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The relic refuge


Geek99

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It's hard to be sure from these pictures, but for me they both fall down where a lot of relics do, which is the front of the neck. Apart from some of the dot markers looking a bit brown that fretboard doesn't look like it belongs on a guitar that has lived the life that Rory's did, it looks like what it is - new.

Edited by b7l4s
grammer
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Limelight made me a copy of Geddy's no.1 Jazz that I am anxious to recover as I had to see a few basses a couple fo years ago to raise money rapido.  Still regret letting this one go.

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I had a Fender RW Jazz that I bought from the US, sadly the neck had a twist in it so I had to have it sorted and to this day it's the best Jazz I've played by a long shot but I moved it on to a kid from Brighton when I changed over to playing 32" scale basses.

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Spoiler

 

Wow, that white jazz looks fantastic. 

At first I didn't like relics, I thought the idea was great, as long as they weren't done for the wrong reasons, but they were usually a bit over the top, so I had a go at doing one myself and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. 

The nerdy geek side of me enjoyed the endless hours I spent on researching different methods of achieving the most authentic look, and the practical side of me enjoyed having a go and admiring the results. 

I could never justify splashing out on a 64 Precision or a CS replica, but I think I got the next best thing which is actually more valuable to me because of the time, effort and outside help invested in it.

I would recommend everyone to have a go at one. 

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7 minutes ago, Bassfinger said:

Immaculate necks on relic'd bodies just looks weird.

I’ll agree with that, but I am as of yet undecided on the amount of fingerboard wear that should happen - certainly in mine there would be next to none past the 7th fret and probably only the E and A string

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1 minute ago, Cuzzie said:

I’ll agree with that, but I am as of yet undecided on the amount of fingerboard wear that should happen - certainly in mine there would be next to none past the 7th fret and probably only the E and A string

I'd expect the frets to be pretty knackered, on some relic jobs the extent of the body wear should point to a pretty unplayable neck. To me, relic'ing should fool the experts

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I had a beautiful, all original (photo shows an East EQ, but I put the originl back in soon after) 1970 fretless Precision for a while.  Why on earth I sold it I'll never know :facepalm:

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I liked it so much I had Sandberg make me a fretted "hardcore aged" VT5 to go with it.  Sold that too....

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Edited by franzbassist
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When I relic'd mine I used a satin neck. I used T cut to shine up the back of the neck in strategic places where where thumb would rub. I then left it in the sun in the conservatory for a few weeks, which quickly yellowed it.  0000 wire wool on the front of the headstock and tuners to dull them without making it obviously fake. The fretboard is only mediocre quality so I've left it alone on the basis that it's going to wear pretty quickly anyway.

Some cracking DIY jobs on here.  I'm not a fan of the Limelight basses, particularly their light relic jobs, which look too much like someone has simply wet and dried them at strategic points.

 

Edited by Bassfinger
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Similar to the above - just starting to relic this for the next project.... Not got the acetone out yet for the fingerboard. Again I tried to look mainly where I played - the bare wood will get some dark staining as well, it’s in progress and taking it easy with 0000 wire wool

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Cheers

Just done that, cutting a pickguard now so before I go hell for leather on the neck I am waiting for how much telic I end up doing on the body and will match accordingly.

I don’t mind the back of the neck as I prefer a work in feel anyway

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Thoroughly enjoying this, can't contribute directly as I have never deliberately relic'd. 

However I have owned a bass since 1983. I thought it might be of interest to see some of the effects of time, you never know - could inspire someone. 

First up the gaffa tape residue. Now a part of the bass! 

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Never seen anyone try to create this. 

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  • 1 month later...

So I think I want a relic Jazz ideally Shell Pink but open to other colours. Several routes available as I can see. I would love to to do it myself but not sure I have the patience and don't want it to look naff. 

Instant Gratification: Vintage VJ74 black £180ish relic. I know what I'm getting here, nice solid bass for the price but not a massive fan of the headstock and the neck isn't as aged as the body so looks weird. 

Possible Option: Bass Collection Jive Live Solar Flare £400. Might be a bit too much relicing. I've heard good things about the BC basses so know it will be a solid bass

Save a bit option: The Fender Flea jazz £1000. Seem to be very well respected and they do look cool. 

Get one made: I messaged a page on Instagram Psyche Guitars, and they said it would be base £800 before extra aging and specs. Seem to use Wilkinson stuff as base so not sure I would see the value there. Other options are Shuker and Limelight - but that's probably getting close to £1500+

This was mostly just to write down my thoughts 😅

Edited by BassApprentice
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2 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

So I think I want a relic Jazz ideally Shell Pink but open to other colours. Several routes available as I can see. I would love to to do it myself but not sure I have the patience and don't want it to look naff. 

Instant Gratification: Vintage VJ74 black £180ish relic. I know what I'm getting here, nice solid bass for the price but not a massive fan of the headstock and the neck isn't as aged as the body so looks weird. 

Possible Option: Bass Collection Jive Live Solar Flare £400. Might be a bit too much relicing. I've heard good things about the BC basses so know it will be a solid bass

Save a bit option: The Fender Flea jazz £1000. Seem to be very well respected and they do look cool. 

Get one made: I messaged a page on Instagram Psyche Guitars, and they said it would be base £800 before extra aging and specs. Seem to use Wilkinson stuff as base so not sure I would see the value there. Other options are Shuker and Limelight - but that's probably getting close to £1500+

This was mostly just to write down my thoughts 😅

Why not get a dirt cheap body from anywhere, could be a kids guitar, and practice stripping, painting and relicing.

That whole process could be easily under £50

Thats what I did for various effects before trying it first hand.

The key is dont just take a belt sander too it

Edited by Cuzzie
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On 20/06/2020 at 09:40, franzbassist said:

I had a beautiful, all original (photo shows an East EQ, but I put the originl back in soon after) 1970 fretless Precision for a while.  Why on earth I sold it I'll never know :facepalm:

imageproxy.jpg.2213bc091aaba408afcf14fe1109773a.jpg

1287442_imageproxy(5).jpg.d7fd7e622f18972ab7f6d6b7c3cf6d13.jpg

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1038146886_imageproxy(7).jpg.fa666b90422cc7e7156cf87b131bbd39.jpg

I liked it so much I had Sandberg make me a fretted "hardcore aged" VT5 to go with it.  Sold that too....

556590277_imageproxy(1).jpg.4499ffa18fa510c933f9124a70024138.jpg

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That Sandberg looks gorgeous. 

Edited by rushbo
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