http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2687/135/21/503481484/n503481484_2218467

This is my attempt at creating a relic. Its a Squire. What do you think? How can I make it better?

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2687/135/21/503481484/n503481484_2218469

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2687/135/21/503481484/n503481484_2218470_4211053.jpg

The first couple of pics didn't go on right. Here they are again.

Front:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2687/135/21/503481484/n503481484_2218467_7844520.jpg

Back:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2687/135/21/503481484/n503481484_2218468_971719.jpg

Neck:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2687/135/21/503481484/n503481484_2218469_6821697.jpg

Why did you destroy this guitar?

I don't get it.

Cheers

David

_________________
"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

I understand if you don't like it, that's your choice. But I'm not asking for negative answers. I'm asking people who enjoy relics and creating relics to give me their opinion. It wasn't that expensive for me to use this as a project. So, if you are going to keep being negative, please go somewhere else.

it looks a little like chocolate is smudged on it at the moment. the wear marks don't flow or look natural. what is it painted with?

_________________

I stripped it down to the bare wood. Then repainted with paint bought from the guitar ranch. There are about 4 light coats. I don't like the back very much. What would you suggest I do to make it look more natural? I have thought about taking the paint off the back where it looks like (as you said a chocolate smudge) Thank you for being helpful. This is my first time doing this. So, I thank you for any advice you might have. I want it to look natural. I stained part of the bare wood to make it look aged. Maybe I shouldn't have done that? The guitar itself is a good sounding guitar I like the neck, the pups are good. Just wanted a project.

I am not sure exactly how its done i have never done a relic on a guitar . but I think you should start by mapping out the areas that contact your body when playing. remember a little goes a long way also. It should also be easier to relic if the paint is cured really well. it is less likely to "gum" up in the sand paper and it will chip more realistically.

_________________

So,

do you suggest that I strip it and start over? Or could I salvage it from where it is? Could I sand a little then add some more coats and go start the process again?

I don't really know the answer to that one. I am sure someone with experience in this will have more information. have you checked out any YouTube videos?

_________________

No I haven't. I may look into that. Thanks! by the way, that Custom relic looks good! What are the specs?

You asked what we thought, pal......go back and read your original post.

IMO it looks like raw fookin' azz!

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Then stop being crappy and offer some suggestions. Its easy to say that it looks like crap. Offer some things I can do to fix it.

From what I can see, and if I understand your words properly, you stripped the whole guitar of it's colour? Then re-painted parts of it with ranch paint?

If so, it's never going to look anything like.

When you're relicing, it seems to me that you have to try and accelerate natural wear and tear. Not to paint on a fresh canvas. The finish has to be removed artificially only in areas of the guitar that would normally experience high contact friction. Then you might want to inflict the occasional scar or chip on parts of the finish that wouldn't normally wear, to simulate accidents over the years. You should also know your finshes - you will have far more luck ageing a nitro finished guitar than a poly finished instrument. Treated fairly and with a degree of care, a poly finish will pretty much look as good as the day it came out of the factory even 20 years later. All you can realistically do with a poly finish is make it look abused, and that's far from the reliced or aged look you were probably going for. But of course, a nitro finished guitar is going to be too valuable to treat like this anyway, and will already display good wear and tear.

Tarnished hardware is something you should look at - diluted circuit board etching fluid to strip chrome/nickel finishes (careful!), or salt water electrolysis to achieve the same reult. Maybe staining those pickup covers and scratchplate in cold tea as well perhaps..

As for where you go from here.. If you like the guitar as is, then it's game over and our comments here are irrelevant. But if it were mine, and I had to save the guitar, I'd be re-stripping and then re-finishing to try and make it look reasonable again. But, how much wood have you shaved off stripping it? In doing so, how much have you changed the bodywork contours? I'd forget a reliced look, all chances of that went out the door with the original finish.

I'm trying not to be negative, so let's call your guitar a brave experimental first go which has given you invaluable experience for the future..

_________________
Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Thank you for the helpful advice. I used a chemical stripper. I did'nt do any sanding to the guitar wood to get the finish off. Its possible that I might restrip and start over and just paint in a solid color. I really like the relic look to a guitar. So, I may restrip, paint and not do so drastic a relic job.

Thank you again for constructive criticism! It was my first attempt and I used a not so expensive guitar so that if I messed it up (Which I apparantly have to some) I could start over.

I've never done one but I would think if you left the original finish on a hit it with a heat gun then let it harden some so as not to smear then peel it off.My advice to the one your doing would be to repaint it.