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Relic Guitars and Basses
- Thread starter LazyGecko
- Start date
Doesn't matter because an instrument isn't about looks. It's about playability, attachment, and sound.
The reason I bring up that question though is for those who go on about resale value.
Personally, resale value never entered my mind on any gear purchases--I buy my gear to play, not to re-sell.
But I asked a tongue in cheek kind of question that comes from the perspective of those that care about resale value.
And I did pick the basses (& guitars) I have due to playability, feel & sound. (And price to a degree--as none of them were expensive)
Perhaps those who go on about resale value, shouldn't play in the first place. Minds corrupted by greed and superficial beauty.
On a cool note. Everyone go practice your playing and reading. You're welcome.
On a cool note. Everyone go practice your playing and reading. You're welcome.
Why do you care so much? If you don't like them don't buy them.
It is just a finish. Why do people have green,pink burst or any other weird finish on their bass.
Or even worse whats up with the moldy looking burl finishes that look like someone puked on it?
It is just a finish. Why do people have green,pink burst or any other weird finish on their bass.
Or even worse whats up with the moldy looking burl finishes that look like someone puked on it?
It is about looks too. We wouldn't have a forum full of pictures of basses if it wasn't.
My oldest bass is 40 years old and looks basically new even though it has been played thousands of hours.
I respect instruments and treat them with great care.
I really don't get the whole "relic" thing.
I wouldn't want an instrument that's been beat to sh## any more than I would want a car that looks like it has been in a destruction derby or a house that looks like it has been inhabited by a bus load of homeless crack addicts.
I respect instruments and treat them with great care.
I really don't get the whole "relic" thing.
I wouldn't want an instrument that's been beat to sh## any more than I would want a car that looks like it has been in a destruction derby or a house that looks like it has been inhabited by a bus load of homeless crack addicts.
My 1996 Fender Jazz Relic "Cunetto" made still looks like it did when I got it NEW. I have played it a lot & don't really notice any new scratches or dings on it. That would make it almost 18 years old. Looks just like the 1962 Jazz I got when I started playing bass in 1964 & it was beat up & only 2 years old. To each his own. Like what you play & play what you like. 
I think this has started to devolve into one of those threads that dances a bit too close to the relic-bashing rule, but the OP asked a legitimate question, IMO. In the case of the Fender Relic series, they "are so expensive" because they are Custom Shop instruments. In the case of the Roadworn series, they cost more than an MIM standard because they are arguably a little nicer bass and beyond that, they probably cost a little more to produce. I'm sure the nitro finish has a different cost to apply than a poly finish. And yes, I think you have to pay for the extra labor involved in the "roadworn" process.
Thanks for a legitimate answer that makes sense. I'm aware this thread is getting a little on the relic-bashing side. I am actually interested in buying a relic bass as I heard Nash Guitars and Fender CS sell very durable and aged instruments. Thanks and God bless.
Only paid $1500.00 for my 1996 Jazz Relic still sealed in the box with custom shop case & all papers NEW. I didn't think that was that expensive but then my 2004 MIM Pbass I got used was $300.00 with hard case. If it says FENDER on the head stock it's good for me.
A couple of non-bashing observations regarding instruments with the relic treatment.
Mojo (what relic instruments seem to be trying to capture) is something that is earned...not something that is applied as a finish, IMHO.
Could the fascination with the relic look be tied to the desire to be looked upon by others as having practiced and gigged that instrument quite a bit? If true for some, wouldn't it be better that our 'playing' reveals we've put a lot of time and hours into our instrument, as opposed to an artificially accelerated finish process? I don't know the answer...just asking the question.
M. M.
Mojo (what relic instruments seem to be trying to capture) is something that is earned...not something that is applied as a finish, IMHO.
Could the fascination with the relic look be tied to the desire to be looked upon by others as having practiced and gigged that instrument quite a bit? If true for some, wouldn't it be better that our 'playing' reveals we've put a lot of time and hours into our instrument, as opposed to an artificially accelerated finish process? I don't know the answer...just asking the question.
M. M.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
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Those certainly are leading questons! ;-)
I suspect that for some folks, yeah- those things are true.
I know lots of players who have bought reliced instruments for these reasons as well:
- that particular instrument sounded good and felt right to the player, regardless of aesthetics
- while in the market for a particular vintage, they chanced upon a reliced copy & felt that the $ savings was worth the "compromise"
- it looks cool to someone
- playability of rounded over fretboards, stripped necks, worn down arm contours, etc. appeal to many
There are folks who like Pringles over regular potato chips too, it doesn't mean they are "cheating" at snack time. Honestly, I've never purchased a reliced instrument, that doesn't mean I think those that do are somehow less 'invested' players. Lol!
I suspect that for some folks, yeah- those things are true.
I know lots of players who have bought reliced instruments for these reasons as well:
- that particular instrument sounded good and felt right to the player, regardless of aesthetics
- while in the market for a particular vintage, they chanced upon a reliced copy & felt that the $ savings was worth the "compromise"
- it looks cool to someone
- playability of rounded over fretboards, stripped necks, worn down arm contours, etc. appeal to many
There are folks who like Pringles over regular potato chips too, it doesn't mean they are "cheating" at snack time. Honestly, I've never purchased a reliced instrument, that doesn't mean I think those that do are somehow less 'invested' players. Lol!
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I don't believe in "mojo" much past Austin Powers. If I handed you a relic and you thought it was real, it would have mojo and be great. Once you found out the truth, you would say you never liked it that much in the first place. The RH750 amp is a case study for this.
Yeah, baby. Yeah!
Yeah, baby. Yeah!
Hey now, boob jobs are cool. I like 'em so much that I asked the divorce court for 1/2 of the boob job that I paid for my ex-wife to get when we were married.
Every time this gets asked everyone gets super serious with there simile and metaphor and everyone else watches from the sidelines with this face.
No it's not "like" some non sequitur added to be pejorative like in the last roadworn thread.
Lets sum this up really fast.
Pro's
- not worrying about a drunk kicking a Mic into it
- Sanded broken in necks
- typically lightweight
- Good mod platform that allows the 8k early sixties j/p to stay at home
- some people like the finish
Con's
- The tb police will assume it's because you are a "poser"
- it isn't the genuine article
- some people think the distressed paint is enough to diminish what they see as a dressed up mim that's overpriced
- expensive in comparison to other MIM instruments (if country of origin matters)
- only 2 colors
- The distressing is nearly the same on most of them
Besides that everyone would do better to, as has been said before, play what you like.
Before anyone jumps on me I don't own one of these basses because I'd rather save a few hundred more for used avri but there's no reason to hate on it on the internet.
Some people on this forum behave the same as the guys who look for Justin Bieber etc YouTube videos just to ruffle the feathers of people that like his music.
No it's not "like" some non sequitur added to be pejorative like in the last roadworn thread.
Lets sum this up really fast.
Pro's
- not worrying about a drunk kicking a Mic into it
- Sanded broken in necks
- typically lightweight
- Good mod platform that allows the 8k early sixties j/p to stay at home
- some people like the finish
Con's
- The tb police will assume it's because you are a "poser"
- it isn't the genuine article
- some people think the distressed paint is enough to diminish what they see as a dressed up mim that's overpriced
- expensive in comparison to other MIM instruments (if country of origin matters)
- only 2 colors
- The distressing is nearly the same on most of them
Besides that everyone would do better to, as has been said before, play what you like.
Before anyone jumps on me I don't own one of these basses because I'd rather save a few hundred more for used avri but there's no reason to hate on it on the internet.
Some people on this forum behave the same as the guys who look for Justin Bieber etc YouTube videos just to ruffle the feathers of people that like his music.
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