No one here has mentioned how Fender first started relic'ing guitars. From what I understand it was Keith Richards that told Fender he didn't like new guitars. Fender relic'ed a couple of guitars for him and he loved them.
The appeal of reliced guitars for me is first, like someone else mentioned, you don't worry about scratching it. You are more comfortable to let loose and laugh about it when you do bash it by accident. Second I think it is because they look loved. Why would anyone play a guitar that much that it is all worn? Because it was and still is a great axe that just feels right no matter how it looks.
Personally I try to take very good care of my guitars and keep them from getting scratched up, but I know that my favorite guitar that I put together and tweaked out myself will be with me for a long time. I am looking forward to the day that it is all beat up from ordinary use. Each scratch and ding will be a memory.
