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Crack in Modulus FB4 need advice and help on fixing it!

Fix the bass chip or not?

  • Total voters
    4
JoshyWashy

JoshyWashy

Sep 20, 2013
40
0
#1
Hi so not long ago i managed to buy my 97 modulus fb4 and the other day i took my bass out of its case to play at school for an event and I noticed at the head stock, a piece of the finish was coming loose and i touched it ever so slightly and the piece fell off. I knew that spot the finish was damaged but it somehow managed to come loose. It's only a small chip but it got me wondering and cautious about the whole ordeal. I have several dings/scratches on it from which I have no idea how they happened nor did i cause any of them and since the previous owner has no idea either supposedly. But one of them is actually concerning me. It is pretty decent and its deep enough that it shows the wood if the bass. It is on the top side of the bass and as you can see by the pictures it's pretty nasty. So the question is does anybody know anything about what i can do to maybe some how fix it or seal it up to a state it actually looks okay. Or if i should just leave it and its best to not touch it. With the small chip i have the piece that fell off so i can actually put that back on but with what? Also does anybody know anything about the finishes on these basses and how it's done or what they use/process because I'm not too sure about it at all. I would really appreciate some help this bass means the world to me and I'm sure one of you guys/girls can help me out. Thanks in advance I really appreciate it. Btw in the pictures there's a little piece of clear sticky tape over the part that shows the wood just so nothing gets into there if you're wondering what that is.

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#2
If you plan on keeping it for some time, you may want to consider having the whole thing refinished if you're concerned about the chips and other damage. I know that Pat Wilkins used to supply the finishing materials for Modulus, so he may know exactly what needs to be done. He's a really nice guy and if anything might be a good person to ask about your options. I've had him refinish a few basses for me and a Modulus neck from gloss to satin.
 
#3
Black Bart said:
If you plan on keeping it for some time, you may want to consider having the whole thing refinished if you're concerned about the chips and other damage. I know that Pat Wilkins used to supply the finishing materials for Modulus, so he may know exactly what needs to be done. He's a really nice guy and if anything might be a good person to ask about your options. I've had him refinish a few basses for me and a Modulus neck from gloss to satin.
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Hey thanks for the reply, sounds pretty drastic to refinish the whole thing and expensive haha. I actually don't mind it having a little scratch or a ding because i like it has some character and I don't plan on selling till I die but you never know, i just don't want it to get wrecked to the point where it's past 'a little character'. But none the less I'll look into it thanks he seems to be a good person to talk to about it.
 
#4
No worries, it all depends on how much the dings, etc. bother you or not as to whether a refin would be drastic. I'm sure you're bound to hear arguments regarding keeping the mojo vs refinishing :D In any case enjoy it, they're great basses.
 
#6
I wouldn't be worried at all. The only reason to fix any of that stuff would be for aesthetics OCD and probably not worth it cost wise (hundreds of dollars). These finishes are thick so refinishing this bass would require quite a bit of time sanding. The chips aren't going to effect anything. The flake finishes become brittle over time but the bass won't crumble into pieces one day if you take good care of it ;). I'm starting to get the idea that people like to beat up on grey sparkle fleas. I have one selling on eBay right now that was in a similar condition when I bought it. It really pisses me off when I see abused Modulus basses!!!
 
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#7
evilchuck87 said:
I wouldn't be worried at all. The only reason to fix any of that stuff would be for aesthetics OCD and probably not worth it cost wise (hundreds of dollars). These finishes are thick so refinishing this bass would require quite a bit of time sanding. The chips aren't going to effect anything. The flake finishes become brittle over time but the bass won't crumble into pieces one day if you take good care of it ;). I'm starting to get the idea that people like to beat up on grey sparkle fleas. I have one selling on eBay right now that was in a similar condition when I bought it. It really pisses me off when I see abused Modulus basses!!!
Click to expand...


Oh awesome, do you mind linking it to me I'd like to check it out. Thanks a lot for your reply btw :) and i know! Especially beautiful basses like modulus' people whom buy them should take good care of them especially if they are a sought after model like a 1997, at least i can do my little bit and do the best i can to keep it well.
 
#8
J...W...
I vote to just leave it alone! Don't put any "stabilizer" or other exotic stuff on it.
I agree, Pat Wilkins is the finish expert. Call him and ask him how to care for it. But don't refinish it.
You have a pretty exclusive bass and, if it really has any collectibility potential, just keep it original. A refinned vintage bass is worth significantly less than even a beat original.

BTW, what did that Sparkle Orange Flea on eBay end up selling for? Ask was >$4k
Wow.
 
#9
Hidesert said:
J...W...
I vote to just leave it alone! Don't put any "stabilizer" or other exotic stuff on it.
I agree, Pat Wilkins is the finish expert. Call him and ask him how to care for it. But don't refinish it.
You have a pretty exclusive bass and, if it really has any collectibility potential, just keep it original. A refinned vintage bass is worth significantly less than even a beat original.

BTW, what did that Sparkle Orange Flea on eBay end up selling for? Ask was >$4k
Wow.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for your reply! And yea i emailed Pat and i agree 100% with the originality issue you brought up im just a bit concerned you know haha. I'm considering just leaving it and doing my best to not damage it further. And man that bass unbelievable! It was in pure mint condition and had those re done lane poors that sound basically identical and it sold for i think about 4 250 or 4 500. Insane stuff just insane
 
#10
First thing I would do would be to peel that Scotch tape off of it. Then wick some thin CA glue into the cracks to keep the finish that is there from flaking off any more than it already has. After that I wouldn't worry about it, its not going to effect the bass on anything more than aesthetic level.
 
#11
My Genesis 5'er is doing something similar. You can have a luthier remove the old finish and refinish the entire neck or as Hopkins says, use some CA glue touch up the really bad parts to keep it from getting worse or spend about what you paid for the bass to have it refinished.
 
#12
Hopkins said:
First thing I would do would be to peel that Scotch tape off of it. Then wick some thin CA glue into the cracks to keep the finish that is there from flaking off any more than it already has. After that I wouldn't worry about it, its not going to effect the bass on anything more than aesthetic level.
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iriegnome said:
My Genesis 5'er is doing something similar. You can have a luthier remove the old finish and refinish the entire neck or as Hopkins says, use some CA glue touch up the really bad parts to keep it from getting worse or spend about what you paid for the bass to have it refinished.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks for your response :)

And yea see that's the thing should i be using that CA/superglue or something else like epoxy or something im not sure i dont want to damage the wood inside or the finish anymore. That's the question i have no idea.
 
#13
JoshyWashy said:
Hey thanks for your response :)

And yea see that's the thing should i be using that CA/superglue or something else like epoxy or something im not sure i dont want to damage the wood inside or the finish anymore. That's the question i have no idea.
Click to expand...

CA is much thinner and will wick itself into the cracks. Epoxy is much to thick.
 
#16
JoshyWashy said:
Oh awesome, do you mind linking it to me I'd like to check it out. Thanks a lot for your reply btw :) and i know! Especially beautiful basses like modulus' people whom buy them should take good care of them especially if they are a sought after model like a 1997, at least i can do my little bit and do the best i can to keep it well.
Click to expand...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151301376084
 
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#18
Well i might because i was just looking at the crack and i put a little pressure on it and i see a little more of the finish coming a bit loose. I suppose if i touch it up with a bit of thin CA it'll help to keep it like it is and therefore instead of fixing it up and sealing the crack i'll just prevent it from getting worse and keep the finish on there. You guys think that's the best thing to do?
 
#19
Wait on that note too i was thinking wouldn't super glue be a bad choice because it may react with temperatures/humidity and who knows what else. Again i don't want it doing more harm then it does good in fact no harm i want it be a solution instead of create more problems or another.
 
#20
JoshyWashy said:
Wait on that note too i was thinking wouldn't super glue be a bad choice because it may react with temperatures/humidity and who knows what else. Again i don't want it doing more harm then it does good in fact no harm i want it be a solution instead of create more problems or another.
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CA glue is basically plastic when it dries. It wont react with temperatures or humidity anymore than the finish on the bass.
 

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