why are some fenders made like this

[mcnach]

Absolutely ludicrous is what it is!

There is a genuine side to a bass player that is lost when one buys a pre-relic'd bass, in my opinion.

The thing is, those roadworn basses, regardless of the finish, they play really really nice. They are way above a normal MIM bass and many if not most MIA too. It's just a pity they only make them relic... if they offered them in normal pre-distressed finish, they would probably be the best value bass you could get in Fender.

 

[soulman969]

Great example. Even more ridiculous than the fake holes are the fake crotch creases!

Yeah but I have to admit that it wasn't the fake crotch creases that got my attention when I looked at that area. Fake destruction or not she wears them well.

Fender Time Machine Models have been sold as "relic's", NOS and "closet classics". They all play and sound very well and they should considering the amount of hand work and quality parts that go into them. I don't imagine a "relic" plays or sounds any different than a "NOS" or "closet classic" of the same model.

I don't own a "relic" bass but I have owned some naturally "road worn" Fender Basses over the years. Some of those were great basses and some weren't all that good. My Squier is as good as the best of them. I have no idea what Fender may do to make a "relic" or a "roadworn" feel or sound better other than a higher quality build and maybe it's nothing more than the psychological feeling that goes along with playing something you really love that makes some players feel they're better somehow.

If it makes you a better player well then God Bless your choice of instruments.

I don't believe being a "poser" is the issue with the majority of Time Machine or Road Worn buyers. I have a CS 51 Nocaster that's a "closet classic" and it certainly wasn't sitting under my bed in it's case for 60 plus years and played sparingly. I didn't buy it to look cool I bought it because I got a hellacious deal on it that no one would have passed up.

I love the way it looks, sounds and the way it plays. It's by far the best guitar I own and I don't feel like a poser playing it even when there were times when there were those who actually thought it was the real thing. As if I'd be playing a $100,000 guitar in a rock club in Denver.

I don't think the crowd even thinks much about what you play much less gives a rip whether it's new, old "reliced" or self "reliced". They're there to be entertained not judge the gear.

So this is all about what other musicians think about what you play and it's ridiculous to criticize a man's choice of instruments. His playing maybe but what the **** does his choice of instrument have to do with anything? You're a fellow musician. Is he doing his job or isn't he? Maybe the musicians in the crowd should join the crowd and just let themselves be entertained, or not if the band sucks, but the hell with the way the bass looks. How does it sound in the hands of the guy who's playing it. That's all that really counts. JMHO

 

[soulman969]

No. The roadworn series does not come in a non-reliced finish. The Classic series is not the same thing at all. Every roadworn I've played has been light, resonant, and just a killer bass; much more on par with the American Vintage basses, but cheaper. The roadworns are the best basses Fender makes for the money.

The Time Machine series and the Road Worn series are different lines. The Time Machines are Custom Shop Basses and they do come in "NOS" as well as "reliced" versions. The Road Worn series are production line basses and you're right. They are what they are.

 

[soulman969]

I've wondered about the "scratch and dent" roadworn Fenders that Musicians Friend sometimes has in stock. Aren't they supposed to be like that?

LMAO! That may be the only way to get a deal on a pre-distressed Fender Bass, LOL.

 

[soulman969]

The store that I worked at had about a dozen of those road worn models. Although some of them played and sounded great, none of them sold. Nobody was interested in them enough to fork over the $$ for what amounted to a new guitar made to look old.

What's the name of that store? I'll bet they'd be willing to let one go for a song. Gotta move the merchandise.

I haven't played one but I'd like to see what that 50's RW PBass is like. It's got the old specs with that thicker 50's neck. Screw the faux wear. How does it sound and how does it play? That's all that interest me. Actually a 50's sunburst PBass should look about like that anyway.

 

[D Bopp]

So this is all about what other musicians think about what you play and it's ridiculous to criticize a man's choice of instruments. His playing maybe but what the **** does his choice of instrument have to do with anything? You're a fellow musician. Is he doing his job or isn't he? Maybe the musicians in the crowd should join the crowd and just let themselves be entertained, or not if the band sucks, but the hell with the way the bass looks. How does it sound in the hands of the guy who's playing it. That's all that really counts. JMHO

Great point. I've thought about this myself. The only people that we, bass players are talking about here, are other bass players. I've spent way too much time before gigs trying to decide which of my basses I want to take out that night, only to realize while I am there playing that no one but myself gives a crap what I am holding in my hand. I'm one of the very few musicians in the building, and probably the only bass player around. So for that reason now, I bring out which bass I will enjoy playing for the evening. It makes me have a more enjoyable night, and if that means bringing out a relic'd bass, then so be it.

Like the John Lennon quote, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

Just enjoy life and play what the hell you want to play. If you can hold your own, then you'll get the respect.

 

[king_biscuit]

The Time Machine series and the Road Worn series are different lines. The Time Machines are Custom Shop Basses and they do come in "NOS" as well as "reliced" versions. The Road Worn series are production line basses and you're right. They are what they are.

I know, but the majority of the "relic" attention in these threads is for the roadworn series; I suppose its a price point thing.

 

[bass32]

I wouldn't purchase a relic or roadworn bass and my opinion whether you do or not really doesn't matter.
But in case you are wondering, if it makes you happy go for it!

Below are a few pics of my first bass, which I still own. It's a '75 P-bass I purchased used in '78. It was in "like new" condition. The store owner told me it was a repo.
This bass was my main bass for approx 10 years. I look at the worn places, the dings, the finish checking, the discoloring of the headstock, etc... and it brings back many memories, good and bad.
That's something you can't get from a relic or roadworn.

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I don't take this bass out on gigs anymore. I have since gone to a 5 string and even though I think it plays and sounds pretty good, it's no match for my current bass. I do, however, enjoy getting it out every now and then and playing it.

 

[basscase42]

I guess some people just like to have aged basses. Personally I'd rather buy a new bass and let it get to that point itself over many years, and not have it aged by some stranger in a factory.

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

All this nonsense about not being able to get memories or real wear and tear out of a relic bass is absolutely untrue.
It hurts to see so many people be so simple minded over such a trivial detail as the finish on a bass.

The guy that is playing the relic bass will make the exact same memories on that bass as he owns it, as a guy does that owns a shiny mint bass. Both guys start with a bass and over the coarse of time both players will put their own wear and tear on it.
The owner of the bass knows what marks are from his time with it as well as what marks we're put there by the factory.
To say the player is a poser is just as extreme, it's a bass finish option. It has absolutely nothing to do with his playing abilities or his authenticity as a bass player.
Some people don't like bright shiny stuff all the time.
I bet 100% of the people speaking against it are the same folks they buy their jeans faded, and I'm not talking about the ones with the fake holes.
Any jeans that are not completely solid colored have been artificially faded to look used and aged.
Belts and some wallets are aged and distressed to look better.
Decorative copper products are artificially ages because they look better and people prefer the aged look.
T-Shirts are printed with aged designs because people like them and they look better.
Vintage remakes of tan tolex covered cases and amps are made with the old look, because they look better and provide a sense of nostalgia.
Some furniture is artificially aged to give an antique look of age because it looks better.
Brand new bottles of liquor are made to look Like they were brought back from some old time because it's a desirable look.

People desperately try and get their tort guards to look like the old ones because they look better.
People still put the ash tray covers on their basses even though most will remove them to play because they look classic and people like it.

They use period correct logos because they look better.
Clay dots because they look better.
Vintage pups because they look & sound better.
Leather straps are typically roughed up because it looks better.
Vintage frets, vintage knobs.
People use nitro paint because they know it's eventually going to rub off so they can eventually have exactly what they are saying is bad.

Use the poly paint I mean, current days nitro paint isn't normally used so why would anyone ever want to use nitro it obviously has evolved for a reason.

Point is that the practice of aging, distressing, or giving something a vintage feel is used in all walks of life by many people in many different ways.
I can guarantee everyone in this thread has something that has been artificially aged around their house or in their clothes, or within their gear.

A reliced bass is no different from anything else,

Sometimes having bright shiny gear doesn't go with your look, just as a construction worker would look funny showing up on a job site with shiny brand new boots on, a brand new immaculate belt and tools , and pristine clothes.
In fact I've seen guys get made fun of for showing up to work looking too good for the job they're doing.
A bass is no different, it is a tool.

It's really as simple as this, if you like it then buy it and if you don't then don't buy it.
But to insult other people for doing it when it is a VERY common practice in our society.
You don't need to disrespect other people to justify your opinion.
So what you feel different, so what you choose not to buy them. Others do like it and others do buy them.
Maybe SOME are putting on a show and trying to convince people they are something they are not but it's definitely not all of them and I've never once seen anyone actually try and lie and say that their reliced Strat or reliced bass is anything but a modern bass with some classic looks to it.

It's no different than taking an old beat up bass and refinishing it, ate you a poser for refinishing that bass to look new?
I mean it's not a new bass, it's a re-painted bass, how is it any different?

 

[josiah goldfish]

IMO, fender aren't just putting fake wear in a bass, they're putting in fake memories. I was recently given a beaten up jazz bass: massive chunk missing out the top horn, pin holes everywhere, cover plate holes, old strap button holes, a scratched smiley face, all sorts, BUT: I'm constantly thinking about how the chips and stuff got there, what amazing shows it's been to, and who's played it.

Also, if you look at fenders basses but it in different colour schemes, all the scuffs are in the same place, on all the basses. That's my main problem with them, but this is all IMHO

 

[petrus61]

Oteil Burbridge played a RW P with the Allmans when I saw them a few years ago. He's got skills and knows what SOUNDS good which I suspect was his driving motivation to play a RW P over the Fodera he's usually been known to play. I don't think the finish on his bass was a deciding factor to use it, it was more of a tone choice. All the RW haters seem to forget the select woods used in their construction lend themselves to great (I know, wood has no bearing on tone right?) tone, all looks aside.

 

[bass32]

Hey 1SHOT1HIT!
I wasn't saying you couldn't make memories on a relic or roadworn. At least that wasn't my intentions. I meant when looking at my old P-bass, well it's a nice feeling knowing that I'm personally responsible for every "scar" and the memories that are associated with them.

I also stated that for others my opinion doesn't really mean anything, but if a relic or roadworn finish is what they like then go for it.

So I wasn't disrespecting others. Actually all I did was state my opinion and respectfully acknowledge the right of others to do the same, whether they agree with me or not.

All ask for is the same respect in return.

FYI - As far a the nitro finishes, Fender does states, as you mentioned, that lacquer will let the finish age more quickly but they also state that, "....a lacquer lets the wood breathe and vibrate more freely."

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Hey 1SHOT1HIT!...

I don't think he was addressing you specifically- there are a large number of posts that fall under the points that he is covering that unlike yours doesn't covey "to each his own."

 

[bass32]

I don't think he was addressing you specifically- there are a large number of posts that fall under the points that he is covering that unlike yours doesn't covey "to each his own."

I'm sure your right. Just a knee jerk reaction on my part.

That's just an area I constantly watch myself for. I like the right to my opinion, likes and dislikes and I realize that I need to allow others the same. So I try to say or post with that in mind.

My apologies to 1SHOT1HIT.

 

[Jasisco]

To those that say you can never make or "earn" battle scars by buying a RW instrument I'll post some pics. The one with many photos in the one photo is the one from the shop I bought it from. It's the actual one I walked out with. 3 years, 4 to 5 gigs a week later (my sole income is from playing bass and has been for the last decade) and you can see how it's aged. The photos can't show the checking (sorry, bad camera phone) but the rest of the wear is there. Not that I care if it's shiny, scratch free or not. I bought this bass for the sound and feel and the best neck I'd ever played. The part that has aged the most has been the neck and today feels even better than I could've ever hoped for. I've played and owned many Fenders but 99% of my work is now shared between this RW Jazz and an AV62 pbass.

 

[Jasisco]

And some more pics

 

[Jasisco]

.. and some more

 

[wvbass]

.. and some more

Call me a poser, I guess. All those pics look kinda awesome.

 

[shrimpflea]

played 2 shows.. 10 people surveyed each show..


FIRST Show:
7 people didnt even notice what i was playing
1 thought it was just dirty
2 thought it was old & dirty


Second Show:
5 people didn't notice what i was playing
2 said bass looked old & dirty
2 thought it was "cool" that's all they said (these were 2 girls about 10 years old)
1 lady asked what a bass was. ( I think she made a funny )

It was entertaining to go out to audience and ask such a stupid question

" I am taking a survey on the bass I'm playing tonight... what did you notice about it ?"

This is what I've always suspected......most people could care less what your bass looks like.