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How long until you start scratching your bass

#23
I've had my Precision since 1967 and it's not scratched yet.

The answer: NEVER. EVER. NO matter what.

A quality instrument deserves quality care. Anything else is abuse and neglect, as far as I'm concerned. Yes, in normal use you will accumulate a chip here or a mark there. I guess that's what some refer to as "mojo". But you NEVER neglect the instrument and let it get beat around.

There is NO excuse. That's my firm, unchangeable opinion.
 
#24
The first one on my new baby came about 2 or 3 days after... Just got it 2 weeks ago. I found a hairline crack in the paint by the neck joint - I really don't know how it got there or if it was to begin with and I missed it at the store. It's not like I can complain and get a new one... I waited 10 months for it.

I actually think it helps me just "play" the thing and not have to baby it... Like one of the replies said, "they're just tools."

I hate taking a new bass to gigs and feel I have to watch it at all times... at least now the first one's out of the way. But I will still take good care of it and let natural wear develop... I would never beat it up for looks alone.
 
#25
All of my basses I painted myself with a two stage automotive paint that is very chip and dent resistant so they don't get easily scratched, and I also know that I can strip and repaint them at any time so I don't worry about normal wear and tear. I've worn through the 9 coats of clear in one spot on my main bass after 12 years so it's past time to repaint it, but I've got too much other stuff to do so it will have to wait awhile. :hmm:
 
#26
how long? about 3seconds everytime i play it...not really but i have thousands i never treat amy of my basses w/ "care" in that sence the more scratches dents etc the more character i say it makes it my bass...also i build my own so if i want to refinish it i can no biggy i like to play rough and tuff so a bass that is golden is one that can take the heat and go as fast as i am on tour and shows etc. going through walls sheetrock...ceiling tilies lol my ibanez 506 has said to me that i take ake that and plenty more :)
 
#29
my main work bass was the 2nd bass i ever bought after playing for a bout a year, its covered in dents and scratches especially above the low B string on the body from my foolish days of playing while wearing studded wrist bands. let it be known that i love my basses and no longer wear such things, so much so that any wrist wear besides sweat bands are purley for fretting arm use. my bass is battered and dented but it wouldnt be my comfortable reliable bass if it wasnt so im not ashamed of its battle scars infact im proud, yes tey origonated from ignorance and neglect but now they are part of its character.

brand new basses usually end up having a 2-4 month immactulate period b4 i acidentally neglect to remove my belt or knock its head/neck against a wall or table.
 
#30
Accidents can happen, but so far the longest I have been careful about any one bass has been 17 years. It will be one day more tomorrow. I also refrain from intentially scratching/denting my cars, dropping stereo equipment down stairs, etc. Even my cheap stuff tends to stay in the same condition I got it in, unless it came with some "mojo" that I am able to remove, then it gets better. Can't see the point in trashing something I paid good money for.
 
#31
i always take good care of my instruments but all 4 of my basses have slight scratches on them. i dont treat them like babies but i do show quite a bit of respect to my basses as i had to work damn hard to afford them. i dont mind them getting the odd scratch but i dont let it happen if i can.

i wipe my basses down after i play them though because i hate the look of fingerprints and i like to try and get the sweat off the strings!
 
#33
I am pretty clumsy so all my basses start getting dings right away. I try to be careful, but it still happens. I can't believe I haven't hit the ceiling fan with the headstock (my Zon) yet. It will probably happen before the year is up.

Fender basses and vintage basses look cool with wear marks and dings and missing paint. I wonder how my Zon will look chipped, scratched and cracked (the finish that is)?
I don't think it will look good. It has one of those fancy tops with a clear finish.
 

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