(photo:www.nashguitars.com)
Guitar aging "relic-ing" is growing like the micro-brewery phenomenon. The idea and it's processes were probably born in such establishments. Actual terms like Relic, Retro,Vintage, NOS, Aged, Distressed, Tinted, Closet Classic, Rustic, etc., are being used to market NEW guitars that look experienced. Some more experienced than others. A similar parallel is seen with denim jeans.Even though Strat's and Tele's don't seem to be changing, they actually are in the direction of making them appear older, wiser, more experienced, personalized, classic, vintage, valuable, seasoned, used, abused, cooked, marinated, grilled, smoked, baked, roasted, charbroiled, dropped down the stairs, rode hard and put away wet, driven over, left outdoors, trashed, abandoned, condemned, punished, tortured, embattered, disciplined, incarcerated, executed, crucified, embalmed, mummified, exhumed, resurrected, etc., etc., etc. Click here for more "Relic Relief".
"DON’T WIPE THE SWEAT OFF YOUR INSTRUMENT You need that stink on there. Then you have to get that stink onto your music." Captain Beefheart
Here's a listing of relic, guitar aging related sites popping up across the world wide web:
Fender Relic Guitars (Links to top online authorized Fender Relic Dealers)
Guitar Gear Stores (web directory for Relic guitars, aged parts suppliers & more)
Tricked Out Guitar (aged hdwr-knobs, jack plates, pickguards, etc)
GREASY GROOVE - (pin-up girl decals & custom pickguards)
Killer Guitar Components - Specializing in hi-grade machined brass trem blocks for superior
Strat tone & sustain. Shallow string recessing like the 57's & Eric Johnson Strat blocks.
Guitar Parts And More hardware & guitar kits-- ALLPARTS Dealer.
Paint Your Own Guitar - DIY tutorial download with illustrated step by step approaches for custom finish projects. Includes tips, techniques and product suggestions.
This Old Guitar (of course...)
Relic Guitars
Virtual Vintage Guitars
Revelator Guitar Works
Bravewood Guitars (John Elliot, UK builder)
Jay Munn Custom & Relic Guitars
King Bee Guitars (formerly "ABC Relic..." They're in Texas!)
Cara Hot-Rod Guitars
Wolds Guitars (UK builder)
Crook Custom Guitars
Nash Guitars (Seattle builder)
AXL Guitars (Badwater distressed guitars)
KLH Custom Relics (Indianapolis builder)
K-Line Custom Guitars (St. Louis builder)
Rock N' Roll Relics (San Francisco builder - vintage replicas)
Relic Deluxe (How to Relic a guitar, DIY tutorial site)
300Guitars.com (Video demo on aging metal parts with muriatic acid)
SRVguitar.com (Turn your Strat into an SRV #1 Replica)
Toneslinger DIY relicing videos at Youtube
Wonderhowto.com (DIY, SRV Strat Video Series)
Guitar ReRanch (Refinishing supplies, instruction and forum)
Guitar Builder & Luthier Tools & Supplies
ValveTrain (relic-ed AMPS "Tortured Tweed")
Van de Haar
Rebel Relic
Axetreme Creations (guitars, and lots of parts- hardware)
Wall Street Journal Article
Vinetto Guitars (ck the Artifact line)
Relic Relief (satire)
more coming as I find 'em !
Relic Guitar Dealers
Aged-Relic Parts & Accessories Suppliers
Pimp Your Strat!
(wiring diagrams and parts suppliers)
EBAY AGED-RELIC PARTS DIRECTORY
TUBES & AMP Parts Directory
(huge selection of vacuum tube & parts resources)
Aged-Relic Parts & Accessories Suppliers
Pimp Your Strat!
(wiring diagrams and parts suppliers)
EBAY AGED-RELIC PARTS DIRECTORY
TUBES & AMP Parts Directory
(huge selection of vacuum tube & parts resources)
!
Posts
18 comments:
I caught a full page ad in Vintage Guitar magazine of a guy who does relicing. No website, just his email, jaymunnguitars@aol.com. Full page ad. He says all "relic-ing is done painstakingly by hand to the most exacting standards." The most exacting standards. Love it. Not only is just random wear and tear, but, there's a standard now. Got to have a chip here, a scratch there, wear here. Awesome.
May want to contact the guy JP and check him out. All Strats in the ad. Maybe you've seen it and know of Jay Munn.
IG
Thanks IG!! I'm checking it out.
The ultimate luthier for relic F style guitars, is located in England. His name is John Elliot and his website is www.bravewoodguitars.co.uk
I have 2 of his pieces already and 2 more on order. He makes EVERY aspect of the guitar...down to the metal parts! He is simply amazing and his work is borderline spooky how close it is to an original.
I own Nash guitars and as good as Nash is, Bravewood actually cuts the wood from blocks and doesn't just order bodies and necks from a wholesaler. John Elliot is no joke!
Check him out...you won't find a better guitar relc builder out there!!
Thank You! I'm adding Mr. Elliot's site to my directory. Very impressive!! Appreciate your referral!!
jp
I wrote an email to Jay Munn and he told me that his website should be up and running by this weekend (6/2/07). Please post any info you may hear about his website and/or his work. Thanks!
I've also been in touch with Jay Munn, and will get the link up as soon as his site launches.
Thanks for your follow up!!!
I am so happy to see that you are enjoying John Elliot's work as much as I do. I really thought I had seen it all until I stumbled on a rare sighting of his guitars for sale on ebay (which has never happened again since...his guitars are NEVER up for sale outside his website. if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one you'll see why no one sells theirs!) .
He no longer takes orders I hear so I was lucky enough to get mine in while he still did. I have a b-caster built by him and you would swear its an original!! I can't stop praising his work. His isn't just a guitar luthier is a historian! I thought I knew a lot about vintage F guitars, but let me tell you, John Elliot's knowledge about these amazing pieces is simply incredible. (it's almost like talking to Leo himself!)
I've been leaving the anonymous postings...
Love your blog site!
I just received an email from Jay Munn about his website. Looks like he doesn't really make that many guitars but offers a relic-ing service. Here is the website...
www.jaymunnguitars.com
Check out RebelRelic guitars in Amsterdam
http://www.rebelrelic.com
Yeah, those RebelRelic Telecasters are amazing!
They look just like original vintage guitars. awsome!
abc relic guitars!
www.abcrelicguitars.com
www.abcrelicguitars.blogspot.com
we've got what you want.
We sell relic replacement parts or complete guitars:
www.abcrelicguitars.blogspot.com
www.abcrelicguitars.com
check it out.
Just a note of interest to all vintage and relic fans - there are a few details that ALL the relic guitar companies I have seen (I have looked in detail at over 20 - all mentioned here plus others) get wrong which are -
volume and tone knobs - wrong size number fonts(too big)
neck - truss rod nut in
wrong position - it should be partly in the rosewood on a slab board - they get this wrong mainly because most of these companies buy "off the shelf" necks and don't make them themselves
neck - rosewood/maple join on the headstock - slab board should have a curved join - same reason as above
Many also get the actual headstock itself the wrong shape - and then do NOT make the volute behind the nut rounded and hand finished.
Just thought some of you might be interested in this stuff.
These are just a few obvious details that tell you immediately the guitar isn't a genuine vintage Fender.
Mind you - they will probably start to get these right now I have left this comment.
Correction to last comment - Bravewood guitars get the neck details exactly right - I have seen one where the owner has put on an original 1960 set of Klusons and an original celluloid guard etc and it is frighteningly accurate - it even smells old - I didn't look inside but it was impossible for me to tell it was not original, especially as it was lying beside 4 original pre cbs strats in this guys collection - it has to be black magic !! Oddly - it sounded the best of all of them too.
Anon (8/28/08): Thanks for stopping by! There are many different levels of relicing and aging going on-- one level is the painstaking duplication of original vintage models. The rest focus on the idea, style and look of worn, older guitars.
I totally agree with you about Bravewood. His stuff is scary for detail and authenticity!
cheers;)))!
jp
www.operationstrat.co.uk
Replica relics, lightly aged to original spec, bodies and necks are made to order with authentic detailing. See site for more details!
Many Thanks
Mike
check out the toneslinger guy on youtube that has a video series on relicing a guitar.
I currently own 2 Bravewood guitars, a Broadcaster and a 61/62 Stratocaster that I specially ordered from him over 4 years ago. I agree, his uncanny attention to detail is quite amazing. I also have an original 1962 Sunburst Stratocaster and a 1952 Blackguard that I inherited from my Grandfather who was a session player in the early days.
Yes I'm impressed with the looks but, what I really really like about John's guitars is the SOUND and FEEL!
Bravewood guitars are what we call "keepers" in the vintage gear collection world.
So...If you all get a chance, get one or two of his work and you'll know what I mean.
Post a Comment