Weekly Special: Road Worn 50's Tele or Strat, or 60's Strat $799 (includes HS case)

[SgtThump]

Originally Posted by jtm622

I could well be wrong here, but I can't recall even a single item that FENDER introduced to their target market at a heavily discounted "special introductory price" and then raised that special introductory price to the "originally intended price" for "market followers"... can you help me out here and name one?
Seriously, I've been buying Fenders, Gretschs, Ricks, and Gibsons for decades and I can't think of even ONE model that was introduced to the market at a heavily discounted "special introductory price"...

To the contrary, I have actually seen discounts go in the other direction in cases of high demand for a new product...

I wouldn't call any of this a "special introductory price." I haven't yet seen the RoadWorn guitars with prices posted under $949 or whatever. This Musicians Friend thing was a special sale or something. The price on the website is still $949.

Also, I went into Guitar Center and talked them down to $800. It wasn't marked that way.

[brain21]

Originally Posted by jtm622

I could well be wrong here, but I can't recall even a single item that FENDER introduced to their target market at a heavily

Sorry, including Fender in that company list was essentially me saying "if this is what fender is doing" then they are in that list. It totally came across differently and I didn't mean it like that. You were right to point it out.

I don't think I've ever seen fender do that either, but I also don't follow their pricing too closely either.

Sorry for the confusion there. My bad.

[PA Woody]

Originally Posted by jtm622

I could well be wrong here, but I can't recall even a single item that FENDER introduced to their target market at a heavily discounted "special introductory price" and then raised that special introductory price to the "originally intended price" for "market followers"... can you help me out here and name one?
Seriously, I've been buying Fenders, Gretschs, Ricks, and Gibsons for decades and I can't think of even ONE model that was introduced to the market at a heavily discounted "special introductory price"...

To the contrary, I have actually seen discounts go in the other direction in cases of high demand for a new product...

While not heavily discounted, the Champ 600 was priced at $189 initially. Shortly after it was released(1-2 months) the price went up to $199-$229. Now, due to the Fender price increases, it's at $259. Although, reportedly, the Gretch Electromatic G5222 is the exact same amp in different tolex priced at $194.

[big mike]

like I've said a bunch. It's now only 100 bucks more than a standard poly finished 'classic' series fender.

But with better pickups, nitro and better frets. If the specs work for you, I think 950's fairly decent price. 800 is pretty damn stellar.

[shark_bite]

Originally Posted by big mike

like I've said a bunch. It's now only 100 bucks more than a standard poly finished 'classic' series fender.

But with better pickups, nitro and better frets. If the specs work for you, I think 950's fairly decent price. 800 is pretty damn stellar.

I get that when comparing one model to another the prices seem more fair, but for me, a dude who is more or less happy with his Strat situation (minus the neck issues I've been having with my JM Strat), it's just that threshold point where even though I'm complacent I'd still spring for another guitar. When GAS is fairly low it takes a hell of a deal to get me to whip out my wallet. $750 seems to be the number now.

[ezyrydr]

the "big secret" with the price increase right now is that brick and mortar retailers DO NOT have to sell Fender stuff at the new price. They might list it at that price but you can almost always talk a place into selling to you a guitar at the old price. Fender isn't requiring these places to sell at this price...yet. They've extended this grace period every month since the price increase so right now a store can still sell at the old price if they want to. Online is probably another story.

[big mike]

How is that a big secret? I've been saying that (as have many others) since the increase.

It's just a MAP price to level the playing field for the smaller stores.

[PA Woody]

What I don't understand is why don't they make these without the relicing. Seems to me it would cost less than the RWs to make because you eliminate a time consuming process. One(or more) of those, I would buy. But not the RW. I'm just not a fan of relicing. I don't hate relics, I just don't care for them. Doesn't mean I don't "get it", just means I don't buy it. To each his own. No need for insults.

[sqadan]

Originally Posted by PA Woody

What I don't understand is why don't they make these without the relicing. Seems to me it would cost less than the RWs to make because you eliminate a time consuming process. One(or more) of those, I would buy. But not the RW. I'm just not a fan of relicing. I don't hate relics, I just don't care for them. Doesn't mean I don't "get it", just means I don't buy it. To each his own. No need for insults.

I'm with you to some extent... I'd love it if Fender made a guitar like this that was just lightly aged, or had the NOS look. But Fender obviously saw a demand for inexpensive relics (look at all the fender clones these days) and decided to get in on it. If they had not "struck a chord" with players, we wouldn't even be talking about them.

I for one think it was probably a great idea to make affordable relics for those of us that can't drop 3K on a custom shop piece.

I also concur that it's a "to each his own" situation with these... but a lot of people have dismissed them out of hand without playing them.

[big mike]

Originally Posted by PA Woody

What I don't understand is why don't they make these without the relicing. Seems to me it would cost less than the RWs to make because you eliminate a time consuming process. One(or more) of those, I would buy. But not the RW. I'm just not a fan of relicing. I don't hate relics, I just don't care for them. Doesn't mean I don't "get it", just means I don't buy it. To each his own. No need for insults.

Absolutely. It's not your vibe. Totally cool. Incidently it's not mine usually either. My one 'relic' is a very tastefully done RS Guitarworks, and I bought it for the specs. THe relicing is quite well done, and i was actually surprised at how much I appreciate that aspect. I wasn't into them before.

It's going to take much less man hours and labor with the thin beat up finish, because they don't have to sand, polish, clear, etc etc since it's supposed to look worn. They use a template for the wear, but it's going to be less labour intensive since they're not concerned with the prettyness. IMO anyway.

[HeeBGB]

A buddy of mine just bought a 3-tone sunburst/roswood fretboard RW strat. I played it last week and as has been said already, You'd be hard pressed to find a better guitar at that price point. It did need a set-up IMO but my buddy liked it the way it was. The worn finish on the back of the neck took some getting used to but nothing I would complain about. I don't currently need a strat but if I did I'd be lookin at the RW's.

[guitarplayaman]

case is tweed

[Polynitro]

Originally Posted by guitarplayaman

case is tweed

but its the crappy ones that sell for $50...Not the G&G cases that come with AVRIs

I've seen these cases at my local M&P, I wouldn't pay $50 for it.


I agree they should offer these without the relic or just finish all thier guitars in thin nitro, there's an idea.

[Johnnytone]

I had no intention of buying one, but fell into a great deal on a black '50s Strat. I'm an Historic LP guy so I didn't care for the size of the neck. I put an Allparts fat nitro neck on it Monday night and it feels and sounds every bit as good (to me) as any Custom Shop Strat I have played.

I'd like to experiment with some other pickups with it, though.

[brain21]

Originally Posted by Polynitro

I agree they should offer these without the relic or just finish all thier guitars in thin nitro, there's an idea.

+1000000

They should offer a more resilient poly finsh at an extra price for those that want it. Some people want their guitars to look new (like me - but nitro new is included) and STAY that way (for me, that really depends). They could call it Poly TruCoat:

"Yeah, but I'm sayin', that TruCoat, you don't get it and you get oxidization problems. It'll cost you a heck of lot more'n five hundred-" (Fargo)