The inevitable happened

[Kryptos]

It is an honourable scar and if my experience runs true the first of many.

[Rip Topaz]

I bought my 60th Ann P in late January of 2012.
It has never left the house (I'm not in a band at the moment), but is still covered in dings and scratches. I play it to death, every day.

The first ding happened from pulling it in and out of the case, when it snaked against the metal rails of the case. Oops.

Now I don't care. The neck is flawless, and the whole bass is lacquer finished. The body is Fender's "thin-skin" lacquer, and you can pretty much breathe on it and cause a scar.

The lacquer is also starting to yellow nicely. Another year or two and I'll have a respectable relic.

[dougjwray]

When I was a kid and some new possession got its first scratch, dent, etc., my father would always say, "Now you know that it's really yours." I've always liked that philosophy.

Also, I can't count the number of times that I've brought a brand new bass home, excitedly opened the case and taken it out, lifted it over my head to put in on, and... rammed the headstock into the ceiling!

These things are tools, not museum pieces, for Pete's sake!

[dougjwray]

Also, when I saw the title of this thread, my first assumption was: "He bought a Fender Precision."

[johng999]

I have two types of basses - those that are players and those that I bought to "collect". The basses that I will resell get played very little if any. Most of my instruments are players, and get played pretty often. I didn't buy them for resale value, I bought them as tools for my craft. I've owned my Jazz bass for 43 years and it sure has it's nics, although most say it is in very good condition for it's age. My 78 Precision is naturally road worn as well.
I think a big key to keeping your instruments in good shape while gigging is to have a good stand that is out of the wy, and get them in their cases as quickly as possible at the end of the night.

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by johng999

I have two types of basses - those that are players and those that I bought to "collect". The basses that I will resell get played very little if any. Most of my instruments are players, and get played pretty often. I didn't buy them for resale value, I bought them as tools for my craft. I've owned my Jazz bass for 43 years and it sure has it's nics, although most say it is in very good condition for it's age. My 78 Precision is naturally road worn as well.
I think a big key to keeping your instruments in good shape while gigging is to have a good stand that is out of the way, and get them in their cases as quickly as possible at the end of the night.

Also: When playing outdoors, always lie a bass down instead of putting it on a stand. Believe it or not, a stray gust of wind will most likely come along, and the chances are good that it will knock things over. (For the same reason, I always use clothespins to hold sheet music to a music stand, when outdoors.)

[Aznslappadabass]

Funny thing is Doug I am looking toward getting a Fender Precision (or Squier if my budget remains the same)

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by dougjwray

Also, I can't count the number of times that I've brought a brand new bass home, excitedly opened the case and taken it out, lifted it over my head to put in on, and... rammed the headstock into the ceiling!

There's a Lakland DJ4 in the classifieds now that used to be mine, and it has a chip in the headstock from that exact situation. The first f'ing day.

But I agree, they are tools, and they get worn. I try to take good care of my instruments but not obsess over them.

[DwaynieAD]

when i was cleaning up my MM SUB the other week I realized it's had the tar beat out of it. makes me sad, but its a tool and it needs played, stuff happens...

[Lichtaffen]

No pic, no ding.

[No Malarky]

I never have a problem with honest wear on an instrument or amp. My first run '98 Geddy Jazz is beat up due to gigs and more gigs, but not from abuse, and luckily no accidents.

The First Cut is the Deepest...