i'm just grateful that where i live buying custom shop stratocasters is not mandatory.
Fender CS neck relic process :(
- Thread starter LeicaBoss
- Start date
Intune
Most Honored Senior Member
I’m pretty sure it’s not mandatory anywhere in the world?
eclecticsynergy
Senior Stratmaster
If I could afford today's Custom Shop prices I'd probably get a real fifty year old Strat instead.
Toppalini
Strat-O-Master
Yeah that’s what I’ve been saying. I’ve played one CS from 97. It had a low grade flame maple neck (or at least I didn’t even notice it was flamed but looked at it online and the local store said it was ‘highly figured’ and had some mild flaming. It was a rosewood board 61-62 style. Very nice. Great guitar, felt amazingly balanced, and I couldn’t believe it was actually 8lb.
Anyway, it had a clear nitro finish on the back of the neck. It looked great. Way better than my tinted poly on MIJ, I was comparing various MIA reissues to my MIJ.
This CS relic had normal finished neck, no wear or sanding, heavy or medium relic body. The neck was extremely sticky, much worse than the polyester on mine. I played a vintage fender too that day which wasn’t to the wood but worn, no sticky.
So that’s what it’s about IMO. They don’t want a coat of sticky nitro on the back of the neck. I have strats with many different finishes from poly to oil, but no nitro. I was surprised how sticky the nitro was.. even my satin finish neck not sure what it is, some sticky layer, was less so. And my worn polyester neck was smooth but plasticy not like oil or bare wood.
So I’d say it’s about feel and the look is somewhat deliberate in looming purposeful as you say, many guys sand it down.
Toppalini
Strat-O-Master
I feel obligated lol where else will I get that custom shop mojo????? I need that magic
rolandson
Dr. Stratster
thegrasshopper
Strat-Talker
It's funny since I think the best thing of a relic CS guitar is the neck... I don't care if it does not look like a real vintage neck.. they just feel phenomenal in my hands... I used to play 6 different CS, and a sanded neck feel is fantastic...
I'm not particularly keen on relic, but it is not a big concern to me... Anyway, I think there should be more NOS models in the CS catalog... It is almost impossible to get a brand new non relic CS these days...is it what market wants?
I'm not particularly keen on relic, but it is not a big concern to me... Anyway, I think there should be more NOS models in the CS catalog... It is almost impossible to get a brand new non relic CS these days...is it what market wants?
slide13
Strat-Talk Member
Anyone can custom order one at anytime, they’ll just have to wait if they can’t find one in a store ready to go. Relics sell more so that’s what dealers order mostly. And I get it, I have a ‘58 Journeyman relic and it’s great, I love the more broken in feel and look it has, I wouldn’t buy a non relic CS I don’t think, but they’re certainly available to order.
My guitar does have a finished neck with just some worn through the finish spots along the edges. I prefer it that way, I had one without the neck finish before and it’s a nice feel too but wasn’t my preference.
I agree that the ones with hard lines aren’t to my taste aesthetically, some are done more subtly then others and done well it can look okay but there are a lot that are pretty abrupt. I could live with it if I preferred that feel though, having the tight feel is most important.
So, this is a Fender Custom Shop one... doesn't really look like many of the others here... Not like yours, but closer? What do you think? (My 2010 '57 heavy relic)
Butcher of Strats
Most Honored Senior Member
Not only an important cultural icon but I used to date his sister!
Not Mr Bill?
I 100% approve and covet that CS neck relic look.
And I'd like to get a look at that one next to it with what looks like a gold anodized pickguard. That one looks like it has wear just on the fretboard edges. I like how that feels and looks.
rolandson
Dr. Stratster
Much closer I think.
rolandson
Dr. Stratster
No, Bill The Cat.
See Berk Breathed's Bloom County and Outland.
A cultural icon! A dignitary to the literary pursuits of a nation.
A masterpiece of modern literature.
Toppalini
Strat-O-Master
I’d also prefer not to have a relic CS if I get one, but have the same finish. Then I’d relic it the old fashioned way.
Remember it’s called custom shop for a reason, you can order up a custom guitar! Not sure if it costs more that way or what wait times are like, but if I was getting CS I’d definitely want it custom made just for me. For that money I’ll hope it’s made special just for me!!!
I feel like fender needs a sweet spot between standard type models and AVRI/ultra type models, and another sweet spot between AVRI and CS. In terms of both price and spec.
But maybe a regular ol’ custom shop with no fancy isn’t too much, I’ve heard they can be 2500-infinity but I’ve never seen a new one under 4k I don’t think. The one I tried was over 4k used and sold right quick, was a 97 and I heard the 90s cs stuff is superb
I wonder if CS can also do necks and bodies for partscasters.. I don’t see why not, I’d love to get a fender CS body and a MK neck. I even saw some on stratosphere it’s they were unremarkable. And putting a CS neck on a regular USA body could work too I bet!
I think it is what the market wants otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it but who knows. CS must know what people want because they’re filling custom orders and saving all that data.
I’ve considered looking into CS just to look at the options and price ranges but not sure how to do it.
But yeah who cares what the market wants, sweetwater will make it happen for ya I heard. Buying production CS is probably more of an instant gratification thing I’d imagine…
I at first thought relicing was really stupid but I’ve grown to appreciate it along with the CS finishes. HOWEVER I do still think it’s a bit tacky and dishonest in a way, but if you want a vintage guitar with a beaten player look, relic is cool, and those worn players are always cool. I’m just not sure how I’d feel pretending I wore it in I guess. I’d almost rather do the relic job myself so at least I’d feel like it’s personal wear.
stratman323
Dr. Stratster
my point exactly.
we're still complaining, though.
it would seem that there'd be an overwhelming consensus that these partially grayed-out necks are visually hideous, we would all shrug, Fender would acknowledge a mistake and all would move on.
but no. Fender persists and we keep talking about it.
i suppose this is a homage to something a player of note from some distant past did to his guitar neck? like Stradivarius or something? it doesn't make it attractive aesthetically, but provides enough of a rationale to continue making these strange necks? i'm sure it's been answered someplace, probably even in this thread, but i just don't have the patience.
sorry about chiming in with no contribution - it's just what i do. i was only pointing out that if someone tries to sell me something undesirable, ugly and very-very expensive, it would be a reason for good laugh, not for agonizing hand-wringing.
Last edited:
Intune
Most Honored Senior Member
Yeah exactly. Like it, don’t like it, don’t buy it. Crying about it or telling someone you don’t like it and point at it is kind of useless. Fender sells loads of these “ugly” worn neck guitars every minute of the day.
If they didn’t I’m sure they would stop doing it but I have a feeling there’s a lot more that don’t care about how it looks but how it plays/feels.
I kind of feel like; based on my own FCS necks past and present... and what I have seen, Fender does it intensionally. They for sure know how to do it right (I feel like I have two of them) and they do upon request, for road shows, NAMM, or other.
The ugly neck thing to me is likely more about delivering a playing experience for the user rather than worrying about aging correctness based on they type of relic, (closet classic, journeyman, relic, heavy relic or whatever). They clearly know how to do it... also, there is probably more skill involved in more authentic aging, but it's not like it's rocket science, it can be taught.
I will say this, I had two FCS that had the ugly neck thing going on and they really played/felt fantastic. The two I currently have, that look like the FCS actually tried to mimic wear... feel great, but just not as great. No complaints, but there is something to the the ugly neck thing (aesthetics aside). My Novo's past and present have the ugly necks and they feel amazing. I think that was the idea.
