Many touring musicians worry about loss or damage and own guitars worth much more than $12k.
You would be surprised at how many famous players with vintage instruments play custom shop repros on tour.
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why are some fenders made like this
- Thread starter tbird99
- Start date
Many touring musicians worry about loss or damage and own guitars worth much more than $12k.
You would be surprised at how many famous players with vintage instruments play custom shop repros on tour.
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.
The Music Room in Palatine, IL.
When I left there in April, the prices hadn't changed.
I installed flats on their 50's RW P-Bass.
I sounded and played great, BTW.
I buy only non-faded Levis, the darker and stiffer the better. The pair in my pic above was bought on ebay about 8 years ago, NOS vintage made in USA with orange tag. Unfortunately, I had to retire them after that gig because the right knee hole got ripped open too far for comfort and I'm no seamstress.
There is absolutely nothing in the world like an old pair of Levis contoured and scarred from years of being on your body. You can't get that feel ready-made. You can't cheat Time.
bass32 said:
Not needed, I'm very familiar with the whole knee jerk reaction thing.
I wasn't really addressing anyone specific but anyone as in the group.
I personally look at it as just one more thing in life that some people prefer to look old or better put not so new.
Putting s vintage look is in no way saying that person is a poser it's just a look.
The jeans point is probably the best way to explain it. MOST people can't stand the look of solid color jeans, honestly they look kinda funny.
This is why Pre faded jeans are so popular they just look better and more stylish.
Same thing with putting copper flashing on your house, how stupid and tacky would it look to have some bright looking penny shining reflective accents over the windows or other areas?
Pretty bad.
This is why the put an artificial patina on the copper not because the home owner wants to front like they've been home owning since the colonial days but because it just looks better than fresh shiny copper.
Bert Slide said:
Quite possibly true, but a good pair of vintage Levi's can sometimes set you back hundreds of dollars.
Not everyone can afford that.
And technically what's the difference between you buying a Pre worn pair of vintage Levi's that SOMEONE else put the fade into over time.
And these guys buying a bass that Fender put the fade into?
A worn out rubbed thin area of paint , is a worn out rubbed thin area of paint, is a worn out rubbed thin area of paint.
Whether it was rubbed slowly or quickly it's still just a worn out spot on a paint job.
It's kinda like breaking the bass in esintially just speeding up the process. Just like shoes we all break in, jeans, baseball gloves, etc.
When I buy a motorcycle I have to drive it 500-1500 miles to break it in.
I'd kill to just throw the thing on s dyno rack and put it on auto pilot for those miles.
I want it when I can drag my knees on the ground and put my front wheel 85 degrees in the air.
Forget all that boring break in period having to baby it and wear the oils off the wheels.
When I buy a gun, I've got to spend a butt load of money in bullets to break it in properly so I don't have malfunctions for the life of the gun.
There's no way around it but if there was if still be able to outshoot quite a few people if I chose to use it.
See how skipping the break in just really has absolutely zero to do with actual skill?
Of coarse you have to take my word for it but, I'm a very good shot, not nearly the best but good enough to where I've made plenty of side money shutting people up. Not cocky or concieded but convinced.
I've been put to shame more than once though.
RWs -- I like 'em.
I don't like to buy used gear because of what people do to their stuff. You have to clean out a lot of who knows what sometimes..
And there's karma in there, ground in with the sweat and blood of the previous owners.. you might get ahold of an evil bass and not know it until it's too late. I shudder to think!
Plus most of the time the wear and tear on a used instrument isn't all that artistic looking.
These are, though. In fact I think someone said they don't really look like they've been gigged because things are too perfect in their wear.
Thinking like that puts these basses in an ironic position that requires some introspection. Are they trying to look cool by looking aged, and are therefore poser's basses? Or did the artists know what they were doing, and these basses make a statement about the snobbery of aged instruments? Which way do you go?
A RW is a bass as sliding signifier..
But the real question for me would be, is the neck as nice as people say? How does it sound? Because I really don't care what a bass looks like and these seem to be a bit cheaper than some others.
As for whether the guy/gal playing the RW is a poser or not -- I wouldn't even know. I listen to the playing and I'm either thinking, "This one is a good bassist" or "this one needs some practice."
I don't like to buy used gear because of what people do to their stuff. You have to clean out a lot of who knows what sometimes..
And there's karma in there, ground in with the sweat and blood of the previous owners.. you might get ahold of an evil bass and not know it until it's too late. I shudder to think!
Plus most of the time the wear and tear on a used instrument isn't all that artistic looking.
These are, though. In fact I think someone said they don't really look like they've been gigged because things are too perfect in their wear.
Thinking like that puts these basses in an ironic position that requires some introspection. Are they trying to look cool by looking aged, and are therefore poser's basses? Or did the artists know what they were doing, and these basses make a statement about the snobbery of aged instruments? Which way do you go?
A RW is a bass as sliding signifier..
But the real question for me would be, is the neck as nice as people say? How does it sound? Because I really don't care what a bass looks like and these seem to be a bit cheaper than some others.
As for whether the guy/gal playing the RW is a poser or not -- I wouldn't even know. I listen to the playing and I'm either thinking, "This one is a good bassist" or "this one needs some practice."
That pair I paid less than $30 for including shipping and if you read me right they were NOS(new old stock) meaning brand new but vintage USA made(orange tag I think is '70's) and found in a drawer or storage somewhere. I put the fade and holes in them by wearing them 8 years.
You are correct that some well worn vintage levis fetch ridiculous prices but I bought several new condition made in USA from 70's-80's for less than new instore price. Unless they are really old and collectible, worn vintage jeans fetch a much higher price than NOS.
It's the same as buying 'retro' t-shirts at Old Navy or Target.
Some people like the worn-in look.
Some people like the worn-in look.
I've heard the roadworn basses are very good basses. If I had one I'd do a refin on it to make it look like new, then I'd have a really nice bass.
It's the same as buying 'retro' t-shirts at Old Navy or Target.
Some people like the worn-in look.
I bought a brand new worn out "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" shirt and 2 months later it was a blank black t shirt. Doesn't matter though. St. Patty's day is over anyway.
Hey Bert Slide, try Pointer Brand. Thickest denim I've ever found abd made in the USA. Took me 2 years to break 'em in.
Pilgrim said:
If I had one I'd leave it just as it is, why?
Because I'm secure enough in myself to not care much about how much of a poser I may appear to someone.
I'd even go so far as to own a pink bass
Not saying the opposite is your reasoning for the refin, just staying an opinion of an opposing approach.
But I gotta ask, what is the difference between someone making a new bass look like a fake old one, and someone else refinishing one to look like a fake new one?
Would you like someone to take your house, your car, or your girlfriend as make them look older and worn?
No....but those aren't basses....obviously many people like the look of old, worn basses just like many people like the look of old furniture or clothing....if that's not your thing...then fine, move on.
john_martin_sai said:
Yes, I would absolutely LOVE an interior decorator to come in and give my house a vintage vibe, people do it all the time.
People decorate like the 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's etc.
Some go with a Victorian era theme. There's tons of examples.
People do tons of things to make their cars look vintage.
And my girlfriend wears several vintage coats she's collected over the years, she loves the faded jeans as well as the dark colors.
She's got a killer set of vintage looking lingerer,
She'd definitely be into the old 50's pin up girl hair styles if her hair wasn't 3-1/2 feet long and spirally curly.
Would you like to try harder?
There's not much in ANYTHING in life your ever going to find where applying a vintage theme is not extremely common and often sought after by many people.
Cool thanks I'll check 'em out. I'm kinda addicted to how certain models of levis fit though since I've been wearing them for decades. I haven't bought any NOS USA on ebay in several years so they may be harder to find now. I have bought a few new in JC Penney and Macy's lately and I'm obsessive about the fit, it's like I'm shopping for a new bass! I grab 3-4 in my size, same model that have the darkest patina and heaviest hand, then try them all on and pick the best fit. Then I wear them till they disintegrate.
And my girlfriend wears several vintage coats she's collected over the years, she loves the faded jeans as well as the dark colors.
She's got a killer set of vintage looking lingerer,
Pics first or no vintage "lingering" allowed!
Totally man that's exactly it , they are basically a posers instrument but if people like to swing that way fine
