Ding psychology...

killersdude · #1 01-27-2010, 10:43 PM

So, while I was changing the strings on my 2 month old Fender American Fretless J-Bass, I was careless and that carelessness resulted in a small ding on the upper back of the bass. I'm not down with this! I've been totally bummed since it happened.

Please share some words of wisdom to help me get over something that is VERY, VERY trivial. Haha, thanks!

fdeck · #2 01-27-2010, 11:00 PM

Every bass gets its first ding, and it's always something that seems dumb in hindsight. But basses are intended to be played and carried around.

Stumbo · #3 01-27-2010, 11:34 PM

Ding on, grasshopper.

ugly_bassplayer · #4 01-27-2010, 11:35 PM

Get over it, many more dings to come grasshopper.

RD · #5 01-27-2010, 11:40 PM

killerdude,
Try not to focus so much on flaws in the appearance of your bass, rather the music you make with it. A lot of great musicians have beat-up instruments. They make great music anyway! Think of SRV and his beloved strat!
The first ding hurts the most. Just keep pushing until the music you make heals your pyche a little bit
peace,
RD

superfunk47 · #6 01-27-2010, 11:41 PM

The first ding is the gateway to serious mojo.

kph24 · #7 01-27-2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfunk47

The first ding is the gateway to serious mojo.

+1

John Wentzien · #8 01-27-2010, 11:45 PM

Now you can get on with it!
I think you should just "whack" the new bass just to get it over with!

killersdude · #9 01-28-2010, 07:06 AM

Thanks guys, great advice! The bass still kills, moving on...

Ric5 · #10 01-28-2010, 07:10 AM

Ding ... Ding .... Ding ... The value keeps going up! You now have the expensive road worn version. And it will play and sound better with each ding!

DudeistMonk · #11 01-28-2010, 07:57 AM

I like to think of every blemish on a piece of equipment like a badge of honor, like a scar. Each successive ding/dent/scrape on a bass/cab/amp/ rack case makes you look more and more like a season veteran.

dalkowski · #12 01-28-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

Now you can get on with it!
I think you should just "whack" the new bass just to get it over with!

It's like that first scratch in the finish of your new car. You knew it was coming, and it's always too soon. But once it's there, you're liberated.

It's a very big reason why I never buy new instruments -- the first ding is already there.

pathdoc2 · #13 01-28-2010, 08:10 AM

The first ding is the deepest. Baby I know, the first ding is the deepest.

bamba22 · #14 01-28-2010, 08:16 AM

Yha, it's normal...it's going to happen to you few more times.

mr.redpants · #15 01-28-2010, 08:20 AM

since I just dinged my 18 month old US Decade for the first time last night.
It has received some blows, but nothing that left a mark

dalkowski · #16 01-28-2010, 08:22 AM

"That which doth not kill thy bass, doth make it stronger." (poss. misheard)

mr.redpants · #17 01-28-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalkowski

"That which doth not kill thy bass, doth make it stronger." (poss. misheard)

no I think that is an accurate translation from Nietzche's "Bass und Uberbass" from his early work.

killersdude · #18 01-28-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalkowski

"That which doth not kill thy bass, doth make it stronger." (poss. misheard)

Sounds like a quote from the Bible of Bass, haha. I dig.

killersdude · #19 01-28-2010, 09:35 AM

Ok, new question.

I'm feeling like I freaked out over this because the bass was brand new. It didn't (and in a way still doesn't) feel like I own it yet, if you follow. Thinking of ways to make the bass "mine," considering throwing on either a thumb rest or a tug bar. Any suggestions one way or the other? Thoughts, comments, criticism?

Fergie Fulton · #20 01-28-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killersdude

Ok, new question.

I'm feeling like I freaked out over this because the bass was brand new. It didn't (and in a way still doesn't) feel like I own it yet, if you follow. Thinking of ways to make the bass "mine," considering throwing on either a thumb rest or a tug bar. Any suggestions one way or the other? Thoughts, comments, criticism?

The bass becomes yours when each mark, ding, knock, damage you put on it is yours. Each time you have to replace a part it is yours, each set up, each string change it becomes yours.

This is my bass, she has been with me through thick and thin. Evey mark or piece of damage on her invokes a memory for me, i remember whare i was and the situation around when it happend.

She has been dropped, knocked, run over, fell out of cars and vans, been in snow, rain, sand, swimming pools, being burned, arrested, used as a weapon, a crutch, a table, even a motorway smash. The way she looks now was the result of a fire back in the early 90's, that ruined her electroninc, and body. The heat caused the laquor to melt, run and reset in the case. The result of that was the furry lining in the case was now part of the bass, stuck deep into the laquor. So then there was the damage to un-stick her from the case and remove her new fur coat she had. She was put back together and i was to use her tempory till i had a break in my schedule then she was to be re-finished. That was 18 years ago and stll she has not been done LOL.
For me she sounds and plays great, so don't mess with it. Sometimes she is recognised before me as the player of her rather than her being mine LOL. But what i have is memories of places long forgotton and situations that really i should not have got in to. In short she is a part of me because we went through it all together. Road worn basses may look the part, but they have no history to the player, its a bit like stealing somebody else life and experiences. So check her out,
a Squier 83 JV Fender 57 Precision, in Tobbaco Sunburst. She has the brass scratchplate now, the other was busted in a recent motorway smash.