How not to relic a guitar ...

4114Effects

OK, OK, I know this is probably a well covered subject which always seems to divide opinion, but, I came across this lovely bit of tasteful relic work on Facebook. 

Now I'm all for a decent relic job - if someone has studied a real aged guitar and copied the wear patterns, aged the finish and hardware etc. But this, to me at least, looks like someone has thrown the guitar into a hole full of pitbulls. Not to mention the bright-white shiny new scratchplate. Best thing is he's trying to sell it as a relic'd guitar ...

xmrchi

I saw that on Fleabay, and had a chuckle to myself, I dont get how people see this as relicing, if he put new hardware on it it would look good as a bit of art but a Relic....no not a chance!

Neil

I like the screwdriver stabbings all around the ashtray. 

markslade07

Looks like it's been chewed by a large mouse.....

Phil_aka_Pip

markslade07 said:

Looks like it's been chewed by a large mouse.....

or he's played it through a Rat pedal

frankus

So it was a veneered guitar... that's not someone trying to pass something off as genuine then..

I do like the discolouring of the wood, that looks okay - but it might be a wash.

Not liking the wear on the fretboard...

Do like the paint effect and crazing...

Like the rusting on the bridge screws...

Weird stabbing around bridge... what's that meant to be?

Pretty good wear on the hardware, a start at least.

It's an odd mixture of nice touches and schoolboy enthusiasm.

ThePrettyDamned

frankus;372488" said:

So it was a veneered guitar... that's not someone trying to pass something off as genuine then..



I do like the discolouring of the wood, that looks okay - but it might be a wash.



Not liking the wear on the fretboard...



Do like the paint effect and crazing...



Like the rusting on the bridge screws...



Weird stabbing around bridge... what's that meant to be?



Pretty good wear on the hardware, a start at least.



It's an odd mixture of nice touches and schoolboy enthusiasm.

I feel like, with the right hardware and neck, the body will look pretty great as a silly prop guitar (though the stabs around the bridge are hilarious).

4114Effects

Yeah, I thought the hardware was the best bit TBH. I assume the marking around the bridge are where an ashtray cover is supposed to have been fitted. Although with the depth of the wear, it looks like somebody was resting a one-tonne weight on top of the ashtray ...

Gassage

I had the same tech as this guy for a bit but I fired him as his St Vitus Dance worsened.

SNAKEBITE

It's the holes around the ashtray that really spoil it.

Up until then it was a good effort, not brilliant, but at least it has never on fire, which seems to be the current trend.

57Deluxe

...maybe he just had a bad case of death watch beetle... who owned a Black and Decker...

axisus

Looks interesting! As mentioned earlier, more as 'art' than a 'relic'

There are much worse relics out there, the ones done with a belt sander! They don't work on any level.

ICBM

Surprisingly, I don't mind it as much as usual exactly because it is so unrealistic it's definitely more art. It almost looks like the wear has been painted on to a body which is actually still flat - in fact, if someone could do that and make it look 3D, it *would* be art.

In that context I don't think the shiny white pickguard looks too wrong either.

1nten5e

ICBM said:

Surprisingly, I don't mind it as much as usual exactly because it is so unrealistic it's definitely more art. It almost looks like the wear has been painted on to a body which is actually still flat - in fact, if someone could do that and make it look 3D, it *would* be art.

In that context I don't think the shiny white pickguard looks too wrong either.

Now you've said about it looking like 3D art on a flat body, I can't see it any other way

equalsql

That's not a relic at all, it's just Fender's new custom shop Emmental finish Telecaster.

Inspired by this work of 'genius' ..

Deadman

Looks like a family of small beavers have been snacking on it. Then they all wee'd on it.

ThePrettyDamned

equalsql said:

That's not a relic at all, it's just Fender's new custom shop Emmental finish Telecaster.

Inspired by this work of 'genius' ..

I er...

Quite like that.  Perfect for cheesey 80s rock.

You'd need to make sure you kept the music suitable though - it would need to be fun, nothing too serious or mature.  

It would be great at praise and worship, being quite a holey guitar.  

Cheese joke.

axisus

That cheese one is amusing but the trem is total fail!

Iamnobody

Re. The first example - is Phillips trying to break into the relic market or something? I've rarely seen anything that offends me so much that hasn't originated in his 'workshop'.

Each to their own I guess - but you'd need to watch out for splinters on that thing...

thermionic

Classic example of how a thick poly finish will never wear in reality. Must have taken some physical effort.

OilCityPickups

I actually like that look ... it's no more a relic than the above ... but simply a OTT and rather 'cartoonish' finish option.