Finally past that point.

[itsnottruerufus]

So, I've pretty much always been obnoxiously concerned about the condition of my instruments, but I finally have truly realized, after owning 4 new instruments in the past 2 years, that no matter how careful I am, **** is gonna happen (specifically, I'm gonna smash the headstock into something ) Its just nice to now have things sufficiently "worn in" that I no longer have to care about babying things and just play the hell out of them. Yeah, I'm pretty dumb, but this sure is a nice feeling.

 

[PWRL]

Sure is. I agree.

 

[Crabby]

I try to keep my bases in mint condition but that just isn't reality if you actually play them, take them places and make people boogie.

 

[rollin$tone]

I play my vintage basses even at dive bars... They need to hear great tone too!

 

[circuitspore]

This is why I haven't bought a new instrument in over a decade. I buy 'em already bruised up so I don't have to worry about putting on the first ding!

 

[two fingers]

I learned that lesson from my grandfather through a family (southern redneck) tradition. It's a long story but I'll keep it short. Whenever someone in my family bought a new truck, it would get driven to his house. He would throw a log as hard as he could into the bed of the truck, trying to make a dent. After that point, you wouldn't worry about scratching the bed and you could use it like a truck in stead of a show car.

Try not to bang your basses up. But at the end of the day, play/enjoy them without sweating a scratch or ding here and there. The only way to enjoy a bass is to play the heck out of it.

What's funny though is that I don't mind if I am the one who scratches my bass. But it really pisses me off if someone else does it.

 

[SolarMan]

Yep - you aren't really playing it if you have part of your brain dedicated to not getting a ding.

I have the same philosophy about my pickup.

It has a couple dings, so if you park 2 inches next to me and try to get out - I just laugh!

This, too, is a very comfortable feeling.

Hey, our bodies are getting dinged up more each day - just go with it!