Azola fingerboard wear

burnunit · #1 03-26-2008, 11:29 AM

Hi, fairly new here - I have a question about fingerboard wear on an Azola Lightning Bug I bought on EBay (yes, I am a card-carrying idiot in this as in so many other areas). The fingerboard seems to be somewhat pitted and worn as shown - how bad would you say this condition looks to you? It does not seem to affect the playability or sound of the bass. I have gigged with it a few times with no problem.

I am looking to sell this bass, but if this hurts the value too much, I will just keep it. Any comments very much appreciated.

-John

Marcus Johnson · #2 03-26-2008, 02:14 PM

Hard to tell from the pics, but I don't see a lot of wear there, just some fairly open grain. If it's playing well, I don't think it's an issue. You could contact Jill Azola and ask her; she and her husband Steve are the absolute best in the business when it comes to customer support. She may even help you find a buyer for your bass.

burnunit · #3 03-26-2008, 02:27 PM

That's exactly what I was wondering about - pits vs. open grain. I emailed and called the Azolas a few months ago but I haven't had any luck getting a response from them - I thought it may be because I bought the bass from another source. Maybe I will try them again.

Thanks very much for your response.

bassteban · #4 03-26-2008, 02:29 PM

Couldn't it just be planed like a traditional DB's fingerboard? BTW, what are you think re: price?

Marcus Johnson · #5 03-26-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnunit

That's exactly what I was wondering about - pits vs. open grain. I emailed and called the Azolas a few months ago but I haven't had any luck getting a response from them - I thought it may be because I bought the bass from another source. Maybe I will try them again.

Thanks very much for your response.

Try them again... they had to evacuate their shop for a bit during the fires, but they should be back up to speed now. Usually she'll get back to you quickly if she's not real busy. I bought my Azola secondhand as well, but I got service as though I'd bought a new one from them.

burnunit · #6 03-26-2008, 02:37 PM

Once I get comfortable with the condition, I will be pricing it and posting in the classifieds here.

burnunit · #7 03-26-2008, 02:39 PM

I'll do that, thanks.

Marcus Johnson · #8 03-26-2008, 02:40 PM

Sorry... busted link... Google on "Azola fire"... it'll show you what they were dealing with last year.

What model do you have?

burnunit · #9 03-26-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Sorry... busted link... Google on "Azola fire"... it'll show you what they were dealing with last year.

What model do you have?

Lightning Bug, Serial LB6041

burnunit · #10 03-26-2008, 09:28 PM

I heard right back from Jill Azola:

It looks like that bass has a Bubinga (aka African Rosewood)fingerboard. The grain pattern/texture you're seeing is totally normal and shouldn't be considered any kind of problem at all.

Looking back on the email I sent them earlier it was about when they would have been having to move away from the fire, so thanks for the heads up on that.

If I can get past the second thoughts I am having, I will post it soon.