Do you apply any custom decorations to your instrument?

[tr4252]

No. I don't decorate tools.

Tom

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I have some authentic Vegas casino dice I picked up on a Vegas trip to make some DIY control knobs. I have an assortment of colors from other casinos so maybe I'll make some more sets.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

paint, stickers, chop off a headstock, whatever..


.

This is one way to reduce the weight of a guitar.

 

[nixdad]

Yep, I've been decorating for years. For me, it started with using vinyl tape to modify a stripped '61 Jazz Bass. This varied from all-white (Beach Boys show,) black with white drips (to match a particular shirt) and as an American Flag for a July 4th show and summer concerts:

Custom ordered Spector NS-2 in 1981 or '82:

Autographed '64 Jazz Bass (modified):

More vinyl tape on pickguards for my son:

Pickguards and knobs (my work or by others):

Fender acoustic bass with neck pickup:

Not a bass, but customized Funko Pops of my band:

 

[Clark W]

I wonder how common it is for people to apply cosmetic, non-functional changes to their instruments, to personalise it or make it look better if it's dull. Things like adding stickers, drawing something on the body or neck, partial/full repaints or anything else including attaching stuff.

I did that a few times on my first ever guitar (talking about 30 years ago*), which was a very blank-looking cheap Squier with black body and black pickguard. I once put green tape on it to emulate Van Halen, changed it for a while to silver geometrical stickers, and then put some little ghost figures on certain frets to work as more visible marker dots. I never did anything of this sort to my instruments after that first one.

*I remember seeing some pretty crazy stuff back then... from students of art painting incredible pictures on guitar bodies with permanent markers, to someone actually torching the body of his guitar to make it look it survived a battle

Other than the changing of a pickguard I have never done anything, and won't, to change the cosmetics of a bass I own.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

None for me, other replacing the pickguard to another color.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Personally I don't but did find an expert that does. Legendary pin striper Jim "Dauber" Farr was given free rein to do what he thought was best. He even went over each & every line w/ clear to make sure it lasts.
View attachment 5372547
View attachment 5372548

Still one of my absolute favorites here.

Generally, I put Pearloid pickguards on although I've been keeping whatever comes with the instrument lately. As well I will put stickers on a solid color body but I cannot bring myself to cover a nice Sunburst with a sticker.

Also, ashtrays and pickup covers as appropriate.

I think the storm shutters and Shopvac are a nice touch.

 

[Sooter76]

Rule #1: NO STICKERS.

Unless you’re Duff…

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Strictly cosmetic? Not in a long time, (edit - forgot I put black control knobs on my Epi T-Bird Vintage Pro. I'd put a black pg on it, too, if I could find one. Only did the knobs because I have the white version of the bass) except when I stripped the finish off a SUB Ray 4 neck. Played it for a long time that way but got tired of the headstock looking "naked" so I added a Stingray waterslide decal to fill in the empty space. Not trying to fool anyone but no one offered SUB 4 repros! Also had an MIJ Fender Jaguar Bass I left the original hang tag on. Sort of an homage to Minnie Pearl. Google her, young'uns!

BBB

 

[SkylineFiver]

Not typically. Maybe a nice strap or a pickguard change. But after a recent incident I’m tempted to put one of these on my bass.

View attachment 5372693

I hope the original artist for this sticker was brought in for questioning.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Unless you’re Duff…

Or Lesh

Or Dunn

Or Lee

 

[juancaminos]

GOLD, it's hard to tell but even

the strings are gold plated...

 

[David OnTheMoon]

I used to have a plastic lizard I would put in the headstock. That is about it.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I decorate both of mine with a Gruv Gear Erskine tan leather DuoStrap and black FretWraps.

 

[LowendG]

Just pickguards and pickup covers for me--I especially dig creme pickup covers on FSOs. Gives 'em that 70's modded look.

 

[Topkat13]

That’s a personal question.

 

[KenD]

Will anyone ever top SRV or Eddie?

 

[tremor100]

I had a little LED that blinked between green and red that i dont even remember where i found way back in the day, was about the size of a tone knob on a Jazz bass and i would stick it to my Lakland Jazz Basses control plat behind the Tone knob and turn it on sometimes while playing.. people that were musicians all thought i had some crazy mod on my bass or something lol.

I guess this isn't as special with DarkRays being a thing and having a big glowing LED as well on a knob... im suing them for rights as we speak, il let you know how it goes (jk ofc lol)

 

[Medicine Man]

Made this pickguard.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I wonder how common it is for people to apply cosmetic, non-functional changes to their instruments, to personalise it or make it look better if it's dull. Things like adding stickers, drawing something on the body or neck, partial/full repaints or anything else including attaching stuff.

I did that a few times on my first ever guitar (talking about 30 years ago*), which was a very blank-looking cheap Squier with black body and black pickguard. I once put green tape on it to emulate Van Halen, changed it for a while to silver geometrical stickers, and then put some little ghost figures on certain frets to work as more visible marker dots. I never did anything of this sort to my instruments after that first one.

*I remember seeing some pretty crazy stuff back then... from students of art painting incredible pictures on guitar bodies with permanent markers, to someone actually torching the body of his guitar to make it look it survived a battle

Yup

Let's first start with my honu. A turtle's been hanging from my strap for the last 15 years or so. I've replaced it twice. Broke once, fell off somewhere once.

Then, I put q-parts knobs on everything. I'm really quite partial to the pearl black UFOs with abalone or pearl gems.

I also do custom neck plates, and paint my control plates black.

Custom pickguards

Custom finishes

And, I used to do stickers. I put my band sticker on my jazz bass recently. As seen in the first picture.

But yes, I'm all about making things mine