Relics in the Wall St Journal

[srmillis]

Check it out: front page of the Wall Street Journal, Sat, Aug 25, 2007: a story on relic guitars with a photo of Andy Summers and his Telecaster. Man...it's the end...

[JDJ]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118798577900108191.html?mod=todays_us_nonsub_pag e_one

[The Last Rebel]

My biggest problem with these artist relic replicas, is that they take away from the mistique of the original intrument.

[guitarfish]

I stopped in the local store the other day and looked around, that had a sizable collection of Fender relics, running around $3,000-$4,000. I couldn't help myself - I laughed out loud. They look like the real thing all right. But they aren't the real thing. They are copies of the Mona Lisa, etc. I have ZERO GAS for anything relic'd. One less thing to wish for I guess. On the other hand, I love new guitars.

How long will the whole relic phenomenon last? Beats me.

[walterw]

allow me to post the first reply in defense of relics on this thread, before we toss it on the stinking pile of countless other threads bashing relics.

a nicely done relic feels broken-in, and allows someone to gig with a $3000 custom shop guitar without constant fear of scratching it.

(personally they hold no interest, as my '01 62RI tele and '02 58RI paul are well on their way to becoming relic'ed the old-fashioned way, by being played.)

ok, on the pile it goes.

[NeoConMan]

I'll install my own "character" as the years pass.

I have several older guitars, one made in 1968.
Not a single Relic in the bunch.
Proud to say they are well taken care of, not beat all to sh!t.

[Relicula]

Here we go again............................................. ..............................:munch

[James]

To relic or not to relic? :)

I was surprised to see an ad for a book on How To Relic Your Guitar" the other day (can't recall where).

Whether or not one likes relic'd guitars, they're clearly very popular right now. I'd posted some rather harsh comments about relics in the EJ Relic thread, but I think I was simply in a grumpy mood that day. I used to own a '56 Relic Strat and thought it felt and sounded really good. I sold it because my tastes really lean towards Gibson Les Pauls.

It's interesting to think back of the origins of the whole relic thing. These would appear to be:

1) Keith Richards, thinking that his Fender Custom Shop guitars "looked too new" asked them to "bash 'em up a little bit". Thus began the start of the official Fender Relic line.
2) Wider exposure of authentically worn famous guitars in books and magazines (SRV's #1, Rory Gallagher beat up Strat, Jimmy Page's 'Burst, Eric Clapton's Blackie and Brownie, etc.)
3) In the Gibson world, I think the "Beauty Of The Burst" book likely influenced the market for relic'd Les Pauls. (Tom Murphy's work, etc.)

I have no strong opinion's about relic'd guitars. To me, the more attractive element would be the feel, not the look. The Relic Strat I'd had really did have a broken-in feel.

It will be interesting to see where this trend goes in the next 10 years or so. Will they fade out? Will they retain their value or even increase in value? Will the mega-buck Clapton, SRV, Summmers, EVH replicas maintain their value more than the non-rock star relics? Who knows?

To each his own, I say. :)

James

[morlll]

My 68 Tele was beaten to shit when I got it in 76. It's still a great player.

I'd buy a new relic I guess, they are so expensive though. I'd go through the racks and find a MIJ or MIM that was nice Fenderwise.

I like all nice guitars. I've no hate for the nice ones reliced or not.

[guitarfish]

So do relic guitars get nicer looking as they get older? :)

Bad Sunday morning humor attempt.

[84Bravo]

I had a 56 NOS and now have a 56 Relic that replaced the NOS. Why? Because the Relic feels better, plays better, and--to my ear--sounds better. The actual "relic" aspect of it doesn't mean much if you're blindfolded. I don't care if it is worth more or less than what I paid for it. I bought it because it sounds good. And, frankly, I would have preferred that it not been reliced, but it is what it is: a nice guitar.

[buddastrat]

Yeah but the raw feel on the back of the relic necks is the best. Even better than the Ernie Ball oil feel. So even blindfolded, the relic wins for me. I have had this one relic strat for awhile, and it's really worn in great and has a ton of wear from me.

Even got finish checking last winter.So what's it called now, since there's real wear on it too?

[Rosewood]

I've only posted once before on a relic thread I think, but I have learned this race has no finish line.

[84Bravo]

I've only posted once before on a relic thread I think, but I have learned this race has no finish line.

Much agreed. It's a circular argument that won't be resolved for 10 years or so when the market determines whether a "new" relic bought this year appreciates, and if so, how much. But I gotta figure that if a "real" 1962 stratocaster that is advertised as "tuners on/off, changed pots, Duncan pickups, overspray on back of neck, pro refret, and body refinished (poorly) is worth $19K, then there's hope for every relic owner. And no, I didn't see this exact ad but all of us have seen one just like it. Anyway, I would rather pay the same money below for a relic 1962 than just buy the pickguard, chips and all. Your mileage may vary....

http://cgi.ebay.com/1962-Orig-Fender-Stratocaster-Mint-Pickguard_W0QQitemZ270157851264QQihZ017QQcategoryZ 118987QQcmdZViewItem

[zappafrank]

I think w/ all the bashing I'll just start posting pics of my Relic just to tweeze the haters from now on---A Pee Wee Crayton 54' Replica---1 of 1--had it 'crafted' just for me---I can leave the real 64' at home now on questionable gigs---I absolutely love a broken in feel--

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/AllMyGuitarPics021.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/AllMyGuitarPics020.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/AllMyGuitarPics019.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/AllMyGuitarPics017.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/AllMyGuitarPics016.jpg

ac

[go7]

Whatever floats your boat. Enjoy!

[suttree]

meh. non-starter issue for me. what the heck do i care what other people do to their guitars? if you want a relic (and obviously there are a lot of people who do), buy one. i wouldn't let it get in the way of a nice guitar for me, either way.

[Smakutus]

a nicely done relic feels broken-in, and allows someone to gig with a $3000 custom shop guitar without constant fear of scratching it.

I totally understand sanding or taking steel wool to the neck (Both the back and the fretboard on a maple one..) you can do that without anyone really knowing, but how does bashing the body with keys or other things to fake wear make the guitar anymore "broken in? And if you like the way a relic job looks and feels, why would you really care if you scratched your like new guitar?

Jeff

[JMintzer]

Haven't we seen this movie (again and again and again...)?


Jamie

[bluesjuke]

Good article thanks for pointing it out and linking it guys!

Prompted me to take out my Relic and play it.
Don't need promting though as it's easily by far the most played guitar that I have.

I wonder why that is........

[buddastrat]

Haven't we seen this movie (again and again and again...)?


Jamie

It's Groundhog day!

[buddastrat]

I totally understand sanding or taking steel wool to the neck (Both the back and the fretboard on a maple one..) you can do that without anyone really knowing, but how does bashing the body with keys or other things to fake wear make the guitar anymore "broken in? And if you like the way a relic job looks and feels, why would you really care if you scratched your like new guitar?

Jeff

I like the relics that don't have all the arm wear and dings. Just a raw neck. But I do like the matte faded finish for feel and looks. I can do without the dings and sanded armwear.

[takakat]

Very good article.
One thing I know is if you find a mint 59 Les Paul Standard it will bring lot more money maybe close to a million than used reliced 59, so if you buy new shiny guitar now and put it away it should bring more money in 50 years later than relic model:)

[Killcrop]

WSJ did their homework eh? Interesting that Nash came up.
More specifically that they said they have not sued Nash.

[uvacom]

Very good article.
One thing I know is if you find a mint 59 Les Paul Standard it will bring lot more money maybe close to a million than used reliced 59, so if you buy new shiny guitar now and put it away it should bring more money in 50 years later than relic model:)

Well, not necessarily. We really don't know yet, since they weren't making relics of electric guitars in '59. It could very well be that in 50 years a "Relic" version of e.g. a Fender CS model will be worth more than it's "NOS" counterpart, if you can show provenance of that guitar and also possibly show that it hasn't aged significantly more than it's original aged state (if that makes sense).

We'll have to wait and see. Traditionally, a lot of the most valuable artifacts from any era are those that were under-appreciated/undervalued when they were readily available. But then, low production numbers and exclusivity are good indicators for future collectability.

[that_brianm_guy]

meh. non-starter issue for me. what the heck do i care what other people do to their guitars? if you want a relic (and obviously there are a lot of people who do), buy one. i wouldn't let it get in the way of a nice guitar for me, either way.

I picked up one of the first relics, a few years back - an utterly amazing strat, regardless of the condition of the finish, or the faux cigarette burns on the headstock. ifI was in grad school, and dirt poor.. but I've never forgotten how beautiful that guitar sounded