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Relic Thoughts
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I've been jonesing for a real old-school J-bass for the longest time but the window has closed for me (& most other non-collectors) to obtain a genuine pre-CBS Fender Jazz. Even if I had the $10K+ to spend, I just couldn't justify that.
But I'm still curious, still lusting. So I've been looking at the Fender Custom Shop offerings, Relic, "Closet Classic" and NOS. Then I heard about the Nash basses and how they supposedly blow CS away on many levels. And they're many hundreds of dollars less. So I took a chance on one.
I won't lie: the fakeness of it does bug me. The finish on the back of the neck didn't get worn through, by a sweaty thumb or even a sander - it was never sprayed on to begin with. (Yeah, I can tell the difference.) When someone asks me what year is that thing, I get to explain.
(That's rare, though - most folks wouldn't discern a vintage J from a Johnson.) I still feel a more profound affinity for my other longtime axes, which all have stories to go along with each of the many dings & scratches they sport.
On the other hand, that Nash neck does feel nice. And I can lean it against the amp like I do with my other basses and not feel nervous or guilty. That's a plus. Most importantly, the bass sounds freakin' awesome - that's what makes it a keeper. (That and 3-tone sunburst.
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Before, I was neutral. Now that I own a relic'd bass, I personally feel that fake wear & tear is a minus. (And that's what the relicing process is - fake is the only word to describe it.) I would definitely never pay extra to have it done.
But would I pay many hundreds more (thousands even) for a comparable piece without fake wear? That's the dilemma Bill Nash presents us.
But I'm still curious, still lusting. So I've been looking at the Fender Custom Shop offerings, Relic, "Closet Classic" and NOS. Then I heard about the Nash basses and how they supposedly blow CS away on many levels. And they're many hundreds of dollars less. So I took a chance on one.
I won't lie: the fakeness of it does bug me. The finish on the back of the neck didn't get worn through, by a sweaty thumb or even a sander - it was never sprayed on to begin with. (Yeah, I can tell the difference.) When someone asks me what year is that thing, I get to explain.
(That's rare, though - most folks wouldn't discern a vintage J from a Johnson.) I still feel a more profound affinity for my other longtime axes, which all have stories to go along with each of the many dings & scratches they sport.On the other hand, that Nash neck does feel nice. And I can lean it against the amp like I do with my other basses and not feel nervous or guilty. That's a plus. Most importantly, the bass sounds freakin' awesome - that's what makes it a keeper. (That and 3-tone sunburst.
)Before, I was neutral. Now that I own a relic'd bass, I personally feel that fake wear & tear is a minus. (And that's what the relicing process is - fake is the only word to describe it.) I would definitely never pay extra to have it done.
But would I pay many hundreds more (thousands even) for a comparable piece without fake wear? That's the dilemma Bill Nash presents us.
I actualy just ordered a nash from brian at the low end, iv never owned anything reliced, but I like the looks, and the big thing for me, I can have a bass built exactly to my specs exactly the way I want it or, I can spend alot more time searching for a true relic but i cant afford a 10 of 15 grand bass, I can barley aford a nash haha, long story short would I pay 10, even 5 grand on a real relic, no but i would pay less than half that for a nash
I absolutly love the look of reliced basses, i much prefer it if its honest wear, but i dont see a problem with relicing.
its just like a custom paintjob, ill probably relic one of my basses soon, it disguises all the dings and scratches and makes them look intentional
its just like a custom paintjob, ill probably relic one of my basses soon, it disguises all the dings and scratches and makes them look intentional
I love the look of an old broken in guitar or bass, but I don't know about purposefully trying to make a new instrument look old. Being the cheapskate I am, I certainly could not justify paying extra for a new instrument that's worn out. Having said that, I feel kind of cheated because the finish on the newer instruments I own will probably never look old and worn even if they were owned and gigged with daily by (insert band name here). I have seriously considered sanding and refinishing one of my basses with a thinner nitro-lac finish then allowing it to age and wear naturally.
Because a fender J has only so much style. The thing has looked the same for like 50 years. Personality is individuality.
or like sportin' a fake tattoo
Or just like sporting a "real" tattoo since your body didn't get that way naturally!
I like the "closet classic" look....not really reliced...just lightly aged...but i have to admit that some reliced basses look pretty cool. I also don't see what the big deal is about playing a relic bass.....classical musicians have been playing reliced instruments for years.
Instead of relicing instruments, why not just not baby them so they wear and distress a bit faster than they would otherwise. You'll probably play it a lot more and take it places you wouldn't otherwise because you're intending to be 'friendlier' with it.
This is exactly what I've done to my J Bass.....I bought it 4 years ago off ebay....1990 Fender AV 62 RI. The bass was close to mint...I don't think the guy played it much, probably kept it in the case most of the time....looked like a new bass. In the 4 years I've had it it's never put away....always out, I play it every day, gig with it....it also gets a lot of sun from my front window and I live in southern California so it's really taking a toll on the nitro finish. Anyways, now it looks like a 20 year old bass. Is it worth less now...yes....but that's how I am with my basses....I don't abuse them....I just don't baby them.
I have no problem relicing an instrument as today most basses are finished in poly. Being a lefty I dont have the option of getting one of the few fenders that have nitro. With the poly finish, I prob wouldnt live to see the day of that being naturally reliced due to the thick coating
Reliced poly finishes never look right to me. They just don't ding and chip the same way a nitro finish does. I've seen some that were pretty well done, but they still don't look the same as a beat up nitro finish to me.
Thoughts: Silly, dumb, lame. What makes a beatup instrument cool is the history behind the beatupness, the soul, the vibe, the mojo, that can't be painted on or scuffed off. I see no difference with relicing and 80's paint jobs with naked women and flaming skulls!
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I don't mind a decent relic job on an instrument. But then you see some relics out there that basically involve a rotary sander and chisel and a cigarette lighter. Whoever thought old basses looked burned?
I don't like inconsistent relics. Ones where the paintwork is beaten but the chrome fittings are new and shiney. I also don't like instruments that could never be realistic or historically accurate. A new MIM Fender model thats been reliced?
I would object to a reliced Jaguar bass on principle but the only one I've seen was on here and the guy did a really nice job of it.
But if he had kicked the body around his back yard for a while then attacked it with a rasp then it might be a different story.
Also I really want to pronounce the word 'reliced' as 're-liced'. Anybody else got this problem?
I don't like inconsistent relics. Ones where the paintwork is beaten but the chrome fittings are new and shiney. I also don't like instruments that could never be realistic or historically accurate. A new MIM Fender model thats been reliced?
I would object to a reliced Jaguar bass on principle but the only one I've seen was on here and the guy did a really nice job of it.
But if he had kicked the body around his back yard for a while then attacked it with a rasp then it might be a different story.
Also I really want to pronounce the word 'reliced' as 're-liced'. Anybody else got this problem?
Wait, meddle. Who has the relic'd Jaguar bass? I own a jaguar bass. I'm curious. WOuld I have to refinish it in nitro to have any hope of ever living to see it relic naturally? I mean...I've only put dents in the finish so far. I've owned it for just about two years now.
I really do not 'get it'. I am a relic, ok! By God, I earned every scar, wrinkle and warble. But I do not relic my woman, or my truck, or my Harley, or my cue stick, or my guns, or my instruments. I have always taken care of my tools and they, for the most part, have taken care of me...Just my opinion and my experience but it has gotten through this far.
edit: I do understand the spirit behind a "rat" bike and maybe relicing an instrument is similar; but, I have never seen anyone "rat" a brand new motorcycle....
edit: I do understand the spirit behind a "rat" bike and maybe relicing an instrument is similar; but, I have never seen anyone "rat" a brand new motorcycle....
It's funny. When I took lessons back in the mid '70s (when nitro was the standard finish) my teacher taught me how to take care of it. No belt buckle, when taking it from the cold outside into a heated room let it warm up slowly before opening the case so the finish wouldn't crack, etc. He said that an instrument with belt buckle rash, finish cracks, and dings wouldn't be worth as much. He had no way of knowing that abusing your instrument would be in fashion in 30 years.
He had no way of knowing that abusing your instrument would be in fashion in 30 years.
It's not for collectors. I'm always amused when somebody posts a beat mid 60s P bass for sale at the top of the vintage price guide. Collectors want clean, non-modified, non-reliced instruments. Kids on TB are the ones getting wet over beat old dogs.
