suggestions to make a bass look better

[Doug D]

I've got a 10 year old, carved, hans kroger (korean) bass that I'm putting back together and when its all back, since I have to do something to the top to help disguise the repaired cracks and damage, I'd like to do something to the rest of the finish as well to make it look less 'sprayed' (which it is).

the finish now is decent (not that really glossy 'candy apple' finish that a lot of import basses have) but still could use some mojo IMO.

any ideas on aging, 'relicing', glazing, varnishing, etc.

[Martin Sheridan]

Hi Doug,
Search "Varnish Matters". That's a thread I started a year to two back. You'll find some helpful information there. You can't hurt that Kroger any and you'll have a lot of fun and learn a lot in the process.

[Doug D]

You can't hurt that Kroger any ....

no doubt!

that's why I wanted to 'antique' it a little as well.... to lose a little of that factory look.

Does anyone have any techniques for adding wear marks or distressing it gently? without looking like that cheap bedroom furniture thats beat with a chain

[JoeyNaeger]

Play it for ten years.

[uprightben]

There are lots of tricks for antiquing, rubbing dirt into the finish, sanding finish off in places, putting dings and dents in... but what will it look like when it actually is an antique?

[Martin Sheridan]

Originally Posted by Doug D

You can't hurt that Kroger any ....

no doubt!

that's why I wanted to 'antique' it a little as well.... to lose a little of that factory look.

Does anyone have any techniques for adding wear marks or distressing it gently? without looking like that cheap bedroom furniture thats beat with a chain

You probably don't have another bass sitting around that you'd like to imitate, so find some good pictures of an old bass with a look that appeals to you. Put the pictures out next to the bass, look at the picture, examine it carefully and try to imitate that look taking into account taste and the look of your own bass. Remember that all of those nicks and dings got there by various ways, so you can't use the same tool over and over again to make nicks and dings with.

[Dave Whitla]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

Play it for ten years.

[Gary Lynch]

Originally Posted by uprightben

There are lots of tricks for antiquing, rubbing dirt into the finish, sanding finish off in places, putting dings and dents in... but what will it look like when it actually is an antique?

Like Michael Jackson