Still Kickin Blog

full setup of fender jag-stang guitar. turn truss rod, set action, set intonation.

23096

Based on the original 1981 Hamer Prototype, the Phantom A5 came out a couple years later and you don't see too many floating around today. They've got a triple-bucker pickup in the bridge. Andy Summers of all people used this shredder styled axe, as did Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest. Originally they had a paddle shaped, three on a side headstock, then later went to a pointed six on a side design. Looks like this:

These can fetch some bucks on the used market now. Seeing prices from $2k to $2500 on Reverb right now.

A second incarnation...

You may have heard whispers about how Fender Custom Shop relics are being produced. If not, it's a disturbing rumor that seems to be gaining credence. Reports have surfaced in some chat rooms where members have compared their "Custom Shop" relics that cost upwards of $4000 only to find they have identical wear marks, meaning in essence, these buyers paid premium prices for relic guitars that were supposedly custom made, but may have actually been made on a production line with a cookie cutter appearance. If true, this would most likely mean they were made with the aid of stencils that allow any line worker to...

So you like the idea of a guitar that looks like it's been around the block and you're looking at relic guitars. Here's something to keep in mind. If you can afford that Fender Custom Shop relic for four grand, yea awesome, it's gonna look great. BUT...you're still getting a NEW guitar. That's right. It may look 20 or 30 years old, but those are new woods on that beauty. Same with those relic shops you'll find that put together "Strats" and "Teles" that they make from Fender licensed parts.

I don't pretend to understand the physics involved,...

To Relic or Not to Relic?...

Sometimes it's a damn hard question

Usually when I'm looking around on the web, the topic of relic guitars turns up info on techniques some people use to relic guitars. Lots of videos, etc, and that's cool. But what about the question that comes before one even starts a relic job: Should I relic this guitar? Should I intentionally do damage to this beauty?

Case in point:

The sweet baby above is a Les Paul 60s Tribute I had planned to relic. But once I got it out of...