Relics

[noelford]

No, this isn't yet another thread about why people pay so much for a relic'd guitar. I'm more interested in why the original guitars upon which the relics are based, get into that state in the first place. Why is it (or IS it?) just guitars that seem to get this sort of mistreatment? I love my guitars and I hate it if I get even the slightest ding on one of them. And yet some guitars seem to suffer from the sort of disrespect that other instruments, cherished instruments, don't. Personally I think it's rather arrogant to treat your musical instrument in such an off-hand way and it's a bit like saying that the guitar isn't important and 'it's ME that creates the music'! Am I alone in feeling a bit sad about this attitude?

[cockroach]

Well, I for one do believe that the player is ultimately more important than the guitar or any other gear, but I believe also that you need to take basic care of your gear, especially if you are earning money with it- it's essentially tools of trade, and any sensible workman or woman takes care of his or her tools..obviously if you play outside the bedroom there will always be occasions when doing gigs etc where accidents happen and normal wear and tear occurs- belt buckle scratches on the back etc

But I think the whole relic thing is a sympton of materialist shallow modern life and values, whereby image is all important..

...some young kid, or older fantasist, wants to give the impression to audiences and musical peers that he's a true experienced musician who has for years been 'on the road, maan...' - playing rough bars and pubs etc - in other words a fantasy of the 'rock'n'roll' lifestyle...a beaten up vintage classic guitar is as much a fashion statement as a pair of leather trousers, tattoos, body piercings,or any other Keith Richard -style clothing or hair accessories.

In other words, relic-ed guitars are aimed at a very significant 'tosser' market! (Pardon the language..)

[JimN]

Fender and Fender-style guitars have always been vulnerable to knocks. A contact which other guitars would survive easily will knock a chunk out of the finish of a Fender. I can't recall anything like that happening to a semi-acoustic Hofner, or even (all that much) to a Watkins Rapier. Certainly not to a Burns, whose finish is made of sterner stuff.

JN

[ecca]

I worshipped my Les Paul when I first had it in 1977 but 30 years later and many, many gigs it was dinged to buggery
and it seemed to happen when I wasn't looking.

[kipper]

one word covers all.. alcohol. or another word making two, beer. peter

[noelford]

Well, I don't think guitarist are the only musicians who enjoy a bevvy or three!

Perhaps I should admit that I have a fairly newish guitar that has suffered some cosmetic damage (though by accident rather than attitude), but also three old (40yrs+) Gibsons which have survived very well, one of them still almost pristine. I've got no beef with a few honest dings, anyway, but the state of some guitars I've seen can only be due to disrespect for the tools of your trade (cigarette burns, for example).

[kipper]

but with a guitar its very portable and gets taken to some rough places were a piano wont fit. i`d think most pub pianos are abused a lot, not so much today you dont see them in bars like you used to. have a beer or two start posing bang its dinged. not that i would behave in such a manner. peter

[John Haldane]

HI
I watched a documentry on Rorry Galaager, his strat was almost back to bare wood ,he said it was caused mainly from the harmonica support, he used.
John H

[BrianD]

Well, I for one do believe that the player is ultimately more important than the guitar or any other gear, but I believe also that you need to take basic care of your gear, especially if you are earning money with it- it's essentially tools of trade, and any sensible workman or woman takes care of his or her tools..obviously if you play outside the bedroom there will always be occasions when doing gigs etc where accidents happen and normal wear and tear occurs- belt buckle scratches on the back etc

But I think the whole relic thing is a sympton of materialist shallow modern life and values, whereby image is all important..

...some young kid, or older fantasist, wants to give the impression to audiences and musical peers that he's a true experienced musician who has for years been 'on the road, maan...' - playing rough bars and pubs etc - in other words a fantasy of the 'rock'n'roll' lifestyle...a beaten up vintage classic guitar is as much a fashion statement as a pair of leather trousers, tattoos, body piercings,or any other Keith Richard -style clothing or hair accessories.

In other words, relic-ed guitars are aimed at a very significant 'tosser' market! (Pardon the language..)

I must be a "tosser" 'cos I bought a Strat Relic back in 1999. In my defence, though, I will say that during the previous 40 years of gigging I had owned a number of Strats, some new, most second (or more)hand. A friend bought a Relic and told me it was the best Strat he had ever owned or played. I was a sceptic but went to Guitar Village in Farnham where they had a large stock of Strats right through the price range. I didn't go to buy a Relic but spent several hours trying a number of examples of new production, Custom Shop and relic Strats. I deliberately kept an open mind and finally short-listed two - both of which happened to be Relics. I finally selected a '61 sunburst with rosewood fingerboard and light relicing. I can honestly say I bought it because it was the best sounding and playing example they had in stock . I gigged it for several years and kept the guitar until the spring last year when I finally passed it on. When i sold it it was in pristine condition - that is to say there were no more dings, chips, or wear marks than when it left Fender's "relicing" processes!! I can also say I got more for it when I sold it than I paid for it so perhaps there is aneven bigger "tosser" out there!

Brian

[roger bayliss]

My 2 yr old 57 Vintage has now got buckle rash and dings and I still love it ... new is new but old is fonder ... so I guess I am Fonder of me Fender !