Hi, guys, this was a video I shot awhile back and had to take it down do to an audio issue. I forgot to reupload it then but found it and figured I would post it now :)
how dare you post previously recorded content that you created because of the audio quality wasnt up to your standards, that you set for yourself. IM TRIGGERED. I love relic'd guitars, natural or artificial. But i feel like I shouldnt own one for lack of skill.. i dont want anyone asking me why my guitar looks so used and worn but my playing stinks..
Doh....! Just saw the pinned comment, Baker Bro, u tricked me. I knew that Kotzen Tele in the background was too good to be true. I love ur content brother but I have to admit, I do miss that sweet, sweet six string machine. -Cheers
In my humblest of opinions, I prefer my instruments to not be factory relic'ed. I like my instruments to look as good as possible, and if there is wear and tear, I want to be the cause of it. My #1 guitar (PRS Custom 24) has a ton of resonance, as do my #1 bass (Warwick Corvette $$) and #2 bass (Music Man Stingray Special 5). I don't hate relics, just not my personal preference. To each his own, I say with instruments.
It’s not really a make or break thing for me. But it’s kind of silly, ESPECIALLY for the price one usually has to pay for one. I grew up in Seattle during the pre-grunge to grunge era. We wore boots because it rained a lot and Goodwill-bought, logger-owned flannels because it was cold and we were poor. Sure it became a little fashionable up there too. But it mostly was that because it was cheap and warm. Enter the media, and flannels became fashionable everywhere for a premium price as the music scene exploded worldwide. Needless to say, it was kind of silly to watch. People in Florida, for example, wearing Doc Martins and a layered flannel couldn’t be more artificial as compared to where the look originated from. I get it, sure. But there’s no denying it wasn’t authentic. Now let’s talk relic guitars. If I try and sell a used 1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster that’s been on the road with me and has seen better days with chips, dings, belt rash, etc: It’s considered “beat and worn,” and therefore is depreciated in value. However, a brand new relic guitar from Fender purposefully appearing to have lived a life of purpose is more expensive than its new, mint counterpart. Does no one find that weird, and maybe a little inauthentic? Playing one in front of an audience is kind of telling a lie. To summarize, manufactured relic guitars is like seeing a Florida grunge fan wearing flannel, jeans, and boots in July.
I live in Northern California, but the Grunge era is the only time I’ve EVER been fashionable. I wore boots because worked in a factory, and I also wore flannel because it was warm and cheap, and durable. Suddenly one day teenage girls were asking me where I got my cool flannels 😆😆 “Uh, K-mart and the Army Navy store....3 years ago....” 😆😆 Nothing wrong with a reliced guitar, as long as it plays and sounds good. I prefer natural aging, but well done relics are OK. .....and I still wear flannel because it’s warm cheap, durable, and ME.
Totally agree re inauthentic and the prices are inflated more than they need to be but I do understand why it costs more. It's purely because of time taken to make it. New guitar takes x time to build, aged version takes x time plus time to age it, time is money. The more time spent in the production the more a company needs to charge. I would always save the money and take an non aged one. What he is talking (the vibrations etc) about can be easily achieved via thin or satin finishes and satin models actually cost less because they take less time to finish. Thick plastic finishes just choke things a bit but it isn't something an audience would ever notice.
Firstly a mans axe is his damn axe. It’s up to him to style it any way he wants. Those who dislike relicing don’t need to do it. Personally I like a thinly nitro sprayed guitar that just shows wear naturally I think it makes a guitar unique and meaningful. I want my grandkids to own my Gibson someday and know that his grandfather made those marks. I wish my grandfather had done this. I also have a great strat with poly and I don’t prefer it but I won’t be hitting it with a hammer to relic it. I may remove someday and hit it with nitro but it’s most likely not worth the effort. I love that tele I think it’s amazing. Peace
I don't feel that passionately one way or the other. Reliced guitars do sort of just feel "broken in", and also you don't have to worry about that first big ding or scratch. Which is kinda nice. But on the other hand, it is kind of a "counterfeit" thing. Like none of the wear-thru, dents or dings came from a lifetime of traveling, gigging, and practicing. So I get that argument too.
I'm not a physicist or anything but I can't see how such a thin layer of finish would make a difference on an electric guitar, and how it would make any difference if the finish is cracked. If you feel different guitars vibrating in different ways, there's probably another reason for it.
It doesn't make a difference. These myths have been debunked using physics and blind tests - repeatedly - but guitar players are a superstitious bunch and keep perpetuating these old wives tales.
I am a physicist and I totally agree with everything you said. There are so many other variables which can influence the way a guitar vibrates, people that have the impression he had are not performing a true blind test. They are probably playing relics that are made of better quality wood than the pristine ones or falling for the confirmation bias fallacy and disregarding guitars which do not conform to their preconceived notion that relics guitars are more resonant.
I have a 30 year old American strat.. the day it arrived I modified it with pick-ups locking tuneing machines. The frets and fretboard are heavily worn from years of learning to play. I love the sound and feel better than my 50th anniversary strat
Had a teacher once who could take a $5 guitar and make it sound like a million bucks. Me , I could take a million dollar guitar and make it sound like $ 5
I have a Tele that came with an exotic wood veneer top, which I didn't particularly like. It had a poly finish as well. Since I thought the back and sides of the ash body looked better than the top, I took it apart and took my belt sander to the top and sanded through the poly as well as the veneer to uncover the ash. When I had it sanded smooth I used a nitro sanding sealer and sanded that and then applied lemon oil about 3 coats. I left the back and sides in the thick poly finish. Surprisingly the difference in the sustain with the top opened up is amazing. It always had a bright sparkle to the tone, but I love how it holds a chord 'forever'.
I stumbled upon a Nash bass in the Mesa Boogie store in Hollywood in 2005 while I was there just to buy a pedal. I had never heard of Nash up until that day in the store. I was blown away by the neck feel and body resonance. Simply amazing. 19 years later, Nash guitars and basses are still all I care to play.
I’ve had every kind of strat you can think of all the way to master built and once I got my hands on a Friedman vintage s I knew this was the only one I needed. It feels broken in. It looks broken in. It’s a work horse and I’ve gigged the crap out of it and I prefer it over my custom shop Les Paul’s. It’s light and has balls. Love it.
Here is my thing. It breaks my heart to ding my "new" guitars. The cure. Buy a relic. Bonus, holds its value when dinged. Double Bonus usually feels much better both in terms of resonance and neck feel. Personal bonus I usually like how they look. The other cure is buy used. Holds their value even better. Am I a poser if I buy a used guitar with someone else wear? Who cares!!! Plus when I'm on stage it's not the guitar that makes or breaks me it's the number of hours I've practiced.
Garth Zoller my gosh, I feel this so much. I just got a spectacular guitar in trade that is damn near mint and I’m scared to play it as much as I know it’s just in my mind.
I’ve played a black beauty with enough poly to seal a cruise ship for decades. I’ve gotten more into relics the last couple years. I got a road worn Tele and a 70’s lp copy I rebuilt and they just sing differently. Cool video, man! I’ve got my heart set on a sea foam Nash S-63 right now!
A guitar should show a story.. whether real or fake.. but I do think a guitar should show its journey. Anytime I see a absolute mint 60s or 70s guitar, I immediately think it must not play that good because it looks like it lived its life in a case..
On that note...Some years back the factory relic-ed, limited edition, Joe Strummer Tele was available at my local GC. I couldn't get over how realistically cool it looked with the different layers of worn paint, distressed 60's hardware, and stickers. Then I thought to myself how presumptuous I'd look banging out chords with that thing. If I bought it I don't think I could ever show it to anyone. It would be like I was trying to be like Tom Morello, Woody Guthrie, or even The Boss with his worn butterscotch Tele. Not bad company, just over the top (you know, presumptuous like).
I’m totally cool with “worn” guitars. I’m suspicious of “relic” guitars. My main guitar is a Washburn acoustic. It looks really nice. It has a couple cracks and dings from shows I’ve played. The neck is worn shiny from my hands. (It was satin when new.) I love that guitar. I can play anything on it. It’s almost an extension of me. You smell what I’m stepping in? Now, that being said, I’ve bought a few horses for color. You gotta like how stuff looks. Otherwise who’d be married? Right? But isn’t it sweet when you just know something? You know that guitar. It’s worn to your hand. That shiny spot on the rosewood where you rest your hand. Why rob yourself the experience?
Relic guitars are the “Plastic Surgery” of guitars. Either you’re ok with em or you’re not. I personally find real worn in guitars more impressive because the guitar has really been played and seasoned, plus everyone plays differently so the wear and tear will be unique to you 🙂
@alan connelly Snake Oil? Lol. You obviously have never played a guitar you loved down to the bone. Close your eyes and play an old 80’s or 90’s guitar and then play one brand new. If you honestly can’t tell the difference, then you don’t have the skill level or sensitivity to comprehend 🤷♂️
@Artie VanDelayo That’s True. No matter how many guitars you own... you’ll always have the one that just fits you and makes you play a little but better 🙂
i think there is something to that, like you can feel the vibration through the wood more, i personally dont have one like that but my guitars are pretty worn in, but i have a friend who relics guitars who when i play those feel weirdly different than before they were, though i think i like the sound of old pickups more than anything, i think stripping some of the finish off of the back of a glossy neck just helps make it easier to move across it
Everyone pays for an aesthetic, who cares which one? "Why did you pay extra for a sunburst guitar? You didn't paint it. You didn't earn it." Just play whatever you want, and dont care what other people think.
Pre-worn, pre-faded, pre-ripped jeans. New oak tables distressed and antiqued. Nobody blinks. I wonder if Ferrari are missing an opportunity to sell "new" faded, rusty, banged up supercars 🤔. It's unconventional. There are some categories of things that raise more eyebrows than others if they start life new already banged up. Each to their own ultimately. It's an option, not a requirement.
I have an older Fender US Tele body with thin checked nitro and beat to hell and a road worn Warmouth V neck. The thing looks like an abused step-child but it's one of my fav's. The sound resonates through your entire body. Let's not forget to mention that its a thing of beauty.
Funny story, I play a custom shop Schecter strat and I don't know what kind of finish they use, but it actually resonates the way a reliced guitar does, but without being reliced. I recall one of the custom shop guys mentioning that they use the same finish that expensive car manufacturers like Rolls Royce and Bentley use, but I can neither confirm nor deny this. I also used to own (sadly had to sell it at the time, still miss it) an 1985 Japanese fender strat which had seen a lot of wear and tear and - despite being a poly finish - it had gotten beat up enough to the point where I could really feel that guitar resonate aswell. So it IS also possible on poly guitars, but doesn't happen as easily and doesn't look as nice
Totally agree...just got my first relic, Fender 60's Road Worn strat, Olympic White. This thing resonates like crazy, it's load and articulate unplugged. It just looks BAD ASS and I want to play it all the time!!!
Never tried a reliced guitar but I just moded my first top loading hardtail strat and it just came alive like you were saying with the vibrations and feel through out. Not to mention the sustain goes on forever and that’s before it’s even plugged in. Will check one out. Love the show, down to earth and real. Saturday nights are great live streams. Thanks for the inspiration!
Really dig worn guitars. I only use 1 guitar primarily so I like that my Gibson Les Paul has history on it. Started turning black when I was practicing 8 hours a day in a windowless room in 100 degree heat. Cracks in the finish from travelling so much the past few years. Took the paint off the neck which is sort of relic like, more a feel thing. Natural finish is my fav for necks. Neat topic!
Yes sir the less finish on the guitar equals a more resonant guitar. My neck through kiesel dc600 with tung oiled neck and Raw-Tone body finish witch is a super thin satin clear is my only guitar that rings and vibrates like a tuning fork! Next is my USA classic 60s tele in nitro LPB. The less crap covering the wood allows it to breath and vibrate. Something else not often talked about is how dry the wood is. Example= a roasted or torrefied wood will be more resonant then a standard wood would be.
Got my first new Les Paul in 2013. Always treated it with kid gloves. Then I got my first ding in it. Then, a while later, a pretty good scratch. Now, I just play the hell out of it and don't give a damn anymore. ;)
It’s so popular right now, I had to tell the guy who was building my custom Tele four times I wanted it pristine not reliced. Still came with a grimy looking Seymour Duncan vintage bridge PU..
I have a 2016 Les Paul Studio, and I've worn down that guitar and gave it a forearm cut where there wasn't one before just because of the time I've put into it!
Each to his own, but I can't do relic guitars. It just looks like someone didn't look after their guitar. Secondly, paying top dollar for a shitty secondhand looking guitar I can't do - I'd want a discount if something looked beat up! If I was paying top dollar, I want the guitar to look a million bucks.
Love the sound of your Friedman Telly. But you are also a fantastic player. I also have one, but with humbucker bridge / P90 neck and the sheet metal saddles. Incredibly resonant this thing. Cheers from Germany
I don't completely buy into the "relic sounds better" theory, but I see no issue with the relic finishes. It's just that....another finish option. No different than wanting a specific color...or with other surface finishes like Tyler's Schear or the Suhr Drip Finishes.
That guitar really speaks to me because of my own '73 Tele Deluxe that my Dad and I have beat up over the last 40 plus years. We've put some hard miles on it (especially since it was a teenager's first guitar). I used to think you needed to earn it, but now I really dig them. Especially the thin nitro finishes like you were saying.
I think the best perk of a relic finish is the absence of carefulness you need. If you scratch it or scuff it, then it adds to the finish. Whereas a brand new finish, you want to scream like a 4 year old if you knock it.
I actually picked up an old Squier 50th Anniversary Strat for a few bucks that has a chipped finish and have that same feeling of vibration and resonance as you described. It also makes the bridge pickup act like its microphonic a bit, even after i replaced it. I never thought that the cracked finish could be the reason, but you might be on to something.
I don't have an reclic-ed guitars, but I do have two that I've painted myself with veeery thin finishes, one in nitro and they do indeed seem to vibrate more and both feel great to play. Much more alive. I don't think it affects how they sound at all though
I love reliced guitars and make no apologies for it. I love that beat up well played feel. Whether naturally beat up or artificially reliced, to me they just feel better to play.
Yeah man, I totally agree. It has got life in it and doesn't feel stiff and sterile. A big plus is you never have to worry about that first ding. Great Vids buddy !!!
back in the late 60's,some r+b bass players i knew would buy a brand new fender bass and sand a bare patch on the back so it looked new and shiny from the front...they said it helped the wood dry out and improved the tone...these guys were in demand professionals...i'm in the process of assembling 2 t-types and an s-type for some retired fun,and i'm leaving the bodies and necks bare wood,maybe a very minimal sealer that a woodworker guitarist friend gave me....i've fumbled around on guitar and bass for 64 years and always much preferred a worn in,well used guitar....thanks for this video Robert for verifying my suspicions.
A well loved guitar shows the years of memories and experiences its owner went through with it, much like scars or tattoos have their stories behind them.
I have a roadworn Tele, I totally agree about the vibration factor; I have another poly finished Tele very similar to my roadworn and it's definitely an apparent difference even if I don't play them back to back. Plus the way the neck feels in my hand is amazing.
I do a lot of woodworking and understand the science behind wood finishes . . . One reason that older guitars often sound remarkably better is because of the age of the finish. This is especially noticeable on acoustic guitars. What most people don't know is that the finish, even though it's "dry", is still a liquid. And over time, the finish sinks further into the wood of the body making the finish thinner on the exposed surface. This is one (not the only) reason why the finish will start to crack at some point. Finishes will also crack as a result of humidity, changes in temperature, cleaning (or lack thereof), among a few others. Relic'd guitars have exposed wood surfaces that allow for the vibrations to transfer out of the wood more easily, which is part of the reason why you can feel the resonance of the guitar in your body right away. In my opinion, though, you should buy a guitar that delivers a fair amount of resonance to your body when it is new, and as it ages it will become more noticeable and pleasurable. Hope this helps!
I have an Epiphone Special I P90 poly finish and it reverberates like crazy when I play it. Just like you said in the text about some guitars are just dead, I believe some are just lively no matter what finish they have.
Idk, I bought my Korean Wolfgang without plugging it in. It felt good playing it acoustically and I said "Sold" I knew it would sound good plugged in. That was 17yrs ago
I prefer a new guitar without the dings and scratches. In time, it'll begin to accumulate its patina, aging, and wear. That's what happens when you love a guitar.
@@Kcapgar If you gig it enough even poly guitars will get small dings. It's almost unavoidable. But nothing like somebody taking a chain or a hammer to guitar (or furniture for that matter) to 'relic' it.
I'm lefty, so my options are already limited right from start. So relics aren't available, but probably wouldn't buy one even if they were. They guitars that Rory Gallagher, SRV and Keith Richards play, that look a thousand years old-- they look that way because they actually are that damn old. The finish process was totally different and the years of playing--- that guitar was loved and had mojo. You can't manufacture mojo in a factory. I don't like relics. But it's preference.
I've come to the conclusion that a stain or a relic -- that has a thin finish, will resonate so much more than a painted one. I also like hide glue for set-necks. The combination of a lightly finished guitar (achieved by either a relicing and/or or a thin stained finish with a light top coat) and hide glue creates a guitar that will vibrate in a very satisfying way.
70's Strat shaved to a hard 57 V + oiled, then ad 4 bold plate (just use picks to adjust), repaint with nitro. Ad 50's tele to treble pickup slot. Unless you can by a real 50's tele, nocaster. Friedmans don't plat as good as the first run China tele's if you look around.
I can't bring me top pay for the relics. Coming from a automotive back ground paint jobs are to be flawless. I'm buying a new standard les paul. For the price it better be flawless. Otherwise money off.
I pay meticulous care of my instruments and I probably know how they got every single small, barely visible scratch and ding as it's impossible not to have them after a while (although one would think I bought them all a few months ago if they don't look very closely). I don't think that those scratches and dings tell any sort of a story and I'd rather not have them at all (in fact, if I weren't afraid they'd get ruined in the process, and if it weren't so damn expensive for a proper job, I'd refinish some of them!). I want my guitars in a pristine condition, leave the story telling to me! I will never understand a wish for a beat-up instrument (fake or real) as much as I will never understand a wish for torn up jeans or semi-exposed brick walls, but to each his own...
If my Beginner Squire was blue when I got it new, then I kept it because it is more mine then before. Part of me saids it is cheap, but it is Mine and it grew on me. Thanks Robert 4 being Real.
I always play standing...with a strap there's no leg vibration.....the guitar weight is displaced on the shoulders/neck..freeing up both hands to concentrate on said task
I have a 1978 strat and 2019 strat. The oldie has the best frets I’ve ever played but a gloss finish the newbie has a satin neck and I like that way better :/
Interesting point about how a relic'd guitar plays different from ones that aren't due to cracks in the nitro. I love the look of a guitar that is medium to heavily relic'd but wouldn't pay top dollar for one. Just like I wouldn't pay big bucks for heavily distressed jeans. One aspect I think a relic'd guitar provides is that you're not afraid to beat the heck out of it while playing which creatively may provide a bit more range of options as opposed to a pristine guitar.
Relic guitars are ridiculous. The first problem is that the "wear" on them doesn't look natural; a lot of it is in the wrong places. It's easy to tell a fake old guitar from a real old guitar. If someone can come up with a good reason to relic a guitar I'd like to hear it. I have a 35-year-old guitar that doesn't look as messed-up as these fake oldies. And my 1988 Axis Sport still looks pretty new. That Friedman sounds good, and I'm sure it would whether a relic or not. What's next, relic amps?
I think at first blush, relic’ed guitars can be likened to pre-worn jeans. Jeans that are made to look old and beat up but are three times the price. Personally, I never had a problem with relic guitars. I think it’s neat how the Fender Custom Shop, or really any custom shop, can accurately mimic wear patterns and finish checking, Especially when they’re trying to match a specific player’s guitar. It takes a lot of effort to get it right. You’re not just randomly sanding. I liked what you mentioned about the guitar vibrating more but it made me want to ask how many custom shops dry out the wood to get it like that. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I heard that the guitar’s wood dries out over time and then just becomes louder so I’d imagine it would just vibrate more then.
I only have one relic'd jazzmaster body... it feels good but I have other guitars that resonate as much if not more, mostly japanese made guitars... finishes are not extremely thick and woods vary but they are all very well put together. I feel the combination of neck and body and general set up is more important than the finish. The most extreme example is a Tokai guitar that is covered in some vinyl o paper with a poly finish ...it still resonates beautifully and sounds great both unplugged and plugged in. Cheers!
Can you answer this question I hope.I am not a luthier but I came across of a "ELECTRA" 1979 " VULCAN" LES PAUL STYLE.The repair is stronger than original I believe.It's rare I found out but question is can spray paint work with nitro Cellulose paint like Rustoleum??? If anyone might know , much appreciated! It's just I made it this far and its down to the paint.Found out this Japanese made guitar was used by Peter Frampton, Rick Derringer, and a few other notable players.Stay healthy to you and your family...Be good..Jerry
To each his or her own, kinda seems tacky to me. They look like something a poser would buy to hang on the wall. I think we should break in our own guitars, just like a pair of boots, baseball glove etc.
I have a 1996 Fender Big Apple Strat. I bought it new. I've gigged with it and played it everyday for almost 25 years. Looks brand new. Polly doesn't age. Remember also, when you buy a custom shop guitar from fender, the initial guitar they start out with before relicing is better than your average "off the shelf" American Standard.
@@SRHMusic012 From wiki "Distressed denim emerged from the cultural punk movement in the 1970s. Early punks tore apart consumer goods as an expression of their anger towards society."
I like nitro finish best, but am interested are roasted with light oil finish. I built a tele and painted with thin nitro and it sings and you can feel it vibræt
I always wonder about just who is relic'ing the thing and how? I mean, is it the new guy that can't do woodwork but he can ding up guitars with things that would _never_ be near a real, gigging guitar (chains, hammers, etc.)?
I have a relicked(?) Tele copy ("Vintage" brand). I'm not keen on fake relics but it was cheaper at the time. Occasionally it pisses me off, mostly for the pitted metalwork, and I wish I'd paid that bit more. But mostly I just play it
I’ve taken guitars and taken the poly finish off and resprayed with nitro lacquer and did light relic jobs. You’d be amazed at the difference. It’s not the vintage of the instrument It’s the finish. What were lifeless now feels like amazing instruments. And then throw new jumbo fret wire in. You can turn a 200 dollar guitar into an amazing piece.
For those of us who can't afford custom shop relic stuff. Try open pore finishes. I love the way my Cort G260 vibrates on my belly. It's a great feeling... And a lovely guitar too. Stay safe everbody. Peace.
I don't know if it helps a guitar or not because I've never played a relic job, but I would imagine the wood is able to dry more quickly so within a few years instead of a few decades it opens up like a vintage axe . . . however if it's true that nobody ever says, "Gee I wish that nice guitar was reliced," but half of people or even fewer DO say "Ew, reliced," then I would say you're alienating people needlessly right? It's like knowing nobody likes your style and not adapting just to be stubborn.
When I was a little kid and saw an old Strat with fret wear marks, I got that tingly feeling in the pit of my stomach. You know the feeling. The feeling that some guy had played his fingers to the bone and left a visceral record of that on his guitar. Not anymore. Now that just means someone with too much money paid to have someone scourge their new guitar with a Dremel tool and charge them a premium price. That's gonna disappoint a lot of little kids.
I'm not a fan of things that try to appear as something they're not, but to each his own, just find a guitar that YOU like, relic or not, and have a blast with it. Who cares if everyone else likes it or not, it's yours, not theirs. I do have that experience where the guitar vibrates into your leg and chest, with my dirt cheap Harley Benton kit tele that I finished with India ink and Tru Oil. It's a super nice resonant piece of wood and I find myself playing it unplugged quite a lot.
I like the tones out of that Friedman Telecaster. I've been thinking about getting some type of Telecaster. I might just get a Fender. Or maybe a G&L telecaster.
Hi, guys, this was a video I shot awhile back and had to take it down do to an audio issue. I forgot to reupload it then but found it and figured I would post it now :)
how dare you post previously recorded content that you created because of the audio quality wasnt up to your standards, that you set for yourself. IM TRIGGERED.
I love relic'd guitars, natural or artificial. But i feel like I shouldnt own one for lack of skill.. i dont want anyone asking me why my guitar looks so used and worn but my playing stinks..
I don't think your thumbnail in the title matches your video..... Curious?
I was wondering when you shot this because the Richie Kotzen Tele was in the background. Thanks for posting all these vids while you’re on hiatus. 🤘🤘
Doh....! Just saw the pinned comment, Baker Bro, u tricked me. I knew that Kotzen Tele in the background was too good to be true. I love ur content brother but I have to admit, I do miss that sweet, sweet six string machine. -Cheers
What is the best way to find a rock and roll tone with a Les Paul standard, 68 deluxe reverb???
It's your guitar I don't care what it looks like. If you like it and play it, that's all that matters.
I wonder if Gibson should pre-break the necks on their guitars. Hey, it would be even more authentic.
It would like totally open up the sound and let it out!!! ; )
Lmao!!
Not only that, but the neck/headstock will be stronger due to being broken!! Problem solved!!!
Gibson haters are so funny
I'm pretty sure they did a few Custom Shop Les Pauls like that.
In my humblest of opinions, I prefer my instruments to not be factory relic'ed. I like my instruments to look as good as possible, and if there is wear and tear, I want to be the cause of it. My #1 guitar (PRS Custom 24) has a ton of resonance, as do my #1 bass (Warwick Corvette $$) and #2 bass (Music Man Stingray Special 5). I don't hate relics, just not my personal preference. To each his own, I say with instruments.
It’s not really a make or break thing for me. But it’s kind of silly, ESPECIALLY for the price one usually has to pay for one.
I grew up in Seattle during the pre-grunge to grunge era. We wore boots because it rained a lot and Goodwill-bought, logger-owned flannels because it was cold and we were poor. Sure it became a little fashionable up there too. But it mostly was that because it was cheap and warm. Enter the media, and flannels became fashionable everywhere for a premium price as the music scene exploded worldwide. Needless to say, it was kind of silly to watch. People in Florida, for example, wearing Doc Martins and a layered flannel couldn’t be more artificial as compared to where the look originated from. I get it, sure. But there’s no denying it wasn’t authentic.
Now let’s talk relic guitars. If I try and sell a used 1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster that’s been on the road with me and has seen better days with chips, dings, belt rash, etc: It’s considered “beat and worn,” and therefore is depreciated in value. However, a brand new relic guitar from Fender purposefully appearing to have lived a life of purpose is more expensive than its new, mint counterpart. Does no one find that weird, and maybe a little inauthentic? Playing one in front of an audience is kind of telling a lie.
To summarize, manufactured relic guitars is like seeing a Florida grunge fan wearing flannel, jeans, and boots in July.
Exactly. Just play and gig with the axe and let it happen over time
Amen brother
The Twelve Fret That’s it. After reading your comment, nobody is ever changing my mind.
I live in Northern California, but the Grunge era is the only time I’ve EVER been fashionable. I wore boots because worked in a factory, and I also wore flannel because it was warm and cheap, and durable. Suddenly one day teenage girls were asking me where I got my cool flannels 😆😆 “Uh, K-mart and the Army Navy store....3 years ago....” 😆😆
Nothing wrong with a reliced guitar, as long as it plays and sounds good. I prefer natural aging, but well done relics are OK.
.....and I still wear flannel because it’s warm cheap, durable, and ME.
Totally agree re inauthentic and the prices are inflated more than they need to be but I do understand why it costs more. It's purely because of time taken to make it. New guitar takes x time to build, aged version takes x time plus time to age it, time is money. The more time spent in the production the more a company needs to charge. I would always save the money and take an non aged one. What he is talking (the vibrations etc) about can be easily achieved via thin or satin finishes and satin models actually cost less because they take less time to finish. Thick plastic finishes just choke things a bit but it isn't something an audience would ever notice.
With that thumb nail I thought we were talking about hss strats
Same, of which I have 2 (of 4), one intentionally, one only because of availability. Wish I had a straight single coil in the bridge for my mud amp.
Firstly a mans axe is his damn axe. It’s up to him to style it any way he wants. Those who dislike relicing don’t need to do it. Personally I like a thinly nitro sprayed guitar that just shows wear naturally I think it makes a guitar unique and meaningful. I want my grandkids to own my Gibson someday and know that his grandfather made those marks. I wish my grandfather had done this. I also have a great strat with poly and I don’t prefer it but I won’t be hitting it with a hammer to relic it. I may remove someday and hit it with nitro but it’s most likely not worth the effort.
I love that tele I think it’s amazing. Peace
I totally dig them, I think they look sick. I just like to buy NOS because it's cheaper and I get to beat them up myself.
I don't feel that passionately one way or the other. Reliced guitars do sort of just feel "broken in", and also you don't have to worry about that first big ding or scratch. Which is kinda nice. But on the other hand, it is kind of a "counterfeit" thing. Like none of the wear-thru, dents or dings came from a lifetime of traveling, gigging, and practicing. So I get that argument too.
I agree w/ you
I wonder if they have blems and then just say" hey make a relic out of that one and we'll charge an extra grand".
Nailed it.
Fender really did this when they messed up a sunburst. They put a solid color over it.
I'm not a physicist or anything but I can't see how such a thin layer of finish would make a difference on an electric guitar, and how it would make any difference if the finish is cracked. If you feel different guitars vibrating in different ways, there's probably another reason for it.
It doesn't make a difference. These myths have been debunked using physics and blind tests - repeatedly - but guitar players are a superstitious bunch and keep perpetuating these old wives tales.
I am a physicist and I totally agree with everything you said. There are so many other variables which can influence the way a guitar vibrates, people that have the impression he had are not performing a true blind test. They are probably playing relics that are made of better quality wood than the pristine ones or falling for the confirmation bias fallacy and disregarding guitars which do not conform to their preconceived notion that relics guitars are more resonant.
I have a 30 year old American strat.. the day it arrived I modified it with pick-ups locking tuneing machines. The frets and fretboard are heavily worn from years of learning to play. I love the sound and feel better than my 50th anniversary strat
Had a teacher once who could take a $5 guitar and make it sound like a million bucks. Me , I could take a million dollar guitar and make it sound like $ 5
@TheQakman...I'm with you!
tsk tsk... I could take a million dollar guitar and make it *worth* five bucks.
@@JordyMarincic I'd like to know as well, the lowest I've ever paid was $6.00. :\
@@JordyMarincic I'll have to look that up. Mine is still a project... :P
I have a Tele that came with an exotic wood veneer top, which I didn't particularly like. It had a poly finish as well. Since I thought the back and sides of the ash body looked better than the top, I took it apart and took my belt sander to the top and sanded through the poly as well as the veneer to uncover the ash. When I had it sanded smooth I used a nitro sanding sealer and sanded that and then applied lemon oil about 3 coats. I left the back and sides in the thick poly finish. Surprisingly the difference in the sustain with the top opened up is amazing. It always had a bright sparkle to the tone, but I love how it holds a chord 'forever'.
I stumbled upon a Nash bass in the Mesa Boogie store in Hollywood in 2005 while I was there just to buy a pedal. I had never heard of Nash up until that day in the store. I was blown away by the neck feel and body resonance. Simply amazing. 19 years later, Nash guitars and basses are still all I care to play.
I think the relic/nitrocellulose finishes are applied thinner by and large than the urethane finishes. My experience ymmv
I really like the relic look! I'm playing everyday hoping to get my tele to have that played in feel!
Lend it to me for a week
I’ve had every kind of strat you can think of all the way to master built and once I got my hands on a Friedman vintage s I knew this was the only one I needed. It feels broken in. It looks broken in. It’s a work horse and I’ve gigged the crap out of it and I prefer it over my custom shop Les Paul’s. It’s light and has balls. Love it.
Here is my thing. It breaks my heart to ding my "new" guitars. The cure. Buy a relic. Bonus, holds its value when dinged. Double Bonus usually feels much better both in terms of resonance and neck feel. Personal bonus I usually like how they look. The other cure is buy used. Holds their value even better. Am I a poser if I buy a used guitar with someone else wear? Who cares!!! Plus when I'm on stage it's not the guitar that makes or breaks me it's the number of hours I've practiced.
There's the pain and agony of the first ding on a flawless guitar finish... Getting it new-relic'd (or used-loved) is a psychological relief (imo).
Garth Zoller my gosh, I feel this so much. I just got a spectacular guitar in trade that is damn near mint and I’m scared to play it as much as I know it’s just in my mind.
I’ve played a black beauty with enough poly to seal a cruise ship for decades. I’ve gotten more into relics the last couple years. I got a road worn Tele and a 70’s lp copy I rebuilt and they just sing differently. Cool video, man! I’ve got my heart set on a sea foam Nash S-63 right now!
Let’s just say I won’t buy jeans with factory tears in them. I will go as far a pre- washed though.
A guitar should show a story.. whether real or fake.. but I do think a guitar should show its journey. Anytime I see a absolute mint 60s or 70s guitar, I immediately think it must not play that good because it looks like it lived its life in a case..
I am with you. I love relic guitars. They just make you want to pick them up and play them. They look the tits and sound the tits too!
On that note...Some years back the factory relic-ed, limited edition, Joe Strummer Tele was available at my local GC. I couldn't get over how realistically cool it looked with the different layers of worn paint, distressed 60's hardware, and stickers. Then I thought to myself how presumptuous I'd look banging out chords with that thing. If I bought it I don't think I could ever show it to anyone. It would be like I was trying to be like Tom Morello, Woody Guthrie, or even The Boss with his worn butterscotch Tele. Not bad company, just over the top (you know, presumptuous like).
I’m totally cool with “worn” guitars. I’m suspicious of “relic” guitars. My main guitar is a Washburn acoustic. It looks really nice. It has a couple cracks and dings from shows I’ve played. The neck is worn shiny from my hands. (It was satin when new.) I love that guitar. I can play anything on it. It’s almost an extension of me. You smell what I’m stepping in? Now, that being said, I’ve bought a few horses for color. You gotta like how stuff looks. Otherwise who’d be married? Right? But isn’t it sweet when you just know something? You know that guitar. It’s worn to your hand. That shiny spot on the rosewood where you rest your hand. Why rob yourself the experience?
Relic guitars are the “Plastic Surgery” of guitars. Either you’re ok with em or you’re not. I personally find real worn in guitars more impressive because the guitar has really been played and seasoned, plus everyone plays differently so the wear and tear will be unique to you 🙂
it like cheating... you haven't played it to that state and you also pay a lot of money to look like something you're not ! 100%!
Made shiny new stra a relic, I still sound like I've only just started playing....thought it would make me sound like a seasoned pro....
Seasoned, now that's another snake oil non existant thing.
Other then maybe who set it before you up did a good job.
@alan connelly Snake Oil? Lol. You obviously have never played a guitar you loved down to the bone. Close your eyes and play an old 80’s or 90’s guitar and then play one brand new. If you honestly can’t tell the difference, then you don’t have the skill level or sensitivity to comprehend 🤷♂️
@Artie VanDelayo That’s True. No matter how many guitars you own... you’ll always have the one that just fits you and makes you play a little but better 🙂
i think there is something to that, like you can feel the vibration through the wood more, i personally dont have one like that but my guitars are pretty worn in, but i have a friend who relics guitars who when i play those feel weirdly different than before they were, though i think i like the sound of old pickups more than anything, i think stripping some of the finish off of the back of a glossy neck just helps make it easier to move across it
I'd believe it about nitro or thin finishes, or stripping some off, etc. But beating up a guitar probably doesn't help the sound.
SRHmusic probably doesnt help it most of the time, but it definitely changes the tone a little bit each time
Gotta love the placebo effect.
Everyone pays for an aesthetic, who cares which one? "Why did you pay extra for a sunburst guitar? You didn't paint it. You didn't earn it."
Just play whatever you want, and dont care what other people think.
Pre-worn, pre-faded, pre-ripped jeans. New oak tables distressed and antiqued. Nobody blinks.
I wonder if Ferrari are missing an opportunity to sell "new" faded, rusty, banged up supercars 🤔. It's unconventional.
There are some categories of things that raise more eyebrows than others if they start life new already banged up. Each to their own ultimately. It's an option, not a requirement.
I have an older Fender US Tele body with thin checked nitro and beat to hell and a road worn Warmouth V neck. The thing looks like an abused step-child but it's one of my fav's. The sound resonates through your entire body. Let's not forget to mention that its a thing of beauty.
Funny story, I play a custom shop Schecter strat and I don't know what kind of finish they use, but it actually resonates the way a reliced guitar does, but without being reliced. I recall one of the custom shop guys mentioning that they use the same finish that expensive car manufacturers like Rolls Royce and Bentley use, but I can neither confirm nor deny this. I also used to own (sadly had to sell it at the time, still miss it) an 1985 Japanese fender strat which had seen a lot of wear and tear and - despite being a poly finish - it had gotten beat up enough to the point where I could really feel that guitar resonate aswell. So it IS also possible on poly guitars, but doesn't happen as easily and doesn't look as nice
Totally agree...just got my first relic, Fender 60's Road Worn strat, Olympic White. This thing resonates like crazy, it's load and articulate unplugged. It just looks BAD ASS and I want to play it all the time!!!
Never tried a reliced guitar but I just moded my first top loading hardtail strat and it just came alive like you were saying with the vibrations and feel through out. Not to mention the sustain goes on forever and that’s before it’s even plugged in. Will check one out. Love the show, down to earth and real. Saturday nights are great live streams. Thanks for the inspiration!
They look cool, but honest wear and tear is ALWAYS better.
Really dig worn guitars. I only use 1 guitar primarily so I like that my Gibson Les Paul has history on it. Started turning black when I was practicing 8 hours a day in a windowless room in 100 degree heat. Cracks in the finish from travelling so much the past few years. Took the paint off the neck which is sort of relic like, more a feel thing. Natural finish is my fav for necks. Neat topic!
Yes sir the less finish on the guitar equals a more resonant guitar. My neck through kiesel dc600 with tung oiled neck and Raw-Tone body finish witch is a super thin satin clear is my only guitar that rings and vibrates like a tuning fork! Next is my USA classic 60s tele in nitro LPB. The less crap covering the wood allows it to breath and vibrate. Something else not often talked about is how dry the wood is. Example= a roasted or torrefied wood will be more resonant then a standard wood would be.
Got my first new Les Paul in 2013. Always treated it with kid gloves. Then I got my first ding in it. Then, a while later, a pretty good scratch. Now, I just play the hell out of it and don't give a damn anymore. ;)
It’s so popular right now, I had to tell the guy who was building my custom Tele four times I wanted it pristine not reliced. Still came with a grimy looking Seymour Duncan vintage bridge PU..
I have a 2016 Les Paul Studio, and I've worn down that guitar and gave it a forearm cut where there wasn't one before just because of the time I've put into it!
Each to his own, but I can't do relic guitars. It just looks like someone didn't look after their guitar. Secondly, paying top dollar for a shitty secondhand looking guitar I can't do - I'd want a discount if something looked beat up! If I was paying top dollar, I want the guitar to look a million bucks.
exactly
Love the sound of your Friedman Telly. But you are also a fantastic player. I also have one, but with humbucker bridge / P90 neck and the sheet metal saddles. Incredibly resonant this thing. Cheers from Germany
I don't completely buy into the "relic sounds better" theory, but I see no issue with the relic finishes. It's just that....another finish option. No different than wanting a specific color...or with other surface finishes like Tyler's Schear or the Suhr Drip Finishes.
Right, like I don't want a brand new car; I want my new car to look worn in; relic it with a hammer and scrape some paint off. Duh!
A guitar is like a window into a player’s philosophy and personal character and authenticity
To purposefully mimic that is kinda disingenuous and frankly cheesy
Also a look into their wallet.
That guitar really speaks to me because of my own '73 Tele Deluxe that my Dad and I have beat up over the last 40 plus years. We've put some hard miles on it (especially since it was a teenager's first guitar). I used to think you needed to earn it, but now I really dig them. Especially the thin nitro finishes like you were saying.
I think the best perk of a relic finish is the absence of carefulness you need. If you scratch it or scuff it, then it adds to the finish. Whereas a brand new finish, you want to scream like a 4 year old if you knock it.
I actually picked up an old Squier 50th Anniversary Strat for a few bucks that has a chipped finish and have that same feeling of vibration and resonance as you described. It also makes the bridge pickup act like its microphonic a bit, even after i replaced it. I never thought that the cracked finish could be the reason, but you might be on to something.
My LSL is lightly reliced and I love it. First time I ever I had one so it’s new to me
I don't have an reclic-ed guitars, but I do have two that I've painted myself with veeery thin finishes, one in nitro and they do indeed seem to vibrate more and both feel great to play. Much more alive. I don't think it affects how they sound at all though
I love reliced guitars and make no apologies for it. I love that beat up well played feel. Whether naturally beat up or artificially reliced, to me they just feel better to play.
I love my relic Fender, bought it in ‘74 and now its a natural relic, like me lol. Never too old to play.
Yeah man, I totally agree. It has got life in it and doesn't feel stiff and sterile. A big plus is you never have to worry about that first ding. Great Vids buddy !!!
back in the late 60's,some r+b bass players i knew would buy a brand new fender bass and sand a bare patch on the back so it looked new and shiny from the front...they said it helped the wood dry out and improved the tone...these guys were in demand professionals...i'm in the process of assembling 2 t-types and an s-type for some retired fun,and i'm leaving the bodies and necks bare wood,maybe a very minimal sealer that a woodworker guitarist friend gave me....i've fumbled around on guitar and bass for 64 years and always much preferred a worn in,well used guitar....thanks for this video Robert for verifying my suspicions.
A Friedman guitar is the only relic I would buy, just because it already has great mojo to begin with.. :)
A well loved guitar shows the years of memories and experiences its owner went through with it, much like scars or tattoos have their stories behind them.
I have a roadworn Tele, I totally agree about the vibration factor; I have another poly finished Tele very similar to my roadworn and it's definitely an apparent difference even if I don't play them back to back. Plus the way the neck feels in my hand is amazing.
I do a lot of woodworking and understand the science behind wood finishes . . . One reason that older guitars often sound remarkably better is because of the age of the finish. This is especially noticeable on acoustic guitars. What most people don't know is that the finish, even though it's "dry", is still a liquid. And over time, the finish sinks further into the wood of the body making the finish thinner on the exposed surface. This is one (not the only) reason why the finish will start to crack at some point. Finishes will also crack as a result of humidity, changes in temperature, cleaning (or lack thereof), among a few others. Relic'd guitars have exposed wood surfaces that allow for the vibrations to transfer out of the wood more easily, which is part of the reason why you can feel the resonance of the guitar in your body right away. In my opinion, though, you should buy a guitar that delivers a fair amount of resonance to your body when it is new, and as it ages it will become more noticeable and pleasurable.
Hope this helps!
I have an Epiphone Special I P90 poly finish and it reverberates like crazy when I play it. Just like you said in the text about some guitars are just dead, I believe some are just lively no matter what finish they have.
Idk, I bought my Korean Wolfgang without plugging it in.
It felt good playing it acoustically and I said "Sold"
I knew it would sound good plugged in.
That was 17yrs ago
I prefer a new guitar without the dings and scratches. In time, it'll begin to accumulate its patina, aging, and wear. That's what happens when you love a guitar.
Mark Token a poly finish will never wear. It’s like glass on top of the wood. No character in my opinion.
@@Kcapgar If you gig it enough even poly guitars will get small dings. It's almost unavoidable. But nothing like somebody taking a chain or a hammer to guitar (or furniture for that matter) to 'relic' it.
I'm lefty, so my options are already limited right from start. So relics aren't available, but probably wouldn't buy one even if they were. They guitars that Rory Gallagher, SRV and Keith Richards play, that look a thousand years old-- they look that way because they actually are that damn old. The finish process was totally different and the years of playing--- that guitar was loved and had mojo. You can't manufacture mojo in a factory.
I don't like relics. But it's preference.
Lefties unite :)
I've come to the conclusion that a stain or a relic -- that has a thin finish, will resonate so much more than a painted one. I also like hide glue for set-necks. The combination of a lightly finished guitar (achieved by either a relicing and/or or a thin stained finish with a light top coat) and hide glue creates a guitar that will vibrate in a very satisfying way.
70's Strat shaved to a hard 57 V + oiled, then ad 4 bold plate (just use picks to adjust), repaint with nitro. Ad 50's tele to treble pickup slot. Unless you can by a real 50's tele, nocaster. Friedmans don't plat as good as the first run China tele's if you look around.
I can't bring me top pay for the relics. Coming from a automotive back ground paint jobs are to be flawless. I'm buying a new standard les paul. For the price it better be flawless. Otherwise money off.
Yeah and you'll be crying as soon as you put a tiny scratch on it lol
@@Ron_Padgett With that way of reasoning we shouldn't put paint on a guitar at all.
It affects sound. I don’t think changing the sound of your car is quite as important. You keep your shiny stuff 😊
I pay meticulous care of my instruments and I probably know how they got every single small, barely visible scratch and ding as it's impossible not to have them after a while (although one would think I bought them all a few months ago if they don't look very closely). I don't think that those scratches and dings tell any sort of a story and I'd rather not have them at all (in fact, if I weren't afraid they'd get ruined in the process, and if it weren't so damn expensive for a proper job, I'd refinish some of them!). I want my guitars in a pristine condition, leave the story telling to me!
I will never understand a wish for a beat-up instrument (fake or real) as much as I will never understand a wish for torn up jeans or semi-exposed brick walls, but to each his own...
If my Beginner Squire was blue when I got it new, then I kept it because it is more mine then before. Part of me saids it is cheap, but it is Mine and it grew on me. Thanks Robert 4 being Real.
I always play standing...with a strap there's no leg vibration.....the guitar weight is displaced on the shoulders/neck..freeing up both hands to concentrate on said task
Im okay if I damaged my guitar, scars that I made on my guitars are okay, but if someone did it, just no.
Love your riffage on all your videos, but that arpeggio in the extras blew me away!
I have a Fender Road Worn Jazz Bass. Cheapest way to get a nitro finish from Fender. Was as simple as that for me. Too bad they're discontinued.
Robert Baker, I'm worried about you man. I hope you and your family are well and staying safe.
Why are you worried? He looked and sounded great to me.
i like your channel different from the norm. your honesty shines thru
Sorry Robert, it’s in your head. But it looks pretty sweet and if that inspires you then who cares?
It might be the attitude when approaching a guitar that's already well worn. More casual, more playing fun?
I have a 1978 strat and 2019 strat. The oldie has the best frets I’ve ever played but a gloss finish the newbie has a satin neck and I like that way better :/
It ultimately comes down to taste and preference. It's all mental, but if relic-ing makes you feel better, by all means go ahead.
Interesting point about how a relic'd guitar plays different from ones that aren't due to cracks in the nitro. I love the look of a guitar that is medium to heavily relic'd but wouldn't pay top dollar for one. Just like I wouldn't pay big bucks for heavily distressed jeans. One aspect I think a relic'd guitar provides is that you're not afraid to beat the heck out of it while playing which creatively may provide a bit more range of options as opposed to a pristine guitar.
Relic guitars are ridiculous. The first problem is that the "wear" on them doesn't look natural; a lot of it is in the wrong places. It's easy to tell a fake old guitar from a real old guitar. If someone can come up with a good reason to relic a guitar I'd like to hear it. I have a 35-year-old guitar that doesn't look as messed-up as these fake oldies. And my 1988 Axis Sport still looks pretty new. That Friedman sounds good, and I'm sure it would whether a relic or not. What's next, relic amps?
I think at first blush, relic’ed guitars can be likened to pre-worn jeans. Jeans that are made to look old and beat up but are three times the price. Personally, I never had a problem with relic guitars. I think it’s neat how the Fender Custom Shop, or really any custom shop, can accurately mimic wear patterns and finish checking, Especially when they’re trying to match a specific player’s guitar. It takes a lot of effort to get it right. You’re not just randomly sanding.
I liked what you mentioned about the guitar vibrating more but it made me want to ask how many custom shops dry out the wood to get it like that. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I heard that the guitar’s wood dries out over time and then just becomes louder so I’d imagine it would just vibrate more then.
Scott Grove would have an aneurysm if he watched this, and I hope that he does watch it
I only have one relic'd jazzmaster body... it feels good but I have other guitars that resonate as much if not more, mostly japanese made guitars... finishes are not extremely thick and woods vary but they are all very well put together. I feel the combination of neck and body and general set up is more important than the finish. The most extreme example is a Tokai guitar that is covered in some vinyl o paper with a poly finish ...it still resonates beautifully and sounds great both unplugged and plugged in. Cheers!
Made my shiny new strat into a relic, I still sound like I've only just started playing....thought it would make me sound like a seasoned pro....
Can you answer this question I hope.I am not a luthier but I came across of a "ELECTRA" 1979 " VULCAN" LES PAUL STYLE.The repair is stronger than original I believe.It's rare I found out but question is can spray paint work with nitro
Cellulose paint like Rustoleum??? If anyone might know , much appreciated! It's just I made it this far and its down to the paint.Found out this Japanese made guitar was used by Peter Frampton, Rick Derringer, and a few other notable players.Stay healthy to you and your family...Be good..Jerry
To each his or her own, kinda seems tacky to me. They look like something a poser would buy to hang on the wall. I think we should break in our own guitars, just like a pair of boots, baseball glove etc.
Lol good luck getting the paint to naturally come off a poly finished guitar, which are 90% of guitars manufactured today
I have a 1996 Fender Big Apple Strat. I bought it new. I've gigged with it and played it everyday for almost 25 years. Looks brand new. Polly doesn't age. Remember also, when you buy a custom shop guitar from fender, the initial guitar they start out with before relicing is better than your average "off the shelf" American Standard.
@@fu5illij3rry92399 EXACTLY! All these people saying just buy a new one and play it for years dont get that POLY FINISH LASTS FOREVER
And in the 1970s we'd wear in our own jeans by playing in them outside... Then came stone washed, and now jeans with holes in them already. Go figure.
@@SRHMusic012 From wiki "Distressed denim emerged from the cultural punk movement in the 1970s. Early punks tore apart consumer goods as an expression of their anger towards society."
Oh snap. Guitar center’s still open. I need a string. Thanks for that free lesson the other day man. Appreciated.
I agree with you my SRV strat is all beat to hell and it definately vibrates when I play it . I can feel it against my body.
Not a fan of relic'd guitars myself. I do like when a guitar has that aged, old look though, that yellowed look. But not that worn out look.
Love your channel, you are a huge inspiration to me :)
I wonder if you have tried or have an opinion of a hand rubbed oil finish which tends to be very thin.
I was going to ask the same question.
I completely agree. I've owned several Luxxtone heavy relics, and they resonate more than anything else I've ever played.
Ivd actually noticed exactly what you're talking about. And yes the tone seems different to my ears. Like it takes on a more colorful personality.
I like nitro finish best, but am interested are roasted with light oil finish. I built a tele and painted with thin nitro and it sings and you can feel it vibræt
I don't mind relic'd guitars, I just couldn't justify spending a couple grand on one
I always wonder about just who is relic'ing the thing and how? I mean, is it the new guy that can't do woodwork but he can ding up guitars with things that would _never_ be near a real, gigging guitar (chains, hammers, etc.)?
I have a relicked(?) Tele copy ("Vintage" brand). I'm not keen on fake relics but it was cheaper at the time. Occasionally it pisses me off, mostly for the pitted metalwork, and I wish I'd paid that bit more. But mostly I just play it
I’ve taken guitars and taken the poly finish off and resprayed with nitro lacquer and did light relic jobs. You’d be amazed at the difference. It’s not the vintage of the instrument It’s the finish. What were lifeless now feels like amazing instruments. And then throw new jumbo fret wire in. You can turn a 200 dollar guitar into an amazing piece.
For those of us who can't afford custom shop relic stuff. Try open pore finishes. I love the way my Cort G260 vibrates on my belly. It's a great feeling... And a lovely guitar too. Stay safe everbody. Peace.
I don't know if it helps a guitar or not because I've never played a relic job, but I would imagine the wood is able to dry more quickly so within a few years instead of a few decades it opens up like a vintage axe . . . however if it's true that nobody ever says, "Gee I wish that nice guitar was reliced," but half of people or even fewer DO say "Ew, reliced," then I would say you're alienating people needlessly right? It's like knowing nobody likes your style and not adapting just to be stubborn.
When I was a little kid and saw an old Strat with fret wear marks, I got that tingly feeling in the pit of my stomach. You know the feeling. The feeling that some guy had played his fingers to the bone and left a visceral record of that on his guitar. Not anymore. Now that just means someone with too much money paid to have someone scourge their new guitar with a Dremel tool and charge them a premium price. That's gonna disappoint a lot of little kids.
Man this guitar sounds insane and the fact that it looks bad ass on top of it is just icing on the cake.
I'm not a fan of things that try to appear as something they're not, but to each his own, just find a guitar that YOU like, relic or not, and have a blast with it. Who cares if everyone else likes it or not, it's yours, not theirs.
I do have that experience where the guitar vibrates into your leg and chest, with my dirt cheap Harley Benton kit tele that I finished with India ink and Tru Oil. It's a super nice resonant piece of wood and I find myself playing it unplugged quite a lot.
I like the tones out of that Friedman Telecaster. I've been thinking about getting some type of Telecaster. I might just get a Fender. Or maybe a G&L telecaster.
Sounds like you're playing through a Marshal.