G&L Custom Shop ASAT Special Semi-Hollow medium aged in nitrocellulose lacquer Daphne Blue over mahogany...

[Craig]

From a post on G&L Custom Shop's facebook page [7/29/2025]:

G&L Custom Shop ASAT Special Semi-Hollow medium aged in nitrocellulose lacquer Daphne Blue over mahogany, F-hole delete,
3-ply mint guard, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, full matching finish, cream face dots.
Built for Sweetwater.

[glvourot]

That is a very nice , believable relic job. Excellent work.

[SUaPYG]

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that people actually buy these 'reliced' instruments. Why?

[mutts]

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that people actually buy these 'reliced' instruments. Why?

My impression is many people buy them just for the aged look. I also hear some people say they like the "broke in" feel.
I've seen some lightly aged guitars that I liked and would buy. Mostly they look over done to my eyes.
I looked at a Heritage relic locally that turned out to be just too aged for my taste.

I actually like this one although it's probably not something I would buy.
It is funny though- paying a premium for something that looks beat up?!

[john o]

I like ASAT specials and I think this one is tastefully done, with regard to the "Relic."
I'm usually not looking for that effect if considering a purchase, and I don't buy blue jeans with holes in the knees, either.
I purchased a Nash T-57 used, a couple years ago. It has a "light relic" which does look cool/aged. He does an impressive job on the neck with regard to aging that makes the instrument seem well played and comfortable. It's also very well made, plays and sounds great (has Lollar pickups).

[Expert_Fretwork]

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that people actually buy these 'reliced' instruments. Why?

Because a lot of people find old guitars that have been road dogs for 30+ years to be really cool to look at, but no one has the patience to actually tour the world for 30 years or more to get their guitar to look like this naturally. So they pay us money to do it for them.

They're a lot of fun to build and play, and you don't have to obsess over not dinging them or scratching them.

It's ok if it isn't your thing, clean guitars are cool too. But some people like them, and they always sell, so we're gonna keep building them.

[LarryNJ]

How about ripped Blue Jeans??


I like them; they look tight! But I want to wear a pair NOW, not wait unitl I rip through the knees myself!

If playing a relic'd axe on stage imparts the vibe of years of road-work to the guy playing it, what's so bad about that?

I've owned (3) relics- A N**H; a Sand****, and a Danelectro (!!).

I liked them all because they played well, looks be damned. My '69P-Bass is pretty "relic'd" but its from the real deal.

Personally, I love the G&L output so much- ESPECIALLY the out-of-this world buids from the G&L CS I would always want the build I ordered to be pristine, and stay that way, especially with the incredible job the finish dept. does.

But to each their own, and the skillz needed to build a good relic job are massive.

That's my .02; I'll leave quietly now...