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How to make your Bass look worn?????

#7
Another opened can of worms! Some people like the look, some of those that don't seem to think their opinions were somehow asked for in threads where they obviously weren't. If you have a poly finish you could play that bass for 30 years and not get much wear on it. Check with ibanezcollector as he has gotten very good at the process. Another relicing option would be to strip the finish entirely and put a thin lacquer finish on it like the Hwy1 basses have and then let it wear naturally.
 
#8
Play lots and lots of gigs on cramped stages and leave your case at home. You will have all of the dings and scratches you want. :)

If you want to artificially "age" your instrument, just search for "relicing" and you will find all the info you need.
 
#14
CLMSHQ said:
I play in a classic rock band and want that worn look to a P-Bass.

Do you use a stripper or a certain grade of sand paper for worn spots? Then a laquer...I don't know.

Has anyone done this and can show me pics?:help:

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Have you got a picture of an instrument that is similar to the final result you want?

Assuming you have already got a P-bass, it is pretty safe to assume it is finished in polyurethane. This stuff is tough and though it will ding, it doesn't wear very smoothly. It is designed not to wear.

I suggest a different approach. Clean and polish your current P-bass. Give it a fresh setup and new set of strings. Put it on Craigslist and sell it. Take the funds, combined with some savings and buy a Fender Roadworn P-bass. They are finished in Nitro and much easier to age, also, Fender has gotten you well on your way.

All you need to do with the Roadworn P-bass is play it a lot. It will wear visibly and take on a more individual character in a few months if you are practicing and gigging enough. :D

You will have the added advantage of having a great instrument, too.
 
#17
i can't help but think this idea is completely silly or stupid. when i saw the fender "road worn" series, i thought 'what crap'. how stupid is everyone? you are supposed to PLAY the damn guitar. that's HOW. i think of Billy Sheehan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen, etc, and the YEARS of devotion to their main instruments. It shows their true love. now some jackazz can buy an already worn guitar from Fender for the price of a compact car. what happened to our society??
 
#18
Greevus said:
i can't help but think this idea is completely silly or stupid. when i saw the fender "road worn" series, i thought 'what crap'. how stupid is everyone? you are supposed to PLAY the damn guitar. that's HOW. i think of Billy Sheehan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen, etc, and the YEARS of devotion to their main instruments. It shows their true love. now some jackazz can buy an already worn guitar from Fender for the price of a compact car. what happened to our society??
Click to expand...

Have you gotten off your soapbox yet? If you don't like it, don't look at it. Don't come here and post from your high horse without reading the thread. New fenders are finished in poly, that stuff really doesn't wear, and when it does it almost always never looks natural.
 
#19
To the OP - buy a Hwy 1 precision - they have a nitro finish that will wear off with playing. Or get your P refinned in nitro, but that could cost about the price of buying a used Hwy 1 bass. Or just get a hwy 1 body and bolt your existing parts on that. Don't forget to play the crap out of it!

I played a Road Worn Jazz at GC saturday morning. Really awesome playing bass, very lightweight. I think my Lindy Fralin jazz PU's sound MUCH better tho. But you can't beat a nice lightweight bass...

Also, the shiny finish over the wear marks makes it look really fake up close IMO. I'd sand that down. Also, no way I'd spend 1200 on that, maybe 5 or 600.
 
#20
you could strip the finish completely and put a dark stain on it... it'll look pretty worn right away and it'll wear more easily than your current finish. I was thinking about doing this to my MIM P... when I get the money or the means, that is
 

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