Relic
Service
Old guitars just have a different feel – cracked finish, smoothed edges, and worn knobs & tuners that tell a life story. What if you could fast-forward your guitar to the future for a played-for-decades look – or send it into the past, stripping away its modern features to create a vintage classic?
We offer two basic options: Vintage Classic and Aged Modern.
Old guitars just have a different feel – cracked finish, smoothed edges, and worn knobs & tuners that tell a life story. What if you could fast-forward your guitar to the future for a played-for-decades look – or send it into the past, stripping away its modern features to create a vintage classic?
Relic Classic – back to the 1950s
The only way to get a look that’s truly reminiscent of those vintage guitars is to start with body, neck, and parts that physically match those old designs and finish them with the authentic paints used in that era. We’ll apply the same conditions that turned those guitars into the vintage treasures so many of us love.
Relic Modern – ahead to the 2050s
The “vintage classic” approach is not for every guitar or every owner. Our other option is to accelerate your guitar’s aging, making it look like it will in the 2050’s and ‘60’s. If you like the way your guitar looks but wish it didn’t look so new, this is the approach for you.

Relic Classic : $1000 – $2000
back to the 1950s
- Refinish usually required – we’ll strip the existing paint and refinish using vintage-correct nitrocellulose lacquer that ages like guitars of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
- With correct features and parts, a true vintage look is possible. Depending on your guitar, this may require purchase of historically correct parts.
- Natural finish checking & vintage patina
- Cost usually $1000–2000 including disassembly, stripping of old finish, refinish in lacquer, aging of neck/body and parts, reassembly, and setup.

Relic Modern : $500 – $1000
ahead to the 2050s
- Refinish not required – we’ll age your guitar with whatever finish it came in. Even polyurethane.
- Results will look like your guitar after 20-30 years of regular use.
- Worn patina
- Natural finish checking and vintage appearance sometimes happen but not guaranteed.
- Results will vary widely depending on existing finish, parts, and hardware.
- Cost usually $500–1000 including disassembly, aging of neck/body and parts, reassembly, and setup.
Partial refret on a Martin D-28. First seven frets were pitted, so they needed to be replaced. Old frets out, new frets installed, leveled crowned, polished, and a little final finish work! #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #martinguitar #martinguitars #acousticguitar

Partial refret on a Martin D-28. First seven frets were pitted, so they needed to be replaced. Old frets out, new frets installed, leveled crowned, polished, and a little final finish work! #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #martinguitar #martinguitars #acousticguitar ...
Refinish and recondition on a fretless Fender Precision Bass neck. It had been strung with round wound strings which caused some pretty heavy marring all along the length of fretboard and there was a decent gouge in the fretboard up by the nut. First three photos are before, and the last three are after the refinish. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #fenderprecision #fretless

Refinish and recondition on a fretless Fender Precision Bass neck. It had been strung with round wound strings which caused some pretty heavy marring all along the length of fretboard and there was a decent gouge in the fretboard up by the nut. First three photos are before, and the last three are after the refinish. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #fenderprecision #fretless ...
Aria acoustic fretboard deep clean and recondition, followed up with a full fret dress. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #acousticguitar #ariaguitars

Aria acoustic fretboard deep clean and recondition, followed up with a full fret dress. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #acousticguitar #ariaguitars ...
A few deep clean and buff before and after shots of work done on a really nice Harmony Acoustic. In addition to the finish work it also had its neck leveled, bridge reset, bone saddle, and a full refret. Pretty much a complete resto. Good stuff. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #harmonyguitar #acousticguitar

A few deep clean and buff before and after shots of work done on a really nice Harmony Acoustic. In addition to the finish work it also had its neck leveled, bridge reset, bone saddle, and a full refret. Pretty much a complete resto. Good stuff. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #harmonyguitar #acousticguitar ...
A beautiful day for bridge work! Two bridge reset completed for an Alvarez Classical and Harmony steel string. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians #alvarezguitars #harmonyguitar

A beautiful day for bridge work! Two bridge reset completed for an Alvarez Classical and Harmony steel string. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians #alvarezguitars #harmonyguitar ...
Getting some dual bridge work going today. Bridge resets for a Harmony Acoustic and an Alvarez Classical. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #harmonyguitar #alvarezguitars

Getting some dual bridge work going today. Bridge resets for a Harmony Acoustic and an Alvarez Classical. #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #harmonyguitar #alvarezguitars ...
Partial refret and full fret dress for this cedar top Takamine. #refret #fretwork #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #acousticguitar #takamine

Partial refret and full fret dress for this cedar top Takamine. #refret #fretwork #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusicians #acousticguitar #takamine ...
Basic Setup on a Westone Quantum bass. It`s always a pleasure when I get to interact with musical history by working on unique and beautiful instruments like this! #luthierguitars #guitarrepair #westoneguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #luthier

Basic Setup on a Westone Quantum bass. It`s always a pleasure when I get to interact with musical history by working on unique and beautiful instruments like this! #luthierguitars #guitarrepair #westoneguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #luthier ...
Refret and new bone nut on a super cool 1976 tele whose original frets were too worn down to play anymore. On a maple neck like this the only way to remove frets without any tearout is lots of patience, a good set of surgical scalpels and steam! Meticulous, specialized work, but the outcome was worth well worth it. #luthierguitars #fenderguitars #telecaster #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic

Refret and new bone nut on a super cool 1976 tele whose original frets were too worn down to play anymore. On a maple neck like this the only way to remove frets without any tearout is lots of patience, a good set of surgical scalpels and steam! Meticulous, specialized work, but the outcome was worth well worth it. #luthierguitars #fenderguitars #telecaster #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic ...
A few before and after shots of a repair/resto on a 1974 Gibson Heritage Custom acoustic. Pretty sizable crack and curling along the pickguard from the soundhole all the way to the bridge. I was able to flatten the split area heal the split with some strategic wood splinting and inlay grafting using material harvested from under the pickguard. #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #luthier #gibsonguitars #guitarrepair

A few before and after shots of a repair/resto on a 1974 Gibson Heritage Custom acoustic. Pretty sizable crack and curling along the pickguard from the soundhole all the way to the bridge. I was able to flatten the split area heal the split with some strategic wood splinting and inlay grafting using material harvested from under the pickguard. #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #luthier #gibsonguitars #guitarrepair ...
An ever-evolving pedalboard, and a new Anchor Guitar Works, Bird of Prey guitar in the distance, this iteration has a newly worked aged maple neck. Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickup in the bridge and a P-Rails in the bridge position. All sorts of custom switching and tonal possibilities. It absolutely rips. #tele #seymourduncan #hipshottuners #ctspotentiometers #tesiswitch #evhgear #line6 #eventideh9 #jacksonaudio #origineffects #strymonelcapistan #mxrpedals #tcelectronic #disasterareadesigns #jhspedals #bosspedals #orangeamps #hartkeamps

An ever-evolving pedalboard, and a new Anchor Guitar Works, Bird of Prey guitar in the distance, this iteration has a newly worked aged maple neck. Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickup in the bridge and a P-Rails in the bridge position. All sorts of custom switching and tonal possibilities. It absolutely rips. #tele #seymourduncan #hipshottuners #ctspotentiometers #tesiswitch #evhgear #line6 #eventideh9 #jacksonaudio #origineffects #strymonelcapistan #mxrpedals #tcelectronic #disasterareadesigns #jhspedals #bosspedals #orangeamps #hartkeamps ...
First project of 2024 completed! Basic Setup and Electronics, clean and condition. For scratchy pots, pickup switches and loose connections...all internal electronics are inspected, checked for loose wiring, reflow all solder points, tidy all wiring runs, and clean and condition all pots and contact points. #luthier #luthierguitars #guitarrepair #guitarshop #guitarelectronics #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians

First project of 2024 completed! Basic Setup and Electronics, clean and condition. For scratchy pots, pickup switches and loose connections...all internal electronics are inspected, checked for loose wiring, reflow all solder points, tidy all wiring runs, and clean and condition all pots and contact points. #luthier #luthierguitars #guitarrepair #guitarshop #guitarelectronics #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians ...
Used a little time off to retool the shop to expand services and develop new products coming soon. In addition to luthier services, Anchor Amplification will be offering amp repair and will also be releasing its first amplifier design in Spring 2024. More info on the amp coming soon! #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians #guitaramp #guitarelectronics #guitarrepair

Used a little time off to retool the shop to expand services and develop new products coming soon. In addition to luthier services, Anchor Amplification will be offering amp repair and will also be releasing its first amplifier design in Spring 2024. More info on the amp coming soon! #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians #guitaramp #guitarelectronics #guitarrepair ...
1997 Fender Stratocaster California Series electronic upgrades. New Orange Drop Caps, Treble Bleed Circuit, Vintage Cloth Wire, Copper-lined inner pickguard, and new 5-way Blender Wiring Scheme. Strat Blender Wiring is a unique way to achieve multiple Strat pickup configurations and tones without drilling holes for switches and push pull pots. It uses the second tone control as a Blender Pot. The blend knob will blend the Neck & Bridge pups together in positions 1 or 5, and allows all three pickups to be blended in different ways when in position 2, 3, or 4. When the blend knob is turned to 10 the blend is bypassed and the 5-way switch acts just like a standard circuit. Its a unique Circuit that allows for a wider array of tone combinations. #luthier #luthierguitars #guitarmods #guitarelectronics #fenderguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians

1997 Fender Stratocaster California Series electronic upgrades. New Orange Drop Caps, Treble Bleed Circuit, Vintage Cloth Wire, Copper-lined inner pickguard, and new 5-way Blender Wiring Scheme. Strat Blender Wiring is a unique way to achieve multiple Strat pickup configurations and tones without drilling holes for switches and push pull pots. It uses the second tone control as a Blender Pot. The blend knob will blend the Neck & Bridge pups together in positions 1 or 5, and allows all three pickups to be blended in different ways when in position 2, 3, or 4. When the blend knob is turned to 10 the blend is bypassed and the 5-way switch acts just like a standard circuit. Its a unique Circuit that allows for a wider array of tone combinations. #luthier #luthierguitars #guitarmods #guitarelectronics #fenderguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians ...
Playing the double bass in orchestra is paying off in so many ways for Ash. He`s transitioning to the electric bass very naturally and is talking about wanting to take bass lessons! Excited for his musical discoveries! Love to just see him want to sit down with an instrument and just noodle around by himself. #bassguitar

Playing the double bass in orchestra is paying off in so many ways for Ash. He`s transitioning to the electric bass very naturally and is talking about wanting to take bass lessons! Excited for his musical discoveries! Love to just see him want to sit down with an instrument and just noodle around by himself. #bassguitar ...
Refret on a 1997 California Series Fender Strat today using Dunlop Medium Jumbo Hard Frets. Lots of deep pitting in original frets were beyond a recrown. Finely polished with lower action and silky feel now. Plays like a dream! #fender #refret #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians

Refret on a 1997 California Series Fender Strat today using Dunlop Medium Jumbo Hard Frets. Lots of deep pitting in original frets were beyond a recrown. Finely polished with lower action and silky feel now. Plays like a dream! #fender #refret #luthier #luthierguitars #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #oklahomamusicians ...
Just finished up work on this special instrument, 1955 Teisco electric guitar. Needed some work for sure. Frets needed to be re-seated, leveled, crowned, and dressed. The neck angle was pretty off so I fabricated a custom carbon fiber neck pocket shim to get the neck back in alignment with the bridge. Also fixed a few structural cracks around the neck pocket at the back and sides. She`s also got a new bone nut and freshly cleaned, and conditioned electronics! #luthier #teiscoguitar #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #luthierguitars

Just finished up work on this special instrument, 1955 Teisco electric guitar. Needed some work for sure. Frets needed to be re-seated, leveled, crowned, and dressed. The neck angle was pretty off so I fabricated a custom carbon fiber neck pocket shim to get the neck back in alignment with the bridge. Also fixed a few structural cracks around the neck pocket at the back and sides. She`s also got a new bone nut and freshly cleaned, and conditioned electronics! #luthier #teiscoguitar #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic #luthierguitars ...
Nice truss upgrade to this Fender Stratocaster. The original neck had a recessed truss screw at the base of the neck which sat in the neck pocket, making adjusting the truss rod impossible to do unless you remove the strings and neck to do so. This upgrade required a bit of precision routing in order to install a new spoke wheel adjustment screw. But now truss adjustments are simple and quick with no need to waste strings and remove parts in order to adjust! #fender #trussrod #luthier #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic

Nice truss upgrade to this Fender Stratocaster. The original neck had a recessed truss screw at the base of the neck which sat in the neck pocket, making adjusting the truss rod impossible to do unless you remove the strings and neck to do so. This upgrade required a bit of precision routing in order to install a new spoke wheel adjustment screw. But now truss adjustments are simple and quick with no need to waste strings and remove parts in order to adjust! #fender #trussrod #luthier #oklahomaluthier #oklahomamusic ...
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