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Fodera Club Part XII

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#566
It completely depends on whether or not he signed it while the instrument was in production or after it was fully built. The first question is to ascertain is whether or not the signature is on the surface of the paint or underneath the final coats. Roughly 90% of the instruments out there with Vic's signature on them are signed AFTER the bass was built (i.e. on top of the last coat of paint).

Assuming that this is the case with your instrument and assuming that it is on the back of the peghead, please do NOT start using things like vinegar, turpentine, or anything like that...no good can come from putting that stuff anywhere near your Fodera...

1. Remove all of the machine heads.
2. Make sure that you have some high quality 320 grit sand paper a 500 and 1000 grit Abralon pad and some Bowling Alley Wax and "0000" Steel Wool on hand.
3. You'll need a quality hardwood sanding block (roughly 4" x 3" x 3/4").
4. Starting with the 320 grit sandpaper, use the sanding block and evenly and gently sand off the signature. If you are not even in applying pressure and/or rub against the corners / edges of the PH, you risk breaking through the paint.
5. Once the signature is gone, repeat the sanding process LIGHTLY with the 500 Abralon pad and block and then again with the 100 pad and block. All you are doing with the two pads is removing the sanding scratches, so please be careful to remove the bare minimum of additional paint!
6. Apply a bit of bowling alley wax to the 0000 Steel wool and rub it onto the back of the peghead (in line with the wood grain).
7. Allow the wax to sit for roughly 1-2 minutes and then buff off with a soft cotton cloth.
8. Reinstall the machine heads.

That's exactly how we would do it at the shop. If you are not comfortable doing it this way, you should really send the instrument to us to take care of for you...it's a very small job, but if not done properly, you would need either a costly finish repair from us to finish the mistake or be left with a seriously devalued instrument...

Cheers,

J

portraitoftracy said:
Quick question, Is there a safe and easy way to remove Victor's signature from the back of a Fodera headstock?
Click to expand...
 
#568
Just Thumpin' said:
It completely depends on whether or not he signed it while the instrument was in production or after it was fully built. The first question is to ascertain is whether or not the signature is on the surface of the paint or underneath the final coats. Roughly 90% of the instruments out there with Vic's signature on them are signed AFTER the bass was built (i.e. on top of the last coat of paint).

Assuming that this is the case with your instrument and assuming that it is on the back of the peghead, please do NOT start using things like vinegar, turpentine, or anything like that...no good can come from putting that stuff anywhere near your Fodera...

1. Remove all of the machine heads.
2. Make sure that you have some high quality 320 grit sand paper a 500 and 1000 grit Abralon pad and some Bowling Alley Wax and "0000" Steel Wool on hand.
3. You'll need a quality hardwood sanding block (roughly 4" x 3" x 3/4").
4. Starting with the 320 grit sandpaper, use the sanding block and evenly and gently sand off the signature. If you are not even in applying pressure and/or rub against the corners / edges of the PH, you risk breaking through the paint.
5. Once the signature is gone, repeat the sanding process LIGHTLY with the 500 Abralon pad and block and then again with the 100 pad and block. All you are doing with the two pads is removing the sanding scratches, so please be careful to remove the bare minimum of additional paint!
6. Apply a bit of bowling alley wax to the 0000 Steel wool and rub it onto the back of the peghead (in line with the wood grain).
7. Allow the wax to sit for roughly 1-2 minutes and then buff off with a soft cotton cloth.
8. Reinstall the machine heads.

That's exactly how we would do it at the shop. If you are not comfortable doing it this way, you should really send the instrument to us to take care of for you...it's a very small job, but if not done properly, you would need either a costly finish repair from us to finish the mistake or be left with a seriously devalued instrument...

Cheers,

J
Click to expand...

Perfect, thankyou
 
#572
We had a small run of Fodera straps made (5 or 6). In the end, we decided that our time and effort is better spent making instruments than dealing with "merchandise." We are just not set up to do it well and we manage to lose money on all of it!

LOL.

J

curt basner said:
Jason,

Same question here, as I didn't think I saw an answer to it.
Click to expand...
 
#574
portraitoftracy said:
Sure, because I don't want someone's name signed on my bass. Nothing against Victor, supreme person and player, but I don't need his autograph on my bass, especially when it isn't his reissue model.
Click to expand...

Thanks,
Just curious, as I'd probably do the same .
 
#575
portraitoftracy said:
Sure, because I don't want someone's name signed on my bass. Nothing against Victor, supreme person and player, but I don't need his autograph on my bass, especially when it isn't his reissue model.
Click to expand...
A suggestion...

As you know, that signature is worth something to someone.

As someone who doesn't seem opposed to turning over your basses, have you considered selling the bass with Vic's signature and picking up another without?

Then you don't have to go to the trouble (and risk?) to remove it, and you can move it on to someone who would love it and get yourself something that suits you a bit better.
 
#576
Tom7 said:
As someone who doesn't seem opposed to turning over your basses, have you considered selling the bass with Vic's signature and picking up another without?

Then you don't have to go to the trouble (and risk?) to remove it, and you can move it on to someone who would love it and get yourself something that suits you a bit better.
Click to expand...

That's ridiculous. His signature is not worth anything- we're not talking about Miles Davis or Babe Ruth. It's a "cool" thing to people who care, but it's not adding tangible, measurable value. He's a great guy and he's still alive, so he has signed tons of stuff, so there isn't "rarity" value either.

Nothing against the guy- I think he's great- but I think it's a huge overstatement to say that it's worth so much that he should find a different bass. It's just some ink.
 
#579
new to me Emperor. I think I'm more of a Monarch guy, but so far it is fun to mess with a B-string again. And the dual coils are a different beast than the PJ setup. Sorry for the crappy light...

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#580
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Wow! Congrats on both of those man! I have to say you have a dream pair! You got me on this train and I thank you for it...Would love to hear a comparison/review on both of them. I know I want a YYD and I am leaning towards a Monarch Body with a similar spec to your new beauty. Thinking a Birdseye Maple may be a better choice for the fretboard as I travel a lot and don't need the hassle that a "Dark" fingerboard seems to be getting in some places. Very curious what your thoughts are on both of these sweethearts...Thanks in advance for anything you might share!

Peace,

T
 
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