MM "The Relic" Fiddle Edge

[Michael Messer]

Hi everyone,

We have been experimenting with the concept of doing some relic style Fiddle Edge guitars and this is the first one.

While I realise it can be improved, this is number one and I would be interested to hear what you think about the concept.













Shine On
Michael

Attachments:

[bonzo]

😢😢😢😢 have to say I do like a shiny reso Michael! Having sed that I know relic guitars are popular and this one looks pretty good. Just make sure you save a shiny one for me please 🙏.

[Pickers Ditch]

I like it and in view of the fact that people are buying Mules and 'aged' NRPs there is certainly a market for them.

Just waiting for the sand blasting option, me.

[lonelyjelly]

Hey Michael, I kinda echo the above. Although I'm not a fan of anything relic'd, be it a guitar or a pair of jeans, there certainly is a market for it and the one pictured looks cool enough and well done 🙂

Best,
Lew

[pete1951]

One ‘relic’ feature that has been forgotten is the frets. They look like new, some work with a file could have them looking as if they were as old as the the rest of the guitar and needing a refret. It’s these little details that give a guitar a proper ‘aged’ look.

I would be happy to take delivery of a few guitars,play them for a few years and return them in a worn condition. Wouldn’t charge much .
Pete

[Michael Messer]

Pete, While I wouldn't question that we can get better at doing this, I can tell you that we did not forget to do the frets. If you look at the people that are really good at this type of work, the Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relics for example, they do a serious major job on the guitar and even age the neck between the frets, but they do not file the frets down to feel or look old. The whole relic guitars thing is a cosmetic customisation, it is not to make a new guitar play badly.

Shine On
Michael

[lonelyjelly]

I should say if the playability requires testing then I'm happy to help 😉

[chrisburnuk]

I think it looks great, I tend to really like relic’d guitars, but prefer a a lighter touch / closet classic approach. A bit if wear on the neck & a rubbed finish I think would look great on the MM Fiddle Edge. Also looking forward to seeing the sandblasted versions.

Maybe the Relic’s could be a good way of using any parts that didn’t quite make the grade…?

[Michael Messer]

I am really just exploring the idea and appreciate all comments, whether positive or negative.

While I said this is the first, there are actually a couple more that have been done with a lighter touch. This is the only one I have here this evening and while it does look quite road worn, as with all of these Fiddle Edge MMs, it plays really well and sounds wonderful.

Keep 'em coming!

Shine On
Michael

[tomgiemza]

I don't like the neck, in some places too much, in other places still looks shiny, but the body looks nice.

I have a mixed feelings about relics. You can call it an art or you can call it a fake... some relics really looks like a work of art, but since relic became fashionable, I can feel some absurd in a tons of heavy worn guitars everywhere. Even some rather cheap guitars brands are offering "factory relic".

But in case of resonators, I totally understand that somebody would like the classic finish but without a mirror shine. And Mr. Messer, you did it quite tastefully If I would hit the jackpot I would get one!
If I could choose any finish for a custom-made resonator I would probably go with raw, unplated steel or brass.

[Michael Messer]

All comments are very much of interest and are helpful.

I am not doing this research to share my own taste in guitars, but to find out about whether or not I should produce a limited number of these relic-style instruments. I have a similar thread going on Facebook and just as on here, a mixture of opinions, but the majority are positive.

Shine On
Michael

[SoloBill]

Hi Michael,
I don't like relic'ed guitars and would not buy one but it seems other people do like them.
I would be embarrassed if someone asked me if it was a 1930s guitar - no it is new, I just don't look after it very well!

If it allows you to make more of a profit and sell more guitars then it is a good idea.
Fender seem to charge a fortune for their relic guitars.
The example you have posted looks good (just not as good as one in good condition).

I'm not sure this thread is going to help you much unless some people place an order for one.

Bill

[Michael Messer]

Hi Bill and everyone else that has posted,

This thread is very helpful indeed because while I am not into relic or aged guitars, I am aware that a lot of people do like them and that the Fiddle Edge lends itself perfectly to that treatment. I am only interested in doing anything as well as I possibly can and so is my luthier, Dave King. So running a limited edition of relics in this limited edition of MM Fiddle Edge guitars, is something I am happy to add to the range and to see how it goes. It does take extra time to do and it has to be done with a sympathetic attitude, but I think it is something worth exploring. I can also see that with what other companies are doing with resonator guitars, that there is a place in today's market for this type of thing.

Shine On
Michael

[mckinleybe1]

I think that one looks great. I think there are enough people that like different finishes. Some like the shiny nickel plated look, some like relic, some like painted. Strong work on this one. I like it a lot.

[sbrennan970]

I'm a fan of the relic'd look on this one, it's a nice tribute to the heritage of original Nationals. I think the main thing is that with the good relic'd guitars (Fender Customs) I've played, the appearance is nice, but the playability has always been second to none and generally the highlight for me on the Custom shops are the necks, which feel worn in and well played. If this effect of 'worn in-ness' can be repeated for the Fiddle Edge then I would be a huge fan.

By comparison, I played a few different brands recently while over in London and found that I didn't connect with many of the super modern style guitars (Suhr and some very expensive Ibanez), they felt a little too clinical and not very "welcoming" (not sure if this paints the right picture, but this is the term that comes to mind).


The other side advantage of the relic is that I would feel much more comfortable bringing this to a rowdy pub gig that a "new" Fiddle Edge. Guitars get hit with all sorts of unexpected debris at gigs - on our last festival my strat was hit with beer, water, gin and a loose dreadlock (gross) - it's nice to know that a small dink in the finish is going to contribute to the look rather than detract from it!