The worst relic job ever

[smarthound]

I'm not really a fan of relic finishing, though some clever people can make it look authentic. I don't think you can class this one in that category, however. It has to be the worst relic job I ever saw.

Yours for £286.62 (about US$365.00) at 4String Relic Finish Black Electric Precision Bass Guitar Bolt On Joint | eBay

 

[4SG]

 

[sleddogn]

I think Tom Hank kept track of days marooned on Castaway on that badboy

 

[JIO]

Yes, thinking it's a "relic job" is missing the point - what the point is I have no idea, but it isn't a "relic job".

 

[rockdoc11]

I wanna ask the "artist" who did this:

"Have you ever SEEN an old guitar?"

 

[Spectrum]

I think Tom Hank kept track of days marooned on Castaway on that badboy

I want to see the front of it, to see if it has Wilson's face on it.

 

[Tpi]

<pet peeve>
The term is 'weathering' and has been for decades upon decades. I have to expect that some petty little marketing exec or team wanted to sell beat up paint jobs at a premium price so came up with the nonsense term 'relicing' to appeal to older rock and rollers and younger idiots that want the street credit for "vintaged" equipment. I'm now surprised they didn't invent the word "Vintaged" as I just did. (trademark pending!!! lolz)

"Weathering" is damage done in transit and from general exposure to 'the elements', "Aging" is the long term fading and buffing of color. The two typically go hand in hand and are distinct to each other. "Relicing" (Vintaging!) is a cumbersome marketing phrase invented by an ignoramus to sell sub-standard work at higher prices. </pet peeve>

And yes, that is a terrible weathering job unless the idea is to make it look like you defnded yourself from a bear or shark attack.

 

[BassBrass]

Looks like Mental Disorder journal (cutter's bass)

 

[BuddhaFingas]

Personally, I wouldn't even lick it once.
I mean: Who knows where it's been?

 

[ADHD librarian]

At least the 'artist' has left the neck alone. Someone on a budget could probably fill in those scratches with a sharpie and get themselves a nice sounding PBass.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

There are no photos of the headstock. In this case, I don't think they are intentionally trying to hide something. It's more likely they are just clueless about electric bass guitars.

I wanted to see if it had a matching "relic'd" headstock. As a buyer, it would be nice to see what brand and model it is. It's in China so what could possibly go wrong with a purchase from overseas?

 

[covermego]

<pet peeve>
The term is 'weathering' and has been for decades upon decades. I have to expect that some petty little marketing exec or team wanted to sell beat up paint jobs at a premium price so came up with the nonsense term 'relicing' to appeal to older rock and rollers and younger idiots that want the street credit for "vintaged" equipment. I'm now surprised they didn't invent the word "Vintaged" as I just did. (trademark pending!!! lolz)

"Weathering" is damage done in transit and from general exposure to 'the elements', "Aging" is the long term fading and buffing of color. The two typically go hand in hand and are distinct to each other. "Relicing" (Vintaging!) is a cumbersome marketing phrase invented by an ignoramus to sell sub-standard work at higher prices. </pet peeve>

And yes, that is a terrible weathering job unless the idea is to make it look like you defnded yourself from a bear or shark attack.

I'd like to invite you to enjoy one of my pet peeves: "Factory Distressed", mainly in furniture. Do the workers have issues and take it out on the furniture they're manufacturing?
I worked for a cabinet door company that sells thousands of doors daily, nation-wide. The cabinet building companies can order Factory Distressed doors for an upcharge. They designated certain workers who were supposedly artists, distressing these doors. Lots of these orders came back because they went waaay overboard. I really hope they have an automated way of doing this now....... Is it still a thing?

 

[ac100X]

When "N" becomes a big rock star, the laugh will be on you. He was going through his cat scratch fever days....his most innovative / creative period. Fender will be making copies....

 

[micguy]

I find it interesting that there are 5 of these available - they didn't just do one and see if it sold, they did this to 5 basses.

 

[Tpi]

I'd like to invite you to enjoy one of my pet peeves: "Factory Distressed", mainly in furniture. Do the workers have issues and take it out on the furniture they're manufacturing?
I worked for a cabinet door company that sells thousands of doors daily, nation-wide. The cabinet building companies can order Factory Distressed doors for an upcharge. They designated certain workers who were supposedly artists, distressing these doors. Lots of these orders came back because they went waaay overboard. I really hope they have an automated way of doing this now....... Is it still a thing?

I forgot about "factory distressed" furniture. Yeah just more marketing barf on the masses. lolz.

Going back further, the general phrase used to be "well traveled". I'm sure those folks were upset when "well weathered" and 'weathering' took over. At least those likely emerged from societal consensus rather than marketers co-opting society.

 

[Major Seven]

<pet peeve>
The term is 'weathering' and has been for decades upon decades. I have to expect that some petty little marketing exec or team wanted to sell beat up paint jobs at a premium price so came up with the nonsense term 'relicing' to appeal to older rock and rollers and younger idiots that want the street credit for "vintaged" equipment. I'm now surprised they didn't invent the word "Vintaged" as I just did. (trademark pending!!! lolz)

"Weathering" is damage done in transit and from general exposure to 'the elements', "Aging" is the long term fading and buffing of color. The two typically go hand in hand and are distinct to each other. "Relicing" (Vintaging!) is a cumbersome marketing phrase invented by an ignoramus to sell sub-standard work at higher prices. </pet peeve>

And yes, that is a terrible weathering job unless the idea is to make it look like you defnded yourself from a bear or shark attack.

Or "legacy" which simply means old.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Not a relic job, but it’s about as close as those where the person attempting to relic a bass appears to have received a new belt sander the Christmas.

 

[birminghambass]

You guys are way too critical. Looks exactly like my 1972 Jazz bass.

 

[JIO]

I wanna ask the "artist" who did this:

"Have you ever SEEN an old guitar?"

Obviously not an artist - as I feel by your putting it in quotes you are justifiably suspect of. For this person to claim creative 'artistic' input on that finish is what gives those (like me) who treat a relic/distressed finish as an art (or at least an artisan craft) a bad name. And those who don't like this particular technique (whether on furniture or guitars) - no-one is forcing you to like or purchase it. When done well - it is no different than any other finishing technique. When done poorly (like this example) - it's crap, just like any crap finish is crap. It's as simple as that. Save the "real man player-wear" for those who care about that.

FTR, I appreciate both versions (real and effected) and as an artist and bass-player - I am not needing to prove/justify my 'masculinity' to anyone by the origin of the finish on my relic'd/distressed bass. Just play your bass and leave art to artists.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Vandalized.