Relic Nocaster vs NOS Nocaster

[Tiki]

I would like to know if there are any differences in these guitars other than looks.

Here is an email I received today from a dealer:

"The reliced guitars have slightly demagnetized picks like an
older guitar. They have always used alnico magnets and the half life is
60 years. That means that in 120 years they would need to be charged
again. They only offer this on reliced guitars.
The tone of a relic is AMAZING and they feel different because
they round all the harsh corners on the neck and body. I have owned over
a 100 guitars and the only Fenders I have kept are only relic's.
Hope this helps a little."

If this is the case I'd rather have the relic. If not, I'd just as soon have the NOS and relic it by playing it.

Any help is appreciated. I've been using the search engines for a couple of hours and there seems to be conflicting info. TIA.

[Joe M]

Originally Posted by Tiki

I would like to know if there are any differences in these guitars other than looks.

Here is an email I received today from a dealer:

"The reliced guitars have slightly demagnetized picks like an
older guitar. They have always used alnico magnets and the half life is
60 years. That means that in 120 years they would need to be charged
again. They only offer this on reliced guitars.
The tone of a relic is AMAZING and they feel different because
they round all the harsh corners on the neck and body. I have owned over
a 100 guitars and the only Fenders I have kept are only relic's.
Hope this helps a little."

If this is the case I'd rather have the relic. If not, I'd just as soon have the NOS and relic it by playing it.

Any help is appreciated. I've been using the search engines for a couple of hours and there seems to be conflicting info. TIA.

I have never heard or read that about "demagnetized pickups" anywhere before this. Sounds like dealer BS to me, but I've been known to be wrong before...

[Gaber_771]

That's crap... the only thing the dealer knows is that he's gonna make more money of selling you a relic... buy the NOS...

[Chris Callahan]

I like the broken in aspect of my Nocaster Closet Classic.

I'd be too afraid of dings on an NOS.

[surfoverb]

I've heard of the de-magnetized pickup aging, that's what SD Antiquity are right? I'm not sure I believe that a 57 Strat didn't sound just as good in 1957 as it did 10 years later though.

[Scotland]

Originally Posted by surfoverb

I've heard of the de-magnetized pickup aging, that's what SD Antiquity are right? I'm not sure I believe that a 57 Strat didn't sound just as good in 1957 as it did 10 years later though.

Listen to The Shadows early recordings with their brand new guitars, they don't sound any better now.

[Wayne Alexander]

Can't comment on the pickups, but there's a big difference in feel of a relic Nocaster over a NOS one. Mine would be called a "heavy" relic because the finish on the back of the neck is sanded down to the wood, and there's only a nitro sealer on it. The edges of the neck are rolled more too. It feels much nicer and plays much better than a "new" nitro finish, to my hands. I personally like not having to worry about playwear and dings on the guitar, that may not matter to you. I didn't buy mine because of looks, I bought it because of how it plays and feels.

[hankk]

The amber color of the neck [relic,closet] is the only thing I miss on my NOS

[Ed Bickert]

I think the biggest, possibly the only non-cosmetic difference would be the rolled edges on the neck.

[Mark Davis]

Fender dealers and Fender reps spread more misinformation than just about anyone besides Harmony Central users. LOL.

Your alot better off if you dont believe anything any of these people say.

Fender dealers
Fender Reps
Anyone who works at GC

I do have to say there are some Fender dealers and reps who do know whats up but I can count them all on 1 hand. There also are a couple people who work at GC that do know their stuiff but again its very rare.

All dealers usually wanna do is sell you a guitar thats why they are in business they will spread myths false info and anything else they think they need to say to sell you a guitar. THats their job.

There are a few dealers who are informed and give out correct info but just a few.

[MartineckArt]

Between my NOS and my Relic, there is very little sound difference. But the relic is just more comfortable and have no worries about dings, scratches, or play wear while using it. I think thats why I rarely use the NOS.

[boris bubbanov]

Well, knowing that a Mustang is generally worth more than a Cougar, a Camaro generally worth more than a Firebird, a 1957 Chevy worth way more than a 1957 Oldsmobile, I'd say a well played but fairly well looked after NOS No-Caster will be worth the most of any of them, save and except those with provenance to famous guitar players or recording artists.

I have more than enough amber necked guitars; I was kinda refreshed when I got my maple neck NOS and could see all this wonderful freckling and luminescence from the pale and beautiful maple.

[Jellecaster]

I had all three (Relic, NOS and Closet Classic). I sold the Closet Classic because I never really warmed up to it. I love the NOS, but I have to say that nothing feels like a Relic. I honestly can't tell any difference in sound between them.

[Dennis68]

Originally Posted by hankk

The amber color of the neck [relic,closet] is the only thing I miss on my NOS

The more you keep it out of the case and in the light, that maple will naturally darken.

[Dennis68]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

There are a few dealers who are informed and give out correct info but just a few.

I agree Mark. It took me a while to find a good dealer who I now have been using for years. He knows being a stright shooter is better for business than flashing lights, bells and whistles of BS...

[Dennis68]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Any help is appreciated. I've been using the search engines for a couple of hours and there seems to be conflicting info. TIA.

I've played at least 5 or 6 different of each. I find no discernable difference in the sound. For the $200 or so difference my choice is the NOS. But it's hard to go wrong with either...

[surfoverb]

That's kinda messed up if he's straight up lying about the pickups being de-magnetized. At first I thought I wouldn't be surprised if they were being as Seymore Duncan does that on some models but after checking several websites I can't find anywhere that says the pickups are any different than other Nocasters.

I would ask him where he got that info from and why the info isn't available anywhere...It seems Fender would advertise this if it were true.

Unless this dealer is near you (and not online) I would take my business elsewhere.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by Dennis68

I agree Mark. It took me a while to find a good dealer who I now have been using for years. He knows being a stright shooter is better for business than flashing lights, bells and whistles of BS...

I did the exact same thing in 1999. Found a good dealer who told me the truth hand picked out guitars for me ordered several of the same model got me what he thought Id like the best. Complete pro setup which includes fret leveling and crowning and polish.

So because of that I have purchased 15 new Fenders from him since 1999 he will always get all my business for new Fenders Im a lifetime customer.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by surfoverb

That's kinda messed up if he's straight up lying about the pickups being de-magnetized. At first I thought I wouldn't be surprised if they were being as Seymore Duncan does that on some models but after checking several websites I can't find anywhere that says the pickups are any different than other Nocasters.

I would ask him where he got that info from and why the info isn't available anywhere...It seems Fender would advertise this if it were true.

Unless this dealer is near you (and not online) I would take my business elsewhere.

Last month a a Master Dealer told a user here that Fender sprayed all their guitars in Arizona because California was too strict on nitro and wouldnt allow Fender to spray Nitro anylonger.

Well I knew this was BS but just to confirm this I sent a quick Email to fender and they said all we have in AZ are business offices no guitars are sprayed or made here at all.

So it happens all the time at TV stores Car Salesmen Fender reps and Dealers Camera stores basicly anyplace selling stuff there will be someone who tells someone somethimng they hear and think is a fact which is actually fiction.

[pedalcr8z]

My son has a relic and I have a NOS, there is NO difference sonically.....period!

[hankk]

I love my NOS, I'm a relic, so I supply the mojo. I just got mine in March. I have already started my personal quest to ware out this guitar

[Tiki]

There are advantages to the NOS and the Relic but I was really surprised when I received this email. The dealer is a VERY reputable dealer on the web. He's a very nice guy and many here have bought from him. He's such a nice guy, I'm having a problem believing he is lying to gain an advantage.

At any rate, I plan to email him on Monday and see what the story is. If I'm not comfortable, I'll just find someone else to buy from. I'm in no hurry.

[SteveY]

I had a NOS. It was an OK guitar. The neck was great.
Eventually I offed it and built my own using CS Nocaster pickups. Sounds the same.
Seymour Duncan may degauss magnets. Fender uses CS Nocaster sets.