Fender "Road Worn" guitars - STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

[mrbillet]

The first time I ran across this was around 1995 when I was shopping for my first decent bass guitar (I bought a G&L). They had pre-worn Fender basses, which I was baffled by, and there was some full grown man standing there with parents discussing whether or not they should buy one for him. Another great guitar super center moment.

The only legitimate purpose I can see for these is as movie props. Really, it might be a great thing to have quick access to a carefully worn out, perfectly functioning instrument that looks like it's 30 years old.

[magicd]

http://www.rockcamp.com/

Dave

[jeff sanders]

http://www.rockcamp.com/

Dave

now thats a camp! i think if it was a fat/rock camp i could talk my ma into letting me go

[Matcher]

My friend got one, but not because of the looks which he didn't like, but because of the feel of the neck.

As for the camps, this one's a classic http://www.freakguitar.com/fgc2009.html One year the guitarist Bumblefoot was teaching at the camp. After that he joined Guns 'n roses.

[Shooshie]

One year the guitarist Bumblefoot was teaching at the camp. After that he joined Guns 'n roses.

I thought Axl only uses temp labor.

[Spikey Horse]

My friend got one, but not because of the looks which he didn't like, but because of the feel of the neck.....

What... you mean burning red with embarrassment?

[RMC206]

As I suspected earlier, the naysayers haven't played one. The don't play like all other Fenders. Different neck profiles, nut width and fret size, all recipes. It's that feel of broken in. Forget the looks, the crowd in your home studio won't care. Lot's of people don't like Fenders of any kind. Personally, I love the feel of an old T shirt and broken in shoes. If Target sold them feeling that way, you'd own some. Personally, I like a vintage refin ( less $$), isn't that as fake. Making an old guitar look new? Potato/patatoe

[twistedtom]

As I suspected earlier, the naysayers haven't played one. The don't play like all other Fenders. Different neck profiles, nut width and fret size, all recipes. It's that feel of broken in. Forget the looks, the crowd in your home studio won't care. Lot's of people don't like Fenders of any kind. Personally, I love the feel of an old T shirt and broken in shoes. If Target sold them feeling that way, you'd own some. Personally, I like a vintage refin ( less $$), isn't that as fake. Making an old guitar look new? Potato/patatoe

You point about the feel of a guitar is why would have a hard time buying one over the net.

Goodwill sell old worn in shirts, I have snagged a few for my self.

[Kind Of Loud]

Judging by some of the comments here, my '96 Relic Strat, is a real laugher. Bought it for $1800.00 back then, not for the looks, but because it was one of the best sounding, newer guitars, at the time. Thin nitro on the body, and none of that sticky lacquer on the neck.And without plugging into an amp, chords and single notes, popped out like an acoustic.
Come to find out, years later, these relics made from 1995-1999, were the work of guitar luthier, Vince Cunetto. Nowadays, these guitars are fetching anywhere from $4000.00 to $7500.00.

http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details ... -RELIC.php

http://cgi.ebay.ca/FENDER-CUNETTO-MARY- ... 240%3A1307

I personally have no intention of selling mine. And everytime i get a comment like..."Is that a Relic..?? What a joke..!!..." I just chuckle, and agree.


As far as the Road Worns, the ones I have tried, are damn good sounding instruments. Considering they're under a grand, out the door. Feel, tone, and price are what's important. The relic finish..?? To me, it's nothing more that just that. A "type" of finish. Some dig it, some don't. Or like myself, don't care, either way as long as the guitar, sounds good.
Maybe, pink, with lime green polka dots, would be much cooler...!!!

[Matcher]

One year the guitarist Bumblefoot was teaching at the camp. After that he joined Guns 'n roses.

I thought Axl only uses temp labor.

Yes the lineup has been going through a change, and probably will continue to do so..but Bumble has put his foot in the door pretty well by playing very technical stuff in the new album. Axl would have a hard time finding a replacement

[James Steele]

As I suspected earlier, the naysayers haven't played one. The don't play like all other Fenders. Different neck profiles, nut width and fret size, all recipes. It's that feel of broken in. Forget the looks, the crowd in your home studio won't care.

I can play whatever I want in my studio. When playing live I'm obligated to play a Dean... but it's no so much an obligation for me as a privilege. But if you're saying the "feel" is that much different, (and no other Fender line feels the same way) then go ahead... knock yourself out. Listen, I have cheap MIM Jazz Bass that I use sometimes in my home studio (after the roaring crowd leaves the building and I send security home) and it's PURPLE! I *hate* purple! But I took down every MIM Jazz Bass some store had and I still curse the day that the ugly purple one played best of all!!! I bit my lip and bought that ugly bass. (I did retire that bass after Billy Sheehan cut a bass part for one of my tunes and signed the pick guard for me.) I use a MIM P-Bass mostly these days when I cut a part myself. I dig Fender basses... but not so much the guitars, but that's simply a subjective preference. Actually, I dream of having a late 60s, early 70s strat in white, maple fretboard, with the wider headstock of that era... but alas... it's an indulgence that I doubt I will be able to partake of ever.

So yeah... I get it if someone loves the "feel" of that guitar. To each his/her own. But I wasn't talking about playability, I was talking about the silly nature of the aesthetic concept. Fender isn't pushing the aspect that they "feel" worn in... but rather they "look" worn down. That's what I find amusing.

[bongo_x]

...Bought it for $1800.00 back then...

Dude, you could have got a new, shiny one for that much.

...Maybe, pink, with lime green polka dots, would be much cooler...!!! ....

Yes.

All the comments about the neck being sanded, you know you could just buy a new one and sand the neck, right? You could wear it in any way you want, you don't have to buy it that way. You can change pickups... actually Fender doesn't limit what you can do to it after you buy it.

bb

[Kind Of Loud]

...Bought it for $1800.00 back then...

Dude, you could have got a new, shiny one for that much.


Sure, if the shiny one sounded good. But the Relic, sounded better.
And the Relic was new. Full warranty, and all that stuff when I bought it.

[jeff sanders]

our guitar player in our younger days band had some killer sweat the would fuse parts where you adjust the string height with tiny screws. talk about a funky axe heh.

[James Steele]

our guitar player in our younger days band had some killer sweat the would fuse parts where you adjust the string height with tiny screws. talk about a funky axe heh.

Yipes! Acid sweat! I have a similar problem and have to wipe down the bridge of my guitars or it will quickly corrode. Kind of like the movie Alien!