Relic Thoughts

[register2]

A bass ends up looking like a "relic" when it's been played so many times that the fretboard has become discolored from decades of pressing the strings against it, the finish has become distressed from years of bumps, drops and arm friction and the chrome has dulled with age. The look is pretty badass, I will admit that, but doesn't taking a shortcut to make a new bass look this way preclude you from aging with the instrument as you would otherwise? Isn't the impatience of taking a belt sander to your bass an admission of your intention not to use the bass long enough to allow it to age on its own? How will a bass that was made to look 35 when it was brand new look years from now? Like the Dead Sea Scrolls with a set of flats on it? Will it be able to last that long?

I am not saying I think that people who 'relic' their instruments are wrong, I am just trying to see if there is general agreement with my point of view, and if not to learn other ones. I see a new bass as a bit of a blank canvas, and look forward to seeing where it is five, ten, or twenty years from now. Though based on what six years of 'natural' aging did to my bass, I think I may have been better off adding a little intentional wear and tear to the thing before I sold it so it didn't look just... "used."

 

[QuelOround]

Personally, I think there is something just wrong about "relic'ing" and instrument. It's like mangling this instrument for no reason. Like if an ancient warrior just started slicing himself up too look like he had seen a few battles when in fact he never even left the comfort of his own village...... yeah it's kinda like lying.

 

[Munjibunga]

I've never understood the psychology behind "relicing" a modern bass. Are the players trying to spoof someone into believing that particular instrument has "more mojo" than a new, nice-looking instrument? Do they want people to think they've been playing long enough to put that kind of wear on the instrument? I just don't get it. I don't even want my basses to grow old with me. I do everything I can to keep them looking new and pristine forever. No sir, I don't like it.

 

[superfunk47]

Here's how I look at it.

A relic is a perfectly functional instrument. All that's distinguishing one from any other instrument the appearance, which is subjective, right? So why do people have such a problem with how other people want their instruments to look?

Furthermore, is a relic really that different from a well used bass (actual age aside)? I mean, all it is is the finish being worn down, right? So what's the difference? Mojo? Having "earned its wear"?

Play what you like. If relics aren't your thing, don't play them.

 

[nortonrider]

I wonder how long before this thread gets closed.
From what I have seen, it seems like they ain't too fond of "relic" threads around here.

(FWIW,...I too like to keep my stuff in nice condition)

 

[Munjibunga]

Play what you like. If relics aren't your thing, don't play them.

Great idea! I never would have come up with that in a million years.

 

[UncleBalsamic]

Relics don't bother me. I wouldn't do it sure, but if someone thinks it looks good then fine. It's just a different appearance.

 

[Solarmist]

I've never understood the psychology behind "relicing" a modern bass. Are the players trying to spoof someone into believing that particular instrument has "more mojo" than a new, nice-looking instrument? Do they want people to think they've been playing long enough to put that kind of wear on the instrument? I just don't get it. I don't even want my basses to grow old with me. I do everything I can to keep them looking new and pristine forever. No sir, I don't like it.

+1 ... I like nice, shiny, showroom quality looking basses, and would NEVER purposely "trash" a bass .....

Mine are well taken care of, and sleep in hardshell cases

 

[stflbn]

 

[MultiScaleMale]

It's a "look", just like buying jeans that are already worn in and have holes. You wouldn't wear them all the time, but it's something different for when the mood hits. The thing I like about relics is that you get modern build quality with vintage looks.

 

[rezin]

A bass ends up looking like a "relic" when it's been played so many times that the fretboard has become discolored from decades of pressing the strings against it, the finish has become distressed from years of bumps, drops and arm friction and the chrome has dulled with age.

yep, or when someone who knows what they're doing intentionally causes it to look like that. either way.


i thought that with the finish on some basses, they'll never really age like that. or at least not for far longer than it took the basses made 30 years ago

 

[Jo6Pak]

just like buying jeans that are already worn in and have holes.

Also ridiculous. Yes, that is my opinion. You may or may not share it.

 

[superfunk47]

Great idea! I never would have come up with that in a million years.

Seems a rather foreign idea to TB in the past few weeks

These threads always seem to bring out the "I don't like this kind of bass, therefore the entire concept is stupid" posters.

It gets old, fast. Especially when they're "discussing" something you actually like.

It's okay not to like relics, but do you see relic fans talking crap about people with shiny new basses? Wouldn't that be just as fair as the bi-weekly "Why do people like relics? They're so dumb," threads?

 

[DonovanBankhead]

It's a "look", just like buying jeans that are already worn in and have holes. <snip> The thing I like about relics is that you get modern build quality with vintage looks.

+1

Can we let this be the final word on why people like relics? Some people like the look of distressed jeans, floors, cabinets, furniture, whores, basses, guitars, etc.

 

[Ampeg SVT]

I like both, I am thinking of getting a HW1 P-bass and possibly relicing it.
Probably only the forearm contour though.

I dont see what the fuss is about though.

 

[nortonrider]

I don't like my whores looking distressed!

 

[stflbn]

It's okay not to like relics, but do you see relic fans talking crap about people with shiny new basses? Wouldn't that be just as fair as the bi-weekly "Why do people like relics? They're so dumb," threads?

Precisely. No different than a color preference, number of string preference, etc.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I don't like my whores looking distressed!

Sometimes you like steak, sometimes you'd rather have beef jerky.

 

[scrodzilla]

Both of my P-basses were bought new and I proceeded to beat the snot out of them all over the world. I've spilled beer on them, bled on them and have thrown them clear across the stage. Are they "relics"? They look beat up because well...they are. And I love them.

 

[LowBSix]

Get a Nash if you want a relic that pays attention to true (Fender) vintage.

Less $$$, tastes great, less filling