I'm considering getting a Road Worn Strat .... not sure if I want a 50's or 60's model yet. I played a few in some stores and I like the look and I really like the feel of the neck. I would like to the Road Worn owners out there to comment on the guitar ...... I liked it in the store, but playing them play in a store is a lot differnt than owning one ...... it's like dating vs marriage. So what are your thoughts on quality, tone, long term satisfaction, any non apparant problems etc etc

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2008 American Standard Tele
1987 American Series Strat
198x G&L (for slide)
Super Champ XD
Roland Cube

Hi finterra,

I got the 60s version, I didn't like the way that the fret board was "worn" on the 50s version, the 60s neck looked better to me. I had to file and finish the fret edges after having it for a short time. The fret problems seem to be typical on the MIMs, I've gotten used to having to file the edges, not a huge deal. I also had a problem with the bridge block rubbing the body inside the routing (didn't notice in the store). I had to finish a small amount of the routing so the block would clear body, I think that surely that's not the norm.

I bought the guitar with the intention of modifying it, pickups, bridge etc. The bridge and block are not the best, non-magnetic block, cheap saddles. I put on a Callaham Distressed Bridge and got a nice tone/sustain increase. After the bridge upgrade, the Tex Mex pickups really came alive! I've forgotten all about changing the pickups, they are really sweet sounding. I get compliments about the "vintage tone" that the pickups have. The sound is a combination of the body, pickups, bridge, the whole guitar of course.

All things considered, the RW 60s is now one of my favorites, it has the best sound of any Strat that I own, including my Am Std. I am very happy with it, and don't see the need to change anything else about it. I really like the look of it too. The body especially looks like an authentic old 60s body, complete with checking in the nitro. The looks will only get better with age and use. Nice tall frets too, that seem like the perfect size for chording AND bending.

If you get one, just try to pick one with the best feeling fret edges. And pay attention to the bridge feel while using the whammy, to make sure it isn't binding. Make sure the nut string spacing is consistent also. Keep in mind that you'll probably have to address the fret edges in the future.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

I haven't had to do anything to mine that I don't routinely do with any model Stratocaster. The sustain block could be better, to slightly sweeten the tone and add more sustain but it's not critical. As the other guy said, make sure you can live with the ends of the frets. Again mine were serviceable, but they would be better finished if the Guitar was a US model (but it would cost a lot more too - so swings and roundabouts).

They look fantastic. They sound fantastic. They feel old in your hands. What's not to love? I think they are superb, if very slightly overpriced if you're silly enough to pay the full RRP!

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

I will probably look into the bridge upgrade then. I paid $500...I found one for $400 on Craigslist but the seller backed out

Hi Shimmilou

Thank you for the in depth reply. If you don't mind me asking, what was the installed price of the Callaham Distressed Bridge.

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2008 American Standard Tele
1987 American Series Strat
198x G&L (for slide)
Super Champ XD
Roland Cube

finterra, it was $130 for the "Callaham Vintage S Model Strat Bridge Assembly", + $40 for distressed, + $11 shipping, total $181 and I installed it myself. The assembly includes plate, 6 bridge screws, saddles, trem arm, block, trem claw, 2 trem claw screws, springs and an Allen wrench. I think that the Callaham bridge is one of the best, and one of the best improvements that you can make to any Strat. If money is a concern, at least change the block, it is the biggest part of the tone improvement, $60 + shipping. Changing the block and saddles would be a minimum for me, around $120.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm#

Edit:
All of the Callaham blocks are threaded to accept the American threaded trem arms, 10-32 I think. The Mexican metric threaded trem arms will not work with the Callaham blocks. I can't remember if the RW 60s trem arm is metric or not.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

I'm in love with mine, a white 60's.

The only mods done were:
- 11-48 strings for a ballsy tone
- Tone connected to bridge pickup
- Body buffed back to gloss

I am leaving the rest stock.