My newest project.. Make a Relic Strat (56K BEWARE) High Res Pics Inside

[Ibanezcollector]

Ok here it is, shes done... My first relic job I ever did, I learned a heapful on this project and I am going to do another one with LESS WEAR lol..

Hope ya guys like the pics. I tried my best to capture the subtle details lost in my previous pictures. You will see wear on everything but the frets. Nothing went unturned.

Some subtle details I researched and tryed to mimic:
Knobs, Switch tip, and Pickup Covers, not just cream or mint but really worn
Bridge actually has dirt and grime in spots it would normally be
Rust marks around the screws and switch on pickguard
Knobs slightly worn over
Pickguard worn more around the strings then under them
Neck worn but is 100% smooth and unaltered from its original feel
etc etc..

Thanks for any comments or critisism, I have around $90 invested in this project and its by far the coolest thing I have done. Was alot of fun, and gets great responses from everyone when I take it out. Fooled about 9 people who thought it was the "Blackie" strat when I took it to GC to show the salesman who were interested in the project.


Brett

[guitaral]

WOW. give me a tutorial or a site that shows you how to do this! i'm gonna buy a cheap guitar and try this out!

[pfslik]

awesome pics man..love the cig burns on the headstock! Even though I couldnt do any better, the only thing I noticed is the wear above the pick gaurd looks almost on purpose, or like, machined...you know what I mean? Of course thats just my opinion. Other than that, it all looks authentic and vintage, very nice work.

[Pawel]

Awesome job!

I agree about the unnatural look above the pickguard though... Other than that it's great!

[stratomatic]

If you were Fender you could sell that for tens of thousands!
I really like the how the vintage pickgaurd, knobs, switch and electronics look. Nice work. Do you like the way it plays?

[jempc]

Awsome job... I like everything about it...

Any before and after pictures, or how too???

[Naifuzan]

You're spending money making your guitar look old and worn? I just don't get this whole relic thing

[Ibanezcollector]

as for how to's its alot of trial and errors.

I will give some hints...

Plastic parts: get a 1 liter pepsi bottle with the wide throat so ya can put stuff in it.. Add enough coffee grounds to make about 8 pots of coffee, add hot water, shake periodically and let it sit for about 6hrs shaking here and there.. When thats done then you use my special mixture see below

Hardware: Nickel parts like screws etc just soak in bleach for about 30 mins. Chrome hardware you have to make a saltwater brine and let them sit in it for a couple days

Body: use fire, keys, anything its up to you.. I would have done the pickguard wearing a bit different but whats done is done. First thing I did is take the body completely apart and then I chucked it down the drive way for some bumps and scratches. I also used my key chain and whacked it a few times in certain spots.. Other things used on the body: Screw drivers, wrench, pliers, etc... Also to take down the gloss on the body in worn spots I used 0000 gauge steel wool.. Make sure you get 0000 gauge it wont leave scratches otherwise it will just look scratched to hell.

Neck is a huge combination of sanding down the back of the neck and applying various stains from ebonys, ambers, naturals etc.

*special mixture: I use golden oak stain combined with dust from my vacuum cleaner bag.. This was used in several areas and spots. From the knobs and single coil covers, to underneath the saddles on the bridge. I also use this mixture for the pickguard by putting it on, rubbing it off, putting more on rubbing it off, until I got the look I desired. Dont put a ton of dust in it unless you want a ton of dust LOL..

I used alot more stuff but thats some basic elements.. Alot is trial and error. You really got to just try different things and see what works..

[bluesgeek]

Sweet looking relic, I have another pickguard to try on mine - I used kiwi brown shoe polish first time and it doesn't look anywhere as nice as yours Did you get crazing on the finish? I used some freeze spray and got great results - though mine isn't a poly finish... heres a couple of pics of the checking on my 54 relic.