I'm thinking of doing a very light relic job on my Squier Strat. I play it a lot and I'm a little disappointed that it'll never show because of the Poly finish. So I was thinking of adding a little bit of arm wear and a few dings here and there. Maybe a little bit of rust on the hardware. More of the "player's axe" look than the "dragged down a gravel road chained to the back of a pickup" look.

I like the color, and I don't want to refinish it. Which means I'd have to work with the Poly finish. Have any of you attempted to relic a guitar that wasn't Nitro? Or do you know of any good websites that have more information?

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http://www.relicdeluxe.com/default.asp is a pretty good site. They go through how to relic a poly body. Their finishes tend to look a little more natural. I have not tried it myself though.

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2005 Fender American Stratocaster W/Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in neck.
1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head W/Ampeg 4x12 Cab
Laney Pro-Linebacker PL65R

POly's tough, where as nitro gradually wears beautifully away, poly tends to chip. Keep us posted if you find any techniques. I tried it on an MIM tele that was poly and it just chipped away. It looks cool but that was my only attempt.

Sorry, folks. I do not wish to stir controversy into the mix, but on this relic thing: Personally, I am probably a little too anal about my gear, but I can not imagine bludgeoning my axe or amp to make it look "worn". I have one sort of sarcastic question to ask. If you folks who are into artificially relicing your instruments were to go out and buy a new car or motorcycle, would you run it into a tree or fencepost to relic it as well?
Once again, I apologize for not understanding the method to your madness, but......

Be sure to take it easy with that propane torch

Ah, but nobody much likes a decrepit motor vehicle -- at least, not enough to pay extra for one -- whereas quite a few people like beaten-up guitars. Enough to pay extra for one. And if everyone's paying more for something, it becomes desirable... and then people start making their own.

twosbrs I am with you all the way on this but Mondo is on point with what he said. I dont even argue about it anymore because to many people are into it. I mean when you have guys paying 5 grand for a custom shop relic what can you say I rather have mine a closet classic.You know I just thought of something and will make a post.

Yeah, kinda like this one
http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargallery ... l/sR46926/

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The time has gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say.

+1 I don't get this relic thing either. To purposely damage my guitar or amp to make it look like something it isn't, is just a lie. It makes about as much sense as paying a premium price for jeans that look worn and tattered. Sorry but it makes no sense to me at all. JMHO

It's pretty simple. Everyone knows that guitars sound better with age and use which makes old instruments more desirable. Thus, old looking guitars are associated with better tone and playability.

No automobile on the face of the earth has gotten better with use. So.. Old looking cars have a negative association in our minds.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

I'll take a nice, shiny new looking Strat over one that looks like it got dragged down the street and then thrown in the mud for good measure any day. I don't get the whole relic thing either. I know I never will. Notwithstanding, "To each, his (or her) own."

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You dig?

Thing is, it wouldn't be a fake thing since it's not a new guitar. It was made when I was eight, and I've been playing it since I was eleven. If my guitar was Nitro it would probably have some light relicing by now, because I play it to death. It's sort of disappointing that for all that time and all that sweat all I've got to show for it is a couple of small dings that were there before I even got it.
So that's my reason for wanting it relic'd. I don't want to turn it into a relic debate thread. I like them, my Dad (who plays bass) hates them. He treats his basses like they're made of blown glass. If you want to do that, cool.

I don't know, I might just get another Squier just like it and refinish it with nitro. I could use it as a backup and do the whole relic thing to it.

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I knew before reading the first post where this was going...

The dude was simply asking for some advice on how to relic, not for everyones opinion - this is another topic that everytime it comes up, it becomes a big debate - some like it, some dont - I think old beat up guitars look cool - I also think brand new shiny guitars look cool- To each his own!

Oh yea, I heard something about Fender prices going up?

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

Really? Since when?

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Good idea. I think that just inspired me to refinish the strat I'll be getting within a few weeks with nitro asap. I'd quite like it to wear down over years of heavy use as I plan on using it for a long long time. However, I don't have any of the tools or skills needed to actually do the refinishing myself. Do you think guitar shops like Long and Mcquade or any other guitar shop for that matter would offer those types of services. If so, how much would it cost roughly.