• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

natural relic poly basses

Rugaar

Rugaar

Apr 11, 2007
1,275
101
wisconsin
#1
In the numerous relic threads there are always folks that say poly basses will never show any wear and there are always folks that say just play the heck out of 'em and they'll get naturally worn. I don't really have an opinion, positive or negative, on the whole relic process and none of my poly basses are showing much wear yet but I'd like to see some examples of your natural worn poly basses. Along with pictures it'd be interesting to know how long you've had the bass and how much you've played it get the wear.

Looking forward to some of the replies!
 
#2
My '71 P-bass. The photo doesn't show the substantial buckle rash or the upper contour wear, but it gives you the idea. This bass has had at least 3 owners. I played it very hard from 1998 to 2006 in a 10 piece horn band and several busy blues bands. We gigged in all the sweaty bars in N. California. Poly is holding up pretty well, IMHO.

71-P.jpg
 
#6
Cool thread. :::subscribed::: :cool:


I have a midnight blue '98 MIM Precision I bought used in 2004.

No sense in posting any pictures of it though, since other than a few light scratches on the back it still looks brand new.

That suits me fine b/c I'm sorta neutral on the relic thing (when it happens it happens), but I'm still curious to see what other folks have going on. :)
 
#7
This may open some eyes about poly:

CrimsonGhost said:
Sanding? HA!
Chemicals? PFFFFFTTTT!...All you need is a heatgun and your fingers, I used no other tools.

I started by prying up the finish with a knife to pop chucks off, but when I started with the heat gun, the finish will pull up a bit, perfect to just grab onto and pull off.

The whole thing took me about 25 minutes, only a tiny bit of smell, no fumes, no scortching, no dust, etc..

Here is a small video of how it worked out,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHZvFrTtn_I


And the finished product.
View attachment 99063

This has got to be the easiest strip job I have ever done!
Click to expand...
 
#9
Modern poly is very very tough. It won't even come close to wearing like nitro does. I have seen example of some wear on poly sometimes even checking, but these are few and far between. They are usually older basses from the 70's or whenever Fender went to poly. For the guys that are hoping to just play a poly bass alot and get the worn look. You may put some scrapes or small dings in the finish, but I just can't see much more than that happening.
 
#14
ThaLowEndTheory said:
Modern poly is very very tough. It won't even come close to wearing like nitro does. I have seen example of some wear on poly sometimes even checking, but these are few and far between. They are usually older basses from the 70's or whenever Fender went to poly. For the guys that are hoping to just play a poly bass alot and get the worn look. You may put some scrapes or small dings in the finish, but I just can't see much more than that happening.
Click to expand...

This was always my guess but people keep saying they've played a lot and worn through their finish so I'd like to see some examples.

Plus, it's always fun to look at well-loved basses.
 
#15
My old Jazz:
DSC_0004.jpg


Had this thing FOREVER. At least 20 years.
It's been all over the world with me.

From a photo shoot for Fender (never used the shot):
DSC_0080.jpg
 
#16
This is the effect that nearly 30 years of gigging has had on my 1979 Jazz Bass, (which I assume is poly finished... all original except for pickguard and knobs, and minus a few screws).

TB_IMG_1503.jpg


TB_IMG_1509.jpg


TB_IMG_1495.jpg


TB_IMG_1498.jpg


TB_IMG_1500.jpg


When I bought it nearly new in '82 it had a few small nicks around the edge. No-one was into 'relicing' back then... on the contrary, I was mortified every time I got a new ding on it and remember early attempts at halting the non-deliberate relicing process by touching up each chip with a dab of black nail varnish, (graciously supplied by a succession of punk and goth girlfriends).

Most of the wear has come from playing small stages in pubs and clubs, and the occasional theatre pit job, where I'd be standing or sitting only inches from various drum and cymbal paraphenalia, (probably the main culprit in the bass's premature aging), music stands, etc. It's fallen over a few times too (the asymetrical shape doesn't help here). But over the years I assume sweat worked its way under the finish, the holes got bigger, and some of the surrounding finish became loose and brittle. I could quite easily strip off another few square inches of finish right now just by using my finger nails. I daresy if I post another picture in say two years from now it will look noticeably different. I should add that she sounds and plays fantastic, and is probably the one bass I'll never sell.

Generally speaking, I'm not a great fan of relicing, at least not the deliberate application of dings and scratches. However, I do like the patina that old instruments aquire, even when carefully looked after, (and I'm particularly thinking of double basses here).
 
#18
I may start a thread on this, but it might be pertinent to this one: I'm working on snagging a Geddy, and am developing a sick plan to refinish it. No biggie of course, but I want it to end up looking like a genuine 70s Jazz that some fool resprayed on a whim, w/the original, non-stripped black peeking out from under a smooth-but-poorly-adhered-&-chipping badly coat of sage green. I emailed Reranch, but I'm wondering if anyone here has ever sprayed nitro over poly..?
In my *defense* the Geddy I'm eyeing is pretty scuffed up already; I've deliberately not tried to get a very clean one. :rolleyes:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back