My "Road Worn" Story

[robelinda2]

I dont believe what i'm reading. You gotta give it time to get used to standard tuning seeing as in its life so far the guitar probably has NEVER been in standard tuning, and put some new strings on it too. No wonder these Road Worns get mixed reviews, Ive yet to play any strat that would intsantly stay in tune if I tuned it up to standard after MONTHS in Eb.

[Gas-man]

I also wondering how many guys here are suffering from what they think are bad guitars when it's more that they don't know how to set up a guitar properly like a pro.

I certainly don't know how to tweak as good as the guys that do it for a living.

When I got my MIM Jazzmaster, it had some dead spots. I didn't freak out and return it, I had a pro (at the place I bought it) do a set up. Now it sounds and plays great.

[Bankston]

Originally Posted by Gas-man

I also wondering how many guys here are suffering from what they think are bad guitars when it's more that they don't know how to set up a guitar properly like a pro.

I certainly don't know how to tweak as good as the guys that do it for a living.

When I got my MIM Jazzmaster, it had some dead spots. I didn't freak out and return it, I had a pro (at the place I bought it) do a set up. Now it sounds and plays great.

I took my Classic Series to a luthier to check the frets. When I got it back, it was a little better in that bent notes did not fret out completely but they still didn't sound true and sustain as well as they should.

I've been playing 26 years and have a good set of tools and the Erlewine book. There's more than one way to set up a guitar. On a quality instrument, you should be able to make adjustments to the set up without rendering it unplayable.

[tildeslash]

Over the last 20 years - I have owned about a hundred guitars. I think I know how to tune a guitar and do a setup quite well. Fret work no and this one doesn't need it - no sharp fret ends and all frets are reasonably leveled.

Yes I did put new strings and it should not take days for an instrument to settle into standard tuning. It should be in a matter of hours. Also I should not have have to spend more than 2 hours tuning an instrument to keep it in tune.

On the otherhand - one step down I tried it again this morning - it's sweeeet.
Just incredible.

So it's going back. No way it's staying - I play in standard tuning.

I wonder why the other RW didn't play well - maybe they're tuned upto standard.

[SgtThump]

Originally Posted by tildeslash

Over the last 20 years - I have owned about a hundred guitars. I think I know how to tune a guitar and do a setup quite well. Fret work no and this one doesn't need it - no sharp fret ends and all frets are reasonably leveled.

Yes I did put new strings and it should not take days for an instrument to settle into standard tuning. It should be in a matter of hours. Also I should not have have to spend more than 2 hours tuning an instrument to keep it in tune.

On the otherhand - one step down I tried it again this morning - it's sweeeet.
Just incredible.

So it's going back. No way it's staying - I play in standard tuning.

I wonder why the other RW didn't play well - maybe they're tuned upto standard.

ok...

There are many reasons to not like these Fender Road Worn guitars, but that's not one of them IMO. Sorry.

Oh... And you're welcome for me trying to help.

[rhinocaster]

I always get a bit confused when people end up with guitars that won't stay in tune.

In almost every case, a guitar that won't stay in tune (Especially ones with trems, ESPECIALLY ones with vintage style trems) your problem is with the nut.

Every Roadworn I've played and almost every new guitar I've played needs some lubricant in the dry nut slots. Get rid of the pinging when tuning and you generally get rid of tuning issues.

[tildeslash]

So I take it back to GC. The manager can't believe it that I am returning it as he know I have been checking it out for 2 days now.

He takes it to his tech and they can't keep it in tune. He was surprised and disappointed along with me because he saw that it would not stay tuned to standard and the feel is much different than when it was tuned down a whole step.

He took it back - got my money and now I am shopping for another guitar. Perhaps another great playing guitar regardless of MIM or anywhere else.

[gtr player]

Sorry to hear this story. A friend of mine just got a 50's RW strat, and I love it, actually. The neck is great, and the TexMex pups sound damn good to my ears. Sounds like you got a dud, unfortunately. That can happen with these production models, right...when they're made in a factory. Given that, I think the RW's got some unfair criticism. I think they play and sound great, IMO.
Just wish they woulda come with a case! My other thinking about them is that in about 15 years, they are going to be worth something, because I doubt they're going to be in production for long. What's criticized now is often praised down the road.

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by gtr player

My other thinking about them is that in about 15 years, they are going to be worth something, because I doubt they're going to be in production for long. What's criticized now is often praised down the road.

I get the feeling these early models will be collectible before long also

[SgtThump]

Originally Posted by benjammin420

I get the feeling these early models will be collectible before long also

Really? I was picturing Fender coming out with more "Road Worn" models in the future. Like a '70s Strat (that would be awesome if they did a hardtail!), maybe a Jaguar or some other non-strat-or-tele type.

Maybe not, though?

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by SgtThump

Really? I was picturing Fender coming out with more "Road Worn" models in the future. Like a '70s Strat (that would be awesome if they did a hardtail!), maybe a Jaguar or some other non-strat-or-tele type.

Maybe not, though?

it just seems like lots of times, companies release new lines that are great and slowly drift south. When the RWs first came out, i thought, great but i dont need another strat. But theyve grown on me, now i have a sunburst 50 on layaway (i dont want to wait a year or 2, only to find they arent as sweet as the ones out now. I agree 70s models (plus jags, jazz and mustangs) would be great. If Fender offered worn and non-worn options, but with the rest of the same features, they could easily do away with the Classic and Classic player lines (though the CPs have some nice options too)

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by tildeslash

So I take it back to GC. The manager can't believe it that I am returning it as he know I have been checking it out for 2 days now.

He takes it to his tech and they can't keep it in tune. He was surprised and disappointed along with me because he saw that it would not stay tuned to standard and the feel is much different than when it was tuned down a whole step.

He took it back - got my money and now I am shopping for another guitar. Perhaps another great playing guitar regardless of MIM or anywhere else.

Either the strings are hanging up in the nut or the screws mounting trem to the body are set up incorrectly or the screws mounting the neck to the body are loose.

There's no magic here. The guys at your GC don't know what they're doing.

[tildeslash]

I agree and I am open minded. The hunt begins again.

[SgtThump]

Originally Posted by GuitarTone

I must confess, I'm still confused.

A guitar stays in tune when tuned half a step down, but refuses to stay in tune when standard tuned?.....I don't think I've ever heard of that before, and I can't for the life of me figure out how that's possible.

Is the trem floating, did the GC tech try screwing it flat?

Unless of course it's just a complete "reject" guitar.

Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me either. But anyway...

I just got back from band rehearsal where I played the '50s Tele, a Diezel Einstein, and my Bogner 2x12" cab. Holy crap did it sound good! We're talking high gain hard rock too and this guitar just smoked. Very chunky and pleasing.

[harryjmic]

So how many on this thread were relic haters before they came out with cheap ones? Just curious, to see if it's more about money and less about astetics. I played 3 at GC this afternoon, the rosewood strat was very good, the tele and maple strat were pretty weak if was to honest here.