Who likes the relic look?

[Altitude]

It's kinda like with holes in the jeans. The holes need to be legit from wear and tear. If you bought your jeans pre-ripped from the factory or ripped them yourself with a cheese grater or something, then you have no cool stories to go with the holes and faked it.

It's a continuum though, right? Unless you are wearing raw denim jeans right now (which is a thing, I have a few pairs), your jeans were "reliced" a bit, some more than others.

I'm with you on the "destroyed" jeans look being a bit over the top, and I'd say the same about some extreme relic finishes I've seen on basses. A certain amount doesn't offend me though. In basses or jeans. Also, some companies do it better than others.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Authentic relic services available! Give me your pristine bass, a case of strings and $500 down. For a nominal weekly fee, I will play it for a number of years to give it the "worn in" look.

 

[nonohmic]

 

[bobyoung53]

I haven't found anyone who does custom relic work in the Atlanta area yet or I'd probably have dropped my 50s Classic P off with them by now.

It's classy in its pristine honey blonde condition, but even if I put 200,000 hours in on that bass, it's going to look good as new thanks to the invincible poly finish. It's been gigged a ton and I still get ppl asking about my "brand new" purchase

I have a 1996 antique white RI '62 Jazz bass that still looks new. I buy Nitro finishes now. That's what I grew up with anyway.

 

[nonohmic]

The thing I find interesting about the whole 'relic it yourself' argument is that new instruments are largely poly, which don't age like nitro. So if I want to 'earn my relic' on a modern instrument it's not gonna look like a 63 P.

 

[bobyoung53]

^^THIS^^ Pretty much. I have no problem with it whatsoever - if it's YOUR bass. And I'm not paying for it. Cause, I'm for d....d sure not paying for it on mine...


And yet, why should that make any more sense than a "relic'd" bass or guitar? Besides; vehicles don't get that way because of years of use. They get that way - normally - from years of NEGLECT. Which, IMHO, is a whole 'nother thing...

Yup the whole Rat Rod thing (where this rusted out POS car weird trend started) is another one that hopefully will pass.

 

[someguyfromNC]

What I hated most was the relic necks that were worn in spots people never really played at. The bodies are usually nice looking.

 

[Stinky_Fingers]

I don't care that much. I used to not like it but I've played several relic basses that I've really liked so I've got no problem with it. I will buy one if I have the money and it's a quality instrument

 

[devnulljp]

This is what i get when i click your link


TalkBass.com - Error
You do not have permission to view this page or perform this action.

Weird. Anyway, here are some pics

1980 Tokai Jazz Bass 120

1977 Jazz Bass

1972 P(J)

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I'm a fan of the "relic" look when it happens over the course of ownership through wear and tear. Has anyone paid extra for a pre-wrecked car?

Showing signs of age is NOT wrecked, otherwise, I am in trouble

I would contend that the 'relic look' always comes about during the course of ownership except for the time the bass spends hanging on the wall at the store.

OFF TOPIC:
The prefix 'pre' has a well established meaning, which some marketing types have decided to redefine in order to skirt the negative connotations that come with the term 'used'. The fruit of their effort, 'preowned', is unpalatable, awkward and just plain dishonest. They almost want to convince a buyer that 'preowned' is a good thing as if it were synonymous with warmed-up: we got it ready for your purchasing pleasure and any wear is purely a result of that. I am surprised that it doesn't cost extra for 'preowned', maybe that will be the natural conclusion of wider acceptance of the term.

'Pre-wrecked' is similarly awkward and should be prosecuted by the linguistic justice system ('justice system' now there is a mouthful ;-)

 

[Scoops]

I have a Frankenstein Tele I put together back in the early 80's.

It's got my blood, sweat, tears, cigarette burns, pick wear, bumps, dents, dings, scratches, and what not on it. Literally!
They are all my miles, I put them on, and lots of them!

This is my badge of honor.

So then, relics as a whole, I feel, are false fronts.

BTW IMHO most relics don't even look like real wear, so, it's not my cup of tea unless I do it naturally myself

 

[Dominic D]

And yet, why should that make any more sense than a "relic'd" bass or guitar? Besides; vehicles don't get that way because of years of use. They get that way - normally - from years of NEGLECT. Which, IMHO, is a whole 'nother thing...

Not saying either "makes sense". Just pointing out people can have vastly different tastes.

 

[Dean N]

Beat up basses, mojo, relics.. not a look I want. I remember an interview with Steve Harris long ago where he said he sent his trusty old, beat to hell and back P bass for a refinish after a tour. And he's done that a bunch. I thought, he holds onto a bass he likes, plays it to near-death like a rock star, then has it redone so it looks nice again and starts the cycle all over? Wow, I'd do that. Cool. I like this guy.

If someone else wants a different look, that's fine. Different strokes, variety is the spice, etc. YMM(but probably shouldn't)V.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I can dig "relic'd" under the condition that it's genuine. That the instrument truly was a road warrior and that the player can tell me stories about each scar on the instrument. It's kinda like with holes in the jeans. The holes need to be legit from wear and tear. If you bought your jeans pre-ripped from the factory or ripped them yourself with a cheese grater or something, then you have no cool stories to go with the holes and faked it.

What was that old saying? You can't fake the funk.

I always wear heavy denim. It has saved my bacon many times (having avoided serious injury). Each tear tells a story I'd much rather keep to myself, to avoid looking very foolish.

Any wear and tear is 'legit'; morality only enters the picture when you lie about how the wear came about.

 

[Sid Fang]

I can't judge someone who likes the look or feel of a somewhat dinged-up instrument. Goodness knows, if it's just about playing and not about staging, it's whatever feels and sounds good to you, and for staging, sometimes beat-up instruments fit in better with a punk/rock vibe. But if a banged-up look is what you want, I don't understand why you wouldn't simply buy a used instrument.

 

[stuntbass77]

I like it on certain basses like sunburst genders but I'm not willing to pay for it. I'll let time relic my basses.

 

[Matt R.]

I'm generally ambivalent. I dig the look for sure, but never actually would've commissioned a Fender CS build for one, until I was given an opportunity to get one (I hear it's a super expensive option).
When I received mine I was absolutely blown away at how it looked and felt. It felt worn in like my 70s Fenders that have honest wear. And I love the solid over burst thing. That's why I wanted a relic job. Here it is.

 

[uwrossl]

I've seen some relics that look good but I'd still want to earn it and come buy it naturally. That's one of the benefits to the traditional nitro finish process Moollon uses. Somebody mentioned denim earlier and I'm much the same way with that. Prefer to buy raw denim jeans and create my own fading and wear patterns. That's just me and if somebody likes relic basses or pre washed denim it doesn't bother me. In some cases they look great but I just like my stuff personalized "by" me instead of "for" me.

this is a very contentious topic. Bad enough we have certain rules about it. This never ends well.

Side note/Question: I've been on TB for awhile now and haven't seen anything heated on this topic...possibly because it's forbidden? Curious as to why or how it got that bad? Also...what are those rules about it? Honest question and curiosity...as well as to make sure I don't violate something I don't know about and get banned.

 

[otp57]

I personally love the worn-in relic look of basses. Like the Bass of Doom. Or Fender custom shop heavy relic basses. But that's just me.
Fender 1960 Precision Bass Heavy Relic - Aged Black

It is not my look but each his own.

 

[bobyoung53]

I've seen some relics that look good but I'd still want to earn it and come buy it naturally. That's one of the benefits to the traditional nitro finish process Moollon uses. Somebody mentioned denim earlier and I'm much the same way with that. Prefer to buy raw denim jeans and create my own fading and wear patterns. That's just me and if somebody likes relic basses or pre washed denim it doesn't bother me. In some cases they look great but I just like my stuff personalized "by" me instead of "for" me.



Side note/Question: I've been on TB for awhile now and haven't seen anything heated on this topic...possibly because it's forbidden? Curious as to why or how it got that bad? Also...what are those rules about it? Honest question and curiosity...as well as to make sure I don't violate something I don't know about and get banned.

I once started a thread as a joke with a poll with a bunch of things Fender should do for Relics to make them more authentic such as headstock cigarette burns, G string hanging off the side, loose neck pockets etc. It was fun until it got shut down. There have been some real argumentative threads in the past maybe it's just kind of old hat now and doesn't bring out the knives and daggers like it used to.