 
Inspired by that all-American aesthetic of WWII bomber nose art and post-war glamour models, wanted to reunite them with their historical counterpart: rock and roll music.
Pinup models have been associated with electric guitars at least since the 1950s when Leo Fender's Telecaster® Guitar calendars sported beautiful, scantily clad dames illustrated by renowned pin-up artist Gil Elvgren. And cheesecake pictures of voluptuous models in flirty lingerie have always had a home in mechanics' garages and racetrack pits. Think Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, or Bettie Page. Blonde bombshells, racey redheads, and bodacious brunettes with long legs, garters, and high heels! Now combine that with James Dean's low-slung 550 Spyder roadster or Dick Dale's legendary surf guitar music shimmering across the sand and waves of Southern California. Now you're starting to feel that vintage vibe and mojo that Relic Deluxe is all about!
Let the people relic
Having reliced many of my guitars and friends' guitars I decided to make it into a side business. Soon after that I decided no to do so afterall. :-) The good news is that I'm sharing the techniques and materials I've developed! In this site you will find detailed descriptions and photos showing what works and what doesn't. Be aware that prematurely causing an instrument to look 40 or 50 years old comes with risks to your guitar and even to yourself. I've ruined more than my share of guitar parts through trial and error. As they say in Las Vegas, don't gamble more than you can afford to lose!
This site is mostly geared toward the againg of Fender guitars, but you can apply these steps to any guitar. For instance, check out the Gibson Custom Shop '57 Goldtop Les Paul and SG on the Gallery page.
Where did the relic idea come from?
Because of their tone, character and historical value, original vintage guitars from the 50s and 60s sell for as much as $30,000 or even more. About 10 years ago Fender Musical Instruments™ (not owned by Leo Fender since 1965) launched a line of Custom Shop® guitars made to vintage specs and even artificially aged to recapture the company's historical past. Available guitars include Stratocaster® and Telecaster electric guitars made to the specifications of 50s and 60s instruments. NOS (New Old Stock) models are not aged at all, as if you went back in time and bought the guitar. Closet Classic models are lightly aged as though they were purchased 40 years ago and stored in a closet most of that time. Relic models are more heavily antiqued as though they have been played at gigs and "loved on" for many years. Many musicians feel that these instruments sound better not only due to their Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish, but also because the finish is thinner, allowing the wood to resonate more.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
| Note: By reading this site and using any of the techniques or materials shown, you agree that you do so at your own risk and at the risk of your instrument. Using aging techniques and materials in a manner not consistent with their designed purpose in order to make a guitar look prematurely antiqued is a volatile and unpredictable process. You or a loved one could get hurt, maimed, or killed, and you might be disappointed or even horrified with the results. Your guitar or some part of it could get damaged or ruined beyond repair. You agree to hold me, my friends, family, co-workers, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, acquaintences, distant relatives, alter-egos, descendants, ancestors, and anyone I've ever known or will know, completely harmless and not liable for anything, anywhere at anytime, without exception. |
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