WSJ article on relic'ed guitars

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:15 pm

That must be one of the "closet" relics, haha!

gray · Post by **gray** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:26 pm

I HAVE seen reliced amps with beat up tweed, rusty, dented corners and split grill cloth.
And the Jeff Beck Esquire is just silly. I can do that on my own with a used Japanese model and the ancient B&D power tools in my basement.
Hey, maybe I could pop out a few relics for a couple grand, myself! It'd only take a few and I could get the 4005 I've been dreaming of!

But I digress. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, as I know a lot of people really like the relic series, and that's fine for them. I do think it'd be more worth it to DIY, though. It isn't hard at all, and it would be a lot more fun. At least that way you get both the vintage-looking instrument and the satisfaction of having done it yourself.
Artificial aging and "patina" are certainly nothing new. One might argue that some element of patina has been used over the years to add an element of authenticity to many different things. I've restored stained glass windows that were originally painted to look ancient, so much that you can barely tell the difference after they've been restored.
But my own personal take is that it always pays to start new and let the instrument's own personality take shape over the years.
But who knows- maybe someday someone is going to pop one of these things into my hands and completely change my mind.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:09 pm

Two words...Bill Nash

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:47 pm

For a stage guitar I actually like buying a used guitar that has a few dings and a dull finish. These guitars are usually a bit cheaper that a new guitar or even a used one in better condition. The road can really take it's toll on a guitar. But to buy a relic for crazy money, I'd be afraid to scratch the scratch and make it lose value;-)

lyle_from_minneapolis · Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:45 am

I guess there's really nothing "wrong" with all this. It's just a mighty steep price to pay for an old pair of jeans.

The thing is, they must be selling very well. Now that's interesting.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:02 am

Bill Nash's "stock" guitars will cost $1400-$1600 through one of his dealers. Considering he puts a lot of time into each one. not a bad deal really...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:05 am

That doesn't include your commission, though, George...

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 7:07 am

People with the money for these want to equate the ability to pay with the ability to play. They want to trade credit for credibility. They want to jump to the front of the playing and stage experience line and say, "See? I have a banged up guitar just like you - who have spent 25 years playing 5 nights a week - do. I decided to go to law school and you decided to play a lot but because I can afford it I now also have a mojo-marinated guitar and therefore am just as cool as you. Right? RIGHT?"

Like I posted in the Joe Strummer Tele thread, if you want a guitar like that then divorce the wife, disown the kids and hit the road for the next 20 years. You'll have all the cred you'll ever want and the banged up guitar to prove it.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:43 am

So, you have a lot of money but not a lot of talent, but you wish to be regarded as an equal among rock stars...well, why not just spring for a date with Heather Locklear?

I'm just trying to help.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:31 am

Have to take issue with that Alan. I have a couple of relics...I like the look I like the way they feel. Nothing against buying a "new" axe and playing bars for 25 years....but..not everyone who plays a relic is a poser....maybe we just like the guitar. I have more problems playing "artist" models...I've owned several Dick Dale strats and as much as I like the guitar I don't like playing them out as the I DO feel like somewhat of a poser so sold em and had some built to my spec. I could not imagine getting up on stage with a strat with a SRV pickguard..shudder...

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:55 am

George: I absolutely agree. Anyone who would dare get up on stage with an SRV pickguard had better also be wearing a Stevie-style hat. Anything less would be foolhardy...

Ha ha!

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:22 am

"mojo-marinated"

I like that!

Only thing I have to say is, I don't feel so bad about having a little buckle rash on the back of my '65 JB anymore! Maybe I should take it out for another 42 years.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:19 am

I don't mind a guitar that comes by it's battle scars honestly but to take a guitar and beat the poor thing with nails and put solvent on it, that is just pure nuts and sorry if I offend anyone here but anyone that spends a lot of money on a relic, a guitar that is deliberately made to look like an old POS, is nuts. You want a relic? Go look on ebay, plenty of real ones out there and probably cheaper than the new ones.
I would much rather have your 65 J bass Kevin than any relic'ed bass made.
I have always thought that anyone that bought an old looking ratty pair of jeans was nuts too, so at least I'm consistent.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:52 am

Hey Randy..do you know where I can get one of dem SRV hats..reliced please! I understand what Bob is saying and I can see how folks that take special care of their instruments could feel the same. Here's what I like about my relics...the back of the necks are so smooth that no matter how many beers I hold in my fretting hand it never sticks...one relic JM that I have has the back of the neck finished in much the same fashion as a violin's neck..very smooth. The relic work on my Nash is so well done that again to my eye at least is artistic..it's a moderate relic and body, neck, fretboard and all metal parts have been treated..I believe..maybe Dale can help here, that the relic idea started with Keith Richard who asked Fender to make him a Tele like his #1...what make a good one is that the wear needs to be appropriate but still random..funny though I have a non-relic strat that Bill custom made for me while he would still make not-relic guitars..I love it but took some steel wool to the back of the neck recently..Paul W told me to do that as my hand was sticking too much to the nitro...anyway..whatever floats your boat..I don't think that folks that buy mint guitars and take care not to ding them are nuts..obsessive maybe..hah!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:02 pm

I hate sticky necks too, if they made basses with the backs of the necks smooth like that, I wouldn't mind that, at least there would be a purpose for it, but the cosmetic aspect of it is just crazy to me. My upright had all the finish taken right off of the back of the neck before I bought it, that would take 50 years to do by playing it, and I'm not partial to signature basses or guitars either.