SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Diminished Triad said:
Good points. I think most people buying guitars off Warmoth or other "design your own" companies do so to play the guitars. This might explain why Warmoth doesn't have a relic'd section. Maybe one day.
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Not in the slightest.

Warmoth doesn't ndo relic because its not part of their business plan. Maybe because its hard to do poly relic well, or just that they see it as a lot of effort and a lot of $$ upcharge. Plus you have to have a department for that section alone.

Either way, there are other companies that are like warmoth that do relic.....and are low $ and are there to be played....MJT springs to mind, they are relic only. BHefner are also a design your own company that offer relic as an option....but they spray nitro so maybe thats one of the key criteria here rather than the elitist notion that relics are for blues lawyers or those who care only for looks and aren't real players.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

With Fender's relatively large devotion of upper end resources to making relic'd guitars, I'm surprised Warmoth doesn't include this in their business plan, at least not yet. Meanwhile, Fender now has as part of its business plan the "design your own" features that are a large bulk of Warmoth sales. Nowhere near the selection Warmoth offers but still, the section has expanded a little and and it's clear Fender is headed in this direction too. Thanks for the info.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

It seems like most people putting together a Warmoth guitar, if they want relic, will do it themselves.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Hard to begin scratching a brand new guitar (or other relic method) and if no method really makes the guitar sound better, not sure if much of that will ever happen. On the other hand, I'd like to see the Fender Custom Shop make more brand new top shelf guitars.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Sure they do -

The recent Strat Pro looked like a pretty interesting instrument. There are also CS Becks and Claptons floating about.

I've got a CS Strat one that's like an American Standard with Ash body and Ebony Fingerboard. As I said earlier - the EJ signature is an awesome Strat that's not custom shop. Early ones were light. Its worth checking out.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Will do that... Not near as many as the relics but there are some you are right. Both Clapton and Beck models are 9.5 radius necks and hoping for a 7.25 in either model (I would think both played 7.25 in the 60's) I would try and get in a minute!
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Not sure what passes for nitrocellulose these days - I would not sweat it.

If price is a consideration - go check out Rocket Music and inquire about ordering a custom Suhr. Get the SSCII (noise canceling - you can have them add a switch to defeat if you want, but its really that good) and stainless frets, skip the fancy wood. You can order the 7.25" radius and Nitrocelluose (but the poly is really nice and sprayed thin - especially the satin used on the necks).

Its going to be significantly less expensive than that Fender and most likely a way better built instrument.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

I have never bought a relic'd guitar. The wear some of mine show is honest play wear and the effects of time and temp/humidity. I have a singular geet that was finish matched on the top after refilling a Kahler rout just because it was cheaper than a full refin.

Posers buy new guitars that look old. It's not the guitar; it's the image. Image=wearing sunglasses for an indoor show. End of story.

I clicked this link hoping for some real road warrior geets, not stuff that got hit with a belt sander in random spots. I am disappoint, son.
 
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Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

formula73 said:
I have never bought a relic'd guitar. The wear some of mine show is honest play wear and the effects of time and temp/humidity. I have a singular geet that was finish matched on the top after refilling a Kahler rout just because it was cheaper than a full refin.

Posers buy new guitars that look old. It's not the guitar; it's the image. Image=wearing sunglasses for an indoor show. End of story.

I clicked this link hoping for some real road warrior geets, not stuff that got hit with a belt sander in random spots. I am disappoint, son.
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Do the "road worn" Fender models/guitars feel and play easier than brand new Fender guitars? A real shame if the Fender guys are just scratching up otherwise decent guitars to look aged and damaged rather than to make them feel/play and sound better. The "road worn" series may be the answer for those not wanting a brand new guitar.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

If you play any good, people should be noticing that far more than they notice what bloody guitar or amp you use. If you pander to the few in the audience who may know about such things, you're never going to please them anyway.

If you can't outshine your gear, you shouldn't even be on a stage. If you can't wear your own gear down, you ain't playing enough.

It's bloody simple. Get good instead of trying to look good. Music is for the ears, not the eyes.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

crusty philtrum said:
If you play any good, people should be noticing that far more than they notice what bloody guitar or amp you use. If you pander to the few in the audience who may know about such things, you're never going to please them anyway.

If you can't outshine your gear, you shouldn't even be on a stage. If you can't wear your own gear down, you ain't playing enough.

It's bloody simple. Get good instead of trying to look good. Music is for the ears, not the eyes.
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I've played up to 12 hours a day on an acoustic for many, many years. I can't see a trace of the hours on the guitar anywhere except maybe a tiny bit of fret wear? A great Flamingo player who even landed a role in a Bruce Lee movie left a guitar to me and he played it maybe 6 hours a day for a decade. The pick guard area is eaten through as if a group of rats had their way in that area.....but the neck and rest of the body are as clean as ever. I'm not sure aside from "damage" that happens when a guitar falls or someone hits it how rubbing the wood removes anything. Maybe that comes from not cleaning the guitar ever and/or leaving it out and the hard life of an electric guitar because of gigs and environment? I don't think it comes down to hours of play or a guitar player's ability.......but don't doubt from all the work we've been through going on and off stage and transporting equipment that it's really that part of playing that inflicts the damage (lots of it at least) often referred to as "relic" or "worn." I've had the same Fender electric since '77 and although I stopped playing it after a while neither the time nor extensive play caused the body to lose paint and/or wood. Can never practice or rehearse enough, you are correct about that!
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

One of our roadies does that whole wax thing so his stash ends up more pointed and long than fluffy.
He's a great bass player though with same bass guitar for 15 years and many concerts but still can't get his bass to look anything as messy as the Fender relics. Pretty sure there's more to it all. Some of them are selling for 7-8K. The Clapton, Gilmore, and Beck signature Fenders are going for just a little over half of that. The Buddy Holly and Brownie (Clapton original simulated guitar) are the only two I'm familiar with in that price range. Wish I could try some out, maybe one day.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

Diminished Triad said:
Do the "road worn" Fender models/guitars feel and play easier than brand new Fender guitars? A real shame if the Fender guys are just scratching up otherwise decent guitars to look aged and damaged rather than to make them feel/play and sound better. The "road worn" series may be the answer for those not wanting a brand new guitar.
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IMHO, it's the answer for people that don't want to LOOK like they're playing a new guitar.
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

formula73 said:
Posers buy new guitars that look old. It's not the guitar; it's the image. Image=wearing sunglasses for an indoor show. End of story.
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LOL...we are a curious bunch, musicians that is. We find the most insignificant and trivial differences insolent.

As it were my brother, I myself will be posing with my Nash tomorrow for most of the day during a session, but may need to stop for an hour or so and use my PRS for a little modern blues cover tune at which point I will no longer be posing (I think that's the way it goes) but I will likely need to go back to posing while I finish the track tomorrow with the Nash. Hahaha.... But in all honesty that is really how far we take all this stuff.

BTW, I posed with the Nash for a 10 minute SD demo vid that will be released soon. You can ignore the playing and tone, that was just for show, but pay close attention to the way I did my hair. Its tight and looks good with the Nash!~ I didn't have any sunglasses but I plan to get those for next time...LOL!! :haha: :haha: Sorry...this has me rolling at my own dry humor. In truth: I really understand the intent of that statement and its all good. But in my experience if you have to use a guitar to define you and validate you, then this would apply to any guitar you own and buy and that juice would run out in seconds when you hit the stage or were asked to lay down a track.

On a related note, if all goes well this week I will be posing with my Gibson Historic 335 very soon. Maybe I am just not a serious enough musician for some people, but... as it happens to turn out, I have discovered that I really enjoy playing the guitars I really enjoy playing. I actually have more fun and advance my musical goals fastest playing the guitars that play great to me, sound great to me and look great to me.

The irony to me is this is a non-issue outside of the internet / hobbyist realm. It is a non-issue in any real-life, real-time job, on stage, in the studio or with any professional musician or gig I have worked with. All of the players I know really enjoy them as they are some of the best playing and sounding guitars available to buy today. I only have one (out of 9 guitars), but there are many that I find beautiful. As for it being an issue, in all my years as a musician it has never come up, ever. In the real face-to-face world nobody cares where it counts. They really, really don't care. In a professional gig situation you will never get 'more' or 'less' respect because of the condition of the guitar you play at any audition or any gig. You either bring the appropriate guitar and tone etc. for the gig or you don't. You can either play or you can't. You will never get the gig or lose the gig because your guitar is pre-worn or brand new, worn by you or someone-else, poly or nitro, American or Asian. To me the 'rich-guy' blues lawyer idea is internet dribble and a worn thin played out stereotype remark used in any situation where high-cost is a potential. I know a ton of real players, professional musicians, builders, techs etc who use high-end and relic instruments, but not a single 'rich guy' outside of the internet forums. It's silly stuff.

It is a bit unfortunate that a 'show me' thread is derailed so quickly by those who find the content offensive. Whatever you choose for yourself I hope you can enjoy yourself. Its a short life.

formula73 said:
I clicked this link hoping for some real road warrior geets, not stuff that got hit with a belt sander in random spots. I am disappoint, son
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Me too. I was hoping to see some awesome guitars...LOL. Different dissapoint son (In my best Jerry Reed voice)! LOL!

Have a great week~

Cheers,

RG
 
Re: SHOW YOUR RELICS?

I'ma going to slightly derail... Was holding these back since it was slightly off topic... Maybe it will get some gear prone posted....

Left is a 55 RI and right is a 50's RI in Closet Classic finish.

14835710199_a11cc4f76f_z.jpg
 
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