Can someone explain this ?????

[daveman50]

Definitely some sort of burn. The finish is still present along the string paths - the burnt areas are in between the strings. Maybe it was left leaning against an electric heater?

There's also a similar burn mark at the other end but it's not photographed clearly... very odd.

 

[IamGroot]

 

[Panek]

It got pulled from Reverb... wonder why?

 

[primusfan1989]

Could it be he’s a firm practitioner of “No money above the first fret“?

Beat me to it hahahaa

 

[foolforthecity]

This is the best hypothesis so far: It was leaning against something very hot, like a heater or grill, long enough to scorch it and melt some of the finish. That would explain the pattern of the scorching going up (toward the headstock) and the melted finish running down the neck.

I would believe this more than cig burns. That’s no cigarette burn along the first fret, no way. A cigarette holder is what the E machine head is used for

 

[Kukulkan61]

Mind boggling

 

[Spectre Gunner]

A poorly adjusted nut job maybe? Also on the neck.

 

[WhyIsPBassBest]

I thought it was one of those new “roasted” maple necks!

 

[HeadWind]

Note, the burn marks are between the strings, not under the strings.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I thought it was one of those new “roasted” maple necks!

 

[Remyd]

1982 = vintage now?

38 years isn't long enough? I always thought 25-30 was about the limit

 

[Remyd]

Note, the burn marks are between the strings, not under the strings.

Man, that guy from the horn band was on fire the other night...

 

[Richard Martin]

He wants $800 just for that neck? It's a 1982 neck, not 1952. I personally wouldn't give him $800 for it if it came with a body and everything worked.

 

[Fat Freddy]

someone was jamming their cigarette in there between sets

For the win!........

Happy New Year man....

 

[bass12]

38 years isn't long enough? I always thought 25-30 was about the limit

When it comes to Fenders the term “vintage” has tended to apply to basses from the most desired period/periods (more about era than actual age). So if I see an ad for a “vintage” Fender I’m not thinking anything past ‘78.

 

[BurnOut]

Wonder if someone was using some sort of foam mute and there was a chemical reaction with the finish.

 

[christpncher]

I wonder if it was some weird kind of capo.

I think this is the correct answer. Capo was attached and never removed, trapping dirt, rubbing against board, etc

 

[Samatza]

If 1982 is vintage any minute now they’re going to stick me in the museum as a stuffed exhibit with the caption;

bass player -habitat: clubs and bars status: endangered species

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If 1982 is vintage any minute now they’re going to stick me in the museum as a stuffed exhibit with the caption;

bass player -habitat: clubs and bars status: endangered species

You realize that 1982 was almost 40 years ago, right?

 

[Rip Van Dan]

That pretty much stretches the definition of "Condition: Good" to destruction. I'd agree with KBD that they've habitually stuck a cigarette under the strings, set it on a stand/leaned it against the amp and just let it burn down. Looks like they've done the same thing at the 20th fret too!!!! Why on earth?

They might call it "mojo" or "relic"... personally I'd call it damaged.

Yeah, but the cigarette burn would not be in either the 1st or 20th frets. Back in the 60's and 70's they would stick the cigarette lit end up with the other end behind the nut in the headstock as far up as it took for the string pressure going from the nut to the tuning head to hold it in place.

The burns caused by that are very distinctive and that is not what they look like...at all. 99% of the time the burns are on the upper edge of the head stock above the E string because the cigarette didn't burn down as fast as it would have if you put it burning end down under the G string. Plus, less chance to burn your hand that way by accidentally bumping it. Looks to me like someone took one of those miniature torches like you'd use to light a cigar and applied that in between the strings until it burned through the finish.

I'm right there with you @TrevorR, I'd also call that "damaged".