Anyways, I’m really starting to see the whole road worn thing as very subjective… just like the CBS headstocks, or maybe the Stratocaster guitar itself. Some loven ‘em, some can’t stand ‘em.

While some people sees the aged finish as tacky, and sure, a closer inspection will reveal the “fakeness”, some others agree that is impossible to inflict that kind of wear to a Poly finish, which is also true. There are some others, like me, who stay away of the standard production models because of the uncomfortable “modern” neck profiles, and for years had a hard time finding the right profiles, until the “classic” versions of fender came around, and then, the nice feel that preworn fenders give.

I have a couple of weeks with my road worn, and all I can say is that its neck is one of the most comfortable Stratocaster necks I’ve ever played. Its profile combines several elements that work well together with my not weak but smallish hands, like a narrow nut width, a “c” shape and a curvy 7.25 radius, which gives you a nice oval feel and improves your grip for bendings, unlike the worst profile in my opinion, the one in my 98 American Standard, which is wide nut, shallow C, (is it D?) and flatter 9.5 radius. I love the tone of the Am Std, but I really have a hard time gigging with this guitar, which slows me a lot because of the extra effort made to bend the strings, and the lack of proper support. I guess it just doesn’t fit in small hands.

Other thing bout the road worn I don’t care too much but some other guys really do, is the absence of heavy finish on the back of the neck, which in hot, humid conditions, or if you have sweaty hands, makes a hard time on your playing. Last, there’s some nice tall frets in the guitar, which helps a little with bendings.

Tonewise, the axe resonates a lot better than the Am Std, so I guess the stripped finish actually helps with this, but I haven’t had the chance to test thoroughly if this makes a difference plugged in, because my amp is in my rehearsal space.

Overall, this guitar is actually more expensive than the 60’s classic, but not THAT much, so I guess the whole rant about ultra expensiveness doesn’t apply in this guitar. So go for it if you dig the worn look, but more important, the different feel you don’t get so often in regular guitars.

Still, I think all Fenders should lower their prices, because almost a grand for a guitar (I don’t give a damn if they are built in Mexico, my country by the way, as long as they are well made, which they are) is a little bit too mucho.

1. Labor to create the illusion of age. However, relic instruments do not look authentic when closely inspected. The really expensive ones are more convincing, but anyone knowledgeable will not be fooled.

2. Better sound and feel. People willing to spend the ridiculous bucks Fender is asking will always say these instruments play better or feel better. Why? Because they have to rationalize their idiotic purchase.

3. Then, there is the rap on thin nitro lacquer. The finish on a solid body electric guitar has very little effect on the tone, period. It is mostly the wood, pickups, bridge, etc.. that make the difference.

4. The guitar was assembled by a master. Masterbuilt by some fucker you have never heard of. I suppose the master does some amazing special mojo when he/she screws the neck on or installs the tuners. Something different and very expensive… Maybe majic dust!

5. Something special! Who are you kidding? Do you think Fender uses a special CNC machine for the custom shop necks and bodies? If so, you are in idiot.

What you are paying for is simply a standard instrument with a fucked up finish, and the master builder doesn’t have to worry a bit about scratches or dings while assembling. Enjoy sucker!

Anyone who can’t see the “relic” look for the gimmick it is, DESERVES to be parted with his money. If I’m plunking down some serious cash, I want the benefit of the shiny and new. You are right about the character that goes into aging an instrument over time. LET ME DO IT! Paying extra just to have somebody in the factory beat it up makes no sense.

I’m so dis-enchanted with the zillion plus versions out there. This just proves that fender has run out of ideas. And speaking of all the versions out there, it just makes sense anymore to find a decent MIM, slap a loaded pickguard into it and enjoy your SRV special and use the money you save to buy more toys.

As far as the relic craze dying, don’t hold your breath – pre-faded jeans haven’t gone away yet.

Fastelder

Look at the new Jimmy Page No. 2. While I like the idea of a replica for such a significant guitar, and extra $4000 to take that beautiful guitar and damage it?

The other end of the spectrum is the cheap entry level “trashed” guitars. These are marketed purely on “trashed guitars are cool cause they’ve been around” cool.

I guess my issue that most of these relic’s are marketed as relic first, quality of guitar second. And that is wrong. If you dig the guitars then great, and obviously a lot of people do otherwise they wouldn’t exist. I’ve never said a pre-aged guitar is bad, just the reasons some people are choosing them for is.

But thanks for the reply. I’m loving the opinions this topic is generating.

You’re right in that these guitars have no soul, that’s because the soul comes from the PLAYER!!! Are you telling me that if SRV or Clapton played one of these that it would sound terrible and suck and be soulless?? A poser is a poser, period. It doesn’t matter if they’ve naturally worn a guitar in themsevles for 20 years, or if they bought one that way because the guitar and gear have nothing to do with it.

A guitar has to first and foremost sound and play great for the player. Whether or not it comes pre-aged is just an aesthetic choice like picking the color. Pre-aging doesn’t mean the guitar is bad or sounds terrible, that’s a close-minded assumption. You guys give truth to the old joke, “How many guitarists does it take to change a light builb? All of them!! One to actually do it, and the rest to point and say ‘I could do it better’!!”

the new Road Worn series may look the part.. but theyre missing all the history

However, other than those rare occurrences, a guitar is an instrument – so it should be played more than talked about. In fact had I gotten a hold of that Hendrix V I would have not painted over it, but played it every day to keep the memory alive, and get those vibrations rolling through that poor guitar again. Just my thoughts anyways.

If you find a guitar that sounds right for you, feels right for you, then who cares if it is a relic or not? If I found one that felt right for me I would pick it up instantly.

To relic-cravers: Honestly, even if it looks cool, the sound might be lousy; you’ll haqve to go through as many of them as you would a normal axe, so give it some thought.

And thanks for the compliment!

Who knows…

Great post by the way.

Besides, why would you want to miss out on the early days of having a shining new guitar?

And I can’t even imagine how awful these “pre-aged” guitars will look once they have some real wear & tear.