Relic'd guitars

[DR5Guy]

Hello,

I am not a fan of relic'd guitars but it seems that some folks seems to dig them a lot. I even caught a good friend of mine who is a violin maker to "relic" few of his violins as well. My question is - do you think it is a good idea for EBMM to offer relic'd guitars (Morse #1 can be a good candidate)?

Thanks!

 

[Colin]

the question has been asked before and it's not something they currently want to do. Although EBMM did relic a Morse for an artist not that long ago. Someone will post pics

 

[Bluplirst]

Not really.

 

[roburado]

Well, I know I wouldn't likely be a buyer of such a product.

 

[kneeoh]

I wouldn't buy a relic'd guitar, even if it was an EBMM. To me, the process adds nothing to the playability or sound of the guitar... it is purely an affectation, one that I don't care for in a brand new guitar. Any battle scars on my guitars will be a result of my own stupidity.

 

[Stratty316]

There is a video on YouTube where SM and BP are talking about the creation of the Y2D and based on a comment BP makes about relic guitars I would highly doubt we'll see EBMM make a relic. I'll look for it and post it when I get home.

 

[Hendog]

I would certainly consider a Morse #1 Relic but I dont see Music Man doing relics.

 

[Stratty316]

Sterling talks about relic guitars from about 3:35-3:50... Doesn't seem like a relic is coming down the pipe anytime soon... which is a good thing, play your guitar!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ9Cah157WU]YouTube - Ernie Ball Music Man - Steve Morse Talks With Sterling Ball #1[/ame]

 

[Josh O]

Not really into the whole relic thing either. The only relics I saw a few years back that actually caught my eye were from a small company making relics of a well known brand/model and they were of a better build quality than what they were copying for not much more money than a regular production model sans relicing.

Other than that, ain't my bag.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey whatever floats your boat but we dont have any plans on making new guitars look generically old

 

[Gio_Force_One]

so glad music man won't do relic guitars, it always seemed weird to me when you see a bunch of those worn guitars and they are all worn the same and look the same. i feel like if you want a worn looking guitar play the one you have alot. eventually it will be worn.

 

[Slingy]

If your buying a reliced guitar used, how can you tell if it is in good condition or not? All antiques and vintage items are worth more if they are not damaged. I'm not a fan of it. They look great though if your actually old too like Willie Nelson.

 

[That Guy]

Why buy a relicd guitar when you can relic it yourself?

 

[RobW]

... which is a good thing, play your guitar!

and a big +1 to that!

 

[fbecir]

I am currently relicing my Morse. I started 9 years ago and I expect to finish when I will be 85 years old ...

 

[andynpeters]

I'm with the majority....I like my guitars bright & shiny. Relic guitars to me are in there with the entire "vintage" market as a sign of the intense gullibility of many people....but it's their money.
Plus everybody knows your PRS or EBMM won't have been around since '58 so who are you fooling?
I would suggest that if you need one badly you just buy a toffee hammer to hit it with & leave it out in the rain until the desired effect is reached.
Not me,

 

[banjoplayer]

I am currently relicing my Morse. I started 9 years ago and I expect to finish when I will be 85 years old ...

you are on a good way as I remember seeing pics of the lower frets and fretboard of your Morse!

 

[ShorterOnVenus]

to be honest the thought of a scratch on my EBMM's pains me, but my strats are all beat up, you know what they look better that way to me, and I did do some relicing to even out their looks as they're parts guitars. Oh boy I hope I didn't jinx my ball's [gotta put back in the Case now!!!]

 

[straycat113]

Wow the relic, a topic that is very close to my heart.First let me say that I cannot stand the whole relic craze which is basically marketed mainly towards die hard collectors and in my opinion a total joke.

This is a subject I know too well. I have never hid the fact that I was a Fender diehard for many years, and to be honest it was the madness of all this relic nonsense that really led me over here, and I could not be happier.

Basically Fender is a two guitar company and along with Gibson have been around for 60 years apiece, but this is 2010 and neither company has had any success making any new designs for 45 to 50 years, so ever since the vintage guitar craze they have put all of there focus on making battered looking guitars that look like they were left in a barn in a Nebraska cornfield exposed to the weather conditions, and then ask for absurd amounts of money for them. If you like a broken in guitar as I would assume we all do play the hell out of it and break it in yourself. I find nothing attractive or inspiring about a bunch of guys toying around with saltwater, electricity, a big set of keys and some steel wool playing the Mad scientist role.

Also when I say that these guitars are aimed at high end collectors all one has to do is look at the price tag of certain models that go for 10K up to 25K new/reliced. That sure is not your average hard gigging musician buying those to gig with. Also when I see them advertised in advance as sure to appreciate in value, well that really turns me off. The funny thing is that most of these guys take a beating on these guitars as all one has to do is see anyone who was crazy enough to spend 25K on a VH Frankenstein relic seeing one up on ebay with a BIN of 16K, or seeing guys who shelled out 17K for a Lenny Strat which bombed big time and was dropped to 11K by GC. Fender had stated they may take back the ones that did not sell, and it was pathetic to see guys ask on the forum if the returns could be burnt so those who spent 17K could retain some value.lol, give me a break.But in the end that was nixed. Also if you buy one that the average person can afford and own two of them in different colors, it looks ridicules as all the markings are in the same exact spots as well as being badly done.

The legends that a lot of these guitars are based on played during a certain era, who are still alive and gig always have a new guitar in there hands when I see them playing today and not some phony relic. I only see one young guy who I am no fan of that is well known moderately use one.

Sterling is making great guitars with killer tones and finishes, as well as always trying to innovate, but in the present not the past. The last thing I would want to see is a Ball relic no matter who's it is.

 

[whitestrat]

I've been waiting for the whole relic thing to back fire on fender and Gibson.













I'm still waiting... Hahaha.

That said, most relics look good because they are nitro finishes. EBMM uses poly, so that option would not be too feasible without some major production and purchasing changes.