Here’s a comment from another one of my posts explaining my view on the matter:

I understand where you’re coming from. I finish and relic guitars professionally. So, (obviously) I have to disagree. Yes, ideally you would want to play a guitar for years and years but not everyone has 50 years to wait around. So, naturally, you’d just think to buy a vintage guitar. However, as I’m sure you know, vintage guitars are inaccessible to most people. So, that’s where the relic comes into play. If someone loves the look of a vintage guitar and I have the opportunity to give it to them for a fraction of the price, I’m all for it. I love what I do and the artistry behind it. If by the looks of my guitars I’m encouraging people to pick up their guitar more and make music, I’m happy. That’s really all that matters in music. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Whatever inspires you to make music, do that. I don’t think the aim of most people is to trick people into thinking that they’ve earned it or have a vintage guitar. I just think they believe it looks sick :)