Autographed bass - play it or preserve it?

If the sig means a lot to you, you can spray a clear coat over it.

As for me, I’m not big on autographs, so I would play my bass.

 

Depends if Elvis signed it or the Cider Jug player out of The Wurzels





...google it

 

I always wanted one of the Chris Squire autographed signature model Ric's.

I would play my 4003 instead

 

I purchased a USA G&L L2000 signed by Billy Sheehan. Had the provenance with it.. I played it,name wore off in spots so I removed the rest of it.. It was written in Sharpie.. No biggie.. I bought the bass to play , not "Glass Case" it for the rest of it's life.. Play it!

 

What did you use to remove the Sharpe?

 

I can't think of a signature that would increase the value of a bass, unless it's celebrity PLAYED.
In all my years of selling guitars I've been offered 100's of signed guitars, and I tell them all the same thing- take the value of the instrument, and add the ebay price of an autograph (usually about $3).
Celeb played instruments are a different category ( and I mean played onstage for a full tour or longer). Most instruments signed at clinics and backstage are worth less than without the signature.
If you love the signature, of course, it's priceless. I have a tele Albert Lee signed the night I opened for him, and Prakash John signed a P bass, ironically a few weeks before I got a job mixing him.
I usually tell people to put some self adhesive clear film over the signature.

 

If I had a guitar autographed by Geddy, I'd thank him.

With my luck, both the Sharpe and the guitar would both be the same color, so...

... no biggie, I guess.

 

Is there a bass player who's signature is worth that much?

I suggest:

1) Take a picture of the signature and keep it someplace safe.

2) Play the damn bass, and....if it wipes off...

3) Grab a sharpie and refresh the signature every once in a while.

 

This is the answer. Just get another layer or three of clear sprayed over the top. The sig will be permanent and you can play it all you want.

 

If, your cleaning it up all over, automotive rubbing compound works good, followed by a polishing compound.

 

If you bought the bass because it was signed, then obvs protect that sig. I like the clear coat idea.

As far as the sig's affect on value is concerned, I think it's moot if you don't have some COA.

 

1989 Fender Precision Bass Plus headstock back by Ian McLaughlin posted May 1, 2019 at 3:51 PM

Sting signed mine.

It was at a book signing in 1991 in NYC where he and an artist were signing a book of his songs illustrated by said artist.

Unfortunately the book was water damaged beyond saving, so I don't really have proof. But I know he signed it because I was there.

Never stopped playing her. Doubt it adds much value, and might even be a turn-off to some.

This was done in black sharpie and never clear coated or anything. It's lasted this long. Of course, no one touches the headstock that much.

 

QFT

 

I had ond of those Limited Edition CIJ Noel Redding Jazz Basses. It had been signed on the pickguard in silver sharpie that was beginning to fade. Luckily, Angela's had come into possession of a stack of those pickguards that he had signed but had not been installed on basses. I'm not sure wha th the circumstances around all that was, but I bought one and kept it protected for several years until I sold the bass, providing the new pg with it.
Something like that, I think is worth preserving the sig.
My .02

 

Do you think it added more than $0.02 of value to the sale?
(Serious question.)

 

I doubt it would any value IF the guy who signed it is insignificant in the world of music influence AND still alive AND if it's a bass of some rarity. "Maybe" somewhere in history after an iconic player is gone, his/her sig "might" add some value...but if it's someone who's signed hundreds, or even thousands of basses...and an off the shelf bass, then I'd say clear over it (if it's cool for you to have the signature) and play it. But who know what some would-be buyer might come along...just my .02

 

I think the only signatures that would add value to a bass would be Jamerson or Pastorius .

 

The fact that it was marketed by Fender with the sig, also had a replica sig on the headstock, and was a limited run, would make a difference to a collector, I would imagine, if being sold as mint, with the original case, candy, etc.
I played it without regard to the sig since I had a replacement at the ready.
Other than that, it really wasn't worth any more than your standard CIJ Vintage '65 reissue.