• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How long until you start scratching your bass

P

Panda Licker

Jan 5, 2005
569
8
Coaldale PA
#1
We all know that the first day you get your bass, you treat it like an infant. Take off your belt when you play, make sure there is nothing sharp around that you might knock it against. probably even wipe it off with a rag when you're done playing

but how long until you start letting your guard down and start beating it up?

Now I'm not talking serious wear and tear. No big chips off of the headstock, or dropping it down steps. But how long is it until you get your first scratch in the finish because you weren't careful enough?

I know I've had my newest bass for going on 4 months, and its starting to show signs of use. Nothing serious though. One scratch in the back of the body from where I hit it against the clasp of the case as I was putting it away. There is also a small dink in the back of the neck from it bumping against a table. And the newest one, which is maybe 5 minutes old was me strapping on my bass and hitting the headstock on teh ceiling. I threw my strap around my shoulder, and lifted the body out of the way so that the strap lock wouldnt hit it, and instead, whacked it off the rail of the drop ceiling.

I guess its bound to happen with any bass, but how about you? For your main players, how many months until they start to show that someone really plays them?
 
#2
Thats a tough one. Ive had one of my nice spectors for over a year now and I still treat it like a baby. every once and a while I sorta swing the headstock into something, but not too hard. Other than that I have been pretty good about not damaging them or scuffing them up.
 
#3
I don't think I've ever taken my belt off to play or treated a bass like an infant. Maybe untucked a shirt to play a brand new one, but that's about it. That's not to say that I abuse any of my stuff, but it all gets played and gigged, so they're going to get bumps and bruises just from being used. Yeah, I try not to bounce them off of other stuff, but it happens. I sure as heck wouldn't puposefully bang up my basses.

If I wanted show pieces, I'd build a glass cased for them.
 
#7
Never took off belt, beat bass up against amp on heavier songs, smack body while holding chords since day one. On all of my basses.

I don't look at it as as investment, it's part of my music/art whatever you want to call it. I have also never spent more than 1300 on a bass guitar, and probably never will.


EDIT: I spent 1360 on an Ernie Ball Limited Edition new once.
 
#12
Pretty much from day 1. Like SmittyG says, they're just tools. I make sure I never do any real damage and take reasonable care, but I'm not gonna worry about it. Like with a car; scratches and dings are gonna happen so I don't sweat it.
 
#13
I treat my basses with the care and respect a fine handmade instrument deserves. I gig them regularly, practice a few hours a day, play em at rehearsals, and they look as good as new.

I see a lot of trashed instruments that look as if they'd been previously owned by a pissed-off Orangutan, which is probably not far from the truth. ;)
 
#14
I have been wearing my belt buckle on the side for years - to avoid back issues. I wear it there - all the time out of habit now. Other than that - I play all my instruments without regard for wear and tear. I try not to drop them or damage them (or hit them on the ceiling)
Most came to me used with little things. All of my purchased new instruments have minor dings or scratches. That's just part of the deal with guitars and basses. They are tools (awesome tools) and I use them.
 
#15
Hmmm?
"Guard" never gets let down but they don't stay in their cases.

CURRENT main players are used basses except the Brice LP clone. I just do as others have mentioned: belt buckle worn on left side and be careful. Dings are going to arrive as well as dents. All three main players just got "a bath" today and the Grecos got some action work. The Grecos look played(dings, very minor chips) but not neglected but the Grecos were new in 1998. The Brice has been to 3 gigs so it's a noob and looks "un-used".
3LPclonesFXd.jpg


This 1989 one came "mojo'd" and was a main player until a Greco showed up:
DoomFullRings01Fxd2.jpg

PaintChippedEdge.jpg
 
#17
Debased said:
I treat my basses with the care and respect a fine handmade instrument deserves. I gig them regularly, practice a few hours a day, play em at rehearsals, and they look as good as new.

I see a lot of trashed instruments that look as if they'd been previously owned by a pissed-off Orangutan, which is probably not far from the truth. ;)
Click to expand...

I don't keep mine in cases and play all of them routinely. I don't "mojo" my basses. Small dings happen every now and then, but my entire bass collection has fewer dings than some popular mojo'd instruments. I treat my basses well and they stay reliable.
 
#20
Well, lets see,

my sparkling silver sterling- Had it for around two years now. Still clean it every time i play it.

my fender mia jazz 2000-stays in it's case and only makes rare appearences were it is cleaned straight away.

my white cij fender p bass- beat the living **** out of it the first night i got it. Dropped it on it's neck when trying a guitar swing around the body. Dragged it around the rehearsal room by the strap. Why you ask? I really dont know. But it looks punk rock now.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back