Upper top wear? Where does it come from?

Possu jam · #1 05-30-2008, 01:26 AM

Ok so this is a question that has been buzzing me. I also asked my teacher who is a professional musician here in Finland and he said he hasn't got any idea about it either.

So, where does the wear come from that you see on usually older basses right there at the upper left corner of the top? Almost next to your right hand when you play pizz.

I tried to find a pic to demonstrate but couldn't find any.
Ask if you dont understand

Thanks for the help!

robobass · #2 05-30-2008, 08:49 AM

Yeah! Both me and my stand partner have dull spots on our newer Poellmans on the upper right (bar) side of the top. I can't imagine either of us ever touching that part of the bass at all. I'll post a pic when I have a chance.
Robobass.

uprightben · #3 05-30-2008, 08:53 AM

I got my bass new in 01 and have been playing the hell out of it since then, so every ding and scratch was put there by me. All of the wear in the area you are talking about has been caused by me getting over excited when plucking the E string and my hand smacking the top.

I haven't worn thru the finish yet, but it is pretty scatched up, so there you go!

Possu jam · #4 05-30-2008, 09:48 AM

That's what I've been wondering too that your hand would make the marks when play on the E string and if you float and touch the top... But then again I don't really thing that's the case becouse you have to hit pretty hard and with your nails to leave a scratch.

I tried to look at pics of used basses and older basses but none of them had any wear in that area. I don't have a camera right now but I could take pics of a bass I have on a try out now. It has waer in that area and that's why I've been wondering it.

KSB - Ken Smith · #5 05-30-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possu jam

That's what I've been wondering too that your hand would make the marks when play on the E string and if you float and touch the top... But then again I don't really thing that's the case becouse you have to hit pretty hard and with your nails to leave a scratch.

I tried to look at pics of used basses and older basses but none of them had any wear in that area. I don't have a camera right now but I could take pics of a bass I have on a try out now. It has waer in that area and that's why I've been wondering it.

It can also be cause by a Watch on the wrist, a bracelet or even cuff links if playing in formal wear in a Tuxedo. Also if switching from Bow to Pizz a lot in Shows or even orchestra a sloppy technique can cause you to scratch that area with the screw from the bow.

Many older basses are maintained and scratches touched up during restorations. I look thru all the pics of my Basses and see little wear on them but these are mainly high grade symphony Basses played mainly with the bow for most of their lives.

Paul Warburton · #6 05-30-2008, 01:52 PM

I was hanging out with Ray Brown one night....remember how he used to rake that low E? The top had all kinda scratches and indents from his fingernails.
Well. some well-meaning luthier touched those up for him and Ray went out on him.

Marc Piane · #7 05-30-2008, 03:47 PM

Definitely adds character. My top is starting to show signs. I bought the bass new and it bugged me at first but now it is part of the character of the bass.

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There is a guy in Chicago named John Bany. His top right next to the fingerboard is so beat up you'd swear he's going wear through it any day now.

**Matthew Tucker** · #8 05-30-2008, 03:53 PM

I've always wondered about what caused this wear:

KSB - Ken Smith · #9 05-30-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

I've always wondered about what caused this wear:

Switching from Arco to Pizz the Bow Tip can easily hit that area. If it is from a Bow then maybe the Bow had some sort of metal Tip like on Hill, Bultitude, DeLuccia and Kolstein Bows have.

Those mars are quite old but not as old as the Tip scratches dents and mars on the C bout. The Gilkes (shown) has a fairly wide center bout (15 1/4") and until recently had a lower bridge and a very shallow Neck stand. I would 'whack' the outer corner and bout almost every time I played the Bass until I had the Neck stand moved out during its recent restoration with a higher Bridge made for it as well..

Matt, maybe some FBI forensics lab could help you ID the culprit.

Possu jam · #10 05-31-2008, 09:06 AM

Thanks for the answers.

The watch thing sounds plausible but still this issue seems weird becouse I can't recall ever really touching this part of the instrument while playing.
Maybe that's just it.

JeffKissell · #11 05-31-2008, 11:36 AM

If you play a lot of Jazz style pizz, your shirt sleeves, wrist, everything makes contact there occasionally. Most likely you don't notice at the time, but it adds up. I got my bass new as well, and so far most of the wear is on that upper bout. Definitely some dings from my thumbnail.

Also, I guess it could be how the bass is put in and taken out of its case.

-J

P.S. thanks for the pics Matt & Ken!

Heifetzbass · #12 06-01-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

I've always wondered about what caused this wear:

German Bow pizzicato... would be my guess.

KSB - Ken Smith · #13 06-01-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heifetzbass

German Bow pizzicato... would be my guess.

I would have to ask a friend of mine who knew the previous owner of the Gilkes and see if he played German Bow. He was in the 7th Army Symphony and returned with the Bass to the States around 1955. Looking at the list of Bassists I see some other famous names that also played there in Europe; Hurst, Lawrence 1/60 - 9/61 and Topolsky, Marvin '56 - '58.

If those are the Bow marks from the previous owner then it took about 40 years for them to accumulate.