Distressed / Relic'd Acoustic Guitars - Page 5

Steel and wood · #61 03-21-2018, 04:16 PM

I love the look of old Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters so I've warmed somewhat over time to these relic guitars (even if they're not vintage instruments), but I don't have those same feelings for old acoustic guitars for some reason. (They actually have to be old Martin or even Gibson acoustics for me to appreciate).

Montesdad · #62 03-21-2018, 04:28 PM

Classic Relic'ing -

Jambi · #63 03-21-2018, 04:45 PM

I don't understand Martin's RoadMasters 'distressing'. It doesn't look like wear and tear to me, it looks more like a new form of tobacco sunburst. I kind of dig it. The rest are cheesy though.

Jaden · #64 03-21-2018, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jambi

I don't understand Martin's RoadMasters 'distressing'. It doesn't look like wear and tear to me, it looks more like a new form of tobacco sunburst. I kind of dig it. The rest are cheesy though.

Agree, it does not look like natural wear, rather like an antique burst it appeals on a basic level to something stylized. (StreetMaster).

Jambi · #65 03-22-2018, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaden

(StreetMaster).

Nice catch, I totally noticed I had written 'RoadMaster' and STILL hit submit

yukonkornelius · #66 03-22-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

Here is a thread about the Pre*War Guitars Company from just last month. If we keep on pace we can get nine more in before Christmas..

LMAO !!!

jbraun002 · #67 03-22-2018, 12:03 PM

I'll be contrary - I like distressed guitars more than pristine guitars (all things considered).

I like to buy used precisely for this purpose. Usually the gloss has worn down a bit on the neck (so it's not sticky). And I like the fact that i'm not worried about dinging it. If you saw what I gig with (i mostly gig pedal steel, not acoustics mind you), you know that it's only a matter of time before I'd wear the gear into the ground.

But even aside from those minor practical things, I just dig beat up looking guitars. I mean, they have to play/sound good too. But... I just like it. Finish cracks? Don't care - love 'em! Wear spots/nicks? Don't care - love 'em! Worn frets? Hey, wait a minute!

Y'all recently helped me out in a purchase. While the guitar I bought (a Santa Cruz 1934 DM) was used and actually in pretty good shape, I did look at a quite a few guitars that were beat up bad. It's not that I don't care about aesthetics - it's just that I think wear (usually) looks really good! So I'll buy that vintage D- Martin no one can move - neck snap/reset and non-original tuners - and not regret it for a second.

Be glad there are a few weird cats out there like me. We're the folks buying your used gear that aren't put off by the fact that you played it.

JNowlin · #68 03-22-2018, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbraun002

I'll be contrary - I like distressed guitars more than pristine guitars (all things considered).

I like to buy used precisely for this purpose. Usually the gloss has worn down a bit on the neck (so it's not sticky). And I like the fact that i'm not worried about dinging it. If you saw what I gig with (i mostly gig pedal steel, not acoustics mind you), you know that it's only a matter of time before I'd wear the gear into the ground.

But even aside from those minor practical things, I just dig beat up looking guitars. I mean, they have to play/sound good too. But... I just like it. Finish cracks? Don't care - love 'em! Wear spots/nicks? Don't care - love 'em! Worn frets? Hey, wait a minute!

Y'all recently helped me out in a purchase. While the guitar I bought (a Santa Cruz 1934 DM) was used and actually in pretty good shape, I did look at a quite a few guitars that were beat up bad. It's not that I don't care about aesthetics - it's just that I think wear (usually) looks really good! So I'll buy that vintage D- Martin no one can move - neck snap/reset and non-original tuners - and not regret it for a second.

Be glad there are a few weird cats out there like me. We're the folks buying your used gear that aren't put off by the fact that you played it.

Right on brother!

swarfrat · #69 03-22-2018, 02:45 PM

I dont mind beat up guitars, BUT. I feel it devalues the guitar, be it old or new. You'd rather have a prewar martin in showroom condition than one that looked like Willie Nelson chewed on it. (Minus any provenance that it actually WAS trigger). The value would certainly reflect that too. Aw man, its a beautiful one of a kind masterpiece. But its only worth $27k instead of $32k because it lacks any scratches.

ventintothemic · #70 12-11-2018, 01:45 PM

I just bought a Martin D15M Streetmaster. Besides the fact it's a really nice dreadnaught, I love the faux-distressed finish on the guitar. I've always admired thin satin finishes on guitars as opposed to the glossy finishes offered on many instruments. While I'd never buy distressed jeans, artistically built and finished instruments are a different matter. The Martin D15M Streetmaster line is beautifully imagined and crafted. I'm not trying to fool anyone. It's just fun to play and look at.

icuker · #71 12-24-2018, 08:50 PM

Seems to me if the major guitar makers wanted to get relic'd guitars out, couldn't they put on an oil finish? I have a handmade uke with oil finish and it has relic'd very nicely. (I didn't buy it for that reason, it just happened with playing time). I get good feedback on the patina look of it. I've owned it maybe 6 years.

Also, not sure if the beeswax finish of some of the new Gibsons would do the same?

Monsoon1 · #72 12-24-2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

Totally agree with you.

To me, it's fraud. It may not be illegal but I would feel like a fraud if I bought or relic'd one.

I kind of would, too. It seems to me like the whole point is putting a false front on, and I get that that's entertainment to a degree. But it wouldn't be for me.

The Bard Rocks · #73 12-24-2018, 10:12 PM

It's like buying jeans that come with holes already in them. Some think its next; others... well, less so.

#74 12-25-2018, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwmct

somehow the fact that such things exist says something very troubling about our culture.

I find far more troubling things about our culture than guitar paint jobs.

Muddslide · #75 12-25-2018, 12:45 PM

Eh, I just think of relic jobs as a finish option. No reason to get worked up over it. Whatever a person likes is cool by me.

I love the look of a lot of beat up "mojo" guitars with actual wear...not a big fan of faux relics, though some look well done and authentic.

I'd rather be the one to scuff up a guitar (I take care of them but don't agonize over legitimately earned dings and scratches) but I suppose if I found a guitar that really sang to me, I wouldn't turn it away just because of a relic finish.