Let me start this by saying I am a fan of Relics, BUT.......

[HeeBGB]

This made me throw up in my mouth a little. I am also NOT a fan of PRS guitars but this vid just made me feel sick for some reason.

I did , however like what he does to the fretboard edges and the nut. THAT feel is one of the reasons I am a relic fan. I also like finish checking a LOT. The other thing I like is that green patina that vintage goldtops get. The rub through finish I can do without.

What say you guys? Please keep it civil. No insults please!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1eA5_4gyQw

[cbass]

At least it was a PRS.I honestly can't understand relicing.I do like to strip off thick polys and refinish necks with shellac though.Cant stand poly necks or plastic lacquer.

[Reeltarded]

NEVER so anything that wouldn't happen in a way that wouldn't cause it. I like it if it makes people feel better, plus it's fun to do.

Relics were born out of hiding repairs on 400 year old violins. It's an art. That is umm.. an interesting approach. Chipping off a curb and then sanding at the edge is a very bad idea

Please send amboolance turkey hurt man down

[selloutrr]

Well other than lowering the value cosiderably he failed to relic the back of the neck properly. It looks newly sanded. The rest of the guitar jut looks like he forgot to pack it properly before shipping with USPS. He should have given the neck a salt and lemon juice rub. Then followed it up with a fret board conditioner. But who cares? The sick part is that people pay money for that. The reason relics were sought after was that they we broken in and often dried out (the wood) making them sing. Currently a used PRS CE22 / CE24 sells for $850-1200. In mint condition. You should be able to pick up that guitar for a few hundred now If you wanted to do it correctly put it in the oven at a very low heat on and off for a week to dry it out. Make sure you check / do a setup on it every hour or so to keep the wood from getting to far away from you. Should lighten it by 6oz-1lb depending on wood and climate. Better yet play it until it just happens naturally and you are actually a good player.

[LeftyStrat]

selloutrr, Is the salt and lemon juice to darken the wood?

I've noticed that on real relics, for example, Rory Gallager's Stratocaster, the wood is darkened over what you would get with just sanding down the finish.

[selloutrr]

Correct

[cbass]

I shouldn't have said I don't understand relicing.I get why people want ther guitar to look like a 50 year old instrument and i have seen some that look pretty cool.I just couldn't ever bring myself to do that to a nice shiney guitar.to each their own i guess

[Jana]

The only thing I do to my guitars to "relic" them is take the sharp corners off the edge of the fret board and the nut. The rest of the relic process takes decades to accomplish. I don't know, I guess I come from the era of trying to keep my stuff looking as new and as good as possible.

[Jana]

Lefty, A lot of that darkening of the wood comes from dirt and grime being rubbed into the wood. The neck on my 66 Strat was like that--once the lacquer wore off and the neck was mostly bare wood, the maple started to soak up hand grime from years of use.

[katopan]

I don't get the relic thing either. I can appreciate a real worn guitar, but more because it shows the scars of years of use and everything that comes along with that (including just being old) rather than the way it looks.

My guitar teacher reliced his "59" (new replica) Tele. I loved the way that guitar looked new and shiny. Too early to earn any stripes. He did a good job on the relicing but it's still not right and you can tell it hasn't done the miles to deserve looking like that yet.

[LeftyStrat]

Lefty, A lot of that darkening of the wood comes from dirt and grime being rubbed into the wood. The neck on my 66 Strat was like that--once the lacquer wore off and the neck was mostly bare wood, the maple started to soak up hand grime from years of use.

Thanks Jana. My old 73 Strat is starting to show wood in a few places but the wood is lighter. I'll just keep playing the thing for another 40 years, and let it darken the slow way.

[Teleguy61]

That's just wrong.

[ampmike]

My 79 les paul is scratched and beat.Love that guitar.I bought it new in the 12th grade.Im 52 now.One thing I noticed was the yellowing of the white binding.You see that on older Les .And of course the fret board has some pitted spots from playing my favorite licks a million times.
I vote for the natural process or let fender do it for you.I do have a relic tele thats very nicley done.Just my 2 cents,Mikey

[Chris G]

My .02 on this, That guitar at 20 or 30 years wouldn't have that kind of wear through the finnish on the face of the guitar.

It's to far down and dosen't match the back where the belt buckle marks are.....I like the relics But if you take the time to look through some pictures you will find most don't have the kind of wear these guy's are putting on them. It's to much. He could have gotten better results just doing the side's. IMHO.

What's up with the Lemmon juice and salt ? never herd that one, does it blacken up the grain???

[Zippy]

I'm amused to see that a guitar with no pick guard has no scratches on its face.