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Thoughts on Roadworn Fenders

#521
Jookbox said:
Are you honestly astonished? I have nothing against roadworns, I think they're kinda cool. However, it's completely clear to me why someone would not want to spend $1000+ for a new guitar with rust and dings all over it.
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With the most profound respect..

This is what kills me about the questioning of relics.

My answer is; why does it matter if someone pays $1k for a pre-beat up guitar?

It may make zero sense to you, which is fine, but there is a market for this type of instrument. If everyone thought this concept was insanely dumb, Fender Roadworn would've been discontinued by now.

It's not like brand new looking guitars and basses are falling out of favor. If there was some crazy epidemic where Fender replaced all their current offerings with only relic types, I'd understand the uproar. However, those who want new looking basses have PLENTY of options. Not sure why those who like relics, can't have choices either.

I guess I see it akin to hating instruments with gold hardware or artist models. Different strokes for different folks.
 
#522
P Town said:
I hope it is well packed, and that UPS doesn't scratch, or ding it.
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Love that aspect of the Road Worns. First thing I did after unpacking my RW was accidentally smack it against a metal rack. What a hard hit! My heart jumped into my throat.
Ya know I could not tell where it took the hit due to the factory dings! Nice.

And by the way, it is not just a finish. The work done to the neck makes it feel like it has been played for 40+ years.
The wood seems different also. Lighter/dryer somehow.
That's not just finish, IMO.
 
#523
My Jaco with her RW Jazz neck. Such a fun bass to play.
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#527
Fuzzbass said:
The level of outright hatred for anything relic-related astonishes me. The haters think they have the right to violate TB rules: not only by dissing the finish, but also insulting those who play them.
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Jookbox said:
Are you honestly astonished? I have nothing against roadworns, I think they're kinda cool. However, it's completely clear to me why someone would not want to spend $1000+ for a new guitar with rust and dings all over it.
Click to expand...

Of course I realize that some folks will never like relics. My astonishment comes from the level of outright hatred shown towards them. As bassgod76 said, it's just as silly as hating on gold hardware, pearl pickguards, or any other cosmetic feature. And all too often (as seen here on TB before the mods can clean it up), the hatred spills over to those who play relics.

It's silly (to be polite) to judge someone else's personal preference, especially cosmetic ones. Vive les différences.

Back on topic: love the pictures, keep 'em coming. :cool: Also, I agree with 96tbird: I wouldn't want cigarette burns, real or fake.
 
#528
Fuzzbass said:
Of course I realize that some folks will never like relics. My astonishment comes from the level of outright hatred shown towards them. As bassgod76 said, it's just as silly as hating on gold hardware, pearl pickguards, or any other cosmetic feature. And all too often (as seen here on TB before the mods can clean it up), the hatred spills over to those who play relics.

It's silly (to be polite) to judge someone else's personal preference, especially cosmetic ones. Vive les différences.

Back on topic: love the pictures, keep 'em coming. :cool: Also, I agree with 96tbird: I wouldn't want cigarette burns, real or fake.
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Agreed.
I loathe black basses, but I don't throw hissy fits when I see people posting pics of them. I know that these companies make many color models, so there is no need to blow a gasket over nonsense.
 
#529
P Town said:
I hope it is well packed, and that UPS doesn't scratch, or ding it.
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Funny man! It was more well-packed than the last bass I got (From Musician's friend, single-box, cardboard head/neck supporter. Nothing else.) This had the full double-box treatment.

Guess I didn't win the light-weight lottery like some of you guys pulling in 8lb RW jazzes. This thing is heavy! ~9.6lb but sounds nice. Being out all day in the heat made the whole thing sticky as hell so I can't comment too much on how it plays yet.
 
#531
Road_Worn.jpg

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Mine! Really liking this one! What most people dont get about them is the frets! Fender are using the small vintage frets on the RW p and j basses compared to medium jumbo frets that you'll find on the other fender basses. Me, personally think that is the key why so many people like myself are so much in love with theese basses. The small frets gives us that bite and that charater we are looking for in the tone
 
#532
The whole road worn thing holds me back from dropping a grand on a "new" P also. That said when I see one in the store I give it a good run thu and have not found a dud among the ones I have played yet. Very good basses and I am curious as to the manufacture QC process and how they are so consistent where as standard MIM and even MIA are a crapshoot. Defiantly looking for a used one to slip in the gig bag.
 
#533
Fuzzbass said:
Of course I realize that some folks will never like relics. My astonishment comes from the level of outright hatred shown towards them. As bassgod76 said, it's just as silly as hating on gold hardware, pearl pickguards, or any other cosmetic feature. And all too often (as seen here on TB before the mods can clean it up), the hatred spills over to those who play relics.

It's silly (to be polite) to judge someone else's personal preference, especially cosmetic ones. Vive les différences.

Back on topic: love the pictures, keep 'em coming. :cool: Also, I agree with 96tbird: I wouldn't want cigarette burns, real or fake.
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There's nothing wrong with hating black pearl pick guards.
 
#540
Stewie26 said:
I am one of those guys is who pretty anal about keeping all my bass quitars looking almost factory new. A lot of the post here say the RW basses feel and play well, perhaps better than the MIA gloss finish Fenders. With that said, it would be nice to be able to play gigs without having to worry about one of my basses getting a ding or scratch in the finish. Hey, if the RW bass gets knocked over its just a little mojo. Right? In the past, I would have never considered a RW bass but now I may have to rethink this. For me it would be great to own a nice playing/sounding gig bass and not have to worry about it at the same time.
.
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Wow... this had been going through my head the entire time that I was going through this thread. I think I could just relax with a roadworn and just focus on playing it instead of babying it. I might be tempted to spray nitro over the bare spots and let it wear out naturally. Now I have to find one and play it to get the feel...
 

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