Solar: Relik

Kinda expected this to happen; a relic Solar. This is an AB1.6FRB Relik (USD1,699) to be precise. I personally don't fancy this kind of finish on a guitar but this look sells so many manufacturers are offering their respective interpretations of relic instruments. Come to think of it, I did own one, an LTD but simply could not come to terms with what it was.

Pic: Solar

Silver Vaughan

Aw, darn! Someone out there, in the sheer spirit of defiance, relic'd a PRS Silver Sky to mimic SRV's fabled Number One. 

Everything, in my opinion, was done in good taste. This flip side look shows us how serious this was set out to be. 

Saving the best for last - just look at how well the headstock turned out to be! I'm not a relic fan but I must applaud this effort; it's maximum dedication, to say the least. You might demerit this for missing one crucial detail; the bridge should be the lefty version as per SRV's. However, in view of the default routing excluding this consideration, I won't hesitate to give top marks all round.

Pics: TGP

Charvel 2024

I'm not too into Charvel guitars. These instruments are now Fender's slave brand working to entice the  shredders out there. Ever since the 'hockey stick' headstock outline was phased out, I had not been keeping up. As it is, there's no love lost. In any case, this NAMM, Charvel has a relic'd San Dimas for those of us who find cracked, scratched & dented bodies appealing. 

Pic: Charvel

Relic?

 

This happened at the recent Summer NAMM - Phil X showing of his relic'd guitar. Not.

Those relic marks are actually stickers. The people at Inzane Skins will get you going & the above Les Paul examples are just some of the designs available. If you are interested, do note the prices - these are in USD.

Pics: Phil X IG / Inzane Skins

Star relic

Ibanez has these to offer for 2016- the Artstar Vintage models.

We know it's nothing fresh in terms of ideas & we note that Ibanez did not offer relic/ vintage selections in its other models. In my opinion- not a good move. The Ibanez brand wasn't one to be known for its relic or road worn feel. Wouldn't be surprised if they are discontinued next year because all this relic business reeks of novelty more than value-for-money. What fans want  from Ibanez in the mean time is the re-issue of those glorious '80s models. Bringing back the Talman- now, that's a good move.

EVH: Wolfgang Custom

EVH just released the Wolfgang Custom, seen here without its traditional Floyd Rose whammy bridge. Basically, that's what the guitar is all about, stripped down goodness. That's an ebony fretboard right there.

If that's not enough brown sound for you, here's the relic version.

LTD: New for (Spring) 2011

More new LTDs for Spring; the Viper 256. This is a relic-type instrument, do note. The pickguard there seems to invoke some '60s SG (Gibson) vibe. A 4-knob affair would be more convincing, though.

LTD: ST-203 (Part 2)

Despite being a relic finish, it's ironic how the LTD ST-203's hardware are perfectly flawless & shiny. Even the scratchplate screws are fresh.

It's also noted that the distressed bits are confined to the edges of the body. One more thing- these patches look the works but upon handling, you'd be disappointed they are not bare wood. Yes, there's actually a finish overcoat there. 

The worn bits under the LTD decal are actually of equal measurements- I measured them.

The 'seasoned' neck rear is strictly by virtue of its stained look; it feels brand new.

OK, enough physical scrutiny already. I'm not exposing the manufacturer's commercial pseudo-relic bits here as necessary deception by any means; the purpose of this sharing is the awareness (& acceptance) that, in this price bracket, they are actually controlled tamperings.