Carving initials into bass

[antfarm]

I have a guitar with "ass" scratched into the pickguard. At least it's not in the wood. For posterity, don't do it.

Easy fix: Add a "B" to the front.

 

[chris_b]

All sorts of ideas seem good at 3 am after a dozen beers, but. . . . really. . . . don't. . . . !

 

[Hummergeist]

Anyone have a story on this? Might hurt resale value depending on value of one’s initials but I think it adds an interesting if not value reducing touch to a vintage instrument.

This is a joke, right?

 

[H K]

This made me laugh out loud. Back in the day when I lived in the barracks, my 1SG made us put our name and SSN on anything of value. My old Marshall head still has my name and ssn written on the inside with a sharpie. Lol.

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Hey, hows that Brugera on the right treating you? There's one for sale locally and I always thought it was a steal. It's been up for months and months now..

 

[H K]

I can see what OP means, it's what they call provenance in the antiques/art world. Identifying marks that reveal a story that may or may not be more interesting than the object if it had been unmodified.
A way to describe it would be as something that adds to the value by way of story rather than "original condition".

A typical example would be a vietnam war zippo lighter. They were often carved/decorated by their owners, and have become very collectible.

Now, on a guitar or bass, would it hurt the resale value more than bump it? In 95% of cases, then yes, probably. But then once in a while you'll come across something more special. Something "different". It could be an amazing carving done by some random person, or it could be "J.H. 1969" carved into the heel, you know?

 

[dougfr67]

LOL

 

[smtp4me]

Anyone have a story on this? Might hurt resale value depending on value of one’s initials but I think it adds an interesting if not value reducing touch to a vintage instrument.

Just my humble opinion - I personally would never do this. We can customize our instruments by swapping just about any part of them, and those swaps can often be undone.

I *might* consider it if, and only if, I know I that a particular instrument will be in my collection for life. Even then, someday I won't be here and someone close to me will probably sell it. By that time it will likely be vintage and worth much more $$ if I have not made a permanent change to it.

 

[Standalone]

All my basses are carven

 

[ebo]

If your name was Jaco and the year was 1966, coulda added value. Or Paul McCartney. I’d like Victor Wootens childhood bass with his initials clumsily carved into it. Otherwise it’s like getting a tattoo of your girlfriends name on your behind. Probably not going to stand the test of time.

 

[bassGtar]

Anyone have a story on this? Might hurt resale value depending on value of one’s initials but I think it adds an interesting if not value reducing touch to a vintage instrument.

Sorry no story. I could see branding my initials on my FJ if it were done in authentic way. What I never understood was putting stickers on an instrument, unless just to have fun with a throw away.

 

[Ric5]

Here a Rickenbacker with stuff carved into the headstock

 

[higain617]

Easy fix: Add a "B" to the front.

It's a guitar, but why not?

 

[Tim Skaggs]

It takes a very special circumstance for initials carved into a bass to turn out positive, but there is no doubt it could be a positive if the circumstance was right.

For example; Bill Monroe was known to scratch “Gibson” off the headstock of his mandolin after having a disagreement with Gibson over something. New Gibson mandolins are very expensive and old ones are even higher. One with Gibson scratched off the headstock would be worth a lot less, UNLESS it was one that belonged to Bill Monroe that he personally defaced. That one (two or three might exist) would be worth a double fortune…

 

[Confunk]

Carve it in the 12th inlay:

Link Removed

Built to order w/that image:

Otherwise, no unless done with a professional touch like engraving.

 

[CletusMarley]

Hey, hows that Brugera on the right treating you? There's one for sale locally and I always thought it was a steal. It's been up for months and months now..

It's pretty awesome. It sounds amazing. Its basically an SVT clone. My only complaint is that it runs very hot and heats this little room up about 10 degrees when I play it. I think I paid 350 for it.

 

[bolophonic]

I have “Stolen from [bolophonic]” carved into a couple of my basses, along with my phone number. These are great basses with next to no monetary value, so I’m not even slightly concerned about resale issues.

 

[H K]

It's pretty awesome. It sounds amazing. Its basically an SVT clone. My only complaint is that it runs very hot and heats this little room up about 10 degrees when I play it. I think I paid 350 for it.

Ooooh. The one for sale here has some issue with the tube-replacement system. Keeps alerting to broken tube, allthough it's been replaced. Any issues like that with yours? Or do you know how to turn that damn system off? XD

 

[Mr Talkbass]

Some asshat named Fender stamped his name right on the headstock of my P bass… the nerve of that guy.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Don’t do it. Don’t buy one that has initials carved into it. (Talking about decent basses) Ruins resale value.

 

[bassliner50]

Why would you do that? Just no.