I personally can't imagine how it got THAT worn simply from gigging. I've had my Strat for 20-years and it's not nearly as bad. No offense, I'm not calling you out or anything. But if I saw that guitar in a Pawn Shop, I would think it was someone's relic job around the edges and not naturally worn from gigging.

Once again.. Not calling you out. That's just what it looks like to me.

I dunno... I find most of my dings (I'm not going to glorify them as "battle scars") are the result of dull events like the time I stupidly lent my guitar to a chubby rock pig with a chunky belt buckle, or -- who could forget this? -- when I left my guitar leaning up against an amp and it fell over... wow. That was something. I've got no problems with relics, as long as they're well executed.

For anyone who dislikes the idea of them, may I suggest you play one sometime if the opportunity presents itself? You can always go back to hating them afterwards