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Bass Assassination Attempt!
- Thread starter MOTORHEADBANGER
- Start date
Well, I've never been through high school so I can't deny your relative wisdom on that matter. Seems hellish and altogether unnecessary.
But the kids could've done it whether he went to the toilet or while he was packing up. Point is, if they were determined to they would've accomplished it either way. And yes a cheap spare would've been a good idea, but bringing the real thing to a performance would've invited malice from those kids again.
More pertinently, how's the matter being resolved, headbanger?
Exactly. So don't give them a chance.
And why does everyone here seem to think the school can actually resolve anything in this matter? What world are we living in? You tell an administrator in the schools I went to that you just got socked in the face by "Joe Student" and the response is likely to be, "Oh yeah, he's rough."
While I do agree that a case is the best place to have it secured, since I was in the class sitting within 3 feet of it the whole time, one would not think much of it. Also I don't care if I left it out for a week, they are 100 percent responsible if they damaged it, and the reason that I have a stand there is that many times I have to switch to a horn instrument for one song or I have to adjust something and I can sit my bass down for a second, while it's still plugged in (the jack is on the front).
Also for those who say a backup instrument, I would gladly but unlike those who can just pickup another without thinking twice, I don't have that kind of spare cash.
Jeez, some of you guys are just bloodthirsty, eh.
OK. I kinda take back a lot of what I said.
Just a word of advice, from someone who has failed a bunch with this kind of stuff. Put the bass away first before wrapping up any cables, moving an amp, etc. Stuff happens, better to have the bass put away for when it does. Had you put your bass away first before yanking on the cable, just the stand would have toppled and you would have been a hero.
Just a word of advice, from someone who has failed a bunch with this kind of stuff. Put the bass away first before wrapping up any cables, moving an amp, etc. Stuff happens, better to have the bass put away for when it does. Had you put your bass away first before yanking on the cable, just the stand would have toppled and you would have been a hero.
Thank you, and I do agree that it would have been better if the bass was put away first. Trust me, I'm still smacking my head for that one. The thing is though that I use it for the next class which is music appreciation (I help instruct) so I naturally had it ready. Had they have not draped my jacket over the bottom of my stand I would have seen that the cable was tied around it.
I'm still smacking my head for walking into a doorway with my favorite J bass strapped on 14 years ago (there's a ding and a chip on each end from that one, I now always remember to go through the door sideways). Also, playing a gig 3 months ago on my '67 EB-0 I started jumping up and down with my arms in the air going "hooraaay!" and it fell off the strap and landed face down on stage. Luckily the tuning machine posts took the impact and only drove one or two of the machines out a little.
Anything can happen anywhere. Sucks.
Beg, borrow or steal $100 and get a Fender knockoff from somewhere.
Anything can happen anywhere. Sucks.
Beg, borrow or steal $100 and get a Fender knockoff from somewhere.
Unfortunately, I think the only satisfaction you will get is getting a sucker punch in the nose of the ringleader. Just make sure you do it off of school grounds, and don't say a word. Just walk up calmly and wham! That will set an example prison style. I know it sounds like bad advice, but likely threats of cops and attorneys will be met with laughs.
Actually, my grandparents really felt bad for me, and offered to buy me a cheap backup (ala Squier or something used). I'm kinda thinking of a Squier Jag or possibly a used Spector Legend. I had a good laugh when my Grandfather pointed out a used Gene Simmons Axe bass. Everyone knows that wouldn't tempt people at all (ha).
I'd get a lower end Ibanez or Squier or something (I'm pretty partial to Ibanez, great quality for lower price) and spend $50 to get it professionally set up. It will play better than most of the more expensive basses not set up. At least, that's my experience.
Also, punching one of the ringleaders may be satisfying (I'd love to do it myself) it will NOT help your case. If you do it, on school grounds or off, they can look at that and say "He's been in fights with these kids, who's to say he didn't provoke them? Maybe it's part of a feud" etc. etc. Schools are amazing at finding excuses not to do things that make anyone look bad. I got stabbed with a pencil once and the kid was in class the next day, didn't even get a detention.
Go through the guidance counselor, principal, vice principal, and Youth Resources officer. Tell them that you want to talk to these kids' parents and that you demand restitution to get it fixed. Go to a luthier and get an appraisal/estimate of what it will cost to have the bass fixed. If pieces need to be replaced, have him factor the parts into the cost, and don't be cheap. Bridge dented? Perhaps it's "damaged" the bridge saddle and needs to be replaced. And maybe a Hipshot Tuner with a D-tuner on the E string is what you want to replace it. You could always try. Or if you want it exactly the way it was, that's fine too. But they should pay for it.
If an agreement can't be reached that way, then I'd go to authorities.
Also, punching one of the ringleaders may be satisfying (I'd love to do it myself) it will NOT help your case. If you do it, on school grounds or off, they can look at that and say "He's been in fights with these kids, who's to say he didn't provoke them? Maybe it's part of a feud" etc. etc. Schools are amazing at finding excuses not to do things that make anyone look bad. I got stabbed with a pencil once and the kid was in class the next day, didn't even get a detention.
Go through the guidance counselor, principal, vice principal, and Youth Resources officer. Tell them that you want to talk to these kids' parents and that you demand restitution to get it fixed. Go to a luthier and get an appraisal/estimate of what it will cost to have the bass fixed. If pieces need to be replaced, have him factor the parts into the cost, and don't be cheap. Bridge dented? Perhaps it's "damaged" the bridge saddle and needs to be replaced. And maybe a Hipshot Tuner with a D-tuner on the E string is what you want to replace it. You could always try. Or if you want it exactly the way it was, that's fine too. But they should pay for it.
If an agreement can't be reached that way, then I'd go to authorities.
A tuner was bent, but the hardware is pretty good. The only way that all the damage can be fixed is a full refinish (which will be a pain in the arse) and the fretboard will need work.
MOTORHEADBANGER said:
Request a tuner and get an estimate for a pro refin and fretboard work. (throw in the cost of a setup too while you're at it)
You are right threats of cops and attorneys would be met with a laugh. But when they are called in one by one with a police officer in the room to get a report its a completely different story.
Ever think maybe high school doesn't, or didn't "suck" for everyone else? Just because you were picked on, abused, or whatever else happened to you doesn't mean that because he's in high school, it's his fault his bass was vandalized.
I do agree, he could have taken better precautions, but on the other hand, it takes a special kind of a$$hole to do what happened to his bass. High school does have a lot of immature people, but nobody should "expect" something like that to happen. Not everyone went through high school getting kicked in the hallway like you did. It's not like he just left his bass out on the sidewalk in the ghetto waiting for it to get stolen or smashed. Hope life got better for you.
Just find the best value for the bass. And get the money from the kids parents and get a g&l l2k. Easy as that haha. But no seriously thats messed up. Im in highschool too and if somebody did thay to my gear. Id beat the @#$% out of em. I couldnt live with my self knowing i have to wait a week to get it taken care off. But thats me.
Does anyone have an idea of what it would cost to have a neck through bass professionally refinished in a transparent red color (With the neck wood visible and in original color, and how much a fretboard repair would cost. Considering that there are areas that will need filled.
MOTORHEADBANGER said:
Search around your area (even towns around you) and take it in and get an estimate at the shop you like the most. Everyone will have a different price estimate on her btw, depending on their preferred shops and their basses.
Looking at prices I would guess the refinish of a neck through instrument, granted that they will have to sand through a crapload of hard lacquer, will be a $300 minimum.
I don't know what the situation is where you live, but here in California, you can get a judgement against them(or more specifically, against their parents) by taking them to Small Claims Court. No lawyers are allowed, and you have a chance to present your case to a judge. if you win a judgement, it is an enforceable debt, meaning that they HAVE to pay it.
Good luck-their actions were sickening and disrespectful.
Good luck-their actions were sickening and disrespectful.
