Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

Silence Kid

Silence Kid

New member
Have the opportunity to pick up a '00s US Strat Deluxe for $550 .

All stock, but the caveat is a "pro-luthier done light relic" job; there are no huge chips or chunks taken out of the guitar, but the typical flecking of paint around the edges and "fraying" of the headstock.

So this is going to be a player for me; I don't consider it an investment, but I do want to make sure I'm getting a fair deal, and not paying more for a used guitar than I could off-load it for. Opinions?
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

A pro luthier is still someone who could be a ham fist at relicing. I would not expect anything like that to add value at all.....more like drop value when compared to a similar example with real and light wear or use for its age.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

I agree 100%. Unless it's coming from Fender like that or an actual vintage guitar with years of use, I'd expect that to make resale more difficult.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

I agree. Curious of the degree to which it diminishes value/experiences selling these guitars.

It's a Deluxe, so they're usually pristine/cared for... Looks funny to see one beat at all. But the wear at least looks convincing, it could pass for a well-used guitar rather than a relic (wouldn't have known myself,) it isn't so extreme or noticeable.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

I feel like that's a really low price for an American Deluxe Strat.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

The most important thing to realize here is that the only opinion that matters is yours.

Firstly: Do YOU like the way the guitar looks?

Secondly: They can word it however they want. It's a used instrument with cosmetic "flaws". You either like the way they look or you don't.


My thing with relicing is this: If a one-day-old, brand new, straight out of the box guitar looks like it has been beat to sh!t for 25 years, what is it going to look like 25 years from now?


I just want you to be happy. Don't let the verbiage sway you. Make your decision based on your gut and do what you feel is right for you. If you like the guitar, it doesn't matter who reliced it. A pro relic guy (whatever that is) can always relic a guitar in a manner that is unpleasing to you.
 
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Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

Good feedback, thanks. Probably picking up; just concerned that I might wind up with a white elephant that no one would buy off me even for that price. Hard to compare prices on American Deluxes with any level of wear, as mentioned they do not tend to exist in a worn state. (I have a normal guitar honeymoon period of a year on average before I figure out if I want to keep something; even if I like it now. So that's where my concern lies.)

As for the looks, it doesn't look bad, and while any wear at all is not my preference and I don't tend to like relics... I don't have a problem playing this. I've played more beat guitars, just not ones that were put that way for someone's bizarre aesthetic preference; will post pics.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

Unless done by the factory relic guitars sell for less. But $550 for a US Deluxe? That's not bad at all.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

Yeah, I didn't look at the price earlier, but thats a good deal as long as there's no structural issues.

If its a poly guitar, you can probably own it for the next 20years and have it 'come into its own', as these finishes don't age really. And you'll probably get much more after that time by comparison than someone who bought a pristine one.
 
Re: Relic'ing and Value/Resale (aka Dis/Encourage Me....)

Spoiler alert and more background: I researched it shortly after posting the initial thread, it is not a "Deluxe" by the strict definition though the feature set is the same (with small exceptions.) It's also not a Standard, Special, Hwy 1 etc. It is indeed however a US Fender ;)

It's not fabulously rare, but maybe a bit special; whether it's more or equally desirable vs. a reg. American Deluxe is up for debate. I'll take guesses before I reveal, but I'm def. still picking it up.
 
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