Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
- Thread starter 6stringerguy
- Start date
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I always thought it was stupid because you could never tell if a new guitar was really a new guitar. That said, I would like copies of my heroes guitars, correct dings and all.
I always thought it was stupid because you could never tell if a new guitar was really a new guitar. That said, I would like copies of my heroes guitars, correct dings and all.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I do not hate relic guitars.
I prefer the look of a new guitar. I play all of my guitars out, and take as much care with them as I can, keeping them clean and polished and maintained. My guitars are tools, investments, works of art and cherished toys. It makes sense to take care of my investments.
I have been playing for more than 50 years now and I have owned some great guitars. Unfortunately I had do sell many of my vintage instruments to financial difficulties. I've had my 1975 D-28 since it was new. It's done a lot of gigs over the years and carried me through some painful breakups; and while it has some scars it is clean, polished and well maintained. I have my Music Man Sabres from 1979, but most every thing else is 1992 and newer. So I have experience with many vintage guitars from the Fifties on, as well as newer guitars.
I decided to NOT pursue vintage guitars after I got back on my feet in 2002. I decided that the market had more risk than I was willing to take. So I started to build a collection of the G&L, Gibson, Martin and Ibanez guitars that I loved. No relics.
Over the years I have had the pleasure of playing several Fender Custom Shop Relics, NOS and Closet Classics, and a few Tom Murphy-aged Historic Les Pauls. The 1960 Strat Relics I've played have been fantastic at capturing the feel and tone of my old 1960 Strat. Had I not found G&L after I sold my Strat, I would almost certainly own one. But, the G&L Legacy has the vintage vibe of my old Strat but with several upgrades that make it a better choice for me. Still, the skill and artistry of the Custom Shop cannot be denied. And the bottom line is--they play and sound and feel great.
I have less experience with vintage and modern aged Les Pauls. Having never owned a vintage burst, I can't claim that a new relic feels like my old guitar. But they are pretty cool. Some I've really liked, some not as much. And all way out of my price range!
But with vintage Strats running as much as $40K and '59 Sunbursts going for $300K and up, it's no wonder there's a market for these guitars, and little wonder that the manufacturers have jumped in. I can understand that they want to make a profit.
I don't see the appeal of a relic job on a guitar like a MIK ESP...though I did like the feel of the USA Lynch model. Haven't tried any of the new aged Ibanez models. Copying a vintage Fender or Gibson I get...not sure about the others, though...
All things being equal, I would probably probably choose a NOS or Closet Classic finish over the Relic or Heavy Relic versions, but I would never dismiss them out-of-hand...they're too good.
Bill
I do not hate relic guitars.
I prefer the look of a new guitar. I play all of my guitars out, and take as much care with them as I can, keeping them clean and polished and maintained. My guitars are tools, investments, works of art and cherished toys. It makes sense to take care of my investments.
I have been playing for more than 50 years now and I have owned some great guitars. Unfortunately I had do sell many of my vintage instruments to financial difficulties. I've had my 1975 D-28 since it was new. It's done a lot of gigs over the years and carried me through some painful breakups; and while it has some scars it is clean, polished and well maintained. I have my Music Man Sabres from 1979, but most every thing else is 1992 and newer. So I have experience with many vintage guitars from the Fifties on, as well as newer guitars.
I decided to NOT pursue vintage guitars after I got back on my feet in 2002. I decided that the market had more risk than I was willing to take. So I started to build a collection of the G&L, Gibson, Martin and Ibanez guitars that I loved. No relics.
Over the years I have had the pleasure of playing several Fender Custom Shop Relics, NOS and Closet Classics, and a few Tom Murphy-aged Historic Les Pauls. The 1960 Strat Relics I've played have been fantastic at capturing the feel and tone of my old 1960 Strat. Had I not found G&L after I sold my Strat, I would almost certainly own one. But, the G&L Legacy has the vintage vibe of my old Strat but with several upgrades that make it a better choice for me. Still, the skill and artistry of the Custom Shop cannot be denied. And the bottom line is--they play and sound and feel great.
I have less experience with vintage and modern aged Les Pauls. Having never owned a vintage burst, I can't claim that a new relic feels like my old guitar. But they are pretty cool. Some I've really liked, some not as much. And all way out of my price range!
But with vintage Strats running as much as $40K and '59 Sunbursts going for $300K and up, it's no wonder there's a market for these guitars, and little wonder that the manufacturers have jumped in. I can understand that they want to make a profit.
I don't see the appeal of a relic job on a guitar like a MIK ESP...though I did like the feel of the USA Lynch model. Haven't tried any of the new aged Ibanez models. Copying a vintage Fender or Gibson I get...not sure about the others, though...
All things being equal, I would probably probably choose a NOS or Closet Classic finish over the Relic or Heavy Relic versions, but I would never dismiss them out-of-hand...they're too good.
Bill
LtKojak
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
Take it from somebody that had prepared real vintage instruments for guitar shows for the last ten years.
Closet queens never play good, Bill.
Take it from somebody that had prepared real vintage instruments for guitar shows for the last ten years.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I used to hate re-licked guitars, but now they don't bug me so much. Except for the sandpaper sleeve, I guess.
I used to hate re-licked guitars, but now they don't bug me so much. Except for the sandpaper sleeve, I guess.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
Clown question bro.
Plus, poly will never in a million years look like nitro after fifteen.
Clown question bro.
Plus, poly will never in a million years look like nitro after fifteen.
guitargeorge
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
Some of them look like the owners went out of their way to purposely beat the crap out of their guitars.
Some of them look like the owners went out of their way to purposely beat the crap out of their guitars.
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
Not a fan personally, but as others have said... to each his own.
The Chicago Music Exchange published a very good short documentary about the various processes that can be used:
Not a fan personally, but as others have said... to each his own.
The Chicago Music Exchange published a very good short documentary about the various processes that can be used:
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
Awesome.
Awesome.
Van Noord
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
That's some tough talking, but the reality is that no one here would own a guitar long enough or play it hard and frequent enough to put THAT kind of wear on a guitar of somewhat value or desirability.
Face it, we're talking 40 years MINIMUM and that's all while touring and gigging.
And even if it does earn those time lapsed battle scars, what are you going to do? Show it off to all the other senior citizens in your block while you stand there marveling it at the ripe ol' age of 70?
That's some tough talking, but the reality is that no one here would own a guitar long enough or play it hard and frequent enough to put THAT kind of wear on a guitar of somewhat value or desirability.
Face it, we're talking 40 years MINIMUM and that's all while touring and gigging.
And even if it does earn those time lapsed battle scars, what are you going to do? Show it off to all the other senior citizens in your block while you stand there marveling it at the ripe ol' age of 70?
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I run the range. Depends on the guitar, the relic job, the entire mojo.
I have brand spanking new glossies, 35 years of beat to hell and back for real, stuff that is 30 years but looks NOS, and self relics and ultra pro relics.
All about the vibe...and every guitar has a different one.
I run the range. Depends on the guitar, the relic job, the entire mojo.
I have brand spanking new glossies, 35 years of beat to hell and back for real, stuff that is 30 years but looks NOS, and self relics and ultra pro relics.
All about the vibe...and every guitar has a different one.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I was referring to Fender Custom Shop's "Closet Classic" finish level...light wear. Just to be clear...
But your point does bring up some past disappointments I've had at guitar shows and pawn shops. It's true..the prettiest girl often isn't the best lover.
Thanks,
Bill
Closet queens never play good, Bill.
Take it from somebody that had prepared real vintage instruments for guitar shows for the last ten years.
I was referring to Fender Custom Shop's "Closet Classic" finish level...light wear. Just to be clear...
But your point does bring up some past disappointments I've had at guitar shows and pawn shops. It's true..the prettiest girl often isn't the best lover.
Thanks,
Bill
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I used to think it's super dumb and thought "why don't you put on the battle scars yourself, you damn poser". Perhaps I still think that a bit, but hey, there is one advantage:
If you're a gigging or touring musician, ever ran into a problem where "damn it, I LOVE how this guitar sounds and plays and I want to take it with me, but I can't stand putting any wear on the beautiful finish!" Well, now you can order a nice expensive awesome guitar, have it relic'd and you can feel free to beat it up all you want on the road because... IT'S ALREADY BEAT UP! LOL
I used to think it's super dumb and thought "why don't you put on the battle scars yourself, you damn poser". Perhaps I still think that a bit, but hey, there is one advantage:
If you're a gigging or touring musician, ever ran into a problem where "damn it, I LOVE how this guitar sounds and plays and I want to take it with me, but I can't stand putting any wear on the beautiful finish!" Well, now you can order a nice expensive awesome guitar, have it relic'd and you can feel free to beat it up all you want on the road because... IT'S ALREADY BEAT UP! LOL
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I guess you could do a more natural relic by just throwing your guitar on the floor after you play.
I guess you could do a more natural relic by just throwing your guitar on the floor after you play.
mantis
New member
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
I hate them as well. Stupid and dumb. Why on earth would anyone want a beat up murdered looking guitar. I love my guitars to much to even want a scratch on any of them. I hate even light playing surface scratches.
My guitars ALL live in their cases unless they are going to be played.
They are all polished and very well taken care of.
I do this with everything I own. I like taking care of me stuff.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I hate them as well. Stupid and dumb. Why on earth would anyone want a beat up murdered looking guitar. I love my guitars to much to even want a scratch on any of them. I hate even light playing surface scratches.
My guitars ALL live in their cases unless they are going to be played.
They are all polished and very well taken care of.
I do this with everything I own. I like taking care of me stuff.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Relic'd guitars, Love them or hate them?
One look at "Old Dear" and you know why...
One look at "Old Dear" and you know why...
