Relic finishes

[dubtrub]

What's the consensus on relic guitar finishes?

I received a message from a forum member that purchased a Fender relic Strat. He was pleased as punch with his new acquisition but was reluctant to share his enthusiasm on the forum for fear of dreaded opinions. The photo's I saw was one cool looking guitar. I've had mixed reactions to 'relics' since they first became available. First I thought they were an absolutely stupid idea and wondered why anyone would intentionally screw up a perfectly good finish.

I have recently examined a couple of relic finish on new Stratocasters as Guitar Center and must admit they had a certain appeal. I personally like a guitar finish in pristine condition but after reading an article by a renowned artist, I can understand his logic. Fender wanted to provide him with a new signature model guitar for an upcoming gig. His response was 'sure but make it look like my old one'.

I've recently undertaken a project of making a 'relic Strat' and have to say it is more work to make it look 'right' than making it look new. It's still not my preference but it is cool or should I say a challenging project.

[GattonFan]

To each his own ... I am a bit too o/c to buy something new that looks old - I'd want to fix it to look new! I have to exercise restraint to keep from getting my MK I refinished - but I probably never will. It "reliced" naturally. It is an artistry to do a realistic relic job, though. Gotta admire the people willing to spend time copying every rub mark on an SRV or John Mayer strat.
Dennis

[Dennisthe Menace]

Danny, the 14 years when I worked at a family music store (ACE Music with 4 locations during the 80s and 90s), I LOST count on how many Fender "American Standard" Strats and Teles I had sold to customers.....OK, What the heck does that mean? Well, every time I had a customer come into the store asking for a 'Relic' (whatever model), I told Him/Her that I could save them about $1,000 by selling them an 'everyday' American Standard Model....strap their guitar behind my sports car, drive around the block 3 or 4 times....and then they would have....an 'ORIGINAL RELIC' that nobody else could own......Man, if I had a stinkin' dime for every time I did that....and it was Many, Many Times.......

[Sarah93003]

I think relics are fine for those who like them. It's not my cup of tea but that's okay. I pretty much just keep a guitar the way I find it. Unless I decide to make a full blown project either modification on restoration then it's my hobby.

[Dennisthe Menace]

I think relics are fine for those who like them. It's not my cup of tea but that's okay. I pretty much just keep a guitar the way I find it. Unless I decide to make a full blown project either modification on restoration then it's my hobby.

Very well stated Sarah!

[dubtrub]

So what do you think, relic or the real deal?

[Sarah93003]

I'll say relic. I can see Liza Minnelli's face in the treble side horn, just below the pickguard.

[jfine]

I don't mind buying a used guitar that has actual playing wear, but to shell out good money for an artificially-aged new instrument is kind of a scam. I have a feeling that some relics are purchased by well-heeled amateurs who would like to create the illusion that they've played professionally for years. I tend to baby my guitars--I agonize over dings, especially the first one, but they do happen. They're tough to avoid, especially these days when I'm on the road about every weekend, but nothing I have could remotely be called a relic. All my guitars live in cases, and the worst wear on any of the ones I've bought new is on my '98 Fender American Deluxe Tele--about ten years ago I took it to a gig at a club that had no air conditioning, in Sacramento in the middle of August, and I made the mistake of wearing a brand-new red shirt without washing it first. I sweated that red right into my white-blonde Tele, which has been partially pink ever since. Playing wear? Yes--avoidable? Also yes--I should have washed that shirt first. But it's actual honest playing wear--let's see the relic guys do that!

[Veenture]

Guitars used in a natural way, showing parhaps even some war scars, is fine.
I can appreciate that when an artist needs a new axe he or she may prefer to have it look like the old one but imagine an amateur guitar player like myself sporting a "Nokie-worn Relic" (if there is such a thing) and with my poor playing talent...how pretentious would that be? ...ugh
I still think factory relics are ridiculous but I agree with all the other sentiments...indeed, to each his own.

Fender though, is exploiting this phenomenon on a large scale and really been pushing it for the sake of more turnover and bigger bucks. Sadly a truly naturally-worn finish commands a lower price tag. Things should be the other way round, no matter how skillful an artificial relic has been applied!

Danny, I'll stick my neck out and say that Sunburst Fender Strat is your typical factory relic; too unnaturally "naturally worn" and last but not least, no real story to go with the relic. This guitar has not really "earned it's spurs", so to speak.

[Dennisthe Menace]

It's funny how they went to the trouble of corroding the bridge and p'guard screws, but leave the triple chromed output jackplate alone.

It's funny how they went to the trouble of "pre-aging the p'up covers and the V & T knobs while leaving 'Snow White' (P'guard) alone.

It's funny how they went to the trouble of "pre-aging" the headstock, but I'd be willing to bet the back of the neck is....'perfect.'

It's funny how they went and had fun destroying a new guitar, and then charge the customer 20 - 50 percent more, knowing that they 'will' pay.

It's funny how they (the customer) spent time searching for such a 'piece' only to buy and show off their brand new 'screwed up piece' to their friends.

It's funny how they went to the trouble of......... naaaaaa..........I'll stop here.........I'll let someone else have some fun....................