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Who likes the relic look?

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#301
GretschWretch said:
Sometimes you guys are just trouble. All of this "come, let us reason together" (more or less) has prompted me to unbag a not-too-long-ago purchased Fender fretless which may be a parts bass (or not). I bought it because it was affordable compared to what else was out there, not because it is "relic'd. No pics, so imagination is in order for what follows.

Fretless maple neck purported to be from 1976, serial #764....., skunk stripe, heel truss, tv logo

sunburst body, string-thru grommets in the back, factory drilled holes for ashtrays and tug bar, pickup to cavity wiring underneath (no routed channel), EMG Select pickups, white pickguard, beneath which, counting the ones for factory fittings

are drilled thirty-three holes, all about the size of holes for tuner mounting screws, in a random pattern.

I honestly have no idea what this bass is. It could be a parts bass, or it could be genuine Fender with some mods. I don't care; I just wanted a Fender fretless not a "collectible," and the next cheapest ones cost at least double what I paid for this. Played-in, relic'd, abused; in this instance, it's "just the bass, ma'am."

I am thinking of naming this bass "Blackburn."
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No pics, no bass. You know the rules, ;).
 
#303
The bottom line for me is that I couldn't give 2 hoots whether anyone else likes what I have or not, I buy it for me and not them or to get brownie points from my peers. There are basses (and guitars) I like relic'd, and some I just don't. An example, I like my Sandberg bass hard core aged however if ever I get a Sadowsky or a Skjold I would want it pristine. At the end of the day I wouldn't dream of telling someone what they should or shouldn't like.... who would I be to piss on their parade?
 
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#304
It depends. I own several relics and I like the ones I have, but I have seen some poorly executed relic finishes that do nothing for me. I also own basses that don't have relic finishes nor would I want them to be. I have a fretless Fodera that I hope to keep as pristine as possible. For me, I want my Fodera to be as clean as possible, but someone else may not mind having their Fodera dinged up. I don't have a problem with it. To each their own. For me, Fender reissues as well as other vintage inspired instruments look cool reliced. The clean one's from Norman's Rare Guitars also look cool.

I do think it's funny how some people have such a strong opinion about what "should" be. The whole haven't earned it is laughable. Let me tell you, I've earned every bass I've purchased from working my arse off and that's all the reason I need to have whatever bass I want. People should play what they like and stop worrying about what other's think. As long as you like your bass, that's all that matters. If you're going to be concerned about anything, be concerned about how well you play.
 
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#306
BassFishingInAmerica said:
The thing that I cannot understand is why there should ever be any "vintage" (whatever that term means) instrument that has been refinished.
Can anyone possibly think that refinishing adds value to an older bass?
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Vintage "value" is something that was created by the Used Instrument Dealer Association to bulk up their bank accounts. Back in the day, these instruments were just used, old geetars and basses to us (boomers :laugh:). We did whatever we wanted, fully in the knowledge that way in the future, the younguns would be bitching about how we'd refin'd, and otherwise, modfied them. :woot:
 
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#307
It will be interesting to see if the vintage guitar market follows similar to the vintage car market. As the boomers begin to pass on, will there still be an interest in the instruments from the 50's, 60's and 70's? Not too many people pining for a Model T these days.
 
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#308
Jeff Scott said:
Vintage "value" is something that was created by the Used Instrument Dealer Association to bulk up their bank accounts. Back in the day, these instruments were just used, old geetars and basses to us (boomers :laugh:). We did whatever we wanted, fully in the knowledge that way in the future, the younguns would be bitching about how we'd refin'd, and otherwise, modfied them. :woot:
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I get the way it used to be. I guess I should have said "newly" refinished.
 
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#309
BassFishingInAmerica said:
The thing that I cannot understand is why there should ever be any "vintage" (whatever that term means) instrument that has been refinished.
Can anyone possibly think that refinishing adds value to an older bass?
Click to expand...

Well, if it has been already refinished badly twice or three times, a professional, more period correct finish along with a restoration might increase the value of an instrument aesthetically, making it desirable to more buyers. Just like selling most anything, lol.
 
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#312
Hi aiden Fiori :)

Welcome to talkbass (TB)!

light blue bass said:
But that's just me.
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The relic discussion is a dead horse! :D (or parrot)

deadparr.jpg


dead-parrot.gif


But I like it! :laugh:

My thoughts:

I don't care about relics. My basses have dings and scratches. Some have more, some have less.

It happens.

I like an instruments that sounds good. I will mod it with new pups when I know it helps.

I like an instrument that "plays good".

I will sand the neck when I don't like the finish (but only when I know that it actually helps)

And of course I like an instrument that looks good. I always will get the colour (finish) I want.


So when you like your bass to have a relic look,

do it yourself or buy it like that! It's yours!

Just make sure that you don't forget to play it! :D


may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass


btw: we have some really cool members who do their own relicing and modding projects!!! :hyper::hyper::hyper:
 
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#313
Sid Fang said:
It's like flames painted on a sports car.
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Nope, "flames painted on a sports car" is honest, creating something new, not trying to re-create something else.

Maybe you mean "lame-ass bullshite flames painted on a 2014 Civic". In that case, I agree completely! I love it when people do ironical decorations on their cars. Back in 2012 there was a great movement in Athens GA, people jazzing up their junky cars with superhero stylings. Lots of great batman civics. "I AM the BLAAA!"
 
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#317
SJLee said:
It will be interesting to see if the vintage guitar market follows similar to the vintage car market. As the boomers begin to pass on, will there still be an interest in the instruments from the 50's, 60's and 70's? Not too many people pining for a Model T these days.
Click to expand...
True, I have been wondering about that also. Even thought about putting my 1962 up for sale at one point.
 
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#318
Ugh. Relic bashing is not permitted here. I'm closing this rather than handing out a dozen+ infractions. To anyone reading this who feels the need to insult relics or the people who buy them- do not do it again here.
 
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