Relicking a Guitar

[MartyGrass]

I apologize if this has already been overdiscussed.  I find that the relicking process is weird.  To begin with, I've seen many lacquered old instruments and that don't look that relicked.  Secondly, why would someone want that process done to a guitar?  Do they think someone is fooled?  I had a 70 year old well worn Gibson L-5 played by a studio musician and gig based professional player.  There was some checking, but nothing like a new relicked guitar.  I have to wonder if they take a guitar that got a little checking or a ding or two and decided to relick it and charge more than the way, which was to call it a second.

I'm sure I've offended someone.  So I best leave in my relicked car.   

 

 

[TalismanRich]

I've seen girls buying new jeans that look like this!    I've worn jeans with fewer holes to paint the garage.   When we were kids, if our jeans looked like this, my mom threw them in the garbage!   Who knew that they would be worth $100.

  

RE: your reliced car.    How much extra did the dealer charge you to do the relic job.   Did he also put some sand in the crankcase so it would wear out the bearings and seals and burn oil like a car with 200,000 miles?

[bolero]

I don't get it either but I understand it.

Not everyone can afford a strat Jimi Hendrix lit on fire, but everybody wants one

[Steiner]

Golly.  When I intersected with a local deer while on a 55mph road last Thursday it never occurred to me that I was increasing the value.
I feel better.

[TalismanRich]

9 hours ago, bolero said:

I don't get it either but I understand it.

Not everyone can afford a strat Jimi Hendrix lit on fire, but everybody wants one

Really?   $150 for a Squire Strat,   $2.59 for a can of Zippo lighter fluid,  $.99 for a box of matches.    PRESTO!

It's like printing money!  🔥🔥

[TalismanRich]

1 hour ago, Steiner said:

Golly.  When I intersected with a local deer while on a 55mph road last Thursday it never occurred to me that I was increasing the value.
I feel better.

OUCH!   How bad was the damage?  I've seen a few cars that had major damage...  bumper, grill, hood,  windshield, airbag.   

[big bob]

Feels like an old friend!

[DavesNotHere]

I've never licked a guitar, so I couldn't imaging re-licking a guitar.

 

[ElNumero]

9 hours ago, DavesNotHere said:

I've never licked a guitar, so I couldn't imaging re-licking a guitar.

 

I was thinking the same 

[TalismanRich]

Feels like an 

Old Friend (50 yrs)     _____________________      New Friend  ( 5  wks)

 

Neither one has the finish worn off.

 

[Steiner]

14 hours ago, TalismanRich said:

OUCH!   How bad was the damage?  I've seen a few cars that had major damage...  bumper, grill, hood,  windshield, airbag.   

Nothing too serious, this time.  Just a cracked fascia.  I was focused on the road and when she jumped out, I slowed expecting her to continue on.  It looked like she was trying her best to back-pedal so I ventured into the other side of the road.  I wasn’t quite quick enough.

[MartyGrass]

On 10/5/2025 at 1:02 AM, bolero said:

I don't get it either but I understand it.

Not everyone can afford a strat Jimi Hendrix lit on fire, but everybody wants one

Some relics look like real playwear.  The finish cracking on every square inch and a few dings don't.  This one is decent.  Still I won't pay to have it done.  

[TalismanRich]

Yeah, it might look like real play wear, but my question is WHY?   

It's easy enough to beat up a guitar by playing the crap out of it and not being careful with it.   Get rid of the nice stand and just lean it in the corner of the stucco wall,  let it fall down a few times.   Lay it on the ground when you're not playing it.  Leave it in the trunk in the middle of winter, then bring it in the house to play it.  Wear a big ol' pointy metal buckle and sling that guitar low.

I don't need street cred to come from my guitar's wear and tear.   

Now, if you're actually trying to recreate a famous guitar, like SRV's #1 Strat,  I can see that as a goal,  like making a copy of the Mona Lisa.   Good for a collector,  or for someone who is doing a SRV based show,  much like Beatles imitators.   But to think that fake wear makes it sound like an old guitar is too much of a stretch for me.