Why relic a guitar?

[squank]

Who cares? People can do what they want. It's available to players so there is obviously a market for it.
My HWY1 Strat has that soft satin finish, so it wears, dents and chips if you so much as look at it funny.
I also soaked the pickup covers and knobs in coffee, so against the white pickguard it makes that axe look about 30 yrs old. Plus it's chewed up from the soft finish so it fools people who look at it, and even some less experienced players who handle it. The large 70's headstock it has adds to the vintage look too.
I think it looks cooler than if it were all shiny and purdy. The look it has wasn't entirely intentional though.
But now I'm actually determined to make that Strat the ugliest Strat ever.
It has:
- Chipped Cocoa brown finish
- Beige faux aged pickup covers & knobs
- Black bobbin bridge humbucker
It needs:
- mint green pickguard or other gross color against the brown
- Graphtech saddles
- Graphtech tusq nut
- DR Neon strings

Oh, man!

You'll have to post a photo

 

[Spaceboy]

Why bother bringing up the subject? I don't mean for that to sound rude. It's one of those things people will always be polarized on, there will never be an agreement no matter how much it's discussed. Ultimately, what someone wants to do to their guitar or anything else they own is their business, and if relic-ing means they will better enjoy the feel or appearance, then good for them. It's not cheating, it's an artform in itself, because good relics are not simple jobs. If its not something you're interested in, move along. I have no relics myself, it not for me, but I can agree that worn-in guitars look damn cool and can see why someone might want their guitar relic'd.

 

[rockify]

I know what you guys are saying about the feel of relic guitar but to me I actually need to play the crap out of it, sweat in it, let the fingerboard build up with debris. I think it's more with how I bond with my guitar rather than get one "ready made".

I'm yet to try a really good relic, but if I do, luxxtone is on my short list!

 

[TeleBlaster]

A relic troll thread?!??!111?!?! OMG it's TGP!!!

 

[Shark Diver]

I know what you guys are saying about the feel of relic guitar but to me I actually need to play the crap out of it, sweat in it, let the fingerboard build up with debris. I think it's more with how I bond with my guitar rather than get one "ready made".

I'm yet to try a really good relic, but if I do, luxxtone is on my short list!

We are working on a dealer network, so hopefully you'll be able to try one soon. We also can do a non-relic if you'd like. It's just everybody who has ordered has asked for relics.

 

[lespaul3013]

They look cool

 

[Chris6870]

I've been playing my Charvel Model 6 since 1990. No worn off paint, no wood showing. How long does this natural relic shit take?

 

[steve_k]

I've been playing my Charvel Model 6 since 1990. No worn off paint, no wood showing. How long does this natural relic shit take?

You must have the Heinz 57 model......

 

[Anonymous]

How is someone supposed to put wear and tear on their guitar and relic it organically when most spare time is spent on forums? Reliced guitars are a necessity for the Internet Guitar Player.

I go the cheap way though and drop my guitar frequently as well as leaving it in direct sunlight. It's a low cost, expedited relicing methodology.

you're the fucking best!!!!!!!!!!!
i mean that!

i love that you said in 2 or 3 sentences what would've taken me an hour and 6 paragraphs to type and then no one woulda read anyways!

 

[Anonymous]

all personal taste - best thing about a relic guitar is you can put your beer on it and not worry about messing it up, knock into something - oh well, still looks cool. Digging the new Suhr 80's Shred - with some relic'ing

http://www.suhr.com/#!80s-shred/c839

looks new and old at same time

sorry, but i think those neon drips look like a shitty attempt at an ibanez MC...some crappy job you'd find on craigslist.

i LOVE the colors though, i just wish he'd have done them better.

 

[Jerome Allen]

Different strokes, right?

I would never buy a relic. For me, there's just no mojo in faking it...trying to make it look like you've practiced a lot or been around the block with it. Reminds me of the old term "poser" from the 80s.

I've had a couple of "relics"...guitars that I slept with, gone to jail with, traveled with, bashed on the drummer's cymbals during a show with, bled on, spit on, ect. There were a lot of memories with those guitars...a lot of mojo.

 

[metalmaniac93]

Some people might not like the relics, but it is hard to beat a Luxxtone whether is relic or not!! I like the worn/beat up look and no one does it better than Luxxtone IMO!!!!! The only thing that really matters is how it plays and sounds and every Luxxtone that I have played felt like no other guitar and sounded great!!! It is all personal preference and I have a Luxxtone build coming soon!!!

 

[Anonymous]

i just dont see the whole "relic" fad.
my guitars are beat up, to one degree or another.
i call it "character".
you can't "factory create or re-create" that.
you can't force something to "have mojo".

 

[steve_k]

 

[supersonic]

I relic them myself the old fasioned way, playing them.

 

[romanianreaper]

How is someone supposed to put wear and tear on their guitar and relic it organically when most spare time is spent on forums? Reliced guitars are a necessity for the Internet Guitar Player.

I go the cheap way though and drop my guitar frequently as well as leaving it in direct sunlight. It's a low cost, expedited relicing methodology.

LOL! Great response Bob.

I just tell people my guitars are reliced. Like yesterday I sold a guy one of my strats that was owned by Benjamin Franklin. At first he was a bit leary but then I threw in a kite and key and he fell for it....