POLL: What do you think about my 'Vintage Replica' Relics? OPERATIONSTRAT

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

Hi there

Im doing a bit of a survey, just to hear peoples views about my recently released 'Vintage Replica' guitars. There are a few pics below of my work, and more pics and details are availible at my site (site can be found on my profile) Also I would like to know would you think seriously about buying one.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4902/dsc00110fu8.jpg


http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2402/dsc00025me4.jpg


http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/4787/i25499386382440fn0.jpg


http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6523/dsc00125xz8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8673/i26880382396329ki0.jpg


http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5479/dsc00100jd0.jpg

Let me know what you think and be honest :)

Thanks :)
Mike- operationstrat

[todd richman]

I like them. I think they compare with your fellow Brit-Bravewood Guitars. You may want to move this to the Emporium though. Do you have more pics? How about Teles or Esquires?

[JMintzer]

Moved to the proper section.


Jamie

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

(Thanks Jamie)

Hi todd

Thanks! Sorry no pics of Teles or Esquires, I only work with strats as they are my favourite guitars! Obviously if I did this full time I would offer other guitars Like teles and basses, but as I only do this in my spare time, I only do strat and parts for them etc.

More pics on my site www.operationstrat.co.uk (http://www.operationstrat.co.uk) go to example of my work.

Mike

[todd richman]

I really like the blonde with anodized guard. It does remind me of the old '59 P-Bass. Great look.

[dr.morton]

While they certainly look great and authentic, I belong to the group of people who is fed up with all the Fender + Gibson clones and all this relic stuff.
I would love such a guitar if it looked that way because I am responsible of it's state. If it's worn out because of my constant playing and all the touring. Or if it was given to me by someone who used it through all his life, someone I'm respecting very much.
Everything else is faking IMO.
It is like having a night with a lady who goes up like a rocket. If I knew somehow that she is only faking it, it would kill all the fun for me regardless of how good her act job would be.

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

I really like the blonde with anodized guard. It does remind me of the old '59 P-Bass. Great look.


Actually the 59 P bass is what inspired me to do a strat like it!

Mike

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

While they certainly look great and authentic, I belong to the group of people who is fed up with all the Fender + Gibson clones and all this relic stuff.
I would love such a guitar if it looked that way because I am responsible of it's state. If it's worn out because of my constant playing and all the touring. Or if it was given to me by someone who used it through all his life, someone I'm respecting very much.
Everything else is faking IMO.
It is like having a night with a lady who goes up like a rocket. If I knew somehow that she is only faking it, it would kill all the fun for me regardless of how good her act job would be.


Fair enough, not everyones cup of tea. Its definatly a 'either love it or hate it' thing with relics!

[todd richman]

Can you build for a U.S. customer? I am guessing you can since you posted at TGP. P.M. with a price for one of the blonde/anaodized Strats, please.

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

PM sent Todd.

Regards, Mike

[Oasis.Guitar]

While they certainly look great and authentic, I belong to the group of people who is fed up with all the Fender + Gibson clones and all this relic stuff.
I would love such a guitar if it looked that way because I am responsible of it's state. If it's worn out because of my constant playing and all the touring. Or if it was given to me by someone who used it through all his life, someone I'm respecting very much.
Everything else is faking IMO.
It is like having a night with a lady who goes up like a rocket. If I knew somehow that she is only faking it, it would kill all the fun for me regardless of how good her act job would be.


You ask for honest so I have to say I'm with this guy...although I love relics...I find that ultimately, I would rather own a fender than something else trying to be a fender. It's a mind trick I know....but why buy a copy when I can buy the real deal.

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

You ask for honest so I have to say I'm with this guy...although I love relics...I find that ultimately, I would rather own a fender than something else trying to be a fender. It's a mind trick I know....but why buy a copy when I can buy the real deal.


well since working with hand built guitars, Ive never really seen any reason into going back to production made guitars be it Fender or anything else.

I think that handbuilt guitars mean alot more, and play better when you are able to have your own chosen spec, also Im able to spend more time on setting up the instrument than factory made guitars are, and that goes for all of the building stages as well.

I suppose my type of guitars are more of a 'want' than a 'need' for some players :) Thanks for your comment

Mike

[Structo]

They look great to me.

I used to be in the "I hate relics" camp but I eventually bowed to the craze and built one myself.
It has become my favorite strat now.

The reason relics appeared is because the vintage guitars are out of reach for the average player.
This even includes Fender own Custom Shop relics that cost $4K or so.

And if you buy a new one finished in poly it is going to look pretty much brand new in 25 years.
So yeah, it is one of those hate'em or love'em type things.

I am against a lot of what I see on eBay, what I call the belt sander relics.

If it doesn't look authentic then it isn't a relic.

[Mickey_C]

DAMN NICE! They look great to me - you've defintely got this down.

[esoteric pete]

me rikey

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

DAMN NICE! They look great to me - you've defintely got this down.


Thanks!

Mike

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

Bump :)

[Ocean]

Very nice work man - I dig it

CL

[v-verb]

Nice!!

[granite]

I like the Olympic White one with the greenish pickguard and the pink one as well. Can you PM me a pricelist/quote?

Thanks,
Kaika

[BDR1]

I like the looks of them but wouldn't shell out the cash to buy one because there is just something about nicked up equipment that keep my wallet in my pocket. In a niche business you just need enough people to like them enough to get their wallets out too.

Make a SG style in dark red with nickel hardware and maybe you'll pique my interest. Cheers!

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

Cheers for all your comments! PM sent granite

Mike

[j04n]

I voted no, but I want to qualify that: on the whole, I'm not really keen on the level of distressing seen on many relic instruments - I can see yours are less 'reliced' than some, but I'd still rather wear my own guitar over time - I find it hard to imagine putting a favourite guitar through the levels of abuse most relics seem to want to emulate . I would be happier to have a vintage guitar that had 'time travelled'. As has been rehearsed here ad nauseum, its just personal taste - all that said, it looks like you take a lot of pride in your work and its good to see another UK-based luthier. I'll mail you if/when I can no longer resist a vintage strat - but it'll be one without the 'injuries' - all the best!

[frisco kid]

I like the work Mike...however, you need to proof-read your website. There are several spelling errors which might give potential customers the impression your operation is less than professional. Best of luck in your endeavor!

[Boggs]

I had to vote "no" and generally feel that way about "new relics" primarily because what makes a vintage guitar special is not how it looks... It is because of the old growth woods used back in the day... It is what really gives them their sonic vibe... New stressed guitars made from younger blanks are generally placebos. The woods I get for building my guitars (no clones) are all old growth. I don't have the heart to stress them even if I wanted to! Sorry, man. You've got the look down pretty darned well, but it doesn't do it for me. I appreciate the execution of your process. Just different strokes... ;)

[mrfjones]

they look very cool, if I may suggest just one thing. watch the placement of some of the edge wear, a couple of them have a little too much in places that wouldn't normally wear like that. otherwise I like them a lot!

[MiK3 STRAT MAN]

Thanks for your comments guys!

Cheers
Mike