I just don't get "Relics"

Actually, it usually does **** more than a few people off... and usually ends in a locked thread.

I wonder if this one will turn into a seven-page slugfest like many of the previous incarnations of this exact same thread have (this question must get asked almost every week).

 

I'm in! I don't 'get' them either, but have seen so many lately that they no longer piss me off. Played a couple Road Worns at a local GC and was minorly impressed. Too bad about the price. Also, Fender really should vary the wear on these things. Kind of silly that they are all identical.

 

I think various looks and feels go in and out of popularity over the years. A Relic is just a look and feel. Some people like it and others don't. I don't know why some get so worked up over it.

I happen to think they can look good. The jury is still out on whether relicing is good value for the money...

 

I know this guitarist...he asked me to unsolder the pickup covers off his humbuckers so he could soak them in piss to "age" them..I told him that he'd have to get someone else to resolder them back together. I mean you pay for a nitrocellulose finish because it takes man hours to do it right, then it get's sanded or rubbed off in certain places and you have to pay more ???!!! (here's where I'm scratching my head)

 

Wait... what!?

Wouldn't coffee work just as well?

 

Meh, its just another type of finish, get over it.

 

Ok.

 

Which one are you?
Seriously, nobody gives a hoot what you play until you're famous, and then most could care less then too.
Reliced instruments are just a marketing strategy, and it must be working. If it's not your thang, wonder why like most everyone else and move on.
Personally, I wouldn't pay extra for one, but I wouldn't pass on a deal for one either, depending on what it was and if I liked it.

 

I think the OP has made an interesting discovery, of historical significance. It did kinda go like that. And that's kinda how it is now. What, with all the shiny new vs beat up then, juxtaposed with the all beat-up vs shiny new now, and which group of goobers were playing one vs. the other. Yeah, it all makes sense.

 

Read the rules kids.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6816580&postcount=9

 

Great Thread!!

 

Relic's are supposed to be reproduction instruments that were played so frequently the finish and even some wood was worn away, and like the Energizer rabbit...keep on ticking while maintaining value via the Tone and Playability, that's the mystery and why "getting it" is difficult as they don't necessarily possess these high user orientated qualities. Some do...most don't. It would seem to me that this point is missed by Fender, or they only care about targeting the Look or attracting those who think the Look is the point. The Relic series has sort of a misrepresented soul, and the price point is Paranormal.

 

I don't get it either, but to each his (or her) own.

 

Yes your right it's just another finish good or bad..I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I apologize if that is your bass...but it looks like somebody used a putty knife when doing the finish..I don't even want to tell you what the color reminds me of. (Why did they cut off part of the frets at the end?)

 

Come on guys:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7507147&postcount=11

 

I'm confused. Half of the TBer's is looking for relic'd instruments, the other half is posting threads on the Repair forum asking "how to remove superficial scratches from clearcoat?".

Riis

 

I don't know...when he said piss I knew it was a job for someone else. As for the relic question, just send me an alder P or J bass, maple neck and fretboard, with a nitro finish, in as pristine condition you can ship it. I'll do the relicin' or closet whatever by years of my playing with it.

 

The only time I could see owning a relic is a Stevie Ray fan wanting their own "lenny" or something like that. If I want an old beat up guitar/bass, I'll buy an old beat up one. A new bass should look new. But then again, everyone has their own taste so if you want to buy an instrument that looks old, good for you.

 

fake relic'ing are like fake boobs - I just dont get it. you are what you are, cant change that by faking it! And I REALLY don't get paying twice as much (in some cases, and some even more) for it - that really baffles the mind.