What kind of Fender strat relic do you like? [Archive]

supar6

04-13-2008, 02:54 PM

Just curious. I've got a nice '69 NOS Custom Shop that I love and I'm likely going to be picking up a Custom Shop relic soon and while I've played on a few and loved the worn in necks I was just curious to hear from others that have more experience with them.

I'm looking for all kinds of answers - the good, the bad and the ugly. I know the difference between the variants of relic's (heavy, light etc) but I'm kind of on the fence with how much of a relic I want. I don't mind a heavy relic but I don't like the rusted look and feel of the bridge, tuners etc.

Thanks for any help!

bluesjuke

04-13-2008, 03:14 PM

`A heavy Relic neck will ding easier but the smoothness is hard to beat.

I do like them all but favor plain Relic.
I ended up with a Heavy Relic for my '56 because it was the right guitar.
My Nocaster is a standard Relic.

gregory49

04-13-2008, 03:27 PM

'68 heavy relic limited release is my next purchase as far as guitars go then I'm going to buy a few less expensive guitars :D..

I already have a '62 heavy relic namm 07 that I love.. best guitar I've ever played!

dougg

04-13-2008, 03:51 PM

It really depends - I've seen a lot of variety on the relic models. Some look very good, and some aren't as impressive. The heavy relics look pretty cool, but some are overdone. Conversely, I've seen a few light relics that didn't look right - they weren't worn enough, or they were worn in a weird way. I think it depends on who is doing the relicking, and how rushed they are that day perhaps.

I'd recommend just trying a few and picking it based on sound - tuners, etc. can be swapped out. I can tell you that all of the relics you look at will have rusty hardware.

Austinrocks

04-13-2008, 03:53 PM

Mine which is an old Jap strat, with bookmatched maple flame on a dual sunburst, not a mark on it but the hardware pick guard, and neck look very old. Not a dent or ding on it,

operanonverba

04-13-2008, 04:20 PM

I've got an 02 time machine 60's series relic in Fiesta. It has a beautiful flamed birdseye neck and it's light at 6.8 lbs. The checking is light and realistic to me. The overall aging on the hardware is nicely done. Not sure I would dig the heavy relics though.

Joe_Steeler

04-13-2008, 04:33 PM

`A heavy Relic neck will ding easier but the smoothness is hard to beat.

As much as I despise the Relic concept, this comment makes sense to me.

I just picked up an HBS-1 and although advertised as a Relic, I do consider it a Super-Relic, very smooth and easy to pick up and play.
Like an old shoe....

Sniper-V

04-13-2008, 04:57 PM

I love relics!

They play and feel so sweet with that broken-in feel.

As long as it plays and feels superb and its a model and color choice that I'm looking for, I'm not too worried about the relic-ing level.

Although,

I probably wouldn't go for the totally destroyed look.

gdcx

04-13-2008, 05:09 PM

"'68 heavy relic limited release is my next purchase as far as guitars go then I'm going to buy a few less expensive guitars .. "

I just got a '68 heavy relic home...mine is black...GREAT! :banana love the ash body/rosewood board combo with the '69 pickups. (middle pu is reverse wound on these).

i really like the CS Relics and have owned many (incl a john cruz master built) and this '68 is my favorite so far.

The CS has really been putting out some nice stuff so (if your location allows) take your time and try them all...many to choose from.

Good luck ...enjoy the search!

Peppy

04-13-2008, 06:03 PM

The Rory Gallagher model. I wasn't into relics but after playing mine, well, I'm "into" relics.

joel

04-13-2008, 07:17 PM

I have a '60 CS light relic that has made all my other guitars feel neglected. The guy I bought it from purchased it along with a Rory, and kept the Rory. Those must be phenominal instruments, although the look doesn't grab me.

stoob0t

04-13-2008, 07:34 PM

Just curious. I've got a nice '69 NOS Custom Shop that I love and I'm likely going to be picking up a Custom Shop relic soon and while I've played on a few and loved the worn in necks I was just curious to hear from others that have more experience with them.

Sorry to hijack a little, but how do you feel of the '69 and the pickups? I only ask, because i've been offered a heavy relic one in a trade, i'm very tempted but i wanted to do a little research here first.

Personally i like my necks stripped down to silky smooth bare maple, so i usually go with heavier relics. The tarnishing on the hardware doesn't really bother me too much, and rust can always be reduced, or saddles replaced.

buddastrat

04-13-2008, 09:14 PM

As much as I despise the Relic concept, this comment makes sense to me.

I just picked up an HBS-1 and although advertised as a Relic, I do consider it a Super-Relic, very smooth and easy to pick up and play.
Like an old shoe....

Hey Joe, I got one coming to me this week too. How do you like the HBS-1? What color did you go with?

yngwie308

04-13-2008, 09:15 PM

How about this one coming soon from Fender....
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/davida54/f5d8ee0d.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/davida54/5fd7c2c1.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/davida54/1094220e.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/davida54/bb81f5b5.jpg
yngwie308

buddastrat

04-13-2008, 09:27 PM

Wow that thing is trashed! I haven't seen those duck pics yet. Nice dirty, worn scalloped maple sounds great, but I'm sure that price is going to be insane. Plus I just don't get the signature guitars but they sure are selling.

markom89

04-13-2008, 09:46 PM

The Wildwood 10's are "it", as far as Fender relics go, IMO.
I've got the 60's WW10 strat, and am getting another one from their next run. Very cool guitars.

My #1...

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w313/markom89/P3220825.jpg

Sniper-V

04-13-2008, 10:23 PM

rhinocaster

04-13-2008, 10:55 PM

Sorry to hijack a little, but how do you feel of the '69 and the pickups? I only ask, because i've been offered a heavy relic one in a trade, i'm very tempted but i wanted to do a little research here first.

Personally i like my necks stripped down to silky smooth bare maple, so i usually go with heavier relics. The tarnishing on the hardware doesn't really bother me too much, and rust can always be reduced, or saddles replaced.

The '69 pickups are some of the best Strat pickups I've ever heard. I've been lusting after a white '69 relic for a while now. Everything about the guitar is killer.

Fu78

04-14-2008, 01:16 AM

heavy relic is my favorite

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj61/Fu78_photo/relic.jpg

stoob0t

04-14-2008, 03:49 AM

The '69 pickups are some of the best Strat pickups I've ever heard. I've been lusting after a white '69 relic for a while now. Everything about the guitar is killer.

Thank you for the input :) That's exactly what i've been offered, olympic white, maple neck, large headstock. If it doesn't sit right with me though, i'll be sure to let you know!

supar6

04-14-2008, 06:40 AM

Thank you for the input :) That's exactly what i've been offered, olympic white, maple neck, large headstock. If it doesn't sit right with me though, i'll be sure to let you know!

I absolutely love my NOS '69. I certainly wouldn't have minded a relic'd one but got a good deal on the NOS that I couldn't pass up. This may sound like nonsense but I've had the retail version of the '69 pups in several different strats and while the guitar may make a difference in tone the pickups in my '69 CS strat (or at least the tone) FAR surpasses the retail versions I've had.

Until I picked up my CS '69 I was always under the opinion that while the Custom Shop stuff was nice it wasn't worth the extra $$$ over a nice AVRI or American. I'll admit I was flat out wrong. I've since sold all my AVRI strats and have whittled it down to one American. Thanks for everyones input. I love it - keep it coming!

stoob0t

04-14-2008, 07:09 AM

I absolutely love my NOS '69. I certainly wouldn't have minded a relic'd one but got a good deal on the NOS that I couldn't pass up. This may sound like nonsense but I've had the retail version of the '69 pups in several different strats and while the guitar may make a difference in tone the pickups in my '69 CS strat (or at least the tone) FAR surpasses the retail versions I've had.

Until I picked up my CS '69 I was always under the opinion that while the Custom Shop stuff was nice it wasn't worth the extra $$$ over a nice AVRI or American. I'll admit I was flat out wrong. I've since sold all my AVRI strats and have whittled it down to one American. Thanks for everyones input. I love it - keep it coming!

Thanks for YOUR input, sorry to hijack your thread a little! This was exactly what i was hoping to hear though. I have yet to own a strat that i've been completely happy with, i'm hoping that this will be the one.

I always felt that Fender's CS offerings were quite overpriced and overhyped, that was until i picked up my Tele - how wrong i was! It's easily a world apart from any other Tele that i've played. I'll also gladly admit i was proven wrong.

oscar100

04-14-2008, 07:45 AM

none really

i want it to feel old nut i object to paying extra for some mug to sand a new guitar
:(

pickaguitar

04-14-2008, 07:52 AM

I like a medium type of relic...

JUSTJOB

04-14-2008, 10:20 AM

I really like the Closet Classic, nice broken in feel without the wear. I also don't have to worry about finish checking in the Nitro, or about getting a small ding in it. Kinda like prewashed jeans I guess.
Best Regards!
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z172/JUSTJOB/MyGuitarStuff040-1.jpg

KHAN

04-14-2008, 10:25 AM

I like the kind relic'd by my own ham-handed oafishness... ;)

harryjmic

04-14-2008, 10:37 AM

One that says "Vinetto" on the headstock.

supar6

04-14-2008, 11:39 AM

none really

i want it to feel old nut i object to paying extra for some mug to sand a new guitar
:(

I felt the exact same way until I've played on a few of them. For me it just feels like a lot more effort went into the guitar. My biggest like about having a relic is the same as JUSTJOB's. I'm not worried about taking it out in the cold and having it check or worried about a ding. I don't know why I feel this way about a relic vs a NOS but I just do.

How about this one? She may be mine tomorrow:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r233/cmhouser/R29897.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r233/cmhouser/R29897B.jpg

matte

04-14-2008, 12:54 PM

i want it to feel old nut
:(
wrong forum for feeling old nut(s). can't help you with all that..

xdisciplex

04-14-2008, 02:17 PM

i love relics.

Joe_Steeler

04-14-2008, 03:14 PM

Hey Joe, I got one coming to me this week too. How do you like the HBS-1? What color did you go with?

Red Sparkle.
I love the guitar, feels like a '57 neck on it and with the HSS combo is so versatile.

codyj84

04-14-2008, 04:33 PM

heavy relic is my favorite

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj61/Fu78_photo/relic.jpg

:AOK:dude:AOK:dude:AOK:dude:AOK:dude

HeeHaw

04-14-2008, 05:00 PM