Lucky you had a understanding seller who knows you need time to evaluate a guitar. I stayed quiet on your initial thread about the roadworn, but in truth i didnt think they justified their price. I like relic'd guitars, i prefer light wear though. When i tried i found exactly the same thing £700 for a beat up £500 guitar. There is more for the money. A lot of people like Highway1's for about the same money. The classic player guitars are cheaper and have nice hardware. I've not played either and cant offer an opinion on their performance though.

All the best on the hunt mate.

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No no and no

I thought I'd like this series, but once I held and played one, I didn't. It feels cheap and fake. No offense to anyone who has and/or likes them--everyone's tastes are different. They look very cool. But I didn't like it. And, I'd rather pay a little more for a new-looking guitar that will age over time through me playing it!

I hate relic type guitars, but i gotta say i think the 62 style RW i picked up at GC had the biggest fattest most resonant strat sound acoustically i have ever heard. Unlike many others tho i don't equate that with great amplified tone every time, but chances are it would have been good plugged in. I wouldn't buy one, but i'd like to find a "new" style guitar with that much resonance. Not in the market tho so it's a moot point for me.

You are a very smart man!

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Check out my Blog about my career in a live band.

I liked relic'ed guitars. Obviously, I'd prefer a guitar that was worn from actual playing. Besides the look, they have that worn in feel that just can't be beat. My 98 MIA is naturally relic'ed and feels like no brand new guitar ever could. The neck is perfectly worn to MY playing style, the back is smoothed to a mega-high gloss from countless hours of playing, the frets that I play on the most and worn nicely, etc. It fits like a glove.

I like the "idea" of the Road Worn series, and played a few a month or so ago. Although I think some look cool, they feel like brand new guitars for me. One thing in particular that I did not like was the maple fretboard. They "look" worn and look good. But that worn area was done before they finish the neck. You don't feel that at all. It still feels like a brand new neck, which kind of defeats the purpose of wearing the neck like that. At least to me.

Strats recently jumped from $1000 to $1275 in the last month or so. I thought $1000 was about right. Jumping $275 so fast is too high. If Fender is getting tight with the economy and "need" to do that, well I can understand that. But it's a bit too high of a price for a MIA to me, and the jump was too abrupt. Increments over the next 6 months might have been a better idea.

With that said, if I were going to get another strat, I probably wouldn't get another MIA (which I would have before). I'd probably get a Highway 1, or a good MIM and mod it. Or, I'd get a used MIA.

At $1275, I can pay just a little more and get a PRS Mira - a very cool, although not strat-like guitar. I'm hoping Fender does well with the current economy though. They'll always be my favorite and I'll always support them. They've taken very good care of me over the years. My playing and musical journey would be completely different had I not discovered the wonderful invention of beauty and form that is the Stratocaster.

I think you made a wise choice. Good luck and keep on picking.

When you get the strat your looking for, give it to us in the forum and we will beat it up for you for free

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explorationx

Its an interesting concept 'artificially' aged products. But it reminds me a little too much of those faded and damaged designer jeans that were widely marketing in the late 80's early 90's

As a poor music student I could more frequently been seen wearing genuinely 'knackered' jeans !

But I was very interested to hear somebody's take on the sounds...that it gave a very good tone. I'm sure paintwork affects these things. My Strat has been played with everyday since 1989 for many hours. Its been through schools, colleges & gigs and I'm proud to say the only ding on it, is where my now dead pet Airdale Terrier Vladimir knocked a music stand over on it back in UK lol!

Here is a thought that was giving me some amusement. If anyone is considering buying one of these guitars and finds themself wishing for a more 'hand-worn' finish, I can employ some local lads to distress their instrument the manual way =P (Just a joke no-one be offended !)

I can even cut the would be buyer out a Jem style banana grip with my Jigsaw!

My new biz venture could offer artificially aged products and representations of that time you took your guitar to the local Mod-shop to find out their 'chef' was away on holiday whilst your guitar was being repaired

I saw some road worns for the first time at Guitar Center. I personally didn't like them at all. I think it's a personal taste thing. But then....I've always taken very good care of my guitars. I've played the heck out of one of my strats, and it still looks like new (except some marks on the pick guard from picks). I've always wiped them down, after playing, etc.

When I saw the road worns......to me they looked like some abused junk guitars (and for a high price). But....like I said.....it's just personal taste. Everyone is different.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Hey to all, I said this about the RW before, I love the feel of the neck on the 50's model, the body feels light, and thats what turned me off from it.
I for one would be more happy with a scarred strat that I did., but I still love the look.

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Quit sittin' around and play!
"This one goes to 11."

forgot what i was going to say

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Squire Strat
Jasmine Takamine
Cherry Red American Standard Strat

Hey what are the vg strats like with all those features do u get that classic fender sound what pickups do they have

This is a great opportunity to help me out getting my road worn strat u guys...

Below is my "Road Worn" mailbox & I am willing to let it go for only $1000 so I can get my Road Worn Strat!