Hello,

I recently bought a guitar that had been stripped to the wood, and redone in sunburst then a nitro finish.

It has supposedly reliced naturally over about 6 years or so, but up close, it looks a lot more 'uneven' than I expected it would look if done naturally. I guess it's hard to see on photos of guitars such as SRV1. The wood looks a little uneven - though I guess it definitely hasn't been sanded.

Does this pick wear look right to you guys for a 'natural' relic?



Also, I can't believe how soft nitro is??
Thank you.

No, that is not 'natural' wear. One can clearly see a vertical pick scraped pattern (premising that is real) as it nears the uppermost pickguard screw, beyond that horizontally screwdrivered (or whatever he used) mess where it parallels the pickguard. FWIW, if it were 'natural', the pickguard would be worn down to a degree too. Yet, if you're into the abused look, you have an advantage as all 'real' factory relics are distressed in all the same places where yours will surely be different. And yes, nitro is very soft.

You're welcome.

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You dig?

So, what you're saying is the top 10-15mm or so is natural, and the rest looks done with a screwdriver? I mean it has worn a little since I got it, but it's just the deep scratches in the wood I wasn't sure were real or not.

definately not natural wear or a factory relic. someone butchered that guitar. That's the only explanation for the deep scratches.

By the way you fotographed the guitar, the scratches should be more like horizontal but they're vertical on the picture.
Nobody strikes parallel to the pickguard.
This is definitely no natural wear. It's artificial!
2nd: show me that pick which makes such deep scratches, looks more like been done with some sharp edged tool.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

I'm not even sure the top 10-15mm or so is natural. I was giving the benefit of the doubt on those. Rather, those could simply be more deceptive than the blatantly obvious hack job below. At the risk of sounding like a braggart, I've been teching for close to 50 years now and NEVER in all those years have I seen perfect 90 or 180 degree pick scrapings on a Strat, especially the depth of the 180 degree ones evident on your Strat. Frankly, my gut tells me ALL those supposed pick scrapings are bogus.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

looks like someone just took a blade or screw driver and scratched it you can see it by that deep scratch on the left of the "relic" area