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Question...
- Thread starter Marc DLarosa
- Start date
I don't get it either. I'd rather earn that wear and tear on the bass I play.
I hate the concept of "fake relic" personally. Never understood why one would pay a primo price for bass that is brand new but made to look old? Now if you relic your bass over the years by you playing it and using it that's different.
Because they want to and don't need your approval to do so.
Thats one of the best parts and can be used for the purposes of gambling
I think the whole relic thing probably started when someone noticed that the the best players in town had well worn basses.
They didn't take the time to consider that those basses were brand new when those great players were starting out.
They didn't think about the stories each mark could tell.
They just assumed the worn basses had a lot of mojo and that must be what made those players so good.
What if it was the many years of playing that did that?
So, now we have people that hope to buy mojo to become or look like better players.
That is why every time someone asks how best to relic a bass, I reply ' buy a new one and play it at least 20 years'.
They didn't take the time to consider that those basses were brand new when those great players were starting out.
They didn't think about the stories each mark could tell.
They just assumed the worn basses had a lot of mojo and that must be what made those players so good.
What if it was the many years of playing that did that?
So, now we have people that hope to buy mojo to become or look like better players.
That is why every time someone asks how best to relic a bass, I reply ' buy a new one and play it at least 20 years'.
Well, what's left of the ready to relic pristine condition highway one and honey burst nitro p basses seem to be really going up in value based on ebay listings.
There is a market for everything, buy/play what pleases you.
Cannot feed the fire of pro or con, but- Relicing a period correct instrument-ok. I had a customer have me relic a superstrat, that's just wrong. Sandbergs, just wrong. Then there's AXL instruments- reliced without EVER looking at an old instrument. Vintage (the company) random sanding with no regard for how instruments wear.
I don't think you can buy Mojo.
But you can channel it.
Neither a relic'd bass or one genuinely mojo'd by a previous player would help me one bit.
However, those who can channel the mojo will do so regardless of how the bass got the way it is.
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
I don't mind basses that are genuine relics but I can't stand basses that are artificially made to look like a relic. They're basically fake relics.
I am starting to realize how even mild anthromorphism really makes me uncomfortable.
My personal preference is for basses that look clean and well-kept. Some relics (natural and manufactured) DO look good, and I have nothing against them whatsoever.
But to answer Marc's original question regarding "conditions", I think that's exactly the key. Yes, the manufactured relic series basses look like they've been through a war or two, but they really haven't. Their "condition" is still new and excellent. It's just their APPEARANCE that looks like they've been beaten up. So in that sense, I think you can remove the "condition" factor from the equation. And no, I don't have any relic'd instruments. A friend of mine has a relic'd Jazz though, and it's great. Lightweight and great tone.
But to answer Marc's original question regarding "conditions", I think that's exactly the key. Yes, the manufactured relic series basses look like they've been through a war or two, but they really haven't. Their "condition" is still new and excellent. It's just their APPEARANCE that looks like they've been beaten up. So in that sense, I think you can remove the "condition" factor from the equation. And no, I don't have any relic'd instruments. A friend of mine has a relic'd Jazz though, and it's great. Lightweight and great tone.
What's all this talk about reliced instruments? I prefer instruments that don't have lice...and if they've been reliced that would only be worse. Who want's an instrument that's been deliced and then reliced?
It just doesn't make sense.
It just doesn't make sense.
I believe that people buy the relied style to make themselves look more experienced. "That guy must have been playing for years! He wore all the paint off his bass."
This is too funny. Maybe most people can’t afford a “new” reliced instrument and it brings on some of the hate. Have any of you that dislike the relic look actually played one? I would bet most haven’t.
I have put some wear on a couple of my main players over the years by gigging regularly. But to be honest I think poly finishes blow. I don’t like the feel or the terible gloss wear that it presents.
I’ve played Jazz basses for years and just last year picked up a Fender Classic Series Laquer Precision Bass. Love it. Absolutely best bass I have ever owned.
So I gig, I get gig money, I wanted a back up but didn’t want the same black color. Looked for a back up and low and behold what should appear but a Road Worn Precision.
It has the greatest, most comfortable neck ever for my hands. I’m a big fella 6’1”, 230 lbs and my hands match my frame.
I am in an active gigging band and not once has another musician or audience member called or considered me a poser. But then again I do have the natural “do not touch” aura about me.
So if any of you are ever in or around Chicago, come see my band play and I will let you use my Road Worn and try it out and see what you think. I am actually a real friendly nice guy.
I have put some wear on a couple of my main players over the years by gigging regularly. But to be honest I think poly finishes blow. I don’t like the feel or the terible gloss wear that it presents.
I’ve played Jazz basses for years and just last year picked up a Fender Classic Series Laquer Precision Bass. Love it. Absolutely best bass I have ever owned.
So I gig, I get gig money, I wanted a back up but didn’t want the same black color. Looked for a back up and low and behold what should appear but a Road Worn Precision.
It has the greatest, most comfortable neck ever for my hands. I’m a big fella 6’1”, 230 lbs and my hands match my frame.
I am in an active gigging band and not once has another musician or audience member called or considered me a poser. But then again I do have the natural “do not touch” aura about me.
So if any of you are ever in or around Chicago, come see my band play and I will let you use my Road Worn and try it out and see what you think. I am actually a real friendly nice guy.
I like basses that play and sound good. Don't really care about the color or condition, but I tend towards black... Because it matches my soul or something.
To each their own of course. 50's P basses are really nice, especially that broken in feel. A roadworn is probably not quite as good, but I can get one for $700. Some people are willing to pay $10,000+ for a real '59. Weird...
