Roadworn Basses Opinions

[Mike Sorr]

So you buy all of your jeans dark blue and stiff and wear them in? I would rather buy them with a little prewash already done - lol.

Pre wash is one thing, buying them with holes already worn in the knees is another. Yes, they sell trendy "new" jeans that look like they've been dragged behind a truck for 20 miles. Not for me. Natural wear is like history written on your bass. Maybe you weren't there for all the history, but the bass was. It's real, it tells a story. Factory added imitation history tells a story too...but it's fiction.

 

[Mike Sorr]

A sander, buffer, etc is still actual wear. Maybe not "playing wear", but it's actual wear.

So by your standards, it is "authentic" for a guy to go out and buy a beat up old Jazz Bass and play it.... but it's "not authentic" for him to buy a beat up new Jazz Bass and play it ? I'm not sure what makes one different from the other, considering that he didn't put the "mileage" on the instrument either way.

See my response to Headband above. I'm not trying to be argumentative either. To each his own. But to answer your question, yes-it is more authentic to buy an older instrument that has been through the wars, even if you weren't there along with it for every battle than it is to own an instrument that lies about its combat experience.

 

[Dark Horse]

See my response to Headband above. I'm not trying to be argumentative either. To each his own. But to answer your question, yes-it is more authentic to buy an older instrument that has been through the wars, even if you weren't there along with it for every battle than it is to own an instrument that lies about its combat experience.

Cool, man. Thanks for indulging me.

 

[Hues]

.......
I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative...I'm just trying to figure out the thought process behind thinking one way is "cheesy", but the other isn't.

First,...I wholly support relicing ,if done well.

As far as the 'Non-cheesy' attitude goes, it involves the desire that the wear and tear come from actual life experience....Even if it's not the current owner's experience.

*Edit...What he said.

 

[headband]

Pre wash is one thing, buying them with holes already worn in the knees is another. Yes, they sell trendy "new" jeans that look like they've been dragged behind a truck for 20 miles. Not for me. Natural wear is like history written on your bass. Maybe you weren't there for all the history, but the bass was. It's real, it tells a story. Factory added imitation history tells a story too...but it's fiction.

I think it is fine that you feel that way. I just don't feel the same way. I have played the same jazz bass for 43 years and can truly say I'm pretty indifferent about it's finish and looks. It's magic is in its familiarity, tone and overall feel. I know this bass really, really well-feels natural to me when I play it. I don't think too much about a story, but that is me. I like the tone and playability of 60's jazz basses and think the RW gets very close for a lot less $$. Much closer than any other Fender that I have played.
And I like modern basses too. I have a few - love my Nordy vj4. I just don't have strong feelings about finish and wear/tear. If a bass is good, it's good.
Obviously not everyone feels this way, and I do respect your point of view.

 

[Hues]

Put another way......Folks would love to own a genuine Shelby Cobra...But they're few and far between and costly. Thus the kit cars and replicas.

 

[Classic69]

A sander, buffer, etc is still actual wear. Maybe not "playing wear", but it's actual wear.

So by your standards, it is "authentic" for a guy to go out and buy a beat up old Jazz Bass and play it.... but it's "not authentic" for him to buy a beat up new Jazz Bass and play it ? I'm not sure what makes one different from the other, considering that he didn't put the "mileage" on the instrument either way.

I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative...I'm just trying to figure out the thought process behind thinking one way is "cheesy", but the other isn't.

It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it!
That, would make one less bidder/buyer for the next cheesy Nash, FCS, Sandberg, etc relic that someone wants!
As I might have mentioned, I have basses that I hope never show any signs of wear, and I have a fantastic Sandberg HCA that is da bomb, and I wish I still had my Mary Kaye PB55

And in MY opinion, I'm neither cheesy, or posing!

 

[Wallace320]

A sander, buffer, etc is still actual wear. Maybe not "playing wear", but it's actual wear.
So by your standards, it is "authentic" for a guy to go out and buy a beat up old Jazz Bass and play it.... but it's "not authentic" for him to buy a beat up new Jazz Bass and play it ? I'm not sure what makes one different from the other, considering that he didn't put the "mileage" on the instrument either way.
I'm honestly not trying to be argumentative...I'm just trying to figure out the thought process behind thinking one way is "cheesy", but the other isn't.

this is vintage

this is roadworn

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Dark Horse]

It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it!
That, would make one less bidder/buyer for the next cheesy Nash, FCS, Sandberg, etc relic that someone wants!
As I might have mentioned, I have basses that I hope never show any signs of wear, and I have a fantastic Sandberg HCA that is da bomb, and I wish I still had my Mary Kaye PB55

And in MY opinion, I'm neither cheesy, or posing!

Absolutely

this is vintage
View attachment 419809

this is roadworn
View attachment 419810

Cheers,
Wallace

Believe me...I'm well aware of the differences. I was a vintage dealer for many years, and I also have built a lot of guitars and basses. I was just referring to his wording....

 

[pedroims]

it is more authentic to buy an older instrument that has been through the wars, even if you weren't there along with it for every battle than it is to own an instrument that lies about its combat experience.

War, combat , battle..that is cheesy as it gets.

 

[Wallace320]

Absolutely




Believe me...I'm well aware of the differences. I was a vintage dealer for many years, and I also have built a lot of guitars and basses. I was just referring to his wording....

I know
I believe you
I was kiddin'!

I love the way people (americans for instance) can find excellent and to-the-point comparison or metaphors, and I sometimes just try to emulate, but I often think not to be that good at it.

Oh... but I'll keep on tryin'
I love Japan and the comparison between Tokyo Tower and Tour Eiffel is something I tend to use, here and there

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Dark Horse]

I know
I believe you
I was kiddin'!

I love the way people (americans for instance) can find excellent and to-the-point comparison or metaphors, and I sometimes just try to emulate, but I often think not to be that good at it.

Oh... but I'll keep on tryin'
I love Japan and the comparison between Tokyo Tower and Tour Eiffel is something I tend to use, here and there

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Son of Wobble]

this is vintage
View attachment 419809

this is roadworn
View attachment 419810

Cheers,
Wallace

I kinda dig the Fiesta Red on that reissue!

 

[Wallace320]

I kinda dig the Fiesta Red on that reissue!

Exactly my point:
problem is they kept a somewhat "pickguard color contrast" (no "pickguard" in Paris) but they used parchment instead of anodized alumynum
don't you think so?

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[Mike Sorr]

War, combat , battle..that is cheesy as it gets.

Just trying to illustrate a point. Perhaps you missed it. Frankly, I couldn't care less what people play or why they play it. If it sounds good, it is good. I think I read somewhere where Pino Paladino said that he doesn't get caught up in gear, he thinks of it as a tool. If you're a carpenter and you find a hammer at a hardware store that already has rust on it, but feels right in your hand, who cares-use it. The OP asked for opinions on road worn instruments. Everyone is going to have a different one. I'm not saying it's stupid to play a road worn instrument. It's your money, buy what you want. But to me there is nothing like playing a well worn in bass. Anything road worn from the factory is a costume, a disguise. My opinion. I wouldn't drive a Shelby kit car with a Volkswagen engine either.

 

[Gaolee]

Exactly my point:
problem is they kept a somewhat "pickguard color contrast" (no "pickguard" in Paris) but they used parchment instead of anodized alumynum
don't you think so?

Cheers,
Wallace

But, if they had put tort on the one in Paris, it would be a pose, since it didn't have a pickguard to start with. And besides, everybody knows that tort on a tower is just cheezy.

 

[Son of Wobble]

If you're a carpenter and you find a hammer at a hardware store that already has rust on it, but feels right in your hand, who cares-use it.

Exactly, and as it is with your theoretical rusted hammer, so it is with road worn: If you find a tool ergonomically pleasing, that is the decisive thing. The patina -- or lack thereof -- matters not.

It is an ongoing irony of this never-ending debate that "new bass advocates" accuse those across the aisle of being fraudulent poseurs, whereas the road worn fans overwhelmingly make their choice based on functionality, ergonomics and price point, as they go to great pains to explain. Thus the irony is that it is most often "new bass" guy who is hung up on the look of the bass and not the "distressed bass" guy. Thus "new bass" guy is the more superficial.

Having no particular dog in this fight, I have concluded that it is the "new bass" guys who have the hangups on this one -- they evidently have real trouble thinking remotely outside the bun.

 

[BassHappy]

this is vintage
View attachment 419809

this is roadworn
View attachment 419810

Cheers,
Wallace

This is vintage:

This is roadworn:

Same car, different day.

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net

 

[Mike Sorr]

If you're using a road worn instrument...who is going to know? How is anyone going to know that the wear on your bass didn't occur over years of use unless you tell them? Furthermore, who is going to care? I had a beaten to death and super cool looking 1972 Jazz Bass that was my main instrument from 1978 until around 2002. I'll bet Fender could have made me a brand new one that matched every ding and scratch and field of bare wood on the thing, and who would know which was which? If you don't want anyone to know you bought your bass road worn, don't say anything. Simple. Again, I probably wouldn't go the new road worn route. I'd rather go for something with a bunch of miles already on it, but that's just me.

 

[Wallace320]

But, if they had put tort on the one in Paris, it would be a pose, since it didn't have a pickguard to start with. And besides, everybody knows that tort on a tower is just cheezy.

Yeah but french could do that: they even invented the word "poseur"!

Btw I was blown away by your avatar... Jack Ruby playin' guitar for the Lee Harvey Oswald Band... I know the song: Twisted Sister's "burn in hell"

This is vintage:

This is roadworn:

Same car, different day.

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net[/QUOTE]

I surrender:
that's what I meant by sayin' you americans have a vivid talent when it comes to metaphors

Cheers,
Wallace