Bass Culture Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I was visiting my family down in Colchester the other month and happened to pop into a music shop with my 18 year-old niece. This particular shop had a very impressive stock list, and several interesting and high end basses. I pulled one such a bass off the wall to have a pluck - a Suhr Jazz - and, horrified, turned to my niece to point out the huge crack in the varnish that, I presumed, must have resulted from some heavy-handed numpty dropping it before. Mortified, I turned to the Shop Assistant to tell him what I'd noticed. Response - it's supposed to be like that, that's the 'antiqued' version of the bass. I was gobsmacked - seriously, would anyone pay nearly £2.5k for a bass that's deliberately had its finish cracked?! You couldn't even say it was 'road worn', it just had a cracked finish FFS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='Bass Culture' timestamp='1467203708' post='3081880'] I was visiting my family down in Colchester the other month and happened to pop into a music shop with my 18 year-old niece. This particular shop had a very impressive stock list, and several interesting and high end basses. I pulled one such a bass off the wall to have a pluck - a Suhr Jazz - and, horrified, turned to my niece to point out the huge crack in the varnish that, I presumed, must have resulted from some heavy-handed numpty dropping it before. Mortified, I turned to the Shop Assistant to tell him what I'd noticed. Response - it's supposed to be like that, that's the 'antiqued' version of the bass. I was gobsmacked - seriously, would anyone pay nearly £2.5k for a bass that's deliberately had its finish cracked?! You couldn't even say it was 'road worn', it just had a cracked finish FFS!!! [/quote] Relicing has been done to death (pun half-intended). Just sayin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 If the finish was the only "antiqued" / "reliced" / "aged" / "knocked to sh*te and smeared with nasty chemicals" or "roadworn" element of the bass then it might be one that had an issue with the finish. Doesn't matter who is painting - occasionally the paint will act weird (e.g. react with something in the primer / undercoat, or the air, or with something in itself, e.g. a contaminated thinner etc.). Usually it doesn't work straight away (will spray oddly or will cure oddly (or not at all)). Sometimes it fails down the road - usually due to misuse (e.g. left in the sun or in a hot car boot) but occasionally due to a fault in the paint or the painting. I'd say this is a long shot given the reputation of Suhr. Probably intentional - especially if everything was manky and tarnished on the bass. I don't get it. I do get liking worn instruments (e.g. stings battered '52 P bass). But it should be real - earned. If you like the look have it finished/refinished in nitro and play the crap out of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 This should be entitled "People still discussing relic'd/Road worn instruments - really?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Some people like relics, some don't, it makes life interesting when we don't all like the same things.............next subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='NJE' timestamp='1467205993' post='3081908'] .............next subject. [/quote] Tonewoods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 (edited) Yeah, this subject again - some of the comments get pretty abrasive Edited June 29, 2016 by Roland Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Oooooooh, here's a thought. Could I buy any cheap old beat up bass for a song and then put it up for sale adding £200 onto the asking price by claiming that it's been authentically "relic-ed"? It's worth shot... Mwah ha ha ha ha!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 i don't generally liked reliced instruments, that said, my friend had a lightly relic custom shop stratocaster and it really was stunning. i wouldn't buy one, but each to their own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1467205581' post='3081898'] This should be entitled "People still discussing relic'd/Road worn instruments - really?" [/quote] I think that misses the point here. A single crack in the varnish isn't "reliced" as most people understand it. To me, this just seems like shop damage being passed off as reliced. I could be wrong though. I was wrong about something else about 30 years ago so it's not impossible. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1467207511' post='3081924'] Yeah, this subject again - some of the comments get pretty abrasive [/quote] On second thoughts, I might not start that thread about the time I played my relic-ed basses (one rosewood, one maple for variety of sound), with a pick, in front of a music stand, for free... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1467209191' post='3081943'] I think that misses the point here. A single crack in the varnish isn't "reliced" as most people understand it. To me, this just seems like shop damage being passed off as reliced. I could be wrong though. I was wrong about something else about 30 years ago so it's not impossible. Frank. [/quote] twas what i thunk, and add to that the suhr website makes no mention of doing relic finishes (but then i'm often wrong) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1467209191' post='3081943'] A single crack in the varnish isn't "reliced" as most people understand it. To me, this just seems like shop damage being passed off as reliced. [/quote] Yes I must admit this was my initial thought too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Culture Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share Posted June 29, 2016 I appreciate this isn't the first time the subject has been raised but to describe cracked lacquer as 'antiqued' seems to raise the bar to a whole new level of stupid to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Yep, I don't get it... I like my kit to look nice and altho you'll get a few dings along the way, I'm not inviting them and not doing it on purpose. I've heard some sales spin... 'broken bent Rik neck...it is supposed to be like that...authentic init'.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 (edited) [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1467205581' post='3081898'] This should be entitled "People still discussing relic'd/Road worn instruments - really?" [/quote] [quote name='NJE' timestamp='1467205993' post='3081908'] Some people like relics, some don't, it makes life interesting when we don't all like the same things.............next subject. [/quote] All members must only discuss what we decide you can discuss! Edited June 29, 2016 by Lord Sausage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Are there any bands playing charity gigs in Milwaukee using relic guitars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1467213217' post='3081990'] Are there any bands playing charity gigs in Milwaukee using relic guitars? [/quote] I'm not sure but I do know there aren't any hauling lights and PA to play a four hour bar gig for nothing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 I like subtle relic effect if done well and if it's in realistic places. Mark at limelight sent me a picture of my newly built 76 p bass a couple of days ago. Can't wait to get my paws on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Culture Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1467205877' post='3081905'] Peaches? [/quote] No names, no pack drill, Hiram. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectoremg Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 [quote name='skej21' timestamp='1467205581' post='3081898'] This should be entitled "People still discussing relic'd/Road worn instruments - really?" [/quote]Fair point. On the other hand Macca... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b7l4s Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 [quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1467219595' post='3082060'] I like subtle relic effect if done well and if it's in realistic places. Mark at limelight sent me a picture of my newly built 76 p bass a couple of days ago. Can't wait to get my paws on it. [/quote] That is nice mrtcat - you may be the owner of my dream p-bass... I've always been on the fence about relic'd stuff, but that is both subtle and effective, and in my preferred colours, and a Limelight... I could go on Just what I needed - more GAS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 [quote name='Bass Culture' timestamp='1467203708' post='3081880'] Response - it's supposed to be like that, that's the 'antiqued' version of the bass. [/quote] No, it's the faulty version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1467204771' post='3081890'] I do get liking worn instruments (e.g. stings battered '52 P bass). But it should be real - earned. [/quote] So presumably I can't play a 1952 P Bass because I wouldn't have put sixty years' worth of 'real' wear on it myself? Shame. Edited July 1, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Is it okay to play a reliced bass for a fee.....or do contributors prefer playing relics for free? Or even just for the exposure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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