This is BS to me, a vintage instruments tells nothing to me unless it sounds and feels great. In fact any bass will talk to me if feel and sound are there, regardless of year of production, condition or brand.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Roadworn Basses Opinions
- Thread starter Bassist30
- Start date
This is BS to me, a vintage instruments tells nothing to me unless it sounds and feels great. In fact any bass will talk to me if feel and sound are there, regardless of year of production, condition or brand.
I had the chance to play one at my LMS, a sunburst jazz model... the neck was absolutely lovely, felt just like my 62... I would have bought it there and then if I'd the sponds.
I have supreme gas for a burst P RW however.
The only story my 62 would tell is how big a snugglemuffin I am!
I have supreme gas for a burst P RW however.
The only story my 62 would tell is how big a snugglemuffin I am!
Any number of reasons. I'm sure there are instances where you prefer one thing over another without any bearing on how people perceive you. My point is, you're pinpointing one part of it. I don't disagree that there are players who will buy a road worn for the 'image', but to lump together everyone who happens to sling a relic'd instrument is a bit fallacious.
It is just interesting me - I completely understand the appeal of a well-worn neck, but relatively few of the features presented by the Roadworn series are related to that. I make no claim that everyone is buying them for the image, but Fender is aware that many are.
It'd be off mark to assume that Fender isn't marketing them primarily to that crowd.
That said, the road worn played better than the other basses in the shop, so it went home with me. Later on I ended up ordering a Nash, because at the time I couldn't find a pre 57 style P-bass with body contouring, only slab style, which I find very uncomfortable. Do I like the look of it? Yeah. But that was just a part of why I went with that bass.
Well count me in the camp that thinks Fenders motive is lame ..tryin to sell on worn used cool vibe..HOWEVER - I NEVER picked up one that felt less than awesome in my hands play and sound wise.
Wbich is more than can be said for most off the shelf fenders IME.
(Not countin american/custom etc.)
so..on that alone..I say YAY to RW.
Ymmv
And I look cool holding one.
Wbich is more than can be said for most off the shelf fenders IME.
(Not countin american/custom etc.)
so..on that alone..I say YAY to RW.
Ymmv
And I look cool holding one.
The only circumstances where i can see actually buying a "pre-damaged" instrument is if I was in a *gigging* band that required that "look" - say a tribute band or an "old school blues" band - and really, to meet that need without hunting down a '68 J bass, I'd prefer to buy a newer model with a traditional finish/look (Sunburst/rosewood/tort).
Agreed - but one thing about this Fender "Road Worn" stuff really bugs me: This seems like an easy way for FMIC to take factory 2nds and recycle them for sale. Say you have dinged body or neck that comes off the line and fails final QA - you put it into the "Road Worn" queue and let those guys further thrash it and then sell it at an even greater profit. If I were running FMIC and some production supervisor thought this up, I'd give him a significant bonus on the spot - this is just smart business. That doesn't mean I want to buy one.
It could be like that yeah. Who knows. But if the result of that is good basses (roadworn/relic'ing look or not) it's fine for me.
It's a genius business move if it's true. From a buyer's perspective, I like the thought of having another set of eyes look at the bass before it goes out the door, too. As long as it plays well, and is in great working condition, I'm not going to worry about the way it looks as much. I do happen to like the way it looks, though, so bonus for me.
I bought a RW Jazz, based on the great reviews people give them. There aren't any in stock anywhere near me, so "trying before buying" wasn't an option, unfortunately.
The first one had a slight twist in the neck up around the 3rd fret, and a very pronounced ski jump where the neck meets the body. I sent it back, and ordered a new one.
The second one had no twists, but a significant hump in the middle of the neck, from about the 4th to the 9th frets. I sent that one back, too, and upgraded to an American Standard Jazz. I'm ecstatic about that one; it's a great player, and looks very sharp.
What I liked about the RW: super light weight, good pickups, great tone.
What I didn't like about the RW: bad necks (obviously), and the relic jobs looked contrived to me, especially on the second bass. It had randomly applied burr marks here and there, and not much wear in the area where the forearm rubs the finish.
I didn't really care that much about the relic jobs, as I was looking for a player first and foremost, but they were a little cheesy.
The first one had a slight twist in the neck up around the 3rd fret, and a very pronounced ski jump where the neck meets the body. I sent it back, and ordered a new one.
The second one had no twists, but a significant hump in the middle of the neck, from about the 4th to the 9th frets. I sent that one back, too, and upgraded to an American Standard Jazz. I'm ecstatic about that one; it's a great player, and looks very sharp.
What I liked about the RW: super light weight, good pickups, great tone.
What I didn't like about the RW: bad necks (obviously), and the relic jobs looked contrived to me, especially on the second bass. It had randomly applied burr marks here and there, and not much wear in the area where the forearm rubs the finish.
I didn't really care that much about the relic jobs, as I was looking for a player first and foremost, but they were a little cheesy.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I think the relic thing is silly. But I still bought a RW because it felt good and sounded good. I played it nearly every day for about three years. I still play it a whole lot. Because I thought the RW thing was silly, I de-reliced it with a sharpie. Now it is re-reliced, because I wore through the de-reliced relicing. Is that being a poser, a twit, or what? I figure if it was going to be a poser bass, it should be a complete pose, so it has ashtrays and a tug bar. Now I find that I like ashtrays and use the tugbar. Jokes on me, I guess. It's still just about the sweetest sounding electric bass I own. The only reason I don't play it even more is because the Ric fits some of the stuff I'm currently playing just a little better.
So, I don't care what you think, or anybody else for that matter. My RW has had any resale value removed by my de-relic attempt, and now it's really flogged looking, because I have worn a hole in the finish with my thumb in a couple spots and in another spot where I sometimes use a pick down by the bridge. It's a keeper. Eventually it will be old, too. Then it will probably look even worse.
So, I don't care what you think, or anybody else for that matter. My RW has had any resale value removed by my de-relic attempt, and now it's really flogged looking, because I have worn a hole in the finish with my thumb in a couple spots and in another spot where I sometimes use a pick down by the bridge. It's a keeper. Eventually it will be old, too. Then it will probably look even worse.
Oh, I know what Simulacra means.
Perhaps if you are going to use words like this, you should spell them correctly...
It would be like that if cars with rust & broken glass were perceived as "cool" by anyone - which they are not. If we're using cars as a metaphor, then I'd say they're more like economy cars that are lowered and have racing stripes loud exhausts - all show, no go. You're trying to look like something you are not.
Oddly, when all of these so-called "vintage road worn" instruments were commonly seen in bands, many folks were rushing to refinish them because they didn't want to play work out instruments; That the old Fender finishes did not hold up well *and* folks didn't treat them very well was not considered a good thing until these same instruments became valuable - at which point, the strat with the cig burn, the p-bass with the pick gouges suddenly were cool. Okay, cool to some.
In the end, it's all about what you like. I like playing high-quality well maintained gear. I have never wanted to own/play/be seen with old worn out gear.
I really don't understand why people here who like shiny well maintained instruments think it is ok to bash others who don't care for them or don't have a preference.
Road Worn "haters": Please read the posts above. Notice so many saying AFTER they played one and felt that neck they were sold. I did not even know what the Road Worn series was when I picked one up. Sure the finish was odd to me but the feel of that neck was amazing. It is NOT chipped paint which some of you can't understand. It is that worn in neck( not defected neck) that sold me. Super light weight and from the stage the audience can barely see wear marks anyway.
All I know and care about is how that bass feels and these Road Worns feel fantastic. I honestly don't care or get angry at Fender for their marketing. I get a great bass for cheap. My American Standard P has a "rolled edge" fretboard which makes it feel nicer. The Road Worn has that and then some.
Do yourselves a favor and play one. Then come back and lets hear your opinion. I don't get hung up on looks when a bass feels that good.
Road Worn "haters": Please read the posts above. Notice so many saying AFTER they played one and felt that neck they were sold. I did not even know what the Road Worn series was when I picked one up. Sure the finish was odd to me but the feel of that neck was amazing. It is NOT chipped paint which some of you can't understand. It is that worn in neck( not defected neck) that sold me. Super light weight and from the stage the audience can barely see wear marks anyway.
All I know and care about is how that bass feels and these Road Worns feel fantastic. I honestly don't care or get angry at Fender for their marketing. I get a great bass for cheap. My American Standard P has a "rolled edge" fretboard which makes it feel nicer. The Road Worn has that and then some.
Do yourselves a favor and play one. Then come back and lets hear your opinion. I don't get hung up on looks when a bass feels that good.
I think a musical instrument should earn its own stripes.
If you want the bass to feel worn in, take it to a master luthier.
Get the neck professionally dressed and have the sticky glossy finish on the back of the neck buffed lighting fast with 3000 grit wet or dry paper and mineral spirits.
A professional setup might cost you $80.00 which is considerably less expensive than paying for custom shop upgrades.
If you want the bass to feel worn in, take it to a master luthier.
Get the neck professionally dressed and have the sticky glossy finish on the back of the neck buffed lighting fast with 3000 grit wet or dry paper and mineral spirits.
A professional setup might cost you $80.00 which is considerably less expensive than paying for custom shop upgrades.
Last edited:
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
I play with a cute singerbabe and a cute drummerbabe. Nobody will ever see me playing. That's just how it is when you are the bass player and an ugly old guy. So, I worry less about what my gear looks like and more about what it sounds and feels like. I would even play a powder pink instrument through a Hello Kitty amp if it sounded good.
The car analogy is kind of funny - there is a segment of the car market that likes ratrods and some folks will even seal a rust, older finish to preserve it because they like the patina. So, some people actually do like road worn cars! As I understand it, some restorations even try to capture the ratchet marks on bolts and typical wear/damage from the original factory processes. So, yes, there are even artificially aged cars out there.
There seems to be a disconnect between Fender and at least part of their market with respect to the Road Worn series. Sure, lots of people probably buy these because they simulate a much old instrument. But, lots of folks here seem to purchase these basses for reasons other than the rust, dents and chips. Fender marketing is starting to catch up, though. For those that buy them because they are just good instruments, Fender now has their laquer finished basses and the guitars now have the Road Worn Player Series featuring - guess what? - less wear!
FWIW, I have a Nate Mendel P bass. I wanted a light P bass with a jazz-ish neck. My only real choice from Fender was the Active Special. The Nate is the closest they come in a passive P bass. I don't care one way or the other about the chips and dings. It looks okay from a couple feet; up close, the light sanding/deglossing of the entire finish is pretty obvious.
I will say this about buying a Road Worn: I haven't bought a new Fender since 1998. Buying a Road Worn lessens the NBD experience a little, because it feels a lot like buying a used bass.
There seems to be a disconnect between Fender and at least part of their market with respect to the Road Worn series. Sure, lots of people probably buy these because they simulate a much old instrument. But, lots of folks here seem to purchase these basses for reasons other than the rust, dents and chips. Fender marketing is starting to catch up, though. For those that buy them because they are just good instruments, Fender now has their laquer finished basses and the guitars now have the Road Worn Player Series featuring - guess what? - less wear!
FWIW, I have a Nate Mendel P bass. I wanted a light P bass with a jazz-ish neck. My only real choice from Fender was the Active Special. The Nate is the closest they come in a passive P bass. I don't care one way or the other about the chips and dings. It looks okay from a couple feet; up close, the light sanding/deglossing of the entire finish is pretty obvious.
I will say this about buying a Road Worn: I haven't bought a new Fender since 1998. Buying a Road Worn lessens the NBD experience a little, because it feels a lot like buying a used bass.
