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Guitar World
Guitar World
Entertainment
Jonathan Horsley

“People think you can just drop it a few times and drag it down the street… but it’s actually a really intensive process”: The art of relic’ing a Fender guitar – and why it’s harder than you think

Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic 1962 Stratocaster made by Master Builder Dale Wilson.

It doesn't take much to set the guitar-playing public off. But if there is one subject in electric guitar that’s guaranteed to ruin Thanksgiving dinner, it is the idea of relic'ing a guitar.

For some, a pre-worn finish is a crime against humanity, up there with not muting your guitar when tuning up. Others think it looks cool.

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