Relic finishes

[vjf1968]

I honestly do not see the point in "relics". To me it is a reason to upcharge for more money and getting less. I prefer the tried and true method, play it and let nature take it's course.

[Mr. Bill]

The entire guitar industry has and will be selling image to a large part of the market. Why did Mosrite sell so many guitars back in the early 60's? A certain number of buyers bought them because of the strong connection to The Ventures. How many Rickenbacker, Gretsch and Hofner guitars were sold due to the Beatles connection. How many Les Pauls have been sold due to Slash?

Even if you don't have the talents of your favorite rock star, at least you can play the same guitar that he does. If you don't have the money to buy a vintage Strat, you can at least own one that looks like a vintage one.

Do new reliced guitars play or sound any better than an un-reliced new one?

[KRamone27]

Mosrite guitars "With worn in soul"

[jfine]

I'm still waiting for the vintage dealers to advertise, "Relic, mint condition." How would you tell?

[Veenture]

I'm still waiting for the vintage dealers to advertise, "Relic, mint condition." How would you tell?

Jon, you've given me an excellent idea
I feel very comfortable now, knowing my son could sell his '73 Fender Strat as a 2010 (or later) relic, made to look exactly like one made in 1973...
and for triple the price -at the very least
Hey Danny, can I still change my vote to a positive "yes"? ...what a great idea, these 'commercial relics'...

[Dennisthe Menace]

I'm still waiting for the vintage dealers to advertise, "Relic, mint condition." How would you tell?

Jon, you've given me an excellent idea
I feel very comfortable now, knowing my son could sell his '73 Fender Strat as a 2010 (or later) relic, made to look exactly like one made in 1973...
and for triple the price -at the very least
Hey Danny, can I still change my vote to a positive "yes"? ...what a great idea, these 'commercial relics'...

Paul, I'm not so sure you want to do that . I just saw a C.A.R. 1970 Strat running at $9,100....and the reserve was still not met !
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330446302567&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123

[Veenture]

I'm still waiting for the vintage dealers to advertise, "Relic, mint condition." How would you tell?

Jon, you've given me an excellent idea
I feel very comfortable now, knowing my son could sell his '73 Fender Strat as a 2010 (or later) relic, made to look exactly like one made in 1973...
and for triple the price -at the very least
Hey Danny, can I still change my vote to a positive "yes"? ...what a great idea, these 'commercial relics'...

Paul, I'm not so sure you want to do that . I just saw a C.A.R. 1970 Strat running at $9,100....and the reserve was still not met !
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330446302567&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123

I was just kidding of course but that's incredible on ebay...and to think my son's (Sunburst) is in a much better condition! The neck date stamp actually reads: 2 2JAN 72 B and has the 3 bolt-neck

[sleeperNY]

I didn't think the 3 bolt necks were all that great.. I have an original 3 bolt neck Strat here in the house with a tweed case.


Jim

[64sunburst]

I voted yes, but I have to qualify that. I wouldn't spend the $$$ on the custom shop relics, but I did spend $500 on a Mexican Fender Road-Worn Strat, which I bought from a friend who got it on a trade. The only other Strat I have is an original '64 - I've been wanting another strat to use for actual gigging but have never found any of the newer Fenders to my liking - never liked the heavy poly finish or the high-gloss necks...yuck. When the Road Worns 1st appeared at my local guitar shop I tried one out. I have to say it was love at first sight, or I should say love at first touch because that's what I really like about this "relic" - it just has that nice played in feel, and I have no qualms about the wear being pre-fab. So now I can play a strat that feels like my '64 (and sounds pretty darn good too) without worrying about taking a vintage axe out on a bar gig. And funny, only Fenders seem to look good really worn in.

[jfine]

I bought a Strat new in '74. I went to one of the biggest music stores in San Francisco (anybody remember Don Wehr's Music City?), played every Strat they had--about a dozen of them--and bought the best of the bunch, a natural-ash hardtail with a maple neck, and it still wasn't all that great. Creaky 3-bolt neck joint, wouldn't stay in tune, thin-sounding pickups, and the later '70's ones are even worse. It just blows me away to see what those things are going for now--in my opinion the average '73-'81 Strat is worth maybe $200, and these days they go for thousands. And a '70 for almost $10K? Jeez. But at least it would have the four-bolt neck...I guess there are folks who will pay big money to Be Like Jimi! (As if that's even possible...)