Tips to relic my strat

[100watt marshalls]

I got an 80's Jap squire that is naturally well reliced but in an ugly way. e.g I dropped it on concrete has chunks of paint missing but it doesn't look like paint missing due to years of hard playing. Any tips to relic it I want to sand the missing paint to look like it's been worn away. The wood is a light basswood that looks ugly how do I darken it to look more like Alder or something. I also want to relic the head stock so the squier name only shows the last two letter "er" so it looks like a fender.

By the way I would love to ralic the guitar naturally but I have two many other cool guitars this one doesn't get played very often.

[Electron]

Here's a tip: don't do it -- lol

[Doug H]

If you do all that it will still look fake. I'm not impressed with the Fender relic series, either, because all the gouges & wear look intentionally inflicted and/or the wear isn't realistic. The dead giveaway, though, are the perfectly crowned new frets. NO HEAVILY PLAYED GUITAR HAS PERFECT FRETS.

[butnut]

This guy did a nice job on his relic. Some good tips too.
http://www.flash.net/~guitars/Stewsdaphne.html
I posted my relic'd Tele here on the Tele page (Tele-Gib)
My Webshot albums have more hints you could try. Good luck.

[Bob Craver]

Don't rush. Just play it. The sharp edges of the damage will wear smooth and look more natural. I'm sure other dings will come along and help. I haven't seen a Custom Shop relic that looks real yet. Next time you get a chance put an actual worn guitar next to a Relic and you'll see what I mean. The Custom Shop people can't predict idiots like me accidentally banging their Teles into the edges of their coffee tables after changing strings ;)

[100watt marshalls]

Thanks for the replys guys. I would love to relic it naturally but like I said it's the worst electric I own so it doesn't get played to often. Maybe I should post you a pic so you can see what I mean. It is well reliced except for it's newest dent which is massive and is jaggered due to the thick finish. Thanks for the link butnut should be helpful.

[Cogs]

If you're bent on relicking this guitar the best advice I can offer you is to strip off the poly finish with Jasco paint & epoxy remover or Aircraft brand remover (be prepared for a long procedure). Then get some nitro or acrylic lacquer (in spray cans, no less!) & start from scratch. If you don't start there it won't matter what you do to your Squier; it's going to look awful because of the poly. It will NEVER LOOK LIKE A RELIC.

[100watt marshalls]

Thanks 71818, I never thought of that I guess the guitar isn't worth the effort any tips on realistic wear on a large ding thats already occured.

[Ogre]

Play it , leave it out , abuse it! If you don't love it, don't waste your time. My father said that to me concerning girls!(Not the abuse part) Point is, find something/someone worthwhile, and get on with it!

[sunburst]

Play it. Don't beat it up just so it looks old and played.

Just play it.

just my :2c