I like new looking new guitars. I'm plenty enough "roadworn" myself and I don't need a fake old guitar to prove it.

Happy owner of shiny new looking 2008 Oly White American Standard.

And not even then.

Half of the catchphrases here sound like outtakes form some kind of therapy session for a self harmer.

If you really love your guitars then dont ding em, end of. I've guitars i bash around. I've guitars I treat like a Monet. This argument is utterly pointless. Anyone dissing relic's has obviously never played one. I'm not talking about the roadworn junk, go find a shishkov heavy relic tele, handle it for a week, then put it down and try a standard or even a deluxe. Even though it pains me to say it, or a hotrod, or a johnson. You'll see exactly how far above production line instruments the masterbuilt ones are. If you've half a mind you'll realize that aesthetics matter not one jot to a guitars playability and sound and that they are a personal preference. I depise those 70's headstocks, I just cant get past em. I'd really have to find one hell of a guitar that sported one for me to part with cash for one. It doesnt detract from the guitar as a tool, its just not what I like to see. I dont rule those guitars out from prospective purchases though and still try them.

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No no and no

I agree that aesthetics play no part in the sound or playability of a guitar. That would be like saying that a car goes faster because it is red or has racing stripes!

What appealed to me about the RW strats was that they reminded me of my Dad's white vintage Prescision bass, which had been all beat up over the years, it was also the first real guitar (bass) that I played and I loved it. So the RW kinda looked and felt like home for me!

The topic of relic'd finishes is as subjective of a persons tastes as is tone. I first said that the RW sounded more like a strat than my AM DLX, what I should have said was that "Plugged in I prefered the sound of the RW over the DLX" the best way to describe this "In my opinion" is the SCN pickups have a slightly more compressed or flatter sound than the Tex Mex's (or 69's, 54's or fat 50's for that matter). My DLX when unplugged however is much louder and rings out clearer than what the RW did. Obviously I should just replace my pickups to get the sound that "I like more than the SCN's"!

The point is that when you buy a guitar, relic'd or not, at this price point and especially from Fender you would expect there not be no re-occuring flaws in such a large scale. Unfortunately because of this I would never buy a Road Worn series guitar.

Grum your absolutely correct. I'd love a roadworn for exactly the same reasons. I like the beat up look, I also like the pristine look too. I cant justify spending £700 on a guitar I'm going to have to do a lot of work on to get it punching at its weight. I already had exactly that with a ESP LTD, £700 guitar played like a woolworths. By the time I had it playing right I was sick of the sight of it and gave it to my nephew.
When I can justify buying a relic, I will. Until then I cant be bothered to trawl through roadworns to find one that fits.
Anyway they dont do a white 50's strat, thats what I'd prefer as a relic. The wear looks more subtle to me on white and tinted guitars. Probably because there isnt such a contrast.

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No no and no

Sounds like it's Buyer beware out there still. Probably best to follow the 'West Arkeen Rule' while shopping GC or any other GTR shop...try out guitars for 2 days til you find the one that's worth handing over your hard earned dollars for. Then own it cause you love it. And have it setup by a GTR tech who is the best in your town. Well worth the effort...

SRV knew what the heck he was doing when he bought his #1.

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Love my Telecaster, Stratocaster, and other guitars.

Why buy a used guitar at a new guitar price. Purchase a MIM Deluxe Lonestar or Roadhouse and you'll have better sound and save $400. Road Worn guitars that aren't close to vintage true "road worn" (Real worn fretboards are worn where the fingers touch the fretboard beneath the string, not the entire fret)....

What could possibly go wrong with a brand new WORN OUT guitar?

Road Worns looks like 30-y-o guitars but It's ready for another 30 years coming...

I'm very happy with mine, It sounds so much better than any other mexican made guitar I have played. In fact, the worned neck feels very comfortable even being an old radius one.

I asked a friend yesterday who bought one online why and he said it's like buying a stressed shirt or pair of pants. Or why I refuse to buy a white guitar. It's a stylistic choice. It just looks cool to him.

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The new Lonestar and Roadhouse have the vintage neck as well. I'd rather wear mine out like my old Aria guitar with natural vintage looks. But Its all a matter of preference....

How funny, I actually purchased a Lonestar Deluxe in Arctic White. I thought it offsets the rosewood fretboard and brown tortise shell pickguard.... All about personal taste...

A problem with the Road worns? You mean beside the fact that they :

A) look like crap

B) cost way too much for what you get

and

C) are made in Mexico

I never noticed

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Wow. Tough group...

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

Wow. Tough group...

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