Whats the deal with artificially ageing a guitar?

[Brownsound]

I was going to ask over at the LP forum but they are kind of touchy about that stuff. I just dont get it. I mean I get the fact that its cool to have a well worn, familiar, smooth as butter guitar but dont you have to earn that?

I guess Im just ignorant?

[DaxT1138]

ignorant is right! why should i have to earn vintage vibe, mojo and tone for days when i can just pay x amount of cash for it?

[Moose]

I guess Im just ignorant?

Are you sure it's YOU who is?

I have an aged guitar. It has dents where it looks like it got hit by a beer bottle, looks like it got jammed into a couple of teeth, scratches where it has been picked and rubbed, a split near the input jack, the finish rubbed entirely off the neck, worn out knobs, and all that good stuff.

I very simply performed this aging by playing on stage, getting a beer bottle thrown at me (by someone who APPROVED of a solo, btw), smacking someone in the mouth as he ran at me on stage in a drug induced haze, tripping over the cord, and playing every day for half my life. Every dent in it pissed me off, but at least it got them fair and square.

All my guitars that have NOT seen service in punk shows and college drunkfests are damned near pristine and I intend for them to last at least 15 more years before they look like they are 20 year old beaters. I would no sooner artificially age them than I would deface a magnificent piece of art to make it look like it had been hanging in someone's dusty hallway for 200 years.

So, it's just the two of us who are ignorant.

[DaveH]

dent in it pissed me off, but at least it got them fair and square.

are 20 year old beaters. I would no sooner artificially age them than I would deface a magnificent piece of art to make it look like it had been hanging in someone's dusty hallway for 200 years.

So, it's just the two of us who are ignorant.

Three of us.

Well said AND entertaining, Moose!

[DavidE]

I'll take a contrary position.

I don't know if Fender did it first, or just got in early on a trend. But in my opinion, the relic series was a stroke of genius. The first time I picked one up, I felt like I was picking up an old friend. It felt extremely comfortable and there was something about it that made me want to play it. Unfortunately, they weren't in the budget at the time and I never did get one. I think some of the features, like rolled edges on the fingerboard, made their way to the USA instruments, but there was something special about those relics that I really liked.

I know some locals who bought "custom" made instruments locally that were reliced and they had some mojo about them too. ;-)

It's also a great way to get a custom guitar with current high end electronics with a cool stage look.

[BadgerDave]

Its pretty simple, really.

A significant reason people buy the guitars they buy is because of how they look. Shallow, perhaps, but absolutely true. If not, no guitar would be manufactured with purely visual features such as figured wood tops, binding, gold hardware or fancy fingerboard inlay.

Relicing seems to be a lot more controversial than, say, Victory inlays, but you could ask the same question. "Don't you have to be a great player to "earn" the right to play a guitar with Victories?" IMO, the answer is no. Buy what you like, play what you like, Hell, store what you like in a vault and never touch it if you want. I'm not going to claim moral superiority if I disagree with your choice in guitar finishes.

With respect to Fender Relics (I own a '66 Strat Relic), the guitars are very well made and have a uniquely comfortable feel, particularly the neck. You can also make the case that, with a Relic, you don't have to be concerned with adding the occasional bump or scratch. I'll admit, however, that the primary reason I bought the guitar was that it looked stunningly cool. To me, it was worth paying a slight premium for a finish I liked. Very similar to upgrading to an ultimate grade flame or quilt top.

[Luke]

How about I come over your place with a three foot chain and relic your automobiles and the interior of your home for you, free of charge? You will be able to park in the first spot, near the blue ones, without fear of getting your first dent of scratch. You will no longer need to worry about the children or pets marking up your walls, there will be marks everywhere, it will be like an old friend, when people come over they will say "wow Bob, this places really looks lived in", and that is a compliment right? When I pull to my house I appreciate that shutter that is hanging by one last nail, the missing roof shingles and the peeling paint, it just screams welcome home.

[hardheartedbill]

people at furniture stores do it every day, "patina" and wear are the sign that something is useful and well made. I pine for a Fender relic, just cause it's the best feeling strat I've tried ( damn theyre expensive! )

[iownit4]

cool topic I love my guitar .. the ones that r worn in r the one I like better ..thats why there worn in

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/iownit4/IMG_0004.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/iownit4/IMG_0141.jpg

[El Kabong]

I admit, a big part of it is the look. It's a fantasy without the bad-touch. The best guitar I have ever had in the 50+ guitars that have come and gone is my Nash Esquire with a USA Custom 'Texas Blues Brother' neck. http://www.usacustomguitars.com/contours.html

Mine is the shell pink one on the top left: http://www.nashguitars.com/gallery/e_series.html

Tombo, who thinks I am the biggest ass when it comes to gear purchases concurs that this guitar feels like it's from the mid 60's.

Yes, there are 2 stong arguments on each side; but for me, I am not going to find the guitar of my dreams on a rack. If I found a close second, I would not be willing to fork over the large ticket price. I waste tonnes of money on guitar gear in moderate doses. I am a full time lecturer at a university. I have cash to play with, but there are lots of things to do in life.

I love guitars, but life is short. I rarely play live and am in my mid 30's. I may be a poser for all of you that play out a few nights a week, but I played out tonnes when I was in my late teens.

I just want a bit of the romance without the ring. Is that so bad?

[DEMENTED]

This topic really gets to me ....my own opinion is that "relic" finishes are just that...a finish. Same as choosing candy apple red for your guitar, I personally hate that color on guitars but that doesn't give me the right to say it shouldn't be a color choice for guitars. I like the look of well done relics but some, such as the ESP "Trucker" or whatever that James Hetfield model is, look really cheesy. My opinion, not right or wrong. I rarely buy new guitars because I don't want to be the one scratching and dinging them up. I prefer used instuments that already have some "patina". So leave the people who buy reliced finishes alone, it's the same as choosing a flame maple , sunburst finish over an indigo blue. And if it's not your guitar, why do you give a sh*t anyway?

[Brownsound]

Well...it doesnt keep me up nights just thought it would be interesting to get the general consensus so I could get more information on interesting human behavior.

Jeesh...musicians are pissy bunch.

[BCR Greg]

Did you buy the hard, dark indigo blue jeans or the prewashed, softer blue jeans?

[DEMENTED]

Did you buy the hard, dark indigo blue jeans or the prewashed, softer blue jeans?

I remember the days when you didn't have the choice, all Levi's were stiff, dark blue and kinda uncomfortable until they broke in.

[pesocaster]

at least you don't have to worry about scratching or dinging them......

[Moose]

Did you buy the hard, dark indigo blue jeans or the prewashed, softer blue jeans?

I WISH I could get old style Levis. Every pair I've gotten in the last few years (Since they closed all their US manufacturing) has had thinner denim, worn out more quickly, has ripped in the crotch and at pocket corners within a year, and generally doesn't fit as well as they used to.

I used to buy levis -- stiff and all that -- because the damned things lasted forever. And the best part about their stiffness was, once they'd been washed a few times and worn, they fit ME because they'd been broken in to MY shape and bent where I bent.

And, for those who aren't sure, this post is allegorical and on topic.

[Brownsound]

Did you buy the hard, dark indigo blue jeans or the prewashed, softer blue jeans?

I bought the in-between almost broke in jeans and nice shiney perfect brand new car.

[Brownsound]

Did you buy the hard, dark indigo blue jeans or the prewashed, softer blue jeans?

I WISH I could get old style Levis. Every pair I've gotten in the last few years (Since they closed all their US manufacturing) has had thinner denim, worn out more quickly, has ripped in the crotch and at pocket corners within a year, and generally doesn't fit as well as they used to.

I used to buy levis -- stiff and all that -- because the damned things lasted forever. And the best part about their stiffness was, once they'd been washed a few times and worn, they fit ME because they'd been broken in to MY shape and bent where I bent.

And, for those who aren't sure, this post is allegorical and on topic.

Exactly...it wore in to your body not someone elses.... I sure as hell dont want to wear someone elses old clothes.

[shankyboy]

Speaking of prematurely aging a guitar, I remember reading an article several years ago in either Guitar Player or Guitar World about a famous guitarist (at least at the time) that built a smoke house for his guitars. It was a little wooden shack where he would hang his guitars and light up a slew of cigarettes and "smoke" his guitars for weeks. I'll have to dig through all of my old issues and see if I can find the article.

[JES1680]

Oh I'll chime in as well. I'm basically moraly opposed to the whole relic idea. I guess its similar to smashing a guitar on stage. I'm just not of the mind that you should do that to a nice guitar. HOWEVER. I do own a 60's Fender Relic. I was looking for a Strat that had a neck like my real 66 Telecaster. All nice and worn etc.. This releic felt, sounded and played better than any Strat I've picked up except for one real 65 that was really really nice. It was all about the feel and sound for me. I beleve they are the best and most accurately made strats. Don't really care how it looks. I also like the fact that I don't worry about dining it up. Don't even have a case for mine, just a gig bag.

[earachemyeye]

Don't have a problem with it although I can't see going after my Phantom or Studio custom, they're too nice looking. I hate to take them out and gig with them but they're all I've got so they'll get banged up I'm sure and worn in and out. But if I have to clam some idiot with with one in self defense, well there's one dent that would make me proud. I only hope to have the time to proclaim "I HAVE THE POWER!!" before crushing them with my heavy ass Phantom.

Joe

[bobsessed]

My '83 Phantom A5 was "relic'd" when I got it. I really don't like it when I see people "abusing " their guitars, and this one hasn't gotten another ding on it since I acquired it in '97. I bought it (and actually paid more than I should have) because it was such a beautiful sounding guitar.....but I'm sure it had that wonderful sound before it got it's relic mojo. Beat up a guitar because it LOOKS cool? Never.

[Moose]

One thing I hear several people mention is the way a played in neck feels. I've been known to treat a sticky finished neck with a little 0 and 0000 steel wool to make it silkier to the touch, and I softened the shoulder of an acoustic for someone once, and both methods can leave a nicer playing guitar. As such, I buy this argument for comfort, but not to the extent of participating in the relic business model.

Wouldn't it be cool if Fender could make a played in neck without destroying the finish on the guitar? That would satisfy many of us who feel like paying more to get something artificially beat up is stupid as all hell, but who might like a played in feel on the neck.

[Guest galejt]

A couple of points...

Fuck Blue Jeans. They suck. Hot, restrictive, worthless. Gramicci pants. Drawstring and gusseted crotch. Most comfortable pants evah! Although Brewmiester says I'm a pussy for doin' it, I buy 'em anyhow. 'cuz I live the rock climber lifestyle ooo baby yeah.

What else were we talkin about? Oh yeah. I dropped my camera onto a perfect finished Vintage Orange special. Broke my heart. I went crying to greggles and he fixed me up nice. Now I spend my time wiping off the drool that accumulates. I don't play, just lick it. A lot.

A luthier I know...took to a perfectly good maple/maple neck with a grinder to "relic" the fit and feel. I would kill for that guitar.

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

[eightyfour]

Relic'ing is just a finish, same as any other paint or transparent or satin or sheetmetal or plexiglass finish on a guitar. Sure a lengthy and current trend that may or may not fizzle out, but so was airbrushed graphics....how dare someone even consider painting pickups, that's just wrong! All I can say is anyone who bitches about relic'ing better not own a photo-flame guitar.

Although I'm no rock star by any means, I play out regularly, more often than not lately in other cities and States than my own, rehearse and write upward of 5 to 7 nights a week, am finishing work on a great new full-length record, and the majority of that time is spent holding a Bill Nash relic'ed tele. Anybody want to suggest I'm faking anything?