A number of years ago, back in
the late '90s, I ran across what appeared to be a used Strat in a guitar shop. It was one of those guitars that, when you pick it up, just feels alive in your hands, like it could almost play itself.
The price tag said over 1000 dollars, but it also said '57 Strat. Even way back then, a '57 Strat went for a LOT more than a grand, even beat up as this one was. I asked
the salesman about it, and he got real excited and explained to me all about something called a "Relic". It seems that they took a brand new '57 reissue Strat, sprayed salt water on all
the metal parts, dragged it behind a car, and committed other atrocities upon it to make it appear old, then sold it as a "Relic". I said to him, "So I'm paying several hundred dollars extra for
the privelege of buying a guitar that someone else has beaten up before I even get ahold of it?" "That's right."
I didn't get it then, and I still don't get it. I would rather put
the wear and tear on her myself. I have a Strat that I built up to suit myself, then beat up in
the time honered tradition (didn't drag it behind any cars). I, unfortunately, didn't document
the building process (it occured before digital cameras were widespread), but I do have current pictures.
- 001.JPG (186.89 KiB) Viewed 15086 times
This is
the beast. A body from a mid '70s Strat, neck from an '83 Strat Elite, all neck mounting screw holes filled and redrilled for four screws (mid '70s had a three screw neck which I don't like), body painted with red automotive paint, aftermarket brass pickguard (which almost fit), neck and middle pickups, and controls from
the '70s strat, bridge pickup an aftermarket stacked humbucker, possibly for a Tele, body routed for a Schecter floating trem (which I subsequently disabled with an extra spring). When first completed (in about '89) she was quite shiny.
Then I set about creating a "Relic". I took a long view of
the project,
the grimy, worn out fingerboard took almost twenty years to get right. I still haven't gotten
the proper wear pattern where a players forearm hits
the body, but I am working on it.
- 002.JPG (159.34 KiB) Viewed 15086 times
On to
the back... I never put a cover plate over
the springs (don't know why, I have it).
The paint wear pattern was accomplished by rubbing my belt buckle over it for a number of years. You can see why I painted her red too, I never liked pink.
The back of
the neck was sanded down before I got it. Whoever did it got a little too enthusiastic and exposed
the brace for
the double action truss rod. Still works.
- 003.JPG (189.96 KiB) Viewed 15086 times
Other scuffs and scars were accomplished by variously standing on her, dropping her, and on one occasion, fending off a beer bottle hurled at
the stage by an irate, unsatisfied country fan.
This is, of course, meant to be tongue in cheek, and by no means a condemnation of "Relics" and those who love them. For my part, every scar and scuff on
the Frankenstrat has a story to tell and a memory attatched. I'm glad that I was
the one to put them there. She has given me many years of great music, seen me through many smokey bars, and I will never part with her.
) another guy in 
)
