Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: hunter on December 07, 2010, 11:27:27 PM

Title: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: hunter on December 07, 2010, 11:27:27 PM

I am in discussions with the seller of this Nash Tele, I'll probably go try it this Friday.

Nash guitars are amazing players and sound great in general, I played a few in the past.

What do you guys think, is this aging too much?

Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Jonny on December 07, 2010, 11:45:32 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Telerocker on December 08, 2010, 12:05:15 AM
Not for me, I think it looks cool, but the hardware should be rustier to be on par with the body.

Take a look at this site from RebelRelic in Amsterdam. Luke Whitfield knows how to relic in a convincing way.

http://www.rebelrelic.com/ (http://www.rebelrelic.com/)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 08, 2010, 12:32:17 AM
I've never seen a Nash up close, but from pictures I think their relicing looks more fake than, say, Bravewood or the best Fender CS relics.

But to answer the question, I don't think that's too much ageing, it does look really cool.


(That RebelRelic looks great.  And it's a hardtail!  :o )
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Telerocker on December 08, 2010, 01:12:38 AM
Quote
That RebelRelic looks great.  And it's a hardtail!
 

Luke Whitfield makes great guitars for half the price of Fender CS. Love them, but I prefer 9.5 radius to the vintageradius.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Transcend on December 08, 2010, 06:11:57 AM
I think any relicing is too much unless its actually worn with age which would mean its not relic'd lol
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: JacksonRR on December 08, 2010, 06:26:51 AM
THIS IS TOO MUCH. I still like it though.

(http://www.amfisound.fi/amfisound_galleria/routa_2008/routakelo.jpg)

(http://www.amfisound.fi/amfisound_galleria/spotlight/routakelo/routakelo3.jpg)

(http://www.amfisound.fi/amfisound_galleria/spotlight/routakelo/routakelo2.jpg)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Zaned on December 08, 2010, 07:22:56 AM
THIS IS TOO MUCH. I still like it though.

(http://www.amfisound.fi/amfisound_galleria/routa_2008/routakelo.jpg)


Amfisound's 'Kelo' finish isn't about relicing (i.e. fooling the person in the audience). It's just a finishing way to create a certain atmosphere in the instrument. And a cool one it is.

-Zaned
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: hunter on December 08, 2010, 07:32:53 AM
interesting stiff guys, keep it coming
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: hunter on December 08, 2010, 07:33:21 AM
I meant to say stuff ...  too early methinks ;)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2010, 08:41:30 AM
I think the Nash relic-ing is too much, plus the ones I've played have vintage radius necks and low skinny frets so they weren't for me.

This is also too much in my opinion:

(http://www.guitarvillage.co.uk/admin/pages/upload/Fender/Strat%20USA/SH61stratrelic_lpb_m.jpg)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: AndyR on December 08, 2010, 09:10:04 AM
Interesting, my initial reaction was "too much". But then I realised for me it actually isn't a "too much" at all, it's just that I don't like the finished look on that particular tele.

By theory, the strat that TF's posted is "too much" for me, but apart from the sparkly paint I think that one looks cool.

The main thing that gets me is the wood always looks too clean on these things :lol:

I get round this by dosing the bare wood (body only) with a concentrated salt and vinegar solution once a week or so for a while. I also oil it with the guff I use for rosewood boards (Fret Doctor).

The main thing for me, though, is 1) does it play like a b@stard and, if yes, 2) do I look cool playing it. A negative for 1 will definitely stop me, a negative for 2 might stop me but I know I can get over it :lol:
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: shobet on December 08, 2010, 10:52:12 AM
I quite like that lake placid blue one Dave's put up. I like the beaten to hell look to be honest.

So which of these is the real 60s strat and which is the relic?
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs482.ash1/26381_380877011425_20987831425_4280802_3322056_n.jpg)

Is it OK for a guitar to age like this over time versus one that's mimicking the same patina of age? What makes one OK and the other not?

Matt, shut up as I know you know which is the real one.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 08, 2010, 11:02:56 AM
So which of these is the real 60s strat and which is the relic?

The one on the right is Philip Sayce's early '60s Strat!
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Jonny on December 08, 2010, 11:08:32 AM
The one on the right is the real one.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: nfe on December 08, 2010, 11:16:28 AM
Well there you go. I'd have guessed left.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: shobet on December 08, 2010, 11:23:21 AM
Yeah, but I have to ask if Phily and Jonny have some prior knowledge as to which was which, I suspect Phily does as he named the artist. 

If we had an unknown original and a relic based on that, it would be a better test.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: hunter on December 08, 2010, 12:14:43 PM
So which of these is the real 60s strat and which is the relic?

The one on the right is Philip Sayce's early '60s Strat!

The left one looks better though ;)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 08, 2010, 01:02:31 PM
Yeah, but I have to ask if Phily and Jonny have some prior knowledge as to which was which, I suspect Phily does as he named the artist. 

If we had an unknown original and a relic based on that, it would be a better test.

I did have prior knowledge of course.  :lol:

Without it, I'd probably have said they look equally good and equally authentic.  Which is unusual, because generally I think the Relics with huge patches of bare wood look pretty phoney.  Rory Gallagher and Philip Sayce apart, not many people have Strats which have lost most of their paint!

Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: PhilKing on December 08, 2010, 01:15:53 PM
I've had a Nash before (I sold it for a friend who had died), and don't think they are anywhere near the same as a Bravewood.  Nash ages stock parts and seems to go a bit overboard, whereas John makes everything from scratch and so can do some work before spraying. 

The real answer on if it is too aged though, is how do you feel about it?
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Jonny on December 08, 2010, 01:31:38 PM
Yeah, but I have to ask if Phily and Jonny have some prior knowledge as to which was which, I suspect Phily does as he named the artist. 

If we had an unknown original and a relic based on that, it would be a better test.
I knew $%&# all about them, lol
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: gordiji on December 08, 2010, 04:13:42 PM
i'd be looking for a discount as if it was a beaten up car,i've no problem  with something beat up
after 40 yrs or more gigging but to beat it up intentionally is dumb, esp for the price some of them command. it
really reflects the bizzaro world in which we live, imagine your bmw dealer trying to sell you a new car scratched
to pieces for the same price as a new one, or a vintage one in a similar state......you'd laugh at him
relicing is the biggest sales con in the guitarworld!
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: ToneMonkey on December 08, 2010, 04:32:50 PM
It's not a con, it's fashion  :lol:

I don't mind relicing, but there's a very fine line between good and bad....... and it's either very good or very bad.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2010, 04:57:38 PM
I chose the white Strat on the right without knowing the history.  You can just tell!
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: nfe on December 08, 2010, 05:07:24 PM
i'd be looking for a discount as if it was a beaten up car,i've no problem  with something beat up
after 40 yrs or more gigging but to beat it up intentionally is dumb, esp for the price some of them command. it
really reflects the bizzaro world in which we live, imagine your bmw dealer trying to sell you a new car scratched
to pieces for the same price as a new one, or a vintage one in a similar state......you'd laugh at him
relicing is the biggest sales con in the guitarworld!


People spend massive amounts of money on falsely aged goods of many types all the time.

It's just a finish. There's no difference between a sparkly top, sunburst, stained figured maple or relicing. None whatsoever. You can say it's pretending to be something it's not, but 99% of people who pick up guitars spend all their time playing it pretending they're something they're not, anyway.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 08, 2010, 05:13:34 PM
It's just a finish. There's no difference between a sparkly top, sunburst, stained figured maple or relicing. None whatsoever. You can say it's pretending to be something it's not, but 99% of people who pick up guitars spend all their time playing it pretending they're something they're not, anyway.

^

This is very true.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Andrew W on December 08, 2010, 05:17:52 PM
Relicing fascinates me, mostly because of the extraordinarily strong opinions it generates.  I like relics, then again I like old guitars that have been refinished so they look new and I like new guitars that still use paint colours/materials from the 1950s that look new but from another time.  I don't think there's anything scam-like about it, it's just a different aesthetic.   As for the guitar in question I'm not fond of sunburst Teles of any flavour.  The blue Strat on the other hand...mmmm and should I ever find a reliced 1962 Olympic White Strat my credit card will be in big trouble. 

And I completely agree with nfe.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: gwEm on December 08, 2010, 05:23:55 PM
i do like a well done relic.

i actually thought the strat on the left was the real one, so I guess it goes to show you need a bit of knowledge to tell a good relic apart.

not sure i like look of the guitar which started this thread - but hunter surely knows what *he* likes :)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: WezV on December 08, 2010, 05:25:57 PM
(http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/images/equipment/guitar/66_colinjones.jpg)

too much!   and even then its still a cool wall hanging
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Nolly on December 08, 2010, 05:30:00 PM
I personally love well-relic'd guitars. After I fell madly in love with one of Tim's personal Fender CS Strats (absolutely amazing sound, plus the feel was incredible), he managed to track down an identically specced one from the same batch. Picking it up on Friday, cannot wait. Here's the one, I believe it's also the very same guitar in this thread: http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22548.0


(http://guitarvillage.co.uk/admin/pages/upload/Fender/Custom%20Shop/Knuckle60str_hvyrel_vwht_ts_m.jpg)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: gwEm on December 08, 2010, 05:35:22 PM
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/02gwem.jpg)

my favourite guitar at the moment is a partial relic by our man wez
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Ian Price on December 08, 2010, 06:35:09 PM
I chose the white Strat on the right without knowing the history.  You can just tell!

Yep - me too. Took me a good few seconds to figure it out though.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Telerocker on December 08, 2010, 06:36:24 PM
I won't say the left one. Cause it's the right one.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Ian Price on December 08, 2010, 06:38:16 PM

I am in discussions with the seller of this Nash Tele, I'll probably go try it this Friday.

Nash guitars are amazing players and sound great in general, I played a few in the past.

What do you guys think, is this aging too much?



I think that looks really rather nice. I'm into the relic look though so am a little biased.

Is the body on that thinner than a Fender? It looks it from the photo.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: 38thBeatle on December 08, 2010, 09:13:34 PM
I am undecided about this relic lark. I keep chopping and changing and all I can say on the matter is that if the guitar looks to your liking and plays/sounds good then who cares. A friend has a rather lovely Bravewood Strat that I have grown to envy. Plays beautifully and has light wear on it. Some of these heavy relic jobs are a bit over the top for me and I am not sure, when it comes down to it, that I would ever spend cash on a heavy relic.

Hunter, if it were me, I would try that one out and if it spoke to me I'd get it- simple as that.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: tekbow on December 08, 2010, 11:19:18 PM
with me relicing is a love hate thing, i love the look of an old beat up strat that looks as if it's been loved and played for 50+ years, but at the end of the day it's not... and you feel a bit of a fake.. but who can afford a real deal 57, 59, or 62 these days..

on the degree of relicing? somebody do a stevie ray vaughan or rory gallagher on a 3 tone sunburst for me. I fecking love how that looks
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: AndyR on December 09, 2010, 08:51:58 AM
I am undecided about this relic lark. I keep chopping and changing and all I can say on the matter is that if the guitar looks to your liking and plays/sounds good then who cares...

Some of these heavy relic jobs are a bit over the top for me and I am not sure, when it comes down to it, that I would ever spend cash on a heavy relic.

Hunter, if it were me, I would try that one out and if it spoke to me I'd get it- simple as that.

Big +1 from me on this, 38th.

with me relicing is a love hate thing, i love the look of an old beat up strat that looks as if it's been loved and played for 50+ years, but at the end of the day it's not... and you feel a bit of a fake..

This is how I used to think a year or two ago. I could not believe people were spending good money on pre-aged guitars. I had no problem with them doing it, but I just couldn't comprehend why they'd want to.

However, I was ensnared by a 60s Roadworn strat (as a player) a year ago, and I ended up getting a 50s Roadworn strat as well... funnily enough, when you actually own and look after one, you don't feel like a fake in any way what so ever. It's just "your guitar", and it does what it says on the tin. There's no feeling of pretending or trying to con anyone - that all appears to be in their heads, not yours - it is just a guitar like all the others in your collection. (At least that's how it affected me, anyway! :lol:)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2010, 09:15:23 AM
Exactly Andy.  And as nfe says too, it's just a cosmetic finish.  It's not supposed to be passed off as a 50 year old guitar, it's just been given the appearance of one.....
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 09, 2010, 09:23:00 AM
^

Agree with both the comments above.

And, as I've said many times, it's "liberating" to pick up a guitar which already has a few (or many) knocks and scratches.  If, that is, you're the kind of person who agonises over that first tiny ding on a new guitar.... some people seem to beat the hell out of a new guitar in a matter of months without even trying, and it doesn't bother them at all.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Nolly on December 09, 2010, 09:41:50 AM
^

Agree with both the comments above.

And, as I've said many times, it's "liberating" to pick up a guitar which already has a few (or many) knocks and scratches.  If, that is, you're the kind of person who agonises over that first tiny ding on a new guitar.... some people seem to beat the hell out of a new guitar in a matter of months without even trying, and it doesn't bother them at all.

Yes, absolutely this. The fact that you can buy a brand new high end guitar and treat it like a beater without affecting its resale value is very liberating.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Matt77 on December 09, 2010, 11:01:39 AM
+1
If you don't hold on to guitars for a long time, it seems an obvious choice to get a light relic and treat it like a yorkshire wife before moving it on.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: CaptainDesslock on December 09, 2010, 08:47:02 PM
a good relic guitar should be like a cougar, a little worn around the edges but still sexy as hell  8)

what I do not understand is why some of you drool over instruments that look like they went through a meat grinder and came out in one piece  :|
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: tomjackson on December 10, 2010, 10:42:54 AM


It's not just about looks, it's about feel and how comfy it feels.

You can get aged jeans that look and feel less stiff than new ones - it's the same with guitars, you don't have to worry about your shiny new guitar as it's already  had the knocks.  The Fender CS stuff, some of it anyway just feels great and in that respect it can be easier to bond with them than a new guitar.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: shobet on December 10, 2010, 11:34:27 AM
a good relic guitar should be like a cougar, a little worn around the edges but still sexy as hell  8)

what I do not understand is why some of you drool over instruments that look like they went through a meat grinder and came out in one piece  :|

Some of us don't like sparkly pink guitars, vive la différence!
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 10, 2010, 11:40:53 AM
a good relic guitar should be like a cougar, a little worn around the edges but still sexy as hell  8)

??????????????????  :?

(http://www.exoticcatz.com/photoalbum/albums/userpics/10001/normal_cougar~0.jpg)

OR

(http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/mercury-cougar.gif)

OR

(http://www.zona39.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cougar_town-3.jpg)

Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: plastercaster on December 10, 2010, 01:52:28 PM
I'd guess he means the latter, although personally I'd prefer the mercury.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: marantz1300 on December 10, 2010, 08:06:53 PM
This is real.After forty years it's as comfortable as an old slipper.I can relax and just play because I'm not worried about adding another ding.So I'd take a good relic over a shiny guitar.I don't like the obvious ones like the road worns,I'd rather have a beat up old USA Strat.It would probably be cheaper too.(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii98/marantz1300/bonamassa2.jpg)rms though.(http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii98/marantz1300/bonamassadeluxe4-1-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: stonevibe on December 11, 2010, 09:45:19 AM
Here is mine and its all natural, well as natural as a house fire meets my Strat could be. But genuine never the less and rescued by a young me from said burning building.

(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj110/stonevibe/My%20Old%20Stratocaster/IMG_1623.jpg)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: stonevibe on December 11, 2010, 09:48:05 AM
In this pic you can just about see some of the original sunburst, this was taken about four years ago during a setup and pickup change session.

I've added CS Abigail Ybarras, Bone Nut, Kluson Tuners, Callaham bridge & block, CTS pots & vintage caps.

The neck, body and scratchplate are all that really survived the fire.

The pickups melted and wax was everywhere, finish bubbled and lifted off. So scr@ped it off and rubbed it down a little to make it playable and not so rough.

It was a Fender 60s reissue from 1987 and house fire was 89 when I was 17.

Like an idiot I had to rescue my guitar. Glad I did though.
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj110/stonevibe/My%20Old%20Stratocaster/DSCF3980.jpg)
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Philly Q on December 11, 2010, 10:32:08 AM
A proper BB King "Lucille" story!

And it looks great!  :D
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Telerocker on December 11, 2010, 01:03:45 PM
Well, you're definitely smarter then Jimi was... :lol:
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: stonevibe on December 11, 2010, 01:31:51 PM
It was my only guitar at the time and so I didn't even think about it.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: hunter on December 11, 2010, 01:47:35 PM
Great story. But you should get your pickguard aged to match the rest of the guitar.

Does it still smell burnt?
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: shobet on December 11, 2010, 02:25:41 PM
This thread has given me monster Strat GAS... eeek!
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: stonevibe on December 11, 2010, 07:37:13 PM
Great story. But you should get your pickguard aged to match the rest of the guitar.

Does it still smell burnt?

The pickguard is all burnt too and bubbled around the edges, so it matches perfectly and yes it smells of fire/smoke, when you open it up its even worse.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Ian Price on December 11, 2010, 09:18:05 PM
That strat looks rather lovely - GAS, GAS GAS
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Matt77 on December 11, 2010, 09:22:41 PM
This thread has given me monster Strat GAS... eeek!

Just got back from Soundsgreat. I'm sure I saw a certain offensive Welshman buying a strat
Hmmmm was it this one http://www.soundsgreatmusic.com/products/6972/9327/fender--56-heavy-relic-strat-ash-body-2-tone-sunburst.aspx
or was it something more sparkly?
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: shobet on December 11, 2010, 10:04:36 PM
Sparkly, but if had the money I'd have had that sunburst as well!
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: gwEm on December 12, 2010, 11:59:00 AM
It was my only guitar at the time and so I didn't even think about it.

thats a rock'n'roll story if ever there was one
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Prawnik on January 09, 2011, 10:34:18 AM
As someone who builds guitars from time to time, the only reason I relic what I build is because a '71 Fender looks sort of unconvincing if it is still factory new.

Still, I try not to go too over the top with player wear. That looks even more hokey.
Title: Re: Relicing - how much is too much?
Post by: Thazy on January 10, 2011, 04:14:00 AM
I have three relic'd strats. a Nash. a Rice (the one in my avatar), and a Fender CS. I agree with what others have said. They just feel and sound better. I play lots and things get knocked around a bit. I don't worry as much about these than I would say a PRS.