Worst Relic Ever?

[Jazz Ad]

It's not a relic but it's beautiful. I like it.

[lunarpollen]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Good for metal maybe

It looks like it was exposed to a corrosive agent that attacks organic compounds but is good for metal

[hrodbert696]

Not a bass, but this is on the local craigslist, being sold as a "relic" strat...

[JoeWPgh]

WOW! What era is that thing a relic of? I didn't know they had Fender basses in 1885

[kellyrojo]

Originally Posted by Road Bull

Well... I kinda like it. I guess that I don't think of it as a "relic" but more of a unique finish. I dig it. I don't need relic style hardware. I like it the way it is.

I cant believe im saying this cause I usually hate reliced but +1

[Strat Hater]

Better with natural age

[Malak the Mad]

The artist inside me says, "Yowza! Gimme one!!" It's a very stand-out look and I would have ZERO problem showing it off or playing it on stage.

In other words, it's art. And like all art, it's a very subjective matter.

If you want to get technical, it should probably be called "distressed", instead of "relic'd". It's the term used in movies, theater, costuming and special effects when something is artificially aged.

As far as the hardware goes, it's a much more complicated process to distress metal, especially if it's got small moving parts. Depending on how you do it, it could compromise the function. Even simply using different sandpapers to scuff the chrome (toothy on down to fine), or even a dremel tool, could work, but it wouldn't look very complete unless you take them apart first. Tedious, no? Chemical processes or laying down a patina could really mess up the workings of the tuning machines. Who wants tuners that won't hold tune?

Now for the pickguard, maybe a layer of "crackle" paint would complete the look. Hmmm…this has possibilities.

[Kmonk]

I don't like it at all but I don't like any relics. In my opinion, it's just faking it. Trying to make it look like you have an old bass.

[73jbass]

It's amazing what you can accomplish with a little lighter fluid and a match.

[wvbass]

Umm, it "looks much better in person" !?

[SolarMan]

Originally Posted by Malak the Mad

As far as the hardware goes, it's a much more complicated process to distress metal, especially if it's got small moving parts. Depending on how you do it, it could compromise the function. Even simply using different sandpapers to scuff the chrome (toothy on down to fine), or even a dremel tool, could work, but it wouldn't look very complete unless you take them apart first. Tedious, no? Chemical processes or laying down a patina could really mess up the workings of the tuning machines. Who wants tuners that won't hold tune?

First of all, I like the look too - If I saw some dude playing that on stage I would think - Woah! What the heck is that! It would beat seeing another three tone sunburst with tort.

However, I have chemically "aged" tuners and they still work beautifully. 2 hours in concentrated Muriatic acid vapors with full rinse and thorough drying should do the trick without destroying the functionality.

But, what this bass needs is: 5 hours in concentrated vapors and then placed "wet" into an industrial Microwave and zapped on full-blast for 60 seconds.

--- Then, the hardware will look right for this bass ---

[PDGood]

I just hope this whole idea of making stuff look older doesn't spread to other fields. Like I don't want to see a car being sanded and set out in a field to enhance the rust factor. And I sure don't want to see women having plastic surgery to add wrinkles and have their boobs made to sag.

Nowadays if somebody tries to refinish a bass and they mess it up they just call it mojo. It's not mojo, it's bad workmanship. I like the real thing. Don't care much for a simulation and actually prefer something creative like this bass - although I wish they had carried out the oil spill in fire look throughout instead of it being part that and part relic.

[LowNotes1]

That thing looks like it sat on someone's roof for about 40 years. The seller says you'll stand out with it. I suppose that is true, at least.

[Megazap63]

Originally Posted by skychief

it needs a tort pickguard.

Black pickguard

[Malak the Mad]

Originally Posted by SolarMan

However, I have chemically "aged" tuners and they still work beautifully. 2 hours in concentrated Muriatic acid vapors with full rinse and thorough drying should do the trick without destroying the functionality.

But, what this bass needs is: 5 hours in concentrated vapors and then placed "wet" into an industrial Microwave and zapped on full-blast for 60 seconds.

--- Then, the hardware will look right for this bass ---

Acid vapor, huh? I think that would do it. I'll pose the question to a friend of mine who used to manage an electroplating company.

Still, working with acidic vapors? Yikes! You're a braver soul than I.

When you say "what this bass needs", do you mean the whole bass, wood and metal alike? And what would be the results of such a treatment?

[tucson_zac]

The only thing that saves this is that it doesn't even look like fake "wear", so no one would think it might actually be old. It looks like exactly what it is - someone had the body off and the paint stripper got a little too close...

-z.

[SolarMan]

Originally Posted by Malak the Mad

Acid vapor, huh? I think that would do it. I'll pose the question to a friend of mine who used to manage an electroplating company.

Still, working with acidic vapors? Yikes! You're a braver soul than I.

When you say "what this bass needs", do you mean the whole bass, wood and metal alike? And what would be the results of such a treatment?

No, just the hardware. Hitting up the wood would be a very bad idea.

Working with acid vapors may be very hazardous to your health and your immediate surroundings. It is a bad idea if you aren't familiar with SOP when handling hazardous chemicals.

It is easy to do - you get a large tupperware and pour about a quarter inch of straight Muriatic acid - not this new "Low Vapor" that Home Depot sells - you need the real stuff for this application.

Then, place a smaller tupperware into the larger one (float it like a boat). Now place your hardware into the boat, and put the lid on just the larger one. This creates a vapor cloud (and it is quite intense ... breathe that in or let it hit your eyes and you won't be happy)

I have seen guys say "2 minutes" - I say more like 2 hours and then thorough rinse with water and blow dry with a hair dryer.

This is all after you read the MSDS and don the appropriate protective gear. And don't think of letting this stuff touch your wifes stainless steel sink - you will be buying a new one. (Unless she wants a reliced sink!)

Be safe my friends...

(I'll get a photo up here to show my results)


Edit: here is a photo of my tuners on my CV 50's P




Now - enough of this de-rail -

While I agree that having your wife road worn is not such an attractive idea - some of the "rat rods" I have seen are gorgeous!

[fuzzychaos]

It's not bad, though it could use "relic'd" hardware. I like a relic, however, faux or real.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

I like it. The hardware is a joke, though.

+1.

There is a famous guitarist (name escapes me) that has very acidic sweat and his Strat looks almost identical.

The HW is bad, and if I were to play a guitar so mangled, it would have to be real wear. Playing a custom shop or Woad Worn relic is cool, but this is over the top.

[Teacher]

I think the major problem is in the name. It doesn't look aged at all to me. Now, if they'd called it something else to denote the unusual look, all would be good. I do think it lookes cool...just not like a relic.