Question...

[Marc DLarosa]

When buying/selling an instrument... "condition MATTERS."
But then... "P(l)ayers, are willing to shell out EXTRA, for RELICED instruments...

Not judging.

Just trying to understand.

HELP?

 

[Gorn]

I prefer basses that aren’t red, but people still buy red basses. It’s the same concept with reliced or road worn.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I prefer basses that aren’t red, but people still buy red basses. It’s the same concept with reliced or road worn.

Depends on the RED. I sold the most AMAZING P bass, because it was the most FIRE ENGINE Red, ever. I couldn't look at it. But... Boy oh Boy... I still remember her voice, and feel.
Now... back to the subject. This isn't about COLOR. If She was "reliced", would I have kept Her? No.
My question is... why are people paying more for "beat up looking" instruments, that have NEVER been in a "fight?"

 

[pcake]

possibly for the same reason some people buy vintage-look antiques. possibly because the bass is a replica of one they really liked. possibly the folks who buy the relic'ed basses just like how they look.

me, i like my new basses shiny and... well... new looking.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

possibly for the same reason some people buy vintage-look antiques. possibly because the bass is a replica of one they really liked. possibly the folks who buy the relic'ed basses just like how they look.

me, i like my new basses shiny and... well... new looking.

I have 50 year old basses, that look, well... 50. I get it. They've been around. I just don't want a new bass that POSES as 50. Weird...

 

[Gorn]

Now... back to the subject. This isn't about COLOR. If She was "reliced", would I have kept Her? No.
My question is... why are people paying more for "beat up looking" instruments, that have NEVER been in a "fight?"

There are options for aesthetics and reliced is an option like a color. It’s the same thing.

 

[walldaja]

Maybe they ought to sell reliced cars too?

 

[MattZilla]

Maybe they ought to sell reliced cars too?

they do. Have you seen a Lexus from the last eight or so years? They all look like they have been in a pileup and then got metal shavings and tinted polyurethane dumped on them. Even Camrys and Corollas are looking a bit wrinkled up these last few years.

 

[two fingers]

If I could buy a '67 Camaro with a brand new engine I would. Oh, wait. They DID make (essentially) a '67 Camaro with a new engine!

The point is this. I don't own a reliced bass. But I can absolutely see the attraction to buying a bass that looks like it was gigged in smoky blues bars for decades, but has brand new frets, pots, wiring, pickups, bridge, neck, etc.

It PERFORMS as new, but LOOKS worn in. If you can't afford a '59 P bass, but want that "vibe", that's the way to go.

They like them for the same reasons you love your actual vintage basses. No mystery there.

 

[JakobT]

Maybe they ought to sell reliced cars too?

They also sell reliced furniture, either to simulate an antique look, or as part of the "shabby chic" trend. And of course there are pre-washed, pre-worn jeans full of holes. It's everywhere.

 

[Spidey2112]

possibly for the same reason some people buy vintage-look antiques. possibly because the bass is a replica of one they really liked. possibly the folks who buy the relic'ed basses just like how they look.

me, i like my new basses shiny and... well... new looking.

The older I get, the more I can put up with a ding, or two... this is coming from Mr. OCD himself... I'd still rather relic it myself, by playing the snot out of it.

 

[nilorius]

Condition is on 2nd. place. 1st. matters the sound.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

When buying/selling an instrument... "condition MATTERS."
But then... "P(l)ayers, are willing to shell out EXTRA, for RELICED instruments...

Not judging.

Just trying to understand.

HELP?

Brand new jeans with holes. Whatever.

 

[Warpeg]

My take on relic'ing is from the marketing perspective. The fact is that there is a large enough target market of players that want an instrument that appears old and worn to substantiate the product. Perhaps they want them because they cannot afford the "real deal". Maybe they buy them because many of their favorite professional players have similar-looking instruments. In the end, it's just a product preference....no different than choosing a Big Mac over a Whopper.

 

[Marikk]

The trend among relic haters seems to be

Relic damage - bad
Actual damage = Mojo - good

I've never understood the difference between buying a relic and someone buying someone elses "Mojo'd" bass. In one case youre buying a non absued bass that looks worn. In the second, youre buying an actual abused bass with who knows what issues that also looks worn and likely costs 5 - 10x the price that also looks worn

Also, Road worn necks are arborius sex in my hands #Fact, regardless how you feel about the look

 

[Paulabass]

Maybe they ought to sell reliced cars too?

Buy a French car. Drive it 3 weeks.

 

[JakobT]

The trend among relic haters seems to be

Relic damage - bad
Actual damage = Mojo - good

I've never understood the difference between buying a relic and someone buying someone elses "Mojo'd" bass. In one case youre buying a non absued bass that looks worn. In the second, youre buying an actual abused bass with who knows what issues that also looks worn and likely costs 5 - 10x the price that also looks worn

Also, Road worn necks are arborius sex in my hands #Fact, regardless how you feel about the look

In my case, all damage=bad. To me, there's no such thing as Mojo.

 

[Chuck M]

My first bass was a used Fender Precision that my parents bought me in 1958. It played but looked rough. Paint chips, discolored hardware...it was well used.

So now I like my basses to look new or close to it. I never thought the relic or road worn basses made much sense. Red basses? I have one..a Peavey Axcelerator 4 string and it looks almost new. LOL

If you dig relic finished basses, I say go for it. I'll take mine nicely finished and shiny.

 

[Paulabass]

Also, Road worn necks are arborius sex in my hands #Fact, regardless how you feel about the look

I've never had sex in my hands, so I wouldn't know, but I understand some people are very good at it.

 

[JakobT]

I've never had sex in my hands, so I wouldn't know, but I understand some people are very good at it.

That aside, I would never have arborious sex, manual or otherwise. I would be too worried about splinters.