Angel Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Some people love relics, some people hate them. I happen to like them a lot if done what I consider to be well enough. I don’t claim that mine are historically accurate, or correct in any way, but I basically try to just get a certain look and feel that I am happy with. I personally feel very happy with this one, although I’m sure some of you will see it as an act of vandalism! Anyway, I fancied trying to do a relic type bass after the reasonable success of my 'Angel' Tele that I built over a year ago. I wasn't planning to kill my expensive Fender CS bass, so I bought a new condition Squier CV for £200. It was the usual ‘plastic’ finish and shiny chrome - all the stuff I really don’t go for at all! Looks aside, it was fantastically playable though. To be honest I can’t believe what a great bass it is for the money. Having dismantled it, I stripped all the finish off with flame, scraper and sanding. I then had that moment when it looked like tatty scrap wood where I thought ‘oh dear, what have I done!’, fortunately it’s not game over at that point. Grain filler went on (apparently a good idea) then a good sand down. I used liquid mask and painted areas on the body that I wanted to be ‘worn through’, then sprayed with white nitro from Manchester guitar tech. No undercoat, as I wanted to try and get that ‘sunken in’ look. Lacquer over the top then a light dusting with some tinted lacquer to give a bit of an aged feel. Rubbed off the mask, and then rubbed some paint into the wood bits, and cleaned it off again with a rag to darken up those patches a bit. Did a few dings with various objects. All the chrome was put in a sealed bucket with an open jar of hydrochloric acid. After an hour or so of constant checks, it was finally at the degree of tarnish that I was looking for. I made a couple of worn stickers as I like the look of them on old basses, not everyone’s thing but I particularly like Vince Ray stuff so that is what they are. The neck was laboriously sanded to get rid of the thick poly finish, then a once over with lacquer. Sanded the neck again and took it right off the back behind the first 5 frets. The neck still looked a bit ‘clean’ so I mixed up some brown paint, wiped it on, let it start drying then wiped back again. Doesn’t represent ageing at all, but it definitely looked better for the overall vibe. Controversial, but I stuck a non squire logo on. Having stripped the finish off the neck, I only had a regular Fender one in my stash of bits. I would have been happy enough with a Squier one as it is a good bass at the end of the day regardless of badge, but to be honest I didn’t fancy the wait for one, I couldn’t wait to get it together! I will probably etch ‘squier’ into the neck and body joint next time I have it apart. Anyway, the bottom line is that I am very happy with how it has turned out. Marmite stuff I know, and all I can say in its defence is that it may not be the best relic job in the world, but I don’t think it’s the worst! I can’t believe how much I am enjoying this bass, it is so good that I am now selling the CS and possibly my Status as well, as neither of them get a look in any more! Here's a few pix: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) Like it How did you get the jagged effect on the painted edge below the controls ? Edited October 3, 2014 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 It's better than many I've seen, I like the attention to detail with the aged sticker, though the scratchplate looks a bit clean/new but it could just be the pic. Relicing isn't my thing, but you've done a good job IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I think that looks very authentic, great work Angel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I don't like stickers on basses, but apart from that it's a good job. Most commercial 'relic' work completely ignores the hardware and there's nothing worse than a brand new bass with shiny chrome hardware that's had a strip taken off the forearm contour with a belt sander - and that's it! Your effort is very well considered and you've obviously thought it through. It's about replicating natural wear, which does NOT mean blatant damage, which is the mistake that's so often made. I really like it, nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planer Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 That looks shot to bits - well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1412343480' post='2568056'] It's better than many I've seen, I like the attention to detail with the aged sticker, though the scratchplate looks a bit clean/new but it could just be the pic. Relicing isn't my thing, but you've done a good job IMHO. [/quote] Actually, the scratchplate looks cool 'in the flesh'. It's only the cheap Squier one, but I wire wooled it with some fine stuff to get the gloss off, and I got it looking particularly decent under the strings, where it looks subtly 'grimed' where hands won't 'polish it up a bit' over time. I'll try and take a pic, but it may be too subtle for my camera. Thanks for the generous words people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1412343408' post='2568054'] Like it How did you get the jagged effect on the painted edge below the controls ? [/quote] As mentioned, I used 'liquid masking fluid' (available from art shops). I 'painted' the areas that I wanted showing as wood using a small brush. It's done fairly quickly as the stuff dries onto the brush pretty sharpish! You then spray the body, and lacquer it, and when it is all dry, you rub vigorously over the masked bits with the palm of your hand and it rubs off. This leaves a nice 'rough' edge. Looks best if you darken the wood afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgmh315 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Not really into the aged thing but that looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Angel' timestamp='1412346331' post='2568095'] As mentioned, I used 'liquid masking fluid' (available from art shops). I 'painted' the areas that I wanted showing as wood using a small brush. It's done fairly quickly as the stuff dries onto the brush pretty sharpish! You then spray the body, and lacquer it, and when it is all dry, you rub vigorously over the masked bits with the palm of your hand and it rubs off. This leaves a nice 'rough' edge. Looks best if you darken the wood afterwards. [/quote] Could you use nitromors in the same way ? You should think about doing this on a pro basis Do you mean like Humbrol maskol ? Edited October 3, 2014 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I'm really sorry - but I have never understood how this works? Antique dealers of it to add (illegal) extra value, because people think distressed condition equates to age, and age in an antique equates to extra value. In a guitar, unless the instrument has a history, then a good condition old guitar always outsells a wrecked one. So it's down to image? Is it cooler to play a really worn guitar? I guess it might be. What I do note is an excellent distressing job, that looks very real - so I can appreciate the effort put in. I'd just rather play a new looking one myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='paulears' timestamp='1412349316' post='2568130'] I'm really sorry - but I have never understood how this works? Antique dealers of it to add (illegal) extra value, because people think distressed condition equates to age, and age in an antique equates to extra value. In a guitar, unless the instrument has a history, then a good condition old guitar always outsells a wrecked one. So it's down to image? Is it cooler to play a really worn guitar? I guess it might be. What I do note is an excellent distressing job, that looks very real - so I can appreciate the effort put in. I'd just rather play a new looking one myself. [/quote] I completely understand that. I'm not bothered with the history of a guitar/bass, I just find the aged look more appealing. It's just a finish option, like sunburst vs black. I really don't like sunburst! People like different things. For example, I would take an old MGBGT or TR6 every time over any modern sports car you put under my nose. A lot of people (most?) would probably think I'm mad, but it’s no contest. I don’t know why, I didn’t ask to be that way, it’s just how it is. From a practical point of view, if I have an expensive instrument I find that I treat it with ultra care, desperate to not get a scratch on it. It all feels very un rock n roll! If I have a battered finish, I can leave it out, drop it, ding it, do all that stuff and not bat an eyelid. It is like comfortable slippers vs stiff new shoes. But all that aside, I totally respect anyone else’s right to hate relics for any reason they choose to give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Good work there, completely avoids the 'attacked with a sander' look and looks like genuine wear, not dissimilar to the 5 decades of wear on my '63 P bass. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Very tastefully done, nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='Angel' timestamp='1412350783' post='2568154'] People like different things. For example, I would take an old MGBGT or TR6 every time over any modern sports car you put under my nose. A lot of people (most?) would probably think I'm mad, but it’s no contest. I don’t know why, I didn’t ask to be that way, it’s just how it is. [/quote] Well with the materials used and the build quality of those two cars at least they'd probably come already relic'd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Lovely job, looks genuine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaFunk Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 My Fender Jazz Bass is over 40 years old and hasn't got anywhere near that amount of wear on it. I think i'll have to do a relic job on it in case anyone thinks it isn't genuine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1412343486' post='2568058'] I don't like stickers on basses [/quote] Hasn't yours got a Fender one on it? I'm sorry I couldnt resist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1412371988' post='2568439'] My Fender Jazz Bass is over 40 years old and hasn't got anywhere near that amount of wear on it. I think i'll have to do a relic job on it in case anyone thinks it isn't genuine. [/quote] There is a saying in the classic car world something like..."of the 3456 Lotus Cortinas built only 5234 are still on the road". I think it looks pretty good anyway Angel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1412373298' post='2568453'] Hasn't yours got a Fender one on it? I'm sorry I couldn't resist [/quote] Actually, no - my Hayman is currently my only bass... Edited October 3, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I don't like reliced basses but can tell when one is reliced well and you have done just that. Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1412374062' post='2568467'] Actually, no - my Hayman is currently my only bass... [/quote] Touché Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1412374652' post='2568479'] Touché [/quote] I do have another bass incoming... it's not a Fender, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Ebay Logo on order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1412375014' post='2568487'] Ebay Logo on order? [/quote] Nope! It's not a replica, a relic or a copy. It's the real deal, circa 1983. However, I don't want to derail this thread - there will be a NBD thread appearing in due course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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