To be worn or not to be worn

[Lowendchamp]

So I can't help but notice the past decade that Fender specifically tends to push these signature series instruments that get a "roadworn" finish and charge a premium for them, even going so far as to charge more for it in a custom or master build. So as far as I can tell that would be cool for collectors that want art, especially when the time is taken to replicate the original instruments wear for the signatures. What about the players? I want to put wear on that instrument myself through time, you know? I just feel like the roadworn finish is the same as getting new jeans with the knees already blown out, a rip off. That is just my opinion maybe some people can jump in there and tell me why it's cool or assure me that it doesn't effect the sound or prematurely end a bass' life.

 

[jd56hawk]

I've seen some relic'd basses I'd be happy to own, usually Fender clones for fair prices, and the thing is, I'll be dead before any of my new basses look like this, so why not buy one?
You want to know the funniest thing about relic'd basses?
Other bassists who get all up in arms about it.
Seriously, that entire "Country Club" attitude is even sillier than bassists putting down acoustic basses.
(By the way, not saying you're one of them.)

 

[cxc]

No to roadworn. Just no.

 

[luciens]

I think it’s against forum rules to criticize the road worn fad, there are so many threads that become giant civil wars over it.

But I remain steadfastly against it for my own basses. I prefer to relic basses myself and put my own marks on them.

Fortunately, many basses come with nitro finishes new from the factory and they practically relic themselves. My Tony Franklin and Jaco sig are developing chipping around the edges already after only a year and I love it. I’m not doing it on purpose but I hope it spreads all over the whole instruments over time.

So my advice is get your next bass with a nitro finish and DIY….

L

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Personally, it's not for me. Although, some of the roadworn Fender Custom Shop stuff is pretty amazing if you ever see it in person with your own eyes.

All of my basses are in pretty good shape, but one of my Carvin LB75s, which has been a primary bass through a lot of my playing career, is roadworn the old fashion way.

 

[Grinderman]

The only relicing or road worn I'm okay with is a light amount like how my Nash PB came. Paying extra for any amount of relicing a firm no. Paying an $1K for a new factory relic'd Fender CS instrument makes about the least sense of all to me.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've been playing my Lull P4 steadily for about 16 years. From more than a foot away, you would swear it's new.

 

[GIBrat51]

Are they going to give me a 10-15% discount for the screwed up finish? No? If they think I'm going to pay extra for a messed up finish, well... I may have fallen off the turnip truck that came through town - but I didn't fall off the one that came through yesterday. But, hey; if that's what turns yer crank? More power to ya...

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I am gassing hard for a Nash PB57 right now. I own a Fender Road Worn P. So yes to Road Worn!

 

[Grinderman]

The only relicing or road worn I'm okay with is a light amount like how my Nash PB came. Paying extra for any amount of relicing a firm no. Paying an $1K for a new factory relic'd Fender CS instrument makes about the least sense of all to me.

+ As I see it, the virtue of light relicing is it kind of pre-breaks the ice and diffuses most of the neurotic worry I might have about accidentally dinging a pristine instrument. Beyond that, I don't see the point or benefit.

No offense intended to anyone, to each their own, anything beyond light relicing on a brand new instrument just seems like cosplaying to me. As another example, I've never liked jeans or pants that come new pre-ripped or pre-distressed either. I prefer to relic guitars by living with and using them.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So I can't help but notice the past decade that Fender specifically tends to push these signature series instruments that get a "roadworn" finish and charge a premium for them, even going so far as to charge more for it in a custom or master build. So as far as I can tell that would be cool for collectors that want art, especially when the time is taken to replicate the original instruments wear for the signatures. What about the players? I want to put wear on that instrument myself through time, you know? I just feel like the roadworn finish is the same as getting new jeans with the knees already blown out, a rip off. That is just my opinion maybe some people can jump in there and tell me why it's cool or assure me that it doesn't effect the sound or prematurely end a bass' life.

I’ll relic’d my own, naturally by use

 

[Dave Leighton]

You do you and I'll do me... I voted yes

 

[Ricky Rioli]

even going so far as to charge more for it in a custom or master build.

Even going so far as to charge for work done? Shocking.

Sooner or later this from the sticky is going to become relevant:

 

[Isaac_James]

I can't imagine paying for a new instrument that's been made to look old, for the same reason I can't imagine buying distressed jeans. Especially if it costs more.

However, I get that for some people, it relieves the stress of having to keep your fancy new instrument shiny and blemish-free. And if you like the look of it? Cool, I guess. Go for it. It's just not for me.

 

[stringthrough]

Love the Roadworn series and factory-made roadworns in general. Something about a shiny perfect bass that makes me think too hard about not nicking it.

 

[JimmyM]

I’m fine with whatever anyone wants. Nobody is forcing a gun to anyone’s head to buy them.

 

[rashrader]

My Fender Roadworn Jazz kicks ass. It’s one of the best playing basses I’ve ever owned.

 

[Ihaveshingles]

Love the Roadworn series and factory-made roadworns in general. Something about a shiny perfect bass that makes me think too hard about not nicking it.

Your statement made me laugh… So a brand new finish makes you worry about getting dings and scratches on it so your answer is to buy one that’s ready dinged and scratched up?

 

[BAG]

You want to know the funniest thing about relic'd basses?

To me, the funniest thing about reic'd instruments is when they are for sale second hand and the seller advertises it as "mint condition"

You'd have to have it side by side with a brand new untouched version to compare and see if there were any additional dings or scratches..... and even then each one is usually a little different to the others.

 

[bobyoung53]

So I can't help but notice the past decade that Fender specifically tends to push these signature series instruments that get a "roadworn" finish and charge a premium for them, even going so far as to charge more for it in a custom or master build. So as far as I can tell that would be cool for collectors that want art, especially when the time is taken to replicate the original instruments wear for the signatures. What about the players? I want to put wear on that instrument myself through time, you know? I just feel like the roadworn finish is the same as getting new jeans with the knees already blown out, a rip off. That is just my opinion maybe some people can jump in there and tell me why it's cool or assure me that it doesn't effect the sound or prematurely end a bass' life.

Just get a Fender with a Nitro finish.