How to Avoid Scratches on a New Bass

rdhbass · #1 11-24-2007, 09:31 PM

I bought a new bass and could resell it someday and want to play it, but also want it to always look pretty mint. I have thought of buying clear "static-cling" vinyl material to put in all the areas where I may contact the bass or put a scratch on it. This static cling material sounds like a good idea. I know makers like "guitarbra" use this method for protecting a finish. My question is will this clear vinyl react with a polyester finish in any way? Hmmm..

treebranch13 · #2 11-25-2007, 12:07 AM

it shouldn't it was made for that. Another way to save your bass: never play in a chair with arms

Nino Valenti · #3 11-25-2007, 05:14 AM

The clear vinyl shouldn't react with the poly BUT unless you plan to cover the whole body in it, IMO, it won't work like you really want it to.

Even in you're super careful/delicate while playing your bass, there will be some marks left on your bass from normal playing. If you ever decide to remove the vinyl clings, that area will look mint where as any other area will not.

73jbass · #4 11-25-2007, 05:54 AM

The only way to keep it mint condition and dent free,is to not play it. Just play it,and don't worry about it.

kdlunde · #5 11-25-2007, 06:06 AM

Probably the simplest thing you can do is to move your belt buckle off to the left (to the right if you play left-handed bass) to avoid 'buckle rash' on the back of the body. Fortunately, I learned this the hard way on my first 'el-cheapo' bass that only cost me $25, so it was a cheap lesson for me.

0175westwood29 · #6 11-25-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

The only way to keep it mint condition and dent free,is to not play it. Just play it,and don't worry about it.

+1 you wnt get what you paid for it when you sell it anyway? unless it rare as hell in which case you will be able to sell it in any condition probs? just dnt thro it around and thats bout all you can do?

rdhbass · #7 11-25-2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0175westwood29

+1 you wnt get what you paid for it when you sell it anyway? unless it rare as hell in which case you will be able to sell it in any condition probs? just dnt thro it around and thats bout all you can do?

I bought a EBMM HH 5 string and really didn't have the money to do so, nearly cost me my marriage...hehe. Im paying on it right now and have never paid this much for a bass and I've played 16 years. I bought it from local store and paid taxes and for a 3 year warranty and probably paid too much. Probably walking out of the store with it, It devalued about 400 dollars as soon as I took it home. I just wann keep it "minty" incase i ever to sell it, but...I will probably play it and just be careful.

J.D.B. · #8 11-25-2007, 11:05 AM

Suffering for it? I'd play the hell out of it if I had to suffer for it. It would become my hard attitude blues HAMMER. Play it, enjoy it. Life's too short to worry about what yer relatives will make off yer stuff when yer gone. What happened to all the FUN in the world? Don't get greedy... SMILE ya S O B !
Josh

cnltb · #9 11-25-2007, 11:08 AM

There's one way to really be safe.
Don't ever touch your bass and bake sure that noone or nothing else touches your bass either.
also bed it on a soft surface.

If you really Must play it, do it real carefully with no buttons on your shirt no belt buckles and no keys attached to the belt.

manicbassman · #10 11-25-2007, 11:16 AM

buy two... one to play and one to keep in the box and look pretty...

I blame the collectables market... started this whole craze of buying things and leaving them in the box cos they were supposed to increase in value by not having been opened... stupid... toys are meant to be played with... basses included...

rdhbass · #11 11-25-2007, 11:22 AM

Thanks for all the replies, i am still gonna cover the entire back in static cling material, whether that helps or not, we will find out. I expect it'll get some dings anyway but i'll be carefull.

selfblessed · #12 11-25-2007, 11:26 AM

What would Jaco say?

The BurgerMeister · #13 11-25-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.D.B.

Suffering for it? I'd play the hell out of it if I had to suffer for it. It would become my hard attitude blues HAMMER. Play it, enjoy it. Life's too short to worry about what yer relatives will make off yer stuff when yer gone. What happened to all the FUN in the world? Don't get greedy... SMILE ya S O B !
Josh

+1!

to each his own, though. my only tip is to keep it in the case when you're not playing it.

dcr · #14 11-25-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdlunde

Probably the simplest thing you can do is to move your belt buckle off to the left (to the right if you play left-handed bass) to avoid 'buckle rash' on the back of the body.

Been doing this for years. Works great. Also, I tend to play in tee-shirts, or at least Hawaiian shirts with plastic buttons. No flashy "western" shirts with metal buttons for me, thanks!

And +1 on on the "keep it in the case advise." My otherwise pristine EBMM TransRed SR5 has a monster ding on the front -- to the bare wood -- because it wasn't in the case with little childre around.

And years ago, my gorgeous natural Czech Spector 5 got a serious dent on the front because it wasn't in the case.

dcr

rdhbass · #15 11-25-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selfblessed

What would Jaco say?

I'm no Jaco. Besides, he didn't have a choice but to rip his frets out cause there werent that many stock fretless electric basses out there. And there really wasn't the collectors of fender as there is today, probably to him a fender was just another bass.

The BurgerMeister · #16 11-25-2007, 12:11 PM

Jaco'd probably say, "sorry, man... just do what you want. I got a gig to make."

OneUpsman · #17 11-25-2007, 03:51 PM

One time I was flying and had to check my bass into luggage. Sometime between when I checked it and got it back, someone took it out of its case and dropped it. Severly scratched the body and bridge. didn't mean to litter on your thread, I just thought you might find it amusing. But it was a cheap bass, just an ESP B-105.

whacker · #18 11-25-2007, 04:08 PM

What is the source for the static cling material? Just curious.

Back in the early '90s there was a product made out of some variety of that, called "ScratchPad," and I bought one (the clear version - there were all kinds) and used it up until a couple of years ago. It was relatively small, and just covered the area you'd contact with a belt on the back. I just got to the point where I said, fuggetaboutit! Let the chips fall where they may.

Logistically on stage, be especially careful if you're a righty and you're playing close to the drums on your left. All kinds of headstock nicks can happen, banging into cymbals, etc.

Baird6869 · #19 11-25-2007, 05:05 PM

Basses are meant to be played. If you want to keep it mint, don't play it. Simple.

I have over a dozen moderatly to extremely (IMO) expensive basses and guitars and play all of them.

Of course, I take precautions.

Examples:

- If I host an open jam night, I bring my $200 MIM Fender P and leave my expensive basses at home.
- If I play a really dumpy or rough bar, I leave the Sadowsky NYC and 1974 Fender P at home and play something less valuable. Ditto if I am travelling via airplane.
- If I am really bombed, I don't even go near my expensive instruments. For me, it seems most damage in the past has involved alcohol.
- Lastly, be careful. Use straplocks, don't let your belt touch the bass, be careful going up and down stairs, make sure your case is fully latched before picking it up, etc.

0175westwood29 · #20 11-26-2007, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syberslack

I bought a EBMM HH 5 string and really didn't have the money to do so, nearly cost me my marriage...hehe. Im paying on it right now and have never paid this much for a bass and I've played 16 years. I bought it from local store and paid taxes and for a 3 year warranty and probably paid too much. Probably walking out of the store with it, It devalued about 400 dollars as soon as I took it home. I just wann keep it "minty" incase i ever to sell it, but...I will probably play it and just be careful.

i know exactly how you feel when my mody arrives it will be my pride and joy! couldn't wait to find 1 second hand so just got 1 brand new (it currently being made) fb4 flea bass cant wait!, like the posts above keep it in the case, thats the best way did it come with a hardcase? also lets see the beast in question, any pics?