Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone know if there is any truth to the rumor that Rickenbacker is going to start making 'relic' instruments like Fender is doing? The practice of artificially aging instruments in the factory is becoming quite popular in Fender circles but I just can't get into it. The hole thing seems so dishonest. I have heard this from 2 or 3 people now. Say it ain't so!

It ain't so.

Never heard of this... What's it all about? Aging instruments in the factory? Uh

Every time I see a Fender relic it reminds of a great old Bob and Ray routine about an early American furniture factory selling genuine new antiques. They would make TV cabinets and tell people the pioneers used to put dishes in them.

Factory relics represent the same kind of absurdity to me. They treat instruments as fashion statements like prefaded jeans or distressed leather jackets.

Fender started doing it a few years ago in the U.S. Custom shop. They take new instruments and add nicks, dents, finish cracks, and stains to produce an aged look. I got my dents the oldfashioned way damn it - by bouncing my instruments off of walls, doors, furniture, other players, and other players guitars. The rumor is that Rickenbacker was planning to do this too but I find it hard to believe. I was wondering if anyone else had heard this.

Relicglo? Antiqueglo? Mojoglo? Vintageglo? I don't know about that rumour either.

It ain't so.

The idea that a beat up junker is desirable because it has "mojo" is pure mystic bunk. But at least it's a real beat up junker. To take a new guitar and fake a piece of junk? It's self delusion.

Old-Glo?

I've seen the Jaco P jazz bass version, looks pretty beat-up!

What's missing is the oil from the fried chicken-and a 60's price tag!

ted, you left out kraming your headstock into the drummer's ziljen cymbal from time to time.ive heard srapping your bass to the front of your car for a week or so will produce the same effect.

This idea wouldn't work well with Ricks because the finishes are too durable. Fender used automotive finishes for several good reasons but they were just not durable enough. Old Ricks don't necessarily look old because the Rick varnish is really quite tough. The clear coat may scratch easily and turn yellow but the finish does not just fall off. It is difficult (and expensive) to find old Fenders with clean finishes anymore but most older Ricks still look quite good.

Dont know the man personaly, but I've read enough of his posts, I think its safe to say that John Hall would never even consider this, and amen to that.

I agree. The first time I heard the rumor it simply discounted it. The second time I had to wonder.

One fact that may be hard to argue with, is that the "relic" option was very successful for Fender. Pointless as it may look to some (myself included), there are evidently plenty of people willing to pay much more $$$ to have a "broken in" feel to their bass or guitar, with Custom Shop quality, full warranty, freedom from worrying about putting the first dent in a shiny new bass, and without having to clean someone else's gunk from it first.

I believe it is safe to say that it will not appeal to Rickenbacker fans.

When I first heard about Fenders "Relic" thing, I thought is there anything they won't do to make money and further ruin their name? I thought it was absurd, and it doesn't take that much to turn a Fender into a relic anyway, their finishes are not the most durable I've owned. My 71 P bass was a relic after two years and I didn't try either. And the funny part is that people pay EXTRA for this "service", haha! Send me your new Fender I'll tie it to my back bumper for a week and I'll charge half of what Fender does.