Well for those that read last weeks blog and know where this one is going based on the title then you all know that this is another controversial topic in the guitar world. But for those that do not know, let me give a little background. To start off by defining, aging a guitar is the process of tarnishing the finish, wearing down the lacquer, scraping the back of a neck, nicking the lacquer, making the new look old, and speeding up the tests of time. This is also called relic-ing which is not necessarily a real word but represent the word “relic” and it fits well with the marketing. What does this have to do with marketing? Well, these aged or relic-ed guitars tend to cost more than their shiny equivalents. Actually, it is substantially more, you can expect to pay over a thousand dollars more in some cases. This is where the controversy lies.
Why even consider this option? Valid question, unfortunately, there is no real answer because it does not mean the guitar will perform better. It is merely an aesthetic choice, but art is in the eye of the beholder. Obviously there is some traction with this trend because it has been around for the big brands for a while. Gibson calls their reissued custom Les Pauls “VOS” (Vintage Original Specifications) which really means a guitar built based on the 1950’s version that is also aged to look like it was from that era; despite it being built recently. Likewise, Fender and several other brands do a similar tactic. There are many collectors with deep pockets that get the real vintage guitars that cost over a hundred thousand dollars, then there are collectors or enthusiasts that want a similar guitar but want to actually play it. Aged guitars fit those enthusiasts; however, it should be noted that the aged guitars still come at a hefty cost. They can easily cost over five grand and can go over ten grand. They are meant to satisfy the scarce quantity of the “real deals” that have been idolized for decades. To throw a bonus point for why to get an aged guitar, some say that the “broken-in feel” makes the guitar play better and feel more unique.
I would like to add that the process of aging a guitar is a very intricate one and can be perceived as artful. They do not just take to a guitar to a back alley and rough it up. There are special tactics that make sure it looks old but well-kept, or the aging is meant to replicate a real vintage guitar that has been rocked out by legends. For example, Eric Clapton has a signature Les Paul that has been reissued by Gibson and is aged to look exactly like the one he played in his hay-day.
Let me know what guys think about this! I try to give the viewers a decent baseline on topics so that we all can engage. If you know more about this share it in the comments below, or if you have any questions then comment those too! Check out my other blogs by clicking the “BLOGS” button below!
-ZAC
Drop Z Tuning 