Relics, MJT in particular...

[rockmonster]

Not a great pic but it sounds great. Fender noiseless neck and middle with now an all cream crawler bridge pup.


Here's another with all 3 noiseless pups

[stickyfiddle]

My dad has a moderately-reliced MJT Cabronita which is lovely:

Having played it, I completely heart that guitar. I'd buy any MJT without a second thought

[Squiddy]

I'm not a relic fan, mainly because I think it all smacks of utter bollocks.

However, that surf green Tele is rather nice, and I think the "relic" finish sets it off nicely.

I suppose it's the "heavy" relic look that I find so offensive to my senses. When it's done with restraint and with a view to replicating something that might actually exist in the real world, it can be tasteful.

[A5D5E5]

I think light to moderate relicing can look ok but the heavy relics usually look crap to me (even the fender custom shop ones). What stands out to me though is whether the rest of the guitar is consistent - does the neck show wear and dirt in a natural way, is the hardware appropriately tarnished etc. The devil is very much in the details with relics.

Having said that, I bought a fender roadworn tele deluxe. I didn't (and still don't) like the way it looks, but it felt much nicer to play than the non roadworn version - the neck just felt better.

[HerbieTheRadDorklift]

If you're into relics check out the Sandberg hardcore aged, or just regular aged.

[redrighthand]

I once felt the same about the heavy relics. But my view has matured somewhat....
1. very light relics: why bother - better have a guitar that looks new than ever-so-slightly uncared for. Like a new guitar with a couple of dings.
2. medium relics: can look nice, but since I'm not trying to fool anyone here, why not go the whole hog...

And there was always something I really liked about the wood shining through the paintwork on that green custom shop. I like what's underneath being visible.

So I'm all up for heavy relics: though I'm not trying to fool anyone into thinking I've been playing the thing like SRV for many years (TBH once they hear my playing they will figure that out for themselves ).

[HerbieTheRadDorklift]

[WezV]

only negative i have heard about MJT is the neck edges. they do good relic finishes but use factory fresh parts so the edges of fretboards and headstocks are often a bit too square

it can be a bit distracting is you are used to nicely rolled over edges

[axisus]

That sandberg is lovely!

not yours I assume Herbie?

[frankus]

only negative i have heard about MJT is the neck edges. they do good relic finishes but use factory fresh parts so the edges of fretboards and headstocks are often a bit too square

it can be a bit distracting is you are used to nicely rolled over edges

this is true... here's my MJT: