I must admit, I quite like the look in a strange way My only concern is that are you not paying a premium for what is essentially an entry level Strat that has been beat up?

I am waiting for the

Show Us Your Road Worn

topic. Breathlessly.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I saw the whole lineup of them at GC. From afar they look pretty cool, but when you pick one up and hold it.... the worn finish looks very fake.

More than that however, when you flip it over, it still says Made in Mexico on the back of the head stock. Please dont flame me for saying that! I have an MIM strat and love it! What I am saying is for over $900 for the road worn, I'd put it into a nice new looking USA model....

thats my .02 cents....

It would look more realistic after rubbing some good black dirt into the bare wood. Or maybe wipe on/wipe off some peanut butter.


Ooops, there I go giving my relicing tips away for free.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

LOL!!

I have to say though, those AXL guitars look WAY over the top. I will admit that some of the road worn series guitars look cool, but it is my opinion that for the dings, spots, etc. to really have meaning, you have to do it yourself.

If they play fine, you like them, and you buy one, that's fine with me.

I am undecided on buying used guitars for the worn look. I guess if it plays well it's cool. That used look is cool, but the marks still wouldn't be battle scars.

I like them love the looks and playability, Greg Koch seems too like them aswell: http://www.fender.com/video/index.php?video=18
here he is playing a road worn 50's strat.....

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It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

It's a personal choice. If you try it and like it, buy it. Personally I'd rather put the money into an American Strat and beat it up myself.

[quote="kk5fe"] What I am saying is for over $900 for the road worn, I'd put it into a nice new looking USA model....


This is the opinion which was set forth by a player of my vintage at GC yesterday while he was handling a '57. Couldn't justify double the price for a 'beat to death' looking instrument. I pointed out that the '57 was, in some respects, a different guitar fromt the Mexican Standard, but also could not justify that price point.

We have, elsewhere, recognized that these are relics for the masses. In handling them, I find myself at a loss to understand the massive promo and excitement, but if they've buily it, and they buy 'em, the thing speaks for itself.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Wouldn't be surprised if the guitar had been sent across the pond for Lee Dickson to set up first.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Do some research.. He was stinking rich at that time and Strats were dirt cheap. He bought 6 of them at the same time.

I wasn't implying that he purchased the guitar(s) because of the scratches, only saying that he didn't earn them- which if perfectly fine.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

Its documented that he purchased the guitars because of their rare age at a ridiculously low price. Thats why when he got home he almagamted blackie from 3 of them and gave what as left away.

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No no and no

We are not aloud to post those kind of pictures!
Sorry....... you mean guitars

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I don't know, it's kinda like going out and having fake scars put on your face and body so you can tell people you're a veteran or a boxer or something. It seems really poser-ish to me. Though I have to admit I played one of the Road Worn Teles and it was VERY comfortable.

Still I can't help but think you'd be paying very close to American Standard price for what's essentially an abused MIM guitar.

I'm not really opposed to the whole relic-look movement, it makes sense to me to have a guitar you don't have to worry about getting scratched or beat up a bit. I just think it's a bit dishonest, like stuffing a sock in your crotch or something.

Plus I think watching a guitar wear and mature over the years is a VERY personal experience; kinda like watching your kids grow up. Those marks, scars, and wear-patterns tell the tale of your relationship with that guitar; that's how the guitar gets mojo. You can't manufacture mojo. I think it's an indicator of these shallow image-centric times that we would even attempt to.

Having said all that, they feel and sound like decent guitars.