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Question...

#61
In my opinion, a relic'd instrument is worth a LOT less, not more.

I may be old fashioned, but I take good care of everything I own and try to keep it looking as new as possible. I have several instruments that I've owned for over 25 years that still look perfect.

A worn finish - or worse - just isn't cool in my eyes.
 
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#62
two fingers said:
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.
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Bingo!, we have a winner. I’ll also add in the fact that the “real thing’s “ can be worth $5,000++ and not a lot of musicians are in a place to throw that kind of money around.
 
#64
177B876C-526B-482B-9057-CF1DC3D8E163.jpeg
two fingers said:
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.
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YES SIR!!
 
#67
Marc DLarosa said:
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?
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I don’t get it either. I much rather make relics out of what I own. It’s a lot less expensive that way. Of course, for the guys that have 30 basses it might take them a while longer. So instead of waiting until they’re are in their 80s to have some home grown relics of their own, they buy a couple to save some time I guess....
 
#69
Warpeg said:
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.
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Except that most basses don’t contain animal products. (Watch out for bone nuts, I suppose)

Otto
 
#72
The only relic’d bass I ever bought was a Nash P. It was actually fantastic- one of the best sounding P basses I’ve ever owned. I can’t remember why I sold it, but I’d buy it back if I could.

Otherwise, I generally like to buy used instruments in excellent condition
 
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#79
Before I learned about this branch of culture here on TB, I always thought relic basses were garbage, not "stylized". Although not my thing, I get it now, but only after reading this forum for years.
 

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