- What is a Road Worn Fender guitar?
- Does “Road Worn” mean damaged?
- Where are Fender Road Worn Guitars made?
- What Road Worn guitars are in Fender’s current lineup?
- What Fender Road Worn guitars do we sell?
Relic guitars are more popular than ever. Why? Because loads of players love the look and mojo of well-worn vintage instruments with their chipped paint, dents and cracked lacquer that tell a story. So much so, that they’re chasing that same vibe in guitars that aren’t decades old or priced as high as originals from the ’50s and ’60s.
Enter the Fender Road Worn Series. These guitars deliver all that vintage character and charm — without waiting years for natural wear and tear. And best of all, they won’t break the bank! In this blog, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about this retro-inspired range.
What is a Road Worn Fender guitar?
First launched in 2009, the Fender Road Worn Series offers a range of artificially aged instruments — from classic Stratocasters and Telecasters to quirky offset guitars. They’re designed to look and feel decades old thanks to a meticulous “relicing” process. Paint is worn and distressed in areas where natural play would cause wear, like the lower bout where your picking arm rests and the back of the neck. And even pieces of hardware that are often subject to sweat, like the bridge and tuning machines, are oxidized to mimic years of use.
In essence, they possess many of the sought-after features found on vintage Fenders, just without the eye-watering price tags of genuine ’50s and ’60s models or Fender Custom Shop guitars. The Custom Shop is where Fender hand builds its best instruments — many of which are vintage-era replicas — with period-correct pickups, hardware and relic’d nitrocellulose finishes, but at a premium. Fender Road Worn guitars capture much of that magic, including nitro finishes, just at a cost that’s far more accessible for everyday players.
Fancy learning more about nitrocellulose finishes and what makes guitars with them so special? Check out this blog: Nitro vs. poly: which guitar finish is better?
Does “Road Worn” mean damaged?
Yes — kind of. Structurally, Fender Road Worn guitars are as solid and reliable as any new Fender. Their finishes, though, are deliberately distressed to recreate the look and feel of a true vintage instrument. To quote Monty Python, it’s like they’ve got “just a flesh wound” (well, a few actually).
One of the biggest perks of a Fender Road Worn guitar, or any relic’d instrument, is that it doesn’t really matter if you inflict even more damage. Adding your own battle scars is just a part of the fun, and it means that you can be a little bit less precious with your Road Worn axe. That makes these guitars perfect gigging workhorses!
Where are Fender Road Worn Guitars made?
Fender’s Road Worn guitars are built in Ensenada, Mexico, so they strike the perfect balance between affordability and quality craftsmanship. In fact, the reputation of Fender’s Made in Mexico (MIM) instruments has grown and grown in recent years. Some players even find them indistinguishable from American-crafted models.
If you want a Road Worn-style guitar made in the USA, you’ll need to look at Fender’s prestigious Custom Shop. That’s because Fender doesn’t currently offer relic finishes on its standard American production models, like the Fender American Professional II or Fender American Ultra II Series.
Going the Custom Shop route means paying at least three times the price of a Mexican-made Road Worn guitar. Either way, you’ll enjoy the luxury of a genuine nitrocellulose finish — just like Fender’s golden-era instruments from the ’50s and ’60s.
What Road Worn guitars are in Fender’s current lineup?
Curious where Fender’s Road Worn models fit into the catalogue? Here’s a quick overview…
- Limited edition Vintera II Road Worn guitars: This range features ‘50s Stratocasters, Telecasters and Jazzmaster guitars, plus a few ‘60s Strats and Teles. For the 4-string crowd, there are some stunning Road Worn Precision Bass guitars in the mix too.
- Fender Artist Series Road Worn guitars: You’ll also find a handful of signature Fender Artist Series models sporting Road Worn finishes. Even the pros love a good relic!
Want the full lowdown on Vintera II guitars and why they might be your perfect match? Read this article: Fender Vintera II Series: a complete comparison guide
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