Road worn acoustics?

bluecat · June 25

You don't really see road worn acoustics, like you see electrics. I would think most acoustic players like to keep their guitars pristine and pretty looking, I like to keep all my guitars that way, electric and acoustic.
The only road worn acoustic I have seen is that of Willie Nelson and probably Donovan in his early career.

Tannin · June 25

People tend to treat good acoustics with respect. Not always, but mostly. A lot of the "road wear" you see on electrics is actually just ill-treatment and abuse. (Or relicking, of course, which is just another form of abuse.)

Also, you can't abuse or damage an acoustic top very much before you start risking serious failure. Solid bodies and semis are a different matter.

stickyfiddle · June 25

Not really road worn, but Atkin do aged finishes on a lot of their stuff. They're just "well looked after old guitar" and they're really nice

guitargeek62 · June 25

Eastman’s 'Antique Varnish' (i.e. french polish) series are lovely, they have very natural looking & feeling wear & tear - highly recommended.

There's some good close-ups of the work they do here - it's subtle but realistic IME, and in hindsight I wish I'd gone for this version over my E10SS:

https://rguitars.co.uk/products/eastman-e10ss-v-acoustic-guitar

S56035 · June 25

I would be worried about it changing the tone on an acoustic more than an electric. Reckon you could saw of a horn of a start and it wouldn't make a difference to the sound.

Those Atkins do look very nice too.

digitalscream · June 25

Moved to Acoustic.

Whitecat · June 25

Martin Streetmasters were the obvious one to pop into my mind - https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/martin/streetmaster/

guitargeek62 · June 25

Whitecat said:

Martin Streetmasters were the obvious one to pop into my mind - https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/martin/streetmaster/

Or the even cheaper-er version: https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/211203377857025--ditson-by-sigma-000-15-aged-natural

TheMadMick · June 25

Unfortunately my old Takamine EN20C is a bit roadworn. I didn't want it that way but it has a few miles on the clock (bought in 1997).

Coldfingers · June 25

I think you're right in that it hasn't caught on to the same extent as electric guitars, but there's "Pre war guitars".

Lewy · June 25

Coldfingers said:

I think you're right in that it hasn't caught on to the same extent as electric guitars, but there's "Pre war guitars".

Yes, and Martin has a range of aged custom shop Historics too. What it enables both makers to do is use finishes roughly half the thickness of non-aged guitars by virtue of them not needing to look perfect, and on a finely made acoustic that can have a material impact on tone.

Wazmeister · June 25

I came in to say Atkins and Eastwood.

guitarjack66 · June 25

Wazmeister said:

I came in to say Atkins and Eastwood.

Claude and Clint?

DavidR · June 26

1970s Yamaha FG-331 FSOT - OM sized with a great sound - Acoustics £ Discussions on theFretBoard

Must be most desirable road worn acoustic seen lately!

jimmyguitar · July 25

My Atkin Black Pearl after a couple of years of solid weekend gigging! This pic was taken a few months ago so it’s more worn now!

stickyfiddle · July 25

I tell you what, I played a fairly-heavily aged Atkin dust bowl thing in GV the other week. The smallest acoustic I’ve ever played by far and utterly spectacular. Ridiculously loud for its size as well

https://guitarvillage.co.uk/product/atkin-parlor-dust-bowl-aged-natural

Soupman · July 25

Sorry people, I don't see the point of sn 'aged' finish on a new guitar - on the black Atkin above, the Baggs pickup looks more expensive than the guitar.
I accept dings scratches and wear as a matter of course but I wouldn't shell out for a new one aged like that.
I've possibly opened a can of worms here but it wasn't intended to offend anyone who does like aged finishes.

Winny_Pooh · July 25

Soupman said:

Sorry people, I don't see the point of sn 'aged' finish on a new guitar - on the black Atkin above, the Baggs pickup looks more expensive than the guitar.
I accept dings scratches and wear as a matter of course but I wouldn't shell out for a new one aged like that.
I've possibly opened a can of worms here but it wasn't intended to offend anyone who does like aged finishes.

That's fine, you've made the most predictable post you can possibly make on a guitar forum, so everyone is well used to seeing it in it's various iterations over the last two decades

jimmyguitar · July 25

Soupman said:

Sorry people, I don't see the point of sn 'aged' finish on a new guitar - on the black Atkin above, the Baggs pickup looks more expensive than the guitar.
I accept dings scratches and wear as a matter of course but I wouldn't shell out for a new one aged like that.
I've possibly opened a can of worms here but it wasn't intended to offend anyone who does like aged finishes.

That’s not an aged finish, that’s actual real life wear!

TheMadMick · July 25

Soupman said:

Sorry people, I don't see the point of sn 'aged' finish on a new guitar - on the black Atkin above, the Baggs pickup looks more expensive than the guitar.
I accept dings scratches and wear as a matter of course but I wouldn't shell out for a new one aged like that.
I've possibly opened a can of worms here but it wasn't intended to offend anyone who does like aged finishes.

I'm with you - can't see the point but it's up to the individual.

Tannin · July 25

Winny_Pooh said:

Soupman said:

Sorry people, I don't see the point of sn 'aged' finish on a new guitar - on the black Atkin above, the Baggs pickup looks more expensive than the guitar.
I accept dings scratches and wear as a matter of course but I wouldn't shell out for a new one aged like that.
I've possibly opened a can of worms here but it wasn't intended to offend anyone who does like aged finishes.

That's fine, you've made the most predictable post you can possibly make on a guitar forum, so everyone is well used to seeing it in it's various iterations over the last two decades

It's only predictable because it's the truth. Sunrise tomorrow is predictable too. Same reason.

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Road worn acoustics?

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