Strange!

[Tyger]

I played a Fender Road Worn Stratocaster the other day and loved it except all the relic-ing seemed a bit false.

My question is this:- All the so called Relic Fender Strats that are appearing whether CS or homegrown all have wear on the body where the arm rests when playing, so how come on all the actual vintage Strat guitars you never see this?

It's as if someone has thought this is a good idea and the world and his wife have copied it!

[metropolis74]

I find it strange you do not see this forearm wear on actual vintage Strats. You must be looking at vintage Strats that were not played much?

[Wally]

This one seems to have a bit of wear in that area, doesn't it?
http://www.srvguitar.com/

[Tyger]

Yes but the wear is all along the top of the body not just where the arm rests!

Show me some genuine vintage Strats with wear just where the arm rests!

[Wally]

Okay, Tyger, here's the last one I am going to look up. lol Go shopping and you will see some. The arm rests there, so along dirt and friction, things get worn right there if one doesn't keep a guitar clean.
http://www.gbase.com/stores/gear/gea...d=stratocaster

[Steinar G]

Show me some genuine vintage Strats with wear just where the arm rests!

1959:



1960:



1963:

[Tyger]

My point is show on your link very clearly - look at the real vintage models and I agree that a few do show some wear but now look at the modern relics and they've just got it plain wrong - there it is that artificial rubbed out paintwork where the arm rests. It just looks copied and not real compared with the genuine articles. Why does everybody (including CS) do this? Strange!!

[Tyger]

Steinar G I love those Strats but can't you just tell immediately that they're for real - football shaped artificial wear is nowhere to be seen.

[Wally]

The wear on individual vintage guitars varies dramatically. I have seen minor wear on the 'angled' portion. I have seen all of the paint gone there. I have seen wear where the agressive picking has taken finish off above the pickguard. I have seen guitars that have been exposed to harsh environments that has caused extreme crazing of the finish and it has peeled off almost entirely....in places where the hands or arms never even touch the guitar...like between the tuning machines on the front of the headstock on a Martin acoustic.
It is hard to generalize wear patterns. THerefore, it is hard to say that a 'relic' job is inaccurate. That would be like telling someone that they put the wrong kind of wear pattern on their guitar through natural use. HEy, that is how they played it, abused it, whatever. The finish reacted in the way that it did, and now it looks that way. Those 3 guitars that STeinar linked and theone that I linked do not look alike. They were 'worn' by individuals who had individuals habits.
I don't really care for 'relicing'. Even if they 'look' correct, they don't 'smell' correct! LOL
My suggestion is that if you want a 'reliced' guitar, buy a new one...non-relic'd.... and start Playing/wearing it in the manner that you play and wear it....and it will be your personal 'relic'.....none other will look like....and it won't be 'wrong'.

[Tyger]

Wally I agree with you but what I was kind of evading to was that if you're going to relic your Strat do it as an individually as possible not copy what is fast becoming the 'relic look'.

One small thing - how come no one does a relic guitar case to go with your Roadworn Strat?

[Wally]

I don't know, Tyger. However, if you get a strat like that or wear one down and need a road worn case, I have an early '60's Strat case that was brown but has been abused and then painted black. IT would make one of those relices look like the real deal, I'm telling ya! (:^)

[Tyger]

Can you let me see a pic inside and outside - I could be interested :-)

[alanfc]

I thought the chemical composition of the players sweat had an effect on the finish. Some's are more acidic/caustic than others
?

[Tyger]

Yes but therefore the wear would be different not the same :-)

[Steinar G]

Originally Posted by Tyger

Steinar G I love those Strats but can't you just tell immediately that they're for real

I agree, which is why I hardly ever see relics that appeals to me. But that's an issue that's been discussed over and over and over and over......


and over


and over


and over.......

[Wally]

Tyger, I just refreshed my memory with a measurement. My apologies...this case fits the Jaguar or Jazzmaster...it is longer than a strat case by a couple of inches. Those offset waists stretch those J guitars out. PIty....it is a white one, too, instead of brown. I hadn't looked at it in a long time.

[Tyger]

Ahh what a shame, never mind and thanks anyhow :-)

[Wally]

Tyger, in fact this case may fit a Fender XII or a short-csale Mustang BAss. It is a long one...shorter than a regular bass case though. I have a custom body here. IT looks like a Strat with offset waist. I may make it into a baritone and slip it into this case.
I'll have to 'relic' the guitar to match the case, though. LOL

[Tyger]

Well just make sure you do it right LOL !

[strat a various]

The finish is GONE on my upper bout because I tend to tap my pick on it to keep time when I'm not actually playing. Looks phony, but it wore away at 1000s of gigs. If you hang out with enough veteran players, you'll see every weird type of finish wear.