My Opinion on Reliced Instruments

[TTA]

instruments are like receding hairlines. full head of hair looks good, bald looks good… that in between is the issue.

many dings is mojo. a few dings kills me.

 

[TTA]

I couldn’t make it through all 5 pages on a subject that’s been discussed over and over many times here at TB.

I just have one question…exactly what is it about the relic work that makes it a better instrument?

Is the instrument more comfortable to play because of finish wear in particular locations? How does corroded hardware improve things? Does the corrosion ever make it harder for the tuners and bridge saddle adjustments to do their job?

it is all placebo effect. if you think a bass looks cool you will rock it. shape, colour, condition. it is part of why people prefer different basses really. black, burst, red, white, fancy wood, ect. same for bass body shapes, etc.

and good thing we all have different tastes, otherwise basses might be boring.

i recently blacked out my first ever 95 mim jazz bass. i rocked it out harder than i have ever rocked it out before. i have some pretty nice gear… but that day the bass was peerless.

 

[foothilla]

I have a naturally “reliced” vintage 59 Fender Precision Bass. It sounds incredible, but I can’t definitively prove that a nitro finish checking and flaking has any Impact on the sound of the bass. It sounds pretty much the same as it did when I purchased it in 1975. If it really made a huge difference folks would be making reliced Martin D-24’s and I haven’t seen much evidence of that.

Martin would have to start by making a D-24.

 

[jd56hawk]

What were the Norlin LPs painted with? Mine was 50 years old and had next to no "relicing". I may start wearing emery cloth on my forearms to speed up the process. I also don't have the patience to wait another 20 years for a relic to potentially be born. I'm too old. There may not be enough time.

Exactly!
I say the same thing every time I hear the "If it wasn't due to your blood, sweat and tears" argument.

 

[T McClure]

I couldn’t make it through all 5 pages on a subject that’s been discussed over and over many times here at TB.

I just have one question…exactly what is it about the relic work that makes it a better instrument?

Is the instrument more comfortable to play because of finish wear in particular locations? How does corroded hardware improve things? Does the corrosion ever make it harder for the tuners and bridge saddle adjustments to do their job?

One example I'll give is I think the Fender road worn necks have the best feel of all do the mass-produced Fender/Squier offerings, so that's how this one aspect of relicing makes them better instruments to play.

Now how much better are we talking over their other necks? Maybe 2%.

 

[DrBnz]

AND.... since its already "Road Worn" then I have no issues with getting out the sandpaper / scotch-bright and smoothing out the neck (frets and all). I wouldn't dare do that with many of my others.

 

[winston]

If you were successful removing the lice from your bass, why on earth would you re-lice it?

 

[2saddleslab]

 

[Jefenator]

I think I've mentioned this in previous relic threads: satin nitro for the win!