The appeal of a brand new guitar is undeniable, but there’s a growing fascination with instruments that look like they’ve lived a life, bearing the marks of time and countless gigs. These are relic guitars, and they often come with a hefty price tag. But why exactly are relic guitars so expensive?
Creating the worn, vintage aesthetic on a guitar is not a simple task. It’s a meticulous process that demands significant time, skill, and artistry. Unless you’re a seasoned professional, attempting to relic a guitar yourself at home is a risky endeavor with irreversible consequences. Achieving a truly authentic and desirable relic finish requires expertise. This expertise is what you’re paying for when you invest in a relic guitar.
To ensure a quality relic job, you generally have two options: purchase a new guitar directly from a manufacturer that offers relic finishes, or send your own instrument to a specialist. Both paths involve a considerable cost due to the specialized knowledge and labor involved in the relicing process. While mass-produced relic guitars are not common due to the labor-intensive nature of the work, custom shop models are available for those seeking a specific level of aging and wear.
relic guitar headstock
Who are the Master Crafters of Relic Guitars?
When it comes to pioneering the distressed look as a legitimate and sought-after guitar style, the Fender Custom Shop stands out as a true innovator. They introduced their groundbreaking Relic Series at the 1995 NAMM music trade show, and the distinctive, aged aesthetic immediately captured attention and sparked a trend that continues to this day.
Now, guitar enthusiasts can find a wide array of Fender models – from the iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster to the versatile Jazzmaster and Jaguar, and even bass guitars like the Jazz Bass and Precision Bass – all available with a relic finish straight from the Custom Shop. Fender offers an impressive range of six distinct levels of Custom Shop aging, each catering to different tastes and preferences:
N.O.S (New Old Stock)
Imagine discovering a pristine, untouched guitar from the 1950s or 1960s. This is the essence of the N.O.S finish. It replicates a guitar that has remained in its case since leaving the factory, with absolutely no marks or aging on the lacquer. It’s a brand new guitar, made to vintage specifications, but without any of the wear and tear.
closet relic guitar
Closet Classic
The Closet Classic finish represents a guitar that was purchased decades ago, played sparingly at home, and then carefully stored away in its case for years. While well-preserved, it shows subtle signs of aging. Expect to see slight plastic discoloration, minor oxidation on the metal parts, and a gentle dulling of the original color. It suggests age without heavy use.
DLX Closet Classic
The DLX Closet Classic finish tells the story of a guitar owned by someone who cherished their instrument. It’s a guitar that was played and enjoyed but always meticulously cared for and kept in excellent condition. This level of relicing includes some hardware oxidation, slight discolouration of the finish, and the beginnings of finish checking – fine lines in the lacquer that occur naturally over time due to temperature and humidity changes.
strat journeyman relic guitar
Journeyman Relic
The Journeyman Relic finish embodies a guitar that has seen regular use but wasn’t abused. Picture a guitar that was played at home, taken to occasional jam sessions or smaller gigs, and perhaps even changed hands a couple of times. This finish level includes slight nicks and dents, subtly dulled hardware, and wear patterns in the areas you would naturally expect on a well-played but cared-for guitar – places like the pickguard, around the knobs, and the neck.
Relic
The Relic finish level captures the look of a true workhorse guitar. This is an instrument that has earned its stripes through countless performances. It’s been played extensively in clubs and bars, perhaps knocked against amps or walls, and shows the scars of a life on stage. Expect to see numerous dents, dings, and scratches across the body and neck, along with more significant wear and tear.
relic guitars
Heavy Relic
For the most extreme aged aesthetic, Fender offers the Heavy Relic finish. This finish represents a guitar that has endured decades of hard service in the hands of musicians who relied on their instruments night after night, prioritizing function over pristine condition. Heavy Relic guitars exhibit substantial hardware oxidation, and extensive wear and tear across every part of the instrument – body, neck, and headstock. It’s a finish that tells a story of a guitar that has truly lived a long and hard life in the world of music.
