is a very good price. Now, for $500 less you could be the owner of a brand new SX. THAT'S what doesn't make any sense.

 

[LilRay]

Do women who wear makeup have a fake appearance and are you a fan of them?

What about tanning booths? -- it's not like you sat in the sun and earned that cancer causing patina the honest way.

Cosmetic dental surgery/dentures, etc? -- again it's fake.

What about buying an old bass that you, yourself, didn't age/relic? Are you a poser for that? Actually I fail to see the difference in buying an old naturally worn bass and a new relic. In either case you didn't create any mojo yourself.

I'll give you my opinion of your questions as you've presented them. All these statements are my PERSONAL OPINION and should not be taken as more than that

1. Yes women who wear makeup have a "fake appearance" that is infact the design and intent of makeup itself, to cover up ones percieved flaws either from a low self esteem or vanity. A woman does not need makeup to survive. No I am not a "fan" of women who wear makeup, but I'm also not that judgemental, to discount someone who does merely on that issue alone.

2. Tanning booths are another ridiculous issue, the same as makeup. People prey on others inadequecies bad self images so much that people pay money for this stuff You do not need a "tan" to survive.

3. Cosmetic dentistry for appearence is the same. Out of vanity or low self image. You do not need "good looking" teeth to survive. Dentures on the other hand actually help someone eat so they can be deemed/viewed as neccessary.

4. First of all and this is most important I NEVER SAID anyone was a "POSER" for liking or buying a reliced bass. Don't put words into my mouth. Secondly if you buy a bass that has been "Naturally" reliced by someone else, that instrument has a story, reguardless if it's yours or not. It is still "Real" and not manufactured by a corperation. That's the "difference", and if you can't see or understand the difference then the whole conversation is lost/moot for you.

Seems like you've taken offense to a lighthearted statement I made that was strictly my opinion, and turned it into "LilRay thinks that guys who like roadworn/manufactured relic basses are posers for buying them" That's simply not the case, Period. And I challenge you to find anyone else who read that statement to come to that same conclusion.

My opinions above are controversial but they are MINE and they are OPINIONS, and that's all.

God Bless, Ray

 

[GeneralElectric]

Seems like you've taken offense to a lighthearted statement I made that was strictly my opinion, and turned it into "LilRay thinks that guys who like roadworn/manufactured relic basses are posers for buying them" That's simply not the case, Period. And I challenge you to find anyone else who read that statement to come to that same conclusion.

My opinions above are controversial but they are MINE and they are OPINIONS, and that's all.

God Bless, Ray

I lol'd.

I'm with you, but this is the world of the internet...

 

[bhass]

Edit: Oops, looked at the wrong post...

 

[king_biscuit]

I'll give you my opinion of your questions as you've presented them. All these statements are my PERSONAL OPINION and should not be taken as more than that

1. Yes women who wear makeup have a "fake appearance" that is infact the design and intent of makeup itself, to cover up ones percieved flaws either from a low self esteem or vanity. A woman does not need makeup to survive. No I am not a "fan" of women who wear makeup, but I'm also not that judgemental, to discount someone who does merely on that issue alone.

2. Tanning booths are another ridiculous issue, the same as makeup. People prey on others inadequecies bad self images so much that people pay money for this stuff You do not need a "tan" to survive.

3. Cosmetic dentistry for appearence is the same. Out of vanity or low self image. You do not need "good looking" teeth to survive. Dentures on the other hand actually help someone eat so they can be deemed/viewed as neccessary.

4. First of all and this is most important I NEVER SAID anyone was a "POSER" for liking or buying a reliced bass. Don't put words into my mouth. Secondly if you buy a bass that has been "Naturally" reliced by someone else, that instrument has a story, reguardless if it's yours or not. It is still "Real" and not manufactured by a corperation. That's the "difference", and if you can't see or understand the difference then the whole conversation is lost/moot for you.

Seems like you've taken offense to a lighthearted statement I made that was strictly my opinion, and turned it into "LilRay thinks that guys who like roadworn/manufactured relic basses are posers for buying them" That's simply not the case, Period. And I challenge you to find anyone else who read that statement to come to that same conclusion.

My opinions above are controversial but they are MINE and they are OPINIONS, and that's all.

God Bless, Ray

Heck we don't need bass guitars to survive either, so I really don't get your point.

What about actors wearing makeup on TV?

What about the stage cloths that practically all bands wear to portray an image? Everything about popular music, from metal to Britany is first and foremost image driven.

As far as old naturally reliced instruments versus new reliced instruments, and stories to tell, I'd like to find the old Fender that could say anything... It's not the old Fender that has the stories, it's the player; the nicks and wear are there to remind the player of the memories from years of playing. This is getting too philosophical. Unless you are running around naked or in a bear hide, killing your own food, and living in a cave, you are partaking in some form of our materialistic (image driven) society. We all have a fake appearance. And if you have an old instrument that was reliced before you got it, you are portraying an image to others that is in fact fake. If you don't get that there is nothing left to talk about.

As far the "I'm only giving my opinion" stuff, no kidding That's all any of us can do, no?

 

[GeneralElectric]

Heck we don't need bass guitars to survey either, so I really don't get your point.

What about actors wearing makeup on TV?

What about the stage cloths that practically all bands wear to portray an image? Everything about popular music, from metal to Britany is first and foremost image driven.

As far as old naturally reliced instruments versus new reliced instruments, and stories to tell, I'd like to find the old Fender that could say anything... This is getting too philosophical. Unless you are running around naked or in a bear hide, killing your own food, and living in a cave, you are partaking in some form of our materialistic (image driven) society. We all have a fake appearance. And if you have an old instrument that was reliced before you got it, you are portraying an image to others that is in fact fake. If you don't get that there is nothing left to talk about.

Most bands I know don't wear stage clothes. They'll dress nice for the ocassion if need be.

I think you're picking a fight here.

 

[king_biscuit]

I don't own a relic/roadworn or whatever -- I have enough basses But the OP started a thread about the cost of MIM instruments, and Ray used that as a spring board to give his opinion of reliced instruments. I am giving my opinions in response -- That's not picking a fight, that's discussing basses on TB.