Relic basses...

[NancyJohnson]

For anyone who has bought a pre-relic'd bass (doesn't matter who made it), are you careful with it/precious about treating it as if the finish is pristine?

[discreet]

In a word, no. That's the attraction for me - it's already comfy like an old pair of slippers and you don't have to worry about it.

Edited January 28, 2016 by discreet

[CamdenRob]

I've not owned a relic but I would imagine I wouldn't be that concerned about it gaining any extra superficial damage... I'd make sure all the important bits were kept clean and in working order, but what's a few extra dents and scrapes, if it's already covered in dings.

I do wonder though (and I'm sure someone here will know) when Fender (for example) release a relic bass, is every instance of that bass the same? Do they have identical wear patterns and dings? If not surely that would add a whole other dimension to deciding which one you wanted, to get the one with just the right amount of wear for your taste?

[gary mac]

Do you mean an artificially reliced instrument or a naturally road worn example?

I've only had the natural variety and I still treat them in exactly the same caring fashion as I would a brand new unblemished example. Having said that, I guess it wouldn't be so upsetting if one of my already worn models did pick up some new marks.

[Geek99]

Look at the roadworns - pretty much identical

[ead]

I had a RW J for a bit, and during one gig the headstock brushed the edge of a bit of the drum kit making a small mark (I was aiming for the singer of course). I was instanteously annoyed with myself and then realised that it was probably the only legitimate mark on the bass so felt much better.

[discreet]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1453968288' post='2964677']
I do wonder though (and I'm sure someone here will know) when Fender (for example) release a relic bass, is every instance of that bass the same? Do they have identical wear patterns and dings?
[/quote]

As Fenders are mass-produced I'm fairly sure the relic work will have been machined. To do each one individually by hand would be prohibitively expensive. Custom Shop may be different, I don't know.

Edited January 28, 2016 by discreet

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1453969962' post='2964697']
As Fenders are mass-produced I'm fairly sure the relic work will have been machined. To do each one individually by hand would be prohibitively expensive. Custom Shop may be different, I don't know.
[/quote]

Yes I suspected as much... it must be quite hard to consistently relic a finish across hundreds of basses though.

[Geek99]

Cnc

I'm getting my bass reliced soon - in a nitro finish
I won't give a damn if it gets knocked or scratched or bumped

[LayDownThaFunk]

Reliced bass for sale in mint condition.

[DaytonaRik]

Not at all - I'm probably not as fussy/precious about it as other 'better condition' used basses I've owned, even though I bought the relic'd one new tbh! New dints/dings/dents will sit comfortably with the 'old' ones!

Edited January 28, 2016 by DaytonaRik

[cameltoe]

I remember putting a ding into an otherwise mint American Standard Precision and being so annoyed with myself I punched myself in the face.

At the 2nd or 3rd gig with my at-the-time-new Road Worn Precision, the singer knocked over my stand and the bass fell face-first onto the floor. I laughed.

Half the appeal for me!

[Twincam]

That part of buying a pre reliced bass (not having too worry) really appeals too me.
Apart from any of the models that are reliced the same.

I do wonder what these basses will look like in 30 years down the road surely they will look much older than they are.

[discreet]

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1454023052' post='2965663']
I do wonder what these basses will look like in 30 years down the road...
[/quote]

I'm a lot more bothered about what I'll look like 30 years down the road - that is if I look like anything at all.

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1454022323' post='2965656']
I remember putting a ding into an otherwise mint American Standard Precision and being so annoyed with myself I punched myself in the face.

At the 2nd or 3rd gig with my at-the-time-new Road Worn Precision, the singer knocked over my stand and the bass fell face-first onto the floor. I laughed.

Half the appeal for me!
[/quote] I've had one or two basses I've not played enough and sold precisely cos they were too "pristine".
I used to ride around on a push bike with my Fender logo Squier JV on my back until Ricksfine53 pointed out it's value and rarity and politely asked me not to!

[AndyTravis]

No idea what marks are on my Nate Mendel are mine or Fenders...

Works for me.

[JapanAxe]

I have a pre-relic'd guitar, and a naturally aged bass. I look after them - they travel in a case or gig bag, they sit on a stand on stage - but I am not precious about an extra scratch or bump if it happens.

[ambient]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1453968288' post='2964677']
I've not owned a relic but I would imagine I wouldn't be that concerned about it gaining any extra superficial damage... I'd make sure all the important bits were kept clean and in working order, but what's a few extra dents and scrapes, if it's already covered in dings.

I do wonder though (and I'm sure someone here will know) when Fender (for example) release a relic bass, is every instance of that bass the same? Do they have identical wear patterns and dings? If not surely that would add a whole other dimension to deciding which one you wanted, to get the one with just the right amount of wear for your taste?
[/quote]

I think the Pino P ones are all identical to Pino's. I wonder though if they have to keep updating the dents and scratches ?

[spiltmilk_2000]

I have a few relics and feel differently about each...

75 p bass... Given to me by a musical legend that I take great care of (the bass not the musical legend, although he is getting on!)

75 jazz heavy relic that I am not even slightly bothered if I ding...

Custom shop 61 that the certificate says relic but has only 2 small chips and loads of sexy nitro checking... I'd be gutted if I damaged it!

Limelight relic (fake!) that I even let my 3 year old play around with. It's a great bass but a few dings won't make the slightest difference.

For me it's about the emotional attachment of a particular instrument that makes it more precious.

Edited January 29, 2016 by spiltmilk_2000

[4StringPete]

A mate of mine with a music shop made this great point. If you buy a Pino, Jaco Relic'd replica, and take a chunk out of it. Is it still a replica? A really pedantic buyer could say thatit's not an accurate replica.

Interesting subject, I recently bought a 2003 American Jazz Bass, heavily road worn by the original owner. Not relic'd, just heavy wear from heavy use. I paid £450 for it, people were put off by the appearance. It had recently had a pro set up, new strings, and is a serious player. But folk will pay top doller for a Mex Fender (no disrespect, but they are a cheaper bass) that has been factory aged. Bizarre

[martthebass]

I think my limelight heavy relic Jazz hit a cymbal at last Saturday's gig.....looked at the bass at the end of the set and couldn't tell. That's the appeal for me.

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='4StringPete' timestamp='1454090338' post='2966407']
A mate of mine with a music shop made this great point. If you buy a Pino, Jaco Relic'd replica, and take a chunk out of it. Is it still a replica? A really pedantic buyer could say thatit's not an accurate replica.

Interesting subject, I recently bought a 2003 American Jazz Bass, heavily road worn by the original owner. Not relic'd, just heavy wear from heavy use. I paid £450 for it, people were put off by the appearance. It had recently had a pro set up, new strings, and is a serious player. But folk will pay top doller for a Mex Fender (no disrespect, but they are a cheaper bass) that has been factory aged. Bizarre
[/quote]

It is bizarre. Once the frets have life, the electrics work, it can be setup well, and the other basics are covered (no splinters coming off the neck for example) - it's good to go. Would most people prefer a pristine example? of course, but it should keep most of the value after moderate use - Just like your USA Jazz, with heavy wear it's worth a little less (just like a refinish IMO).
BassDirect.co.uk seem to have a sensible approach: [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mike_Lull_JP_4_Quilt.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Mike_Lull_JP_4_Quilt.html[/url]
Note the selling point:[i] "new in June 2014 and is presented in immaculate condition with no marks, dings or missing finish".[/i]

[Lozz196]

I`ve just bought a 2012 US Fender Jazz with a couple of minor dings on it. Not fussed at all, bass plays and sounds like a dream. That said, it will still be treated with the same care as my pristine 2015 US Fender Precision. The condition of a bass doesn`t change the manner in which I treat it, this would be the same for a fake reliced bass such as a Road Worn or Limelight if I had one. I`m not precious about my basses, but I`m not careless with them either.

[Geek99]

I am totally careless with mine - I have small children who help with this

[synthaside]

I'm considering getting a limelight made , I want a 1975 RI Jazz ,in natural with black binding and blocks and maple neck.
However the kicker is im wondering if i can ask for it to be mint ... >.< ... funny old world, im annoyed because i missed out on buying the avri he had up for £675 .

Edited January 29, 2016 by synthaside