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fender road worn vs. custom relics

#41
mongo2 said:
Could be but I think Fender is counting on a huge "I wanna old looking relic'd bass" factor.

I've played several CS relics, the most recent one was a J bass a few weeks ago at the local GC. That particular one felt especially awful, the neck felt like it was freshly sanded and fuzzy with none of the "hand polish" found on the naturally relic'd necks I've handled. It sounded average and looked very fake (as did the others I've tried) but it felt much worse.

What are the chances that the MIM Road Worns will be as good as the CS?
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If that turns out to be the case with these, then I think everyone that has an issue with them can rest easy, because they won't sell.

Mike
 
#42
The OP requested that this NOT turn into a flame session on the whole relic thing. Perhaps, some of those posting missed that?

I will just add (hopefully NOT fuel to the fire) that while my preconception about the relic thing initially was heavily cynical; that was TOTALLY turned around by playing one of the '59 P Relics at a local music store. I've played a LOT of P's in my day, but that was one monstrous sweet bass. So, I am cautious now about the effect of whatever Fender is doing. Personally, I find the CONCEPT of "relicing" to be questionable; the appearance results to be not altogether attractive, and the playing/tonal results to be pretty spectacular. So, my <2c input is to be really careful passing judgment without playing experience. The OP posed a legitimate question. It should be addressed by actual playing comparisons. I wish I could contribute that; and apologize for the long winded rant.
 
#43
bucephylus said:
The OP requested that this NOT turn into a flame session on the whole relic thing. Perhaps, some of those posting missed that?

I will just add (hopefully NOT fuel to the fire) that while my preconception about the relic thing initially was heavily cynical; that was TOTALLY turned around by playing one of the '59 P Relics at a local music store. I've played a LOT of P's in my day, but that was one monstrous sweet bass. So, I am cautious now about the effect of whatever Fender is doing. Personally, I find the CONCEPT of "relicing" to be questionable; the appearance results to be not altogether attractive, and the playing/tonal results to be pretty spectacular. So, my <2c input is to be really careful passing judgment without playing experience. The OP posed a legitimate question. It should be addressed by actual playing comparisons. I wish I could contribute that; and apologize for the long winded rant.
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muchos gracias...

the whole reason I began the thread is that a lot of relic'd instruments interest me,...I'd love to own a functionally sound, yet, aesthetically-challenged instrument like a decent relic,...

I personally think that a well-executed relic is a thing to behold :hyper:. while a poorly-done one is just a cryin' shame :bawl:
 
#50
J. Gary said:
I hope someone buys every bass Fender makes as a healthy Fender is good for us all. I just visited the Detroit GC and had a chance to check out some RW models.

Very interesting, but not for me. The new standard models are far superior for the money in my view. I never got the relic thing, but if it helps the music business, great!
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I agree!
I also checked out a couple of RW, and they sounded pretty bad.... I guess if you like the look of the instrument it's fine. But if you want a good intstrument, try something else, such as other mexican made models offering a much better value.
 
#51
Finally, Fender has figured out a way to charge double the price for a MIM instrument! ;)

In their defense though, I saw some Road Worns at GC the other day and I had to do a double take, especially when I saw the Tele. It really looked like a vintage Tele from a certain distance. Once i got closer, I began to see how the distressed look was deliberate, particularly in the wear on the fretboard. But they look great, IMO. I didn't have time to try any out, but I think Fender's done an excellent job aesthetically.
 
#52
PilbaraBass said:
muchos gracias...

the whole reason I began the thread is that a lot of relic'd instruments interest me,...I'd love to own a functionally sound, yet, aesthetically-challenged instrument like a decent relic,...

I personally think that a well-executed relic is a thing to behold :hyper:. while a poorly-done one is just a cryin' shame :bawl:
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Just get a single coat nitro finish without a clearcoat on one of your basses and play it out for a year or two and you will have the relic of your dreams!
 
#53
If it were me I would just assumed get a MIM Vintage 60's bass and beat it up myself because that's basically what your're getting as for as the Road Worn look,but I did get a chance to play a 64 Relic and it "Smoke",as it should have for what the price was,but with that being said the Road Worn bass is a nice piece.
 
#58
I agonized for quite a while b4 buying my Customshop 64 Sunburst J - going back and forth between Relic'd and NOS. In the end I got NOS as the relic'd one on offer didn't look "believable" whilst others I had seen were more believable. 2 years on my NOS is dull (if I don't polish it!!) has a couple of nics in the finish. In another 10 years it will have plenty of mojo I believe.

If the road worn series relic jobs look believable they will sell regardless of if they are all similar.

The most believable relic jobs I have ever seen are on Sandberg basses. Whatever they are doing, they have got it right IMHO. http://www.sandberg-guitars.de/ look at the California P style aged/ rarewood drop down.
 
#59
mike_v_s said:
I dunno if that's the case for everyone, though. I had a 78 Rickenbacker that had seen a few stages before it got to me. For purposes of this discussion, it was a "mild relic". I bought it because it "fit". Immediately, it fit. The scratches, dents, missing spots of finish didn't make a bit of difference. I didn't care how they got there. I bought it because of the way it felt...
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:eyebrow:For the RIC basses I experienced that only the very old vintage series (4000, 4001 before 1975 and special series like "Shadow", "Chris Squire",...) retain their dents and wear. Most of the RICs undergo refinishing by well known luthiers and RIC afiliated specialists:hyper:. In the RicResourceForum such "road worn philosophy" is not very common sense.:p
 

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