Hey Relic Haters-Dare you to look.

hobbster01 · February 1st, 2010, 07:27 PM

This guy on the TDPRI did an incredible version of SRV's #1.
Budget SRV(Lots-o-pics) - Telecaster Guitar Forum

Dice · February 1st, 2010, 07:36 PM

Wow - he did a great job!

Forget the "haters" - I own vintage and relics and love them both.

peskypesky · February 1st, 2010, 07:39 PM

poor abused guitar... :(

Dice · February 1st, 2010, 07:39 PM

Poor trees... :(

Boris Bubbanov · February 1st, 2010, 08:17 PM

He's a regular contributor at the Squier 51 Modder's Forum has he's done many, many basses and guitars over there I am so impressed with. Beautiful stuff. He's got this incredible knack for spotting a sparkling beautiful piece of ash out from under gobs of solid color polyurethane in a pawn shop guitar he can get for $35.

I know he'd understand when I say I'd rather have just about any other project he's done. Fabulous work, superb paint finishes. He knows how much in awe of him I am.

We'll make you whatever you want. I can't tell you what to want, and you can't tell me what to want. You can call people names; it doesn't change anything.

hobbster01 · February 1st, 2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dice

Poor trees... :(

LMAO.
Too funny.

hobbster01 · February 1st, 2010, 09:12 PM

Okay let's be fair to the abuser.
Link to his rattle can paintwork.
Show off your rattle can paint jobs. ...r Guitar Forum

ZL1LoVeR · February 1st, 2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbster01

Okay let's be fair to the abuser.
Link to his rattle can paintwork.
Show off your rattle can paint jobs. ...r Guitar Forum

That link has a LOT of eye candy

This particular one caught my attention, what the hell is that thing??

rudarb · February 1st, 2010, 09:46 PM

I wouldnt mind having a relic'd guitar. I spend so much time worrying about my guitars that having one that looks all beat up would seems like it would just ease me up. I really want one of the 2006 Blackie relics, but I still havent been able to find one for sale...

UmpaHimself · February 1st, 2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1LoVeR

That link has a LOT of eye candy

This particular one caught my attention, what the hell is that thing??

I'm trying to think of a name that could encompass both the tele and strat aspects of that guitar... tele-caster?

Dice · February 1st, 2010, 10:40 PM

Strele.

I kinda like it!

Scoey · February 2nd, 2010, 04:45 AM

This is known as the Halfcaster. They are made in Sydney Australia

Uberstink · February 2nd, 2010, 05:00 AM

At the risk of coming across as being a bit pedantic, is there a distinction between a relic and a replica?

To my mind, this guitar is a replica of a famous and distinct guitar whereas relicing is a technique for emulating a process that occurs (to some instruments) over time.

Goodkat · February 2nd, 2010, 05:17 AM

Ok, I followed that link without prejudice but ... that guitar just doesn't seem right to me.

The finish on those parts where there's still some paint looks like it hasn't been touched and those stripped parts look like they were stripped and not naturally worn.

07 road house · February 3rd, 2010, 02:05 AM

I think the original is ugly and this one is the same, the original does sound great but that is just stevie. Beat up a perfectly good guitar FAIL

07 road house · February 3rd, 2010, 07:24 PM

after saying that I think I want one , I guess I am split personality on relics, I would buy one but not make one , I dont know it seems like a sin to do that but it looks good , I cant decide , is it ugly yes but is ugly cool yes , I dont know

Dice · February 3rd, 2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 road house

I think the original is ugly and this one is the same, the original does sound great but that is just stevie. Beat up a perfectly good guitar FAIL

Another "fail" would be the assumption that all relic models are "beat up." Some of them are just a bare body, masked off and only sprayed in some portions, stained and aged in others... there is no less skill involved in making a new guitar look old than there is in finishing a new guitar to look pristine. In fact, the reverse is probably true. I'm not talking about the average kid who takes a chisel to his Squier - I'm talking about someone who puts some real pride in making a new guitar have the vintage vibe.

The common argument that one can make their new guitar look vintage "the old fashioned way - just play it" is a load of crap as well. New guitars on whole do not age the same way vintage guitars did. Old worn poly finishes look like crap when compared to their Nitro finished cousins. Even today's Nitro is more stable and less prone to fading and checking as compared to 50's/60's formulas.

I see two sides to the coin. I don't have a high end "relic," but the one that I do have captures that vibe that my vintage guitars do. If only I had a spare $20k for the real deal.

Gravy · February 3rd, 2010, 08:26 PM

I usually don't mind the way a well done relic looks but this one is a bit...I don't know...it just doesn't look natural...i think its the wood...the wood looks like new wood, not fifty year old wood

frankjc · February 4th, 2010, 01:08 PM

Needs paint.
I am not a relic "hater", I just don't get it. I wouldn't smash my car into a few trees, then leave it in salt water for a while to make it look "cool".
I like my stuff looking new. It's just the way I am.

Auriemma · February 4th, 2010, 02:09 PM

I cringe everytime I see a relic'ed guitar (done well or not). Dings and dents happen over time. Wear on a player's gigging guitar is expected after 30 years of use. But to deliberately do that to a new guitar... When will this fad end?

I'm with frankjc.

frankjc · February 4th, 2010, 03:23 PM

It looks like a slab-o-plywood.

tjk3052 · February 4th, 2010, 03:42 PM

I'm thinking of buying a new car off the lot and then relic'ing it to look 50 yrs old.

What I don't get is how these guitars will be collected. I mean, what will the desire be for a worn out 50 yr old guitar that started out relic'ed?!

shunter · February 4th, 2010, 04:12 PM

I dont like relics at all. Fair enough that SRV and Rory Gallagher had guitars on which the paint fell off (dare I say it: due to imperfect production) but to make a guitar look ****ed up, well, you wouldn't smash your car up so why do it to a guitar?

jimmiraz · February 4th, 2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1LoVeR

That link has a LOT of eye candy

This particular one caught my attention, what the hell is that thing??

I kind of like it, reminds me of my Carvin TL60 with 3 Holy Grails in it.
Very comfortable telecaster style with having body contours.
My only gripe about this guitar here would be 21 frets, an easy fix with a neck replacement.
But thats just a matter of preference with me.
I'd like it even more if it had a Strat trem installed.
But all in all it's a conversation piece to say the least.

I'm sure if I saw this hanging in a store i'd be test driving it.

peskypesky · February 4th, 2010, 04:58 PM

i just accidentally relic-ed my new white Bullet strat and i am not a happy camper AT ALL!!

Dice · February 4th, 2010, 07:22 PM

The car argument - among the lamest arguments in every relic debate.

Are the most iconic and comfortable cars old and dinged up? NO. Are the most iconic and comfortable guitars old and dinged up? YES. My vintage Fenders are among the greatest guitars I've ever laid hands on - nothing feels like a broken in 50's/60's Fender neck. The closest it gets is a well done relic. This guitar is a bit over the top - but it is a replica of another guitar. I for one will take a nice worn in "relic" over a nasty plastic feeling poly coated American Standard or Deluxe (yuk!) any day of the week.

Again, when I have $20k to spend on a vintage Strat, I will - until then - I'll stick with my relic'ed Strat and my less insanely priced 60's Fenders...

Falstaff48 · February 4th, 2010, 08:05 PM

Enjoy your relic'd guitar. I hope you plan on keeping it. By the way, has anyone thought that they might be decreasing, significantly, the life expectancy of their guitar by doing this? Your putting 20 to 30 yrs of wear on the guitar over a period of a few days. That means 20 - 30 yrs off the life of your guitar. Relic'ers even sand and file wear into the neck, removing wood and thus possibly contributing to it's instability. Not to mention rusting metal parts and soaking plastics to color them. Some even sand in fake wear on the fretboard. Now, it's not that we would never buy a REAL vintage guitar. We might just if we have the cash at hand. But, it's honest wear, not faked.
Now, one question, how do you know how your hands will wear a guitar in 20-30 yrs? Because THATS the wear that produces comfortable feel of an older guitar. Not someone guessing about how you or someone else might wear their guitar naturally.
Oh, and by the way, my old car DOES feel more comfortable as my aged, naturally relic'd ass has worn the seat to fit like a glove.:>P

Dice · February 4th, 2010, 08:13 PM

How will my 60's guitars feel in another 50 years? Who cares! Perhaps I should try and find a nice new Nitro finished Strat and then finally be able to enjoy it on my deathbed when it is broken in! (Actually, I tried that - had an AVRI, it didn't hold a candle compared to my relic - so I traded it off).

My lone relic has an oil treated raw neck on the back, and some board wear - it hasn't been filed or had any wood removed. And, it feels comfortable to ME. The shape of the neck doesn't change over the years just from playing it. My vintage guitars were all worn in by the hands of someone else - and they are plenty comfortable despite not being worn in by my hands. And, there are no rusted parts on my Strat - and minimal rust (virtually none - some oxidation at most) on any of my 40+ year old Fenders.

Someone else's honest wear isn't any more your contribution than the fake wear on a relic. I own both, play both, and enjoy both. I'll take comfort over some strange moral high ground regarding artificial aging. Stick to your "principles" by all means if it makes you feel better!

If you come up with a good argument - feel free to let me know, though!

And... I need a new car.

Falstaff48 · February 4th, 2010, 08:23 PM

Why would you buy a guitar thats not comfortable to play, in the first place?
My new strats are comfortable new. Or I would'nt have bought them.
Ah...I get it, a fool and his money X 2. Ok, maybe thats a bit harsh. Sorry.
I must say that my estimates of time to wear a guitar naturally were on the high end. If you play every day or even just regularly, it should take no more than 10-15 yrs, maybe less if you perform in clubs regularly.

Dice · February 4th, 2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falstaff48

Why would you buy a guitar thats not comfortable to play, in the first place?
Ah...I get it, a fool and his money X 2. Ok, maybe thats a bit harsh. Sorry.
I must say that my estimates of time to wear a guitar naturally were on the high end. If you play every day or even just regularly, it should take no more than 10-15 yrs, maybe less if you perform in clubs regularly.

I do play clubs regularly. I also have 25 or so guitars - all of which are great. Having that many means that I'm not wearing any of them very fast.

I would of course never buy a guitar that was not comfortable. That IS precise reason I have my relic to begin with. I didn't go looking for one - I played it, and it left with me - nothing else on the wall compared. Mine isn't a high end relic, either.

It doesn't only "look" the part (well, close enough anyways) and "feel" the part (very comfortable - not quite as nice as a real 60's neck, but much more comfortable than anything off the rack) - mine "sounds" the part as well. My neck and bridge pup are '66 Fender - they were dead when I got them, but a great boutique winder brought them back to life using some of his vintage 60's wire. Incredible.

I'm not sure why you or anyone else would take issue with MY guitar just for belong to the "relic" class, without having ever played or heard it - but all the more power to you for doing so.

Falstaff48 · February 4th, 2010, 08:32 PM

Dude, don't take it so personal. Do what you want with your guitar. I just like yanking chains and kicking wasps nests now and then. True, it does make me a bit of an a** hole (or is that whole a**?), but then who isn't at one time or another.

You obviously have too many guitars. Why not let me have few to naturally relic for you?

Dice · February 4th, 2010, 08:56 PM

You can't possibly enjoy yanking chains and kicking wasps nests more than I do!

I don't take it personally at all. In fact, I love a good debate. I was sort of a "vintage snob" until I played my artificially aged Strat, and then I was a "believer."

As for the #'s, I enjoy the variety. Everyone needs a Humbucker and a P90 Les Paul, a Strat and a Tele, a couple of good Hollow and Semi Hollows, an Offset Fender or two - you know how it goes. Once I got the vintage bug, I kept my eye out for good deals and have picked up some nice old wood from the 60's relatively cheap ('69 Les Paul, '67 335, '65 Jaguar and Mustang, '67 Coronado II, '69 Guild Starfire IV, '66 DuoSonic, '64 MusicMaster). I like to think that one of these days I'll be able to afford a mid 60's Strat - but it'll be a while.

In the mean time, I do enjoy my pseudo-relic fake aged Fender Roadworn with the beefed up / vintage guts. It really did destroy my AVRI.

Anyway, I enjoyed the debate!

(and, here she is: )

OldFartRocker · February 5th, 2010, 05:04 PM

Unless you put the miles on it, you're a poser. Sorry.

hunterlovell · February 5th, 2010, 06:29 PM

lol well if u took the time to get the heatgun and sander out then youve put sum miles on it.....

peskypesky · February 5th, 2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFartRocker

Unless you put the miles on it, you're a poser. Sorry.

i agree, but some people don't seem to have a problem with being posers. and that's their choice....

sevycat · February 5th, 2010, 06:49 PM

I am a relic hater. If for no other reason then the fact that I have seen to many guitars reliced exactly the same. relicing should be done only by trained professionals. I, being a trained professional will relic your guitar for you. I will need about 30 years to complete the process. If your guitar sucks, it will get less relicing and look closer to the condition in which you sent it to me. However, if it is a great guitar, I promise to play the ever living sh*t out of it. After the 30 years of me banging on your guitar, it will be the most natural reliced guitar. To get in on this limited service, send me your guitar. All you need to do is pay for shipping both ways and fully insure the instrument. As an added bonus, the first ten guitars sent to me will get free relic service.

Franx · February 5th, 2010, 08:03 PM

Looks like a"Lenny" will be another Squier??

Boris Bubbanov · February 5th, 2010, 08:12 PM

I think there may be a bottom to this lake we call Rustication.

Once every kid on every street has a beat up looking guitar and shiny ones are in short supply, then everyone will wheel around and scramble for the small number of intact guitars from a certain era.

Sounds like an opportunity for a bonanza to me.

The guitar manufacturers will pay your heroes to play the rare, hard to get brand new guitars with some special finish or gizmo on it, and the madhouse crowd will chase after them and the replicas of their sparkling guitars.

Release · February 5th, 2010, 09:21 PM

I have two Road Worn Strats. So I guess that means I'm a BIG poser.

Yup, I'm definitely a "happy as can be, never found a guitar that "fits" me as well as these, never been so impressed with the way they sound and feel and have never been as inspired as I am with this guitar" poser.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go look at myself in the mirror and then try to convince everyone else that I did all the relicing myself. After all, I just bought it to look cool.

Because that's what us posers do, right?

Falstaff48 · February 6th, 2010, 02:25 PM

I don't think relicing a guitar makes it "sound" better. On an electric thats going to be a combo of pickups, nut, tremolo/bridge rather than sanding in wear. The only guitar that taking off finish is going to effect the sound on is an acoustic where the top vibrates as a membrane and directly effects the tone projected out the sound hole. Thats why a lightly finished and lightly braced, along with a thinner top piece of wood will have a much better tone than one that is heavy in these three key areas, on an acoustic guitar.
If you are after a better feeling guitar, then I can see taking finish off the back of the neck. But none of these items will effect the sound particularly of an electric guitar.
Maybe you just need to find out what pickups are used and chase that tone.