Personal labeling of a Bass.

[400$Bass]

What is the best way to personally label a Double Bass. The prior owner of mine put a white paper sticky label on the very bottom near the endpin with his name written on it. Now I have to try and remove that without scratching the finish all up.

Here is what I was thinking....Take a piece of card stock with my Name, phone number, address etc. Then apply some contact cement to the card stock and glue it under the fretboard right where it drops off of the necK proper. Then one can roll the bass, peek under the fretboard and see who the dummy was that bought it.

Not that my Bass is worth a fortune. I just thought it would be good to have some personal identification on it. May come in handy someday.

Have any of you folk labeled your Double Bass...or is this overkill?

[HogieWan]

I don't own a DB, but after having a electric stolen, I find a hidden place to add my initials to aid in any later recovery

[400$Bass]

Originally Posted by HogieWan

I don't own a DB, but after having a electric stolen, I find a hidden place to add my initials to aid in any later recovery

(Thanks for the reply)

Years ago I had a policeman tell me to engrave my social security number on any tool or household article of value. According to him...it CAN make a difference in recovering something which has been stolen or lost.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by 400$Bass

(Thanks for the reply)

Years ago I had a policeman tell me to engrave my social security number on any tool or household article of value. According to him...it CAN make a difference in recovering something which has been stolen or lost.

Yup, and it can take thousands of dollars off the value of your '58 Gibson J-45! I saw one like that at L & M recently.

Get your luthier to put an ID label on the underside of the top where it won't be seen in a casual inspection. If you want to put a peel and stick address label under the fingerboard that's fine too.

You can remove the existing label with lighter fluid.

[400$Bass]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Yup, and it can take thousands of dollars off the value of your '58 Gibson J-45! I saw one like that at L & M recently.

Get your luthier to put an ID label on the underside of the top where it won't be seen in a casual inspection. If you want to put a peel and stick address label under the fingerboard that's fine too.

You can remove the existing label with lighter fluid.

YIKES...ON AN OLD J-45? WOW!

Thanks for the lighter fluid tip...I'll check it out.

[drurb]

Why do you want to label it? If it is to identify it in the event it is stolen, then if it is a bass with a maker's name and serial number, that would seem to suffice. Even without a label, if the bass is unique enough, then proof of ownership could also be established. If the purpose of labeling is to expedite return should it ever be lost (a seemingly unlikely event), then hiding the identification would seem to defeat that purpose.

[400$Bass]

Originally Posted by drurb

Why do you want to label it? ****Heck I don't know....I'm just an ole retired pensioner with too much time on his hands****

If it is to identify it in the event it is stolen, then if it is a bass with a maker's name and serial number, that would seem to suffice. ***** point well taken *****

Even without a label, if the bass is unique enough, ****Oh mine is very unique...it is an Engelhardt HAW!****

then proof of ownership could also be established. If the purpose of labeling is to expedite return should it ever be lost (a seemingly unlikely event), ***** Oh, I'm always living in a dream world *****

then hiding the identification would seem to defeat that purpose.

*****Well at anyrate I wouldn't want the labeling to be out in plain open view...you know like having a tattoo on your forehead...not cool. Unless you are a side show freak******

drurb, your counsel is timely and good...thanks pal.

[D Rokk]

nail polish remover would help remove it as well..

or if the entire sticker is still there a hair dryer will warm the glue and you can peal it right off

[400$Bass]

Originally Posted by D Rokk

nail polish remover would help remove it as well.. Whoa!!!! You said "help", but would it help to much? It seems toenail polish remover would eat into the finish proper...I remember years ago the Mrs. accidently spilled some on nail polish remover on a nice cocktail (that we put soda on) table and it ruined the finish where it dripped. She was sick over that!*****

or if the entire sticker is still there a hair dryer will warm the glue and you can peal it right off

****makes sense!...thanks.****

[zeytoun]

Originally Posted by D Rokk

nail polish remover would help remove it as well..

Sandpaper can remove a sticker as well. But both methods will likely damage your bass' finish.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by drurb

Why do you want to label it? If it is to identify it in the event it is stolen, then if it is a bass with a maker's name and serial number, that would seem to suffice. Even without a label, if the bass is unique enough, then proof of ownership could also be established. If the purpose of labeling is to expedite return should it ever be lost (a seemingly unlikely event), then hiding the identification would seem to defeat that purpose.

I imagine it's mostly for the STOLEN thing, it's worked out well with a number of other folks. Mostly when folks bring a bass into a luthier for repair or appraisal; I don't think most folks keep in memory the list of stolen instruments makers and serial numbers, but if I walk in and introduce myself as I. F. Riptyoff and the label inside says "This bass is currently owned by Dead Pukespray etc.", well ya see where I'm going.

oh and FOATY SENT, your bass doesn't have a fretboard.

[wineaux]

OK, I tried the lighter fluid and the label is gone. Now how do I get rid of the burn mark?

Kidding, of course. If I were going to do this, I'd follow the advice above and have my luthier stick a label somewhere inside the next time I went in for work.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I imagine it's mostly for the STOLEN thing, it's worked out well with a number of other folks. Mostly when folks bring a bass into a luthier for repair or appraisal; I don't think most folks keep in memory the list of stolen instruments makers and serial numbers, but if I walk in and introduce myself as I. F. Riptyoff and the label inside says "This bass is currently owned by Dead Pukespray etc.", well ya see where I'm going.

Understood and agreed. So, I would add to my previous advice that if the bass is to be labeled so that it can be identified in the event it is stolen, then the label shouldn't be hidden either.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by drurb

Understood and agreed. So, I would add to my previous advice that if the bass is to be labeled so that it can be identified in the event it is stolen, then the label shouldn't be hidden either.

Dude, you're not thinking. If the label isn't hidden, the perp (Mr. Ripitoff was it?) will simply remove the label! Like FORTY CENT just did...

[Ed Fuqua]

Well if it's not placed in a position accessible only by a luthier (even if that's just putting an angled mirror in the f-holes) , what's to stop me from ripping that sucker right off?

[Ed Fuqua]

Although I think Jake may be onto something there...

[Bass]

Remove the endpin, etch your name into it, and replace.

[mjt0229]

Originally Posted by 400$Bass

(Thanks for the reply)

Years ago I had a policeman tell me to engrave my social security number on any tool or household article of value. According to him...it CAN make a difference in recovering something which has been stolen or lost.

It can also help make you extremely vulnerable to identity theft! A double win!

[Gary Lynch]

You can woodburn a number on the underside of the top. Just a light one that would be impossible to get off without removing the top. Not hot enough or deep enough to effect anything. Branding as they sometimes call it. A skilled bass luthier can do it. A mirror can see it. I have read about this for cellos so why not basses?

[Paul Warburton]

FOATY SENT.

Fretboard.. Jeez, Foaty...you're not a quick learner are you?