Vega Relics Firebird Tony “Waka” Martínez Signature Olympic White Heavy Relic (2023, Private Stock)

`23 Vega Relics Firebird Tony “Waka” Martínez Signature, Olympic White Heavy Relic, Wizz ’59 Clone PU´s, only 3.81kg – built once, from Ede's Private Stock and more

This Firebird exists exactly once. Vega Relics built it as a signature model for the Spanish guitarist Tony “Waka” Martínez, in close collaboration with him. Every detail was discussed together, and Vega Relics has once again outdone itself. Serial number #001 and the certificate dated 19.05.2023 come with it.

Vega Relics is a Spanish guitar atelier, established in 2013 and specialised in authentic relic finishes in the style of the 50s and 60s. Every guitar here is built entirely in-house: Vega Relics buys in neither bodies nor necks. The woods are selected from the atelier's own timber store, and each guitar is built from scratch out of its individual blank. This is true craftsmanship, found in this consistency only rarely today. The atelier has worked with Tony “Waka” Martínez for some time. The reason this one will not be built again is simple: Vega Relics is currently working on its own designs and will build only its own shapes in future. That makes this Firebird a one-off, a piece of Vega Relics history that cannot be repeated.

The finish is Olympic White in Heavy Relic: you can see the crackle in the lacquer and the wear on the edges, which goes down to the wood. The gold-coloured pickguard with the toggle switch sets a lovely contrast, and the dark headstock with the golden signature on the back rounds off the look. Body and neck are mahogany (Premium Select), the fingerboard is Indian Rosewood (Premium) with large block inlays. On top of that come the Vega Relics ’59 profile, a 12" radius and Jescar Medium frets.

The pickups were not skimped on either: fitted are Wizz ’59 Clone pickups, and the set alone costs €440. The bridge is a Faber ABR-1 with stoptail, the tuners are Kluson. For pots and capacitors the choice fell on Ballestone: Select pots and Paper Oil capacitors. At only 3.81 kg the Firebird hangs relaxed on the strap.

If you want to see how Tony “Waka” Martínez plays, you will find him on his Instagram profile.

A soft case is included. There is no original Vega Relics case for this Firebird, as it was built as a one-off.

A signature model that will not come back in this form. From Ede's Private Stock.