Main Description

We’ve recently started working with Advanced Plating in the USA, and we’re proud to have a few of their specialist covers on the shelves at Axesrus – and one of their offerings we couldn’t pass up, was their “vintage old stock” finish.

The idea behind this finishes is “it’s a cover that was made decades ago, and has been sat in the stores, untouched and unplayed” – so we’ve got a VERY high quality German Silver cover, perfectly electroplated (without copper!), but its been left to oxidise.

As a result, we’ve got a flat layer of patina built up across the front face of the cover, giving it an aged look, but without any wear and tear.

Now, that’s a little “weird” on the face of it, because we don’t often see “old parts that have just been parts” – but that’s what we’ve got here.

Whilst VOS isn’t going to be to everyones tastes, they are absolutely prime for relic jobs.

VOS vs. Relic

Truth be told, when we ordered these covers, I was expecting covers that were a little battered and bruised, showing signs of being used, abused and played, areas polished up where they’d been “picked”, string lines, scratches and dents! I wanted covers that looked like they’d come off an old guitar, and, frankly, that’s not what they are.

Having spoken to Advanced plating, they explained a little more about what their idea is here, so, let’s get their words down into a decent sound bite.

“Vintage old stock, is old stock – it’s been sat on a shelf. No ones played it, no ones held it, its not seen the light of day. Its got a patina, it’s started to corrode, but its all pretty much immaculate otherwise”

And, really, that makes perfect sense doesn’t it? Vintage old stock isn’t Reliced… its old, but its untouched. We’re, basically, seeing the chemical reaction that would have happened over decades of inactivity.

So, what’s the point? I seriously doubt anyone’s lusting for “pickups that have spent 50 years on a shelf”, but the thinking is (and, considering who’s making these things, and who they’re making them for, I can’t really say they’re wrong in that logic!), these are the base that you put your own mark on. They’re the canvas that you relic for your guitar.

So, knowing that, I figured I’d try my (less then artistic) hand at a bit of relicing on the things! Just to see what you could achieve with absolutely no ability of experience!

So, armed with a buffing wheel, my house keys and a few minutes to spare, i set to work.

Its all in the patina! That layer of oxidisation on the front face makes relicing the things an absolute dream!

And that makes perfect sense doesn't it? If, in 1958, someone bought a Les Paul, stuck it in the case, never played it, then his kids pick it up in 1985, play it to death until 2020? They're going to be playing "into" that patina aren't they? they'll be polishing it out, and putting wear into it... sometimes through it, but its going to be pretty subtle. Its not going to be inch think orange rust and 3 inche scratches - it was dear old dads! its been looked after, but its been used.

So, yeah, i cant say i'm smitted with the flat layer of oxidisation straight out of the box, but, just like AP say - its an absolutely amazing base for relicing!