filling in holes

michaelsin · #1 07-10-2007, 06:46 AM

i would like to move my thumb rest on my bass. well, now there are two holes where it used to be. what do i use to fill the holes and where do i find it?

202dy · #2 07-10-2007, 06:53 AM

What material was used to construct your instrument? What kind and color of finish was applied and has the finish faded or yellowed over time?

Jim Carr · #3 07-10-2007, 08:48 AM

I'd just put in some shorter (Fender?) pickguard screws. Pics would help.

michaelsin · #4 07-10-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202dy

What material was used to construct your instrument? What kind and color of finish was applied and has the finish faded or yellowed over time?

it's a new stingray 4. tobacco sunburst finish. no fading. the holes would be under the pickguard so i'm not so concerned about the color or anything like that.

michaelsin · #5 07-10-2007, 09:04 AM

i think the pic uploaded. but you see the rest is on the pickguard (i'm getting a new pickguard so i'm not worried about the holes in the pickguard either). should i even fill in the holes if they're under the pickguard?

202dy · #6 07-10-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelsin

it's a new stingray 4. tobacco sunburst finish. no fading. the holes would be under the pickguard so i'm not so concerned about the color or anything like that.

Cover the holes with a brand new pickguard.

GlennW · #7 07-10-2007, 09:29 AM

Leave 'em there, and think of them as mini sound chambers.

Jim Carr · #8 07-10-2007, 10:07 AM

Leave them, as they will have no effect on the sound or anything else, for that matter.

IMHO, filling them would lower the value of the instrument, especially if someday you sell it to a buyer who wants the thumb rest to be mounted there.

202dy · #9 07-10-2007, 10:39 AM

^^ The Doctor is spot on.

Future value should always be considered when making any permanent change to an instrument. For everyone who says they will keep this guitar forever and do not care just remember that change is the only thing that is constant. You may live to regret the decision.

Pilgrim · #10 07-10-2007, 02:53 PM

As long as he hangs onto the original pickguard and thumbrest, there's really no issue with moving it - a new user can restore it to original with the exception of two additional screw holes wherever the thumbrest was re-located.

It's not like you're drilling holes in Leo Fender's personal 1951 P that you took out of the vault. Just do it.

The screw holes themselves are of no importance. Just put the new pickguard on and don't worry about them.

Jimbob Jones · #11 07-10-2007, 03:09 PM

If you do plan on resale, remember to keep the old parts, then you can sell it as "all origional" later, having put the old parts back on.

202dy · #12 07-11-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

It's not like you're drilling holes in Leo Fender's personal 1951 P that you took out of the vault. Just do it.

That's the problem. In 1952, no one would have thought twice about doing anything to a used Precision Bass. (Leo didn't play a musical instrument, BTW.) It was just a used instrument. No one knows which new instruments will become tomorrow's vintage holy grail pieces. Therefore it is always best to err on the side of caution. Don't change anything that cannot be reversed without leaving any trace of the modification.

Pilgrim · #13 07-11-2007, 04:17 PM

A Stingray isn't likely to become collectible, and a couple of extra screw holes hidden under the pickguard aren't likely to become an issue even if it does.

Go right ahead, like I said earlier.