They just look fake. They are all pretty much worn the same way, almost like pre-worn out jeans, nothing special or original. Look at a well used guitar, it looks nothing like a Road Worn.
I have no problem with any neck radius. I don't think two of my guitars have the same radius. The only thing that bothers me is a totally flat neck like the speed metal guys use. I can still play them, but I don't like them.
I think way too much emphasis is put on neck radius. Scale is more important to me because it effects the way you can bend and the gauge of strings you can comfortably use.

It's not my cup of tea, either ... but at the end of the day, this is the new "flavor of the week". And Fender is just trying to capitalize on it. Good for them, as it seems to be working so far. What I think causes the most strife is that the "I would never pay that much for a beat-up guitar" crowd in this forum do not realize that - guess what - they are not the market segment being targeted for this line ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

01GT eibach,
Don't get me wrong, I would pay that much for a naturally beat up guitar if it was solid and played well, just not a production line, poser fashion statement new guitar if you get my drift. If people want them and like them, I have no problem with it, it's all good. The other problem is there are just way too many flavors. It's all marketing with no emphasis on quality unless you get a Custom Shop guitar. They seem to be devaluing themselves for a quick buck.

Agreed. Actually, I think 98% of the entire forum is in agreement, too.


There is no question they are going after a very unique market segment. I have only played two RWs, so I am far from the RW expert here. But Fender, to me, has always had their eye on the "final quality". And if the RWs as a collective whole are not well executed and "nice playing guitars", then -- yes, you are correct -- Fender is digging a hole for themselves.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

I'll tell you, I've been using Fender gear for 40+ years and I'm seeing a real serious downward spiral in quality. It's getting on par with the mid late 70's. The build quality of the current crop of guitars and amps are making me look elsewhere. I'm glad I still have some older gear. It's time to wake up and smell the circuit boards.

I could not find one that I liked the feel of. There is much better out there for that money. Its just a FAD that will fade away.

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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

Hopefully

I never played one. Probably because I don't like the idea of buying something that looks like a beat up piece of junk. Have you ever seen a performer with a guitar that beat up looking? I haven't.

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With every mistake we must surely be learning..

Music is the space between the notes.

Stevie Ray Vaughn's #1 was beat to crap.

Rory Gallagher's hardly had a spec of paint left on it.

John Mayer/Kenny Wayne Shepherd have quite a few that are pretty beaten.

Yngwie's guitars (especially his Play Loud strat) are pretty thrashed...

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The mind is like a parachute; it doesn't work unless its open-FZ

I believe that Yngwie, SRV and Rory got beat up through hard play.
I believe that John and Kenny have relics (to mimic SRV).

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

The new Road Worn series has really proven to provoke love or hate! I'm going to take my stand on the love side (it takes much more energy to hate).

I'll tell you why. I have owned many, many Strats - MIA, MIM, MIJ, Squires, you name it. Each one had something about it that I really liked whether it was features, looks, tone, etc. But of course the common denominator was that they were all Strats, so I loved them anyway. My 60's Road Worn is just another Strat that I really like for certain reasons.

One reason is that it is basically a reissue of the guitars that put Fender on the map during that era. I like the design, construction, and sound of those older models. I cannot afford an authentic Strat of that vintage nor a USA reissue. I did own a MIM 60's strat, but it was encased in thick poly and felt heavy and a bit lifeless. But looked very cool.

I like that the nitro finish is worn thin and the neck is bare. It resonates like crazy even when unplugged, and the neck feels fast and comfortable.
I don't think the relic appearance is phony at all. I do think it looks pretty cool, but hey that's subjective. As far as players labeled poseurs for buying these based on looks, well, look at what's strapped around your neck and think about the influences that led to that choice. We are guitar players, let's not start getting rational on each other now!

Is it a new marketing angle on Fender's part? You bet it is, they are a business, and need to come up with ideas to stay competitive. If you don't like it, they offer alternatives. Look at the "New" USA series strats, and you'll see that they are marketing improvements to a classic. BUT a Strat is a Strat and the basic design has not changed.

I like that Fender offers this option, and I am taking them up on it with no apologies. When I am playing a set in a dimly lit club, grooving with the crowd and hanging in the pocket, no one but me will care what I'm playing anyway!

Peace!

Hey StratHeads-

I agree with you Raf...Fender is in business to make $$$ and they have many MANY options for us FenderHeads to choose from. The Road Worn Series is just another option for they player that wants that look and feel.

We are passionate about our Fenders...This is why we argue and bang our chest when the ole MIA vs MIM vs MIJ threads come up- Brad must rip his hair out everytime one of those threads pops up.

If the "RW's" work out and people buy them, They will be produced- If they fail to sell, They will be next Years special on Musicians Friend- It's that simple-

I work in Sales and Marketing in the entertainment business (Theatrical Lighting Fixtures) If the product is strong and out perform its compitition- then your job is easy- If you create options for the "Low Cost" market, then you build on that sale to get them into the Higher end product.

Fender has a good rep...a great product, and an option to fit any budget and taste- They will be there for us down the road-

The Freeze

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There's Always Room For MELLOW !!!!

2000 MIM Stratocaster, Midnight Wine W/Texas Specials
2000 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
1969 Fender Vibro Champ

All those guys did the "wearing" themselves. Those guitars were like favorite lovers that proved themselves over time. I agree with 63supro, wear it down yourself. Earn those miles on the axe. Otherwise, enjoy a beautiful finish. I can't believe my favorite guitar company does nothing in the way of competing with gibson in terms of finding the most beautiful wood and crafting a gorgeous guitar out of it, highlighting the natural finish in a sweet tobacco or sun burst. I know there are strats with those finishes, but stand them next to the Les Pauls and the wood work doesn't compare. And the tag definitely displays the difference. I question the decisions most corporate cats make, this one is no different and kinda bums me out (on philosphical level).

It goes without saying that Les Pauls and Strats are very different in construction and that is reflected in the price (though QC in both camps are questionable at times). For me, a shiny Les Paul is more desirable than a shiny Strat, and a beat up Strat is more desirable than a beat up Les Paul. LPs and PRSi generally have nicely figured maple tops and set neck construction, which call for higher production costs as well as slightly more delicate handling and care of the instrument. Any scratches or dings on such a top would stand out like a black eye.

A Strat (Teles too), on the other hand, is generally a solid slab body with a bolted on neck, and is historically known to be a durable "working man's" guitar. So dings, scratches, scrapes, etc. add character and prove durability. I think this is where the 'relic' and 'road worn' concepts gain their allure. Yes, it is ridiculous to think that a pre-worn (new) guitar will come with built-in mojo and an instant bond, kind of like taking a mail-order bride as a soulmate. But damn it sure is cool to have one (the guitar that is).

When I want to play a refined, beautiful gem I turn to my PRS. But when I want to recklessly bang out blues, funk, and hard rock, I turn to the Strat and let it do what it does best.

In closing, I would like to say that IMHO a beat up Strat looks pretty cool no matter how it got to be that way. A beat up PRS or LP just looks crappy. Don't see those guys selling 'relics', do you?

Actually, SRV's guitar was fairly beat up when he got it. Not to the same extent as it ended up, but still it wasn't a shiny new guitar.

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