Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
- Thread starter Evan Skopp
- Start date
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
Those relic'd things just look grubby to me..not my thing at all.
The stuff they're relic-ing are mostly strats & tele's ..I'll pass thanks. The shredsticks/pointies I like all look best new(ish) anyway...and you don't have to wait for the neck finishes to wear out for them to play like butter
Those relic'd things just look grubby to me..not my thing at all.
The stuff they're relic-ing are mostly strats & tele's ..I'll pass thanks. The shredsticks/pointies I like all look best new(ish) anyway...and you don't have to wait for the neck finishes to wear out for them to play like butter
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
If it's a matter of putting idiot marks and buckle rash on a new guitar over years of playing, that works for me. An old used guitar with some cosmetic damage is cool, too, because the marks are real. That matters to me, for some reason. I think authenticity still matters to a lot of people. Some value it highly enough to want to pay others to fake it for them.
If it's a matter of putting idiot marks and buckle rash on a new guitar over years of playing, that works for me. An old used guitar with some cosmetic damage is cool, too, because the marks are real. That matters to me, for some reason. I think authenticity still matters to a lot of people. Some value it highly enough to want to pay others to fake it for them.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
+1. Isn't that a big part of it, street cred? Wanting to have a guitar that looks like it's been broken in by years of honest playing, when it really just came off the assembly line.
+1. Isn't that a big part of it, street cred? Wanting to have a guitar that looks like it's been broken in by years of honest playing, when it really just came off the assembly line.
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
This is mostly my feelings. Im anal about my gear, to a fault. I used to cry if I got a ding or scuff on a guitar. Now I only do if its supidly banging into or something. But now Im ok if it happens while being played. I like a guitar that has a comfy neck and if the neck is "reliced" to feel more playable such a Rodney speaking of the neck, I could get onboard. Also, I appreciate a guitar that has character marks from years of actual honest to goodness play. Such as Wah Wahs Strat or EVH's Frankie, Jimmy Page's LP or others. AND, although I wouldnt purchase one, I appreciate the workmanship that goes into correctly/Accurately relicing a guitar, such as some of the luthiers mentioned and Gibsons custom shop does to reproduce the classic axes. But the Road worn series and some of the ridiculous sandpaper and hammer whacking relicing you see sold on ebay, just makes me cringe. Again, to each their own, but I prefer a shiny new axe!
This is mostly my feelings. Im anal about my gear, to a fault. I used to cry if I got a ding or scuff on a guitar. Now I only do if its supidly banging into or something. But now Im ok if it happens while being played. I like a guitar that has a comfy neck and if the neck is "reliced" to feel more playable such a Rodney speaking of the neck, I could get onboard. Also, I appreciate a guitar that has character marks from years of actual honest to goodness play. Such as Wah Wahs Strat or EVH's Frankie, Jimmy Page's LP or others. AND, although I wouldnt purchase one, I appreciate the workmanship that goes into correctly/Accurately relicing a guitar, such as some of the luthiers mentioned and Gibsons custom shop does to reproduce the classic axes. But the Road worn series and some of the ridiculous sandpaper and hammer whacking relicing you see sold on ebay, just makes me cringe. Again, to each their own, but I prefer a shiny new axe!
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
The problem I see with relics is that 95% of them are WAY overdone (I include the Fender CS ones on that). I've never ever seen any serious guitar (I mean any major respected make) in real life that bears the actual wear that many of the relics are beaten up to. The only way some of these relics would be actually believable is if someone carried around their guitar without a case for 30 years and routinely left it outside. Either that or they played the crap out of it on stage every single night for 30 years. No guitar outside some of the big touring acts looks like that. Some light checking? Sure. Some wear on the edges? Ok. Some nicks and dings from those few gigs when you forgot your guitar stand at home? Yeah. But to have half the finish flaked off, hardware rusted out, and the neck looking like a piece of driftwood? Sorry, but no.
There's reliced to make it look broken in, and I don't mind that. What I hate is the relics that make it look mistreated. And the problem is that like I stated above, most of them look that way.
The problem I see with relics is that 95% of them are WAY overdone (I include the Fender CS ones on that). I've never ever seen any serious guitar (I mean any major respected make) in real life that bears the actual wear that many of the relics are beaten up to. The only way some of these relics would be actually believable is if someone carried around their guitar without a case for 30 years and routinely left it outside. Either that or they played the crap out of it on stage every single night for 30 years. No guitar outside some of the big touring acts looks like that. Some light checking? Sure. Some wear on the edges? Ok. Some nicks and dings from those few gigs when you forgot your guitar stand at home? Yeah. But to have half the finish flaked off, hardware rusted out, and the neck looking like a piece of driftwood? Sorry, but no.
There's reliced to make it look broken in, and I don't mind that. What I hate is the relics that make it look mistreated. And the problem is that like I stated above, most of them look that way.
Last edited:
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
If a relic was to mimic/replace an actual vintage guitar for touring purposes, that would actually be reasonable. But "guitar hipsters" who want beat-to-hell-and-back guitars so they look serious about playing is pointless. If you want people to think you're serious about playing, just play well. Just another attempt at people trying to buy social approval, and companies are smart enough to capitalize on it.
Like here is a relic I would not mind (it looks believable, and just swap out a few over-done parts):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grover-Jack...2-/121218166222?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c392a6dce
But this is just stupid to the fully-retarded degree:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-2009-N...e-/251385184061?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a87b97f3d
If a relic was to mimic/replace an actual vintage guitar for touring purposes, that would actually be reasonable. But "guitar hipsters" who want beat-to-hell-and-back guitars so they look serious about playing is pointless. If you want people to think you're serious about playing, just play well. Just another attempt at people trying to buy social approval, and companies are smart enough to capitalize on it.
Like here is a relic I would not mind (it looks believable, and just swap out a few over-done parts):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grover-Jack...2-/121218166222?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c392a6dce
But this is just stupid to the fully-retarded degree:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-2009-N...e-/251385184061?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a87b97f3d
Last edited:
Rodney Gene
O.G.
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
While I agree about the factory Fender jobs and the massive 'over-done' relicing in general by the populace and uneducated, some guitars like the link I posted are absolutely dead-on in all regards. Few players have experience with 50 and 60 years old beaters. Trust me, when these relic builders are at a guitar show, they are scrutinized. Seymour knows the gig. He has a massive collection of vintage gear. Its one of the reasons he was such a master at developing the Antiquity line. Genuine 'road-worn' guitars look very much like the high-end replicas 'relics'. Someone in this thread said that the link I posted looked like the guitar was hit with 100 grit sandpaper and drug through the snow for a week. That guitar is an 'exact' replica. Nacho Barios is a vintage Tele master, expert aficionado. His clientele are players. Also, Clive Brown did the neck (Clive is a foremost expert on vintage restoration). This is no small matter. These relics aren't 'over-done. If you have a real 55 that needs to be restored or 'relic matched' on some part, Clive is one of 'the very few guys'. Its useful to avoid any prejudice. I personally like a great guitar. I am a professional player. Music is my career and I choose my tools based on what supports my needs and my vision. BTW, my 80's Tele is far more 'beat' than my Nash on close inspection. Bottom line for me is that we all have more choices now than ever before. We are truly a blessed industry.
(On a side note, I am glad my finger is healing. I have spent more time on the forum this week than I have in years! I miss my amps.
Cheers and respect, RG
For whom? While I understand the implication, I think that statement applies to the wanna be bedroom or forum player, not a professional musician. Like I said, none of this debate or conversation actually happens on stage, in the studio, at an audition or in peer to peer networking. Vince Gill, Kieth Urban, Redd Volkaert etc. have no need for 'cred'. Its a juvenile idea based on someones need for validation through gear. That is not part of our dialogue here. My own 'relic' is so lightly done that you couldn't tell from any distance anyway. It say's NASH on the headstock. Who would that give credibility to?
This is also very incomplete. The players I know who buy and play relics (not the Fender sthuff) but the 2,3,4,5K guitars, do so because they are players. They appreciate well-made, well functioning gear. There is no posturing going on. That may be a problem with some players here online, but not on the stages I play, at least not in my genre. It is filled to the brim with high-end vintage gear and knowledgeable players. The higher-end guitar stores in my town specialized in both vintage and relics. Austin Vintage and Austin Guitar House.
While I agree about the factory Fender jobs and the massive 'over-done' relicing in general by the populace and uneducated, some guitars like the link I posted are absolutely dead-on in all regards. Few players have experience with 50 and 60 years old beaters. Trust me, when these relic builders are at a guitar show, they are scrutinized. Seymour knows the gig. He has a massive collection of vintage gear. Its one of the reasons he was such a master at developing the Antiquity line. Genuine 'road-worn' guitars look very much like the high-end replicas 'relics'. Someone in this thread said that the link I posted looked like the guitar was hit with 100 grit sandpaper and drug through the snow for a week. That guitar is an 'exact' replica. Nacho Barios is a vintage Tele master, expert aficionado. His clientele are players. Also, Clive Brown did the neck (Clive is a foremost expert on vintage restoration). This is no small matter. These relics aren't 'over-done. If you have a real 55 that needs to be restored or 'relic matched' on some part, Clive is one of 'the very few guys'. Its useful to avoid any prejudice. I personally like a great guitar. I am a professional player. Music is my career and I choose my tools based on what supports my needs and my vision. BTW, my 80's Tele is far more 'beat' than my Nash on close inspection. Bottom line for me is that we all have more choices now than ever before. We are truly a blessed industry.
(On a side note, I am glad my finger is healing. I have spent more time on the forum this week than I have in years! I miss my amps.
Cheers and respect, RG
Rodney Gene
O.G.
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
In truth, all guitars are exploited for personal validation in the hands of a hobbyist at times. This could be relic, an expensive Les Paul, Custom shop Strat etc. That is a given for me. This article was written by Dave, a working musician and hopefully the majority of members here can keep the conversation there. Perhaps I am jaded coming from the Bass industry. 2k, 3k, 4k is easy to spend on a working bass. Cheers!
In truth, all guitars are exploited for personal validation in the hands of a hobbyist at times. This could be relic, an expensive Les Paul, Custom shop Strat etc. That is a given for me. This article was written by Dave, a working musician and hopefully the majority of members here can keep the conversation there. Perhaps I am jaded coming from the Bass industry. 2k, 3k, 4k is easy to spend on a working bass. Cheers!
jon the art guy
Nerdy Nerd
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
I like crazing. I like it a lot. Fender does a good job crazing their closet classics, as well as that smoke patina. Looks good to me. I dislike nicks and dings though, its the sign of a mistreated piece.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
I like crazing. I like it a lot. Fender does a good job crazing their closet classics, as well as that smoke patina. Looks good to me. I dislike nicks and dings though, its the sign of a mistreated piece.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
If your audience is more interested in your guitar or amp, there's something fundamentally wrong .... if you contribute something good to the proceedings, nobody should even notice your gear.
I will say that there's going to be something odd-looking about a 20-year-old playing a guitar that appears to have 40 years of wear.
If your audience is more interested in your guitar or amp, there's something fundamentally wrong .... if you contribute something good to the proceedings, nobody should even notice your gear.
I will say that there's going to be something odd-looking about a 20-year-old playing a guitar that appears to have 40 years of wear.
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
I tend to be of the view that if it plays and sounds good then it's worth considering. I've bought new and used, but never something that's purposely reliced; there's nothing to say I wouldn't do it at some point in the future though.
I tend to be of the view that if it plays and sounds good then it's worth considering. I've bought new and used, but never something that's purposely reliced; there's nothing to say I wouldn't do it at some point in the future though.
Last edited:
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
+1. Isn't the point of a relic'd for other people to see it and think it's vintage? Trying to make it look like something it's not; the wear's not real, it's pretend. It's certainly about 'validation' through one's gear' or people wouldn't buy them. They want an certain image of being a saavy player with old gear. That's what the vintage guitar market craze eventually created: it no longer has to be real for you to be cool. Same way that cowboy hats & cowboy boots help create an image that's generates more acceptance to certain music crowds (some of those guys have never been on a horse). It's props and image. People have been so influenced by movies and video games, that props have become an acceptable substitute. Authenticity isn't needed. There's plenty of guitars around with honest wear from playing, just look at eBay. They're cheaper than relics too. Why not buy them instead? Rather than spend extra money on a new guitar that some 'expert' has professionally beat up and rusted to look real, why not just buy the real thing and get some guitars that have been seen heavy touring? Why fake it? Or is there a new status in having expensive fake vintage-looking guitars? Don't kid yourself, there's status is having the right 'pro' abuse your guitar. It still comes down to posing and posturing, no matter how much money you have or how well known you are. There will always be a difference between real and fake.
+1. Isn't the point of a relic'd for other people to see it and think it's vintage? Trying to make it look like something it's not; the wear's not real, it's pretend. It's certainly about 'validation' through one's gear' or people wouldn't buy them. They want an certain image of being a saavy player with old gear. That's what the vintage guitar market craze eventually created: it no longer has to be real for you to be cool. Same way that cowboy hats & cowboy boots help create an image that's generates more acceptance to certain music crowds (some of those guys have never been on a horse). It's props and image. People have been so influenced by movies and video games, that props have become an acceptable substitute. Authenticity isn't needed. There's plenty of guitars around with honest wear from playing, just look at eBay. They're cheaper than relics too. Why not buy them instead? Rather than spend extra money on a new guitar that some 'expert' has professionally beat up and rusted to look real, why not just buy the real thing and get some guitars that have been seen heavy touring? Why fake it? Or is there a new status in having expensive fake vintage-looking guitars? Don't kid yourself, there's status is having the right 'pro' abuse your guitar. It still comes down to posing and posturing, no matter how much money you have or how well known you are. There will always be a difference between real and fake.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
Modern life is built around fake things -- fake butter, fake singing, fake wood, fake sugar, fake brick, fake crab meat, fake eyelashes, fake breasts, fake athleticism. I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes I just really want to say "No" to some of it.
Modern life is built around fake things -- fake butter, fake singing, fake wood, fake sugar, fake brick, fake crab meat, fake eyelashes, fake breasts, fake athleticism. I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes I just really want to say "No" to some of it.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
Just sayin..............
This is Gary Hoey's strat that has beeen played nightly live forever and a day. The natural relicing that happens through playing the snot out of a guitar doesnt look anything like this.
Just sayin..............
Last edited:
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
Looks like someone had a go at relicing the side of his head though...
Looks like someone had a go at relicing the side of his head though...
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
Probably like most of us in that age range, its probably de-relicing. Most of us have some grey hair by the time we get to our 40s.
Probably like most of us in that age range, its probably de-relicing. Most of us have some grey hair by the time we get to our 40s.
LReese
Sausage Gravy
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
Lets see -
There's:
Stonewashed Denim - I prefer this. Can't stand rigid jeans, but I also don't go for faded to oblivion.
"Distressed Furniture"
Leather products
jewelery
List goes on - all of it takes extra steps (time, money and equipment) to create the aged look.
Lets see -
There's:
Stonewashed Denim - I prefer this. Can't stand rigid jeans, but I also don't go for faded to oblivion.
"Distressed Furniture"
Leather products
jewelery
List goes on - all of it takes extra steps (time, money and equipment) to create the aged look.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Blog: New Guitars--Pristine or Relic? Battle Royale!
I own a Fender Relic '51 Nocaster. I sometimes wonder whether the descriptor Closet Classic indicates that the finish is "Relic Light" or whether aspersions are being cast about sexual orientation. Either way, this fake is about as close as my wallet is ever going to get me to a genuine Blackguard piece.
The CCR'51 Nocaster is a unique model. Installing the Nocaster reissue pickups into an AVRI '52 Telecaster does not achieve the same result. Short of ordering a bespoke build, buying this guitar was the only way to get what I wanted. (I bought pre-owned, incidentally.)
Speaking of the Fender AVRI series. Are these any less fake than the Relic models simply because they do not cost as much money?
To my way of thinking, what a musical instrument IS is less important than what it DOES. My brother and I each own genuine CBS/Fender bass guitars that, despite being The Real Thing, are nowhere near as good as the American Re-Issue equivalents.
I own a Fender Relic '51 Nocaster. I sometimes wonder whether the descriptor Closet Classic indicates that the finish is "Relic Light" or whether aspersions are being cast about sexual orientation. Either way, this fake is about as close as my wallet is ever going to get me to a genuine Blackguard piece.
The CCR'51 Nocaster is a unique model. Installing the Nocaster reissue pickups into an AVRI '52 Telecaster does not achieve the same result. Short of ordering a bespoke build, buying this guitar was the only way to get what I wanted. (I bought pre-owned, incidentally.)
Speaking of the Fender AVRI series. Are these any less fake than the Relic models simply because they do not cost as much money?
To my way of thinking, what a musical instrument IS is less important than what it DOES. My brother and I each own genuine CBS/Fender bass guitars that, despite being The Real Thing, are nowhere near as good as the American Re-Issue equivalents.
Similar threads
