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Carving initials into bass

Someone (presumably Dodge) carved the name Dodge onto the neck plate of this mid-60s EKO 995.
dodge.jpg
EKO.jpg
 
To add real value to any future buyer, carve in your full name, D.O.B. and Social Security number.

To really add value to any future buyer or thief, just tape a piece of paper with all your credit card numbers and bank account numbers to it.

This is a picture of one of Ted Nugent's Gibson Byrdland guitars. He has his initials and instrument inventory identifier burned into the back of the guitar.

Well, Ted Nugent doing something is about the best reason I can think of for not doing it. :D
 
Never carved my initials anywhere. On a related experience, a long time friend, who played guitar, was a high school shop teacher. He could afford quality electric guitars. But he could not resist the need to physically alter the wood guitar body. So, with 90% of his e-guitars he would take them to "shop" and use the tools to make the guitar body that fit his vision.
 
I’ve done it once on the first Mia fender that I bought new, thinking I’d never sell it. I even used a sharpie to stain the wood in case someone tried to sand off the carving lol

this was on the neck , by the lower horn. The guy I sold it to didn’t notice it , and he sold it down the way too.
 
I shimmed a neck on a Fender bass with a business card and wrote “Talkbass” and my forum name. I set the bass up nicely though, so someone might never find it. (I sold the bass 10+ years ago.)

Some gear I’ve had for 35 years and would never sell, other gear I don’t bond with and flip much quicker - but I’ve never carved my name in to any.
 

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