DSL Custom Relic

Hello! I’m Danny Serin Linares—a lifelong vintage-guitar enthusiast with a deep passion for crafting Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars that feel, look, and sound like they came straight out of the golden era of electric music.

My journey into the world of guitars didn’t begin in a fancy workshop—it started with a dream and eventually led me to the heart of it all: the Fender© factory in Corona, California. That’s where everything changed. I began as a builder’s assistant, spending countless hours sanding and buffing necks, bodies, and all the delicate components that go into a truly great instrument. Little by little, I worked my way into the art of relic-ing—learning how to give guitars that authentic, worn-in soul that players fall in love with.

As my hands grew more confident, I transitioned into guitar testing. That role opened a new world for me. I dove deep into the details: crafting precise bone nuts, adjusting bridges, dialing in action, choosing the right pickguards, analyzing pickups, and understanding how every subtle choice influences the voice and personality of a guitar. By the time I moved on from the shop, I had developed a keen eye—and an even keener instinct—for what makes a great vintage-style instrument.

Outside of Fender, I launched my eBay shop, slowly turning it into a space where I could continue doing what I love. I began acquiring necks, relic-ing them, reselling them, and experimenting with my very first vintage-spec builds. That early attempt wasn’t perfect—but it was the spark. From that moment on, I was hooked. Since then, I haven’t stopped building Stratocaster and Telecaster necks and bodies, refining my craft with every project.

One of the most meaningful chapters of my journey was my time working alongside Herbie Gastelum, a legend within the Fender circle and a master relic artist known for aging the smallest yet most important components—screws, knobs, and all the subtle details that give a guitar its magic. We called ourselves “The Relic Team,” and in that partnership I found not only a mentor, but a friend. Herbie shared stories from his days working with icons like Leo Fender and George Fullerton, and he taught me techniques that aren’t found in any manual—like the art of shaping neck profiles by hand and using tactile feel as a measure of true craftsmanship.

Those conversations, those hours in the workshop, and the lessons passed down from someone who lived guitar history firsthand—those became the foundation of the work I do today. Every neck and body I shape carries a hint of that legacy.

And I’m still at it—still building, still improving, all the way to that perfect vintage feel.