G&L Custom Shop Legacy in heavy aged nitrocellulose lacquer

[Craig]

From a post on G&L's facebook page [7/31/2024]:

G&L Custom Shop Legacy in heavy aged nitrocellulose lacquer blonde over swamp ash, traditional volume/tone/tone controls,
gold hardware, heavy aged nitrocellulose lacquer quartersawn maple U-profile neck with CLF headstock.
Built for Rockland Music Center in Nanuet, New York.

[LarryNJ]

OK, of course that guitar is great BUT-

Here's what's important; I NEED to know:

Scrolling down to the picture of the different instruments in the "natural" finishes-

WHAT is the Bass Guitar at the very bottom, the old-style tele-bass with the large pick-up??

That is awesome. Is it a G&L?? An older Fender??



Thanks in advance.

[Tooslowhand]

I don't get it... Hope it plays better than it looks.

[DanDoulogos]

TooSlow - I am with you on that one. SRV's main Strat looked beat up because he had it for decades and occasionally played it like this:

(see especially the last third of the video)


I am not a fan of a relic job that doesn't look like someone actually wore it out playing it. This doesn't look relic'd - it looks defaced rather than worn and torn.

I have a relic'd MJT esquire that looks very well played (and plays very well). I likes me a good relic - but this one doesn't tickle my fancy at all.

[Tooslowhand]

I guess I could take my really nice blonde S-500 tie it to my bumper and drive around for a bit. I understand that old instruments that pros have toured with for years have that very special "played" look. A few weeks ago I saw Keith Richards with his really awesome '50s Telecasters. He and they have been through a lot. This kind of stuff just seems like a poser to me; IMO.

[LarryNJ]

Enough "Relic-Bashing"

Who cares what anyone else wants to play???

If you think relic'd instruments are are for posers- Simple-Don't play one, or relic it yourself by playing mucho smoke-filled clubs. I have.

Now- What about that Bass???

Craig???

[Challenger]

Not my style and doesn't look like natural wear to me at all. It looks like somebody took a sander to the arm cut on the front.

[DanDoulogos]

I don't think anyone is relic bashing. Nevertheless sometimes even the most honest effort just doesn't look authentic.

[LarryNJ]

The ****er Custom Shop, a well-known (maybe) German builder among others I'm sure have been making relic'd instruments with great success for years, so there is obviously a demand for them- At higher prices than the "normal" un-relic'd instruments. Therefore, G&L does the same. It's quite a process to "age" an instrument, the hardware as well as finish etc.

The ones I've seen and played have looked as real as it gets to me, providing the job is done well. Come to think of it, I had a heavy/ medium-aged early P-Bass by N****, ('57 ?, I forget) and it played terrific. Every time I gigged it, my fellow bandmates were in awe, and thought it was the real deal and must be worth $$$$$.

Not my style- I like and keep my axes pristine, But- the guy who ordered that Legacy wants that vibe, and I'm sure the G&L CS will make it to his liking, and I know it will look totally kewl.

If one thinks he is a "poser" then so be it. As long as he gets pleasure (and I'm sure he will) it's all good.
End of sermon.

Now then:

WHAT IS THAT BASS???!!!

[Craig]

Enough "Relic-Bashing"

Who cares what anyone else wants to play???

If you think relic'd instruments are are for posers- Simple-Don't play one, or relic it yourself by playing mucho smoke-filled clubs. I have.

Now- What about that Bass???

Craig???

Is that the photo you were referring to?

[DanDoulogos]

This may be of interest to you Larry

https://www.fender.com/articles/behind- ... ss-history

Fender still sells basses based off this prototype see:

https://reverb.com/ca/p/fender-vintera- ... StEALw_wcB

[LarryNJ]

AWESOME!

Wow, Muchos Gracia, Great stuff!

I need another bass like I need to exceed my Credit Limit, but...Dayum

I would love one of those-Relic'd or not!

[LarryNJ]

The F****R models are tight, new & old.

A G&L CS Custom shop ASAT- built to those specs in that finish. Would be a dream come true.

Hey WAIT!!!
I HAVE a Tele Bass in my "arsenal"!

Check this bad boy out-



This is from a Japanese master builder, Norifumi Fukuhara who's company is called "TRUTH". He mainly builds $5,0000 Ukeleles (!) which certain artists play & sound like a Harp! Really cool.

This has a SC & an MM style pups, the hottest I've ever heard, up there with MFD's for sure.
Beautiful build quality, amazing bass.

Yet... A G&L ASAT built to those F****R specs:

PLEASE! Someone stop me!

[DanDoulogos]

I like to believe that it is quite natural to always need just one more awesome guitar.

[LarryNJ]

If finances allowed, I would be placing the specs with a G&L Dealer as we speak!

[Expert_Fretwork]

TooSlow - I am with you on that one. SRV's main Strat looked beat up because he had it for decades and occasionally played it like this:

(see especially the last third of the video)


I am not a fan of a relic job that doesn't look like someone actually wore it out playing it. This doesn't look relic'd - it looks defaced rather than worn and torn.

I have a relic'd MJT esquire that looks very well played (and plays very well). I likes me a good relic - but this one doesn't tickle my fancy at all.

For the record, the reference images of this particular build were from a real 1958 Mary Kaye Strat. I copied the wear almost identically. So to each their own.
That particular guitar played pretty damn good, if I don't say so myself. It sold immediately after I finished it, and the new owner loves it so much he's told us he plans to sell two Fender CS instruments to order a matching ASAT.

[Tooslowhand]

I'm not bashing Relic'ed guitars... The factory already did that as part of the manufacturing process.

[Expert_Fretwork]

Also, for what it's worth, the heavy age stuff isn't really my particular cup of tea in terms of guitars I'd own. But they do sell, and some people prefer them over clean guitars, so I'll continue to build them for those that want them.

[Expert_Fretwork]

Not my style and doesn't look like natural wear to me at all. It looks like somebody took a sander to the arm cut on the front.

It was done with some light razor blade scraping (the same methods everyone else uses to age wear spots), as well as aggressive buffing to simulate years of repeated forearm rubs in the area. No one that actually ages guitars uses sandpaper to do it, because it will leave aggressive sanding scratches in the wood that would be visible.

After the raw wood is exposed, we darken it with oils, dirt, and white vinegar that has had steel wool soaking in it for a while to simulate sweat and oils from the skin of the player.

[LarryNJ]

I'm going to state but (1) example of the value of a relic'd instrument (for those that like them of course)...
There ARE other examples of course.

I was playng a relic'd bass, a real nice one FWIW, on a smaller cramped stage.

I made a slight turn and hit the headstock on the ride cymbal.

Immediately, by default, I cursed the "damage" that would be present on my instrument ...

BUT WAIT .....

How could one even detect that it was there??

Just 'sayin.

[Tooslowhand]

You absolutely should continue to build them as there are people who want to purchase them and selling stuff is good business. I sometimes wear ripped jeans, but I wouldn't buy then that way. Personally, I don't like relic'd guitars, but I also don't consider myself the be the arbiter of taste.

[DanDoulogos]

For the record, the reference images of this particular build were from a real 1958 Mary Kaye Strat. I copied the wear almost identically. So to each their own.
That particular guitar played pretty damn good, if I don't say so myself. It sold immediately after I finished it, and the new owner loves it so much he's told us he plans to sell two Fender CS instruments to order a matching ASAT.

Just so we understand one another, I am not suggesting that this relic was poorly done. Moreso now that I understand it to be a replica of an existing guitar.

My opinion (which hasn't changed) was entirely aimed at the aesthetic, not the quality of the workmanship. I hope that is understood.