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April Birthdays
Road Worn 60s Jazzmaster Vs 60s Lacquer Jazzmaster
Joined: Mar 07, 2014 Posts: 89 Reading, England 
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 08:45 AM
Am I right in thinking that these are essentially the same guitar but with a different finish (and case)? I'm thinking of getting one of these but can't figure out why the Road Worn model is almost £200 more (at least in the UK) despite having the inferior case. Any incite would be greatly appreciated. Thanks |
Joined: Sep 06, 2012 Posts: 1300 Lawrenceville , GA 
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:13 AM
They both seem to be the same price stateside. Both come with gig bags, no case. Doesn't seem be much difference between them. |
Joined: Dec 28, 2015 Posts: 27 Kent, Ohio
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:27 AM
Sweetwater (online) lists them for the same price in the US, with the 60s Lacquer Jazzmaster / hardshell case instead of gigbag. Can't really see any difference besides finish and case. Must be the more work involved in a sunburst and relicing, rather than a single opaque color. |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:32 AM
60s Lacquer is the way to go. The neck on the Road Worn is poly. Body is nitro on both, don't know why you'd do a poly neck and nitro body... Nitro neck is the reason for nitro is still be sprayed. |
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Joined: Mar 07, 2014 Posts: 89 Reading, England
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:47 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, why might Nitro be better than poly, and which is best for sweaty palms? Thanks |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:54 AM
Poly feels rock hard and will not begin to age for a long time. Nitro is a material that feels warmer, natural, slightly softer, you get more of a sensation of feeling the wood, I feel more vibrations, and it wears with time. What is the best part of any vintage guitar, the neck! I don't know if either is better for sweaty palms. Worn down nitro is definitely better for sweaty palms, but that won't happen for many years depending how much you play. |
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Joined: Mar 07, 2014 Posts: 89 Reading, England
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 10:30 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
Thanks for clearing that up. I'm guessing part of the relic'ing process of the Road Worn model is to get the neck "pre-aged" so perhaps it might not be so bad... |
Joined: Jan 25, 2007 Posts: 1568 Brighton UK
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 02:28 PM
Given the price difference (£158 at GAK), I'd go with the lacquer, for the reasons Jake has given and because it simply looks better. Speak to Da-Ron from the Waterboarders; he has one. — |
Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 05:48 PM
Love nitro. Do modern formulations still react poorly with some rubbery/foamy products such as used on typical guitar stands? —Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 05:49 PM
Do modern guitar stands react with nitro, is a better question. Last edited: Mar 03, 2016 17:50:11 |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 07:31 PM
JakeDobner wrote:
I'll take an answer either way from someone that's had experience with a lot of lacquered guitars. Just read something awhile back about it & wasn't sure if it was based on fact or conjecture. —Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 1338 Escondido, CA
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 08:26 PM
I always put a cloth rag to prevent contact between the neck and that foam/rubber. — |
Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 08:40 PM
The poly on the Road Worn necks is so thin as to be almost imperceptible. If you've ever played a neck with just a sealer, it's like that - feels like bare wood. For what it's worth, though, I think the Classic Lacquer is a better deal. — |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:05 PM
Badger wrote:
It's no better or no worse. The newer guitars should be worse, if anything. |
Joined: Feb 18, 2010 Posts: 4 Ormond Beach FL
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 09:27 PM
I bought the 60s Road Worn about a year ago. Here is my two sense worth. I liked the sound and basic feel of it at the store and bought it knowing it needed some work. The pick gaurd is garbage and was causing static that came through the amp. There is also no shielding. American versions have a aluminum plate. No big deal bought an American mint pickgaurd and shield plate. The frets are nice but the ends were sharp as all heck and sticking out. It took some work and dressing and that was sorted. I replaced the bridge with a Japanese Mustang bridge and it works fantastic. The stock one needs loctite on the height adjustment screws or the action keeps sinking and then it rattles. While I was at it I put an American tremolo on it too. The stock one is fine and is good quality but lacks the lock button. The relec job is good and not over the top like some of the others. The finish looked bogus and had a waxy coating on it. While the guitar was apart I wet sanded the body with 1000 then 1200 grit and polished it with 3M Polish. It still looks a Road Worn but more real wear in my opinion. I use .011 gauge flat wound D'Addario strings. All the parts cost me under $200 and a bunch of my own handy work but this guitar is now my go to guitar I absolutely love it. With a little work and few bucks more it's a real nice guitar. I have American Fenders and Gibsons and this is the one I reach for. The Road Worn comes with a gig bag while the Lacquer come with a hard case. |
Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4053 Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 10:16 PM
Badger wrote:
Lacquers take a while to fully cure and while slowly doing so emit gasses. Here's an interesting fact for vintage lacquer fans: the "fullerplast" sealer that Fender guitars were dipped in back in the "golden age" was essentially an early form of poly. Poly's when applied thin can be beautiful, protective and indiscernible from a tonal perspective to lacquer. When lacquer is new (first 1-5 years maybe) it's effect tonally on resonance is about the same as thinner poly. These are my experiences Cheers, http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Mar 03 2016 10:55 PM
And for the record, tonally I don't discern between poly and Lacquer. Too much going on between the nut and bridge for me to notice! |
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Joined: Nov 16, 2013 Posts: 4536 Wisconsin
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Posted on Mar 04 2016 06:01 AM
Thanks Jeff; and Jake for anticipating my follow-on question (and agree). Wes DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices. |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1054 Chicago IL.
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Posted on Mar 04 2016 07:47 AM
You can't hear poly or nitro on a recording. The only thing I question about the road worn 60s and laquer 60s is the rosewood. I had a Johnny Marr and that had a noticible different feeling rosewood than the discontinued '62 Reissues. Heck it felt different than my newer '64 RI teles. When I look at that pictures of the 60s Laquer it looks like the same rosewood. Almost like its dyed or something. This could all be in my head... —"as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there" https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/ Last edited: Mar 04, 2016 07:49:41 |
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Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan
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Posted on Mar 04 2016 08:17 AM
It's definitely dyed (as is rosewood from other companies like Gibson). — |
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