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im hurting my bass!!

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by A Rock, Feb 14, 2002.


  1. Feb 14, 2002 #1
    A Rock

    A Rock

    Mar 18, 2001
    New Haven, CT
    for over the past yr...i noticed that i was scratchin the would right next to the pickup where i anchor my thumb. now some of the finishing is scratched away.

    i just started learning how to slap pop. after a couple weeks of grueling practice..i noticed i scratched up the area right next to the g string where i slap popped.

    now there are two area with a lot blemishes.

    am i doing something wrong?
    is my wood too soft for me...its an ash body?
    or do i have superhuman nails?..i try to keep em trim most the time.
     
  5. Feb 15, 2002 #2
    int

    int

    Jan 21, 2002
    Phoenix, AZ
    Character. :D
     
  10. Feb 15, 2002 #3
    Jarrod

    Jarrod

    Jan 1, 2002
    Los Angeles, CA
    if your bass has a natural wood stain or oil finish, then it is not uncommon to carve bits of it out with your fingers and fingernails over the years.... i have a friend with an old tobias that has a massive carving out beneath the g string from popping... and i was starting to do the same to my dearmond until i got my jazz bass... now the pickguard stops my fingernails cold :)

    if you have a hard laquer finish and you're making big carvings, then yes you are superhuman... usually in that case, you'd just make mostly invisible scratches

    either way, i wouldn't worry about it.... as someone said, it adds character to the bass! uh, unless you want to sell it... then i'd try to be careful!
     
  14. Feb 15, 2002 #4
    Showdown

    Showdown Supporting Member

    Jan 21, 2002
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    My Tobias Toby has a "satin" (non-glossy) finish, but above the pickup where I rest my thumb, and between the pickups over the E string where my fingers brush when I pluck the string it has been rubbed shiny. I just look at it as the cost of playing the bass. If I wanted it to look perfect I could leave it in the case, but then what would be the point of having it?
     
  18. Feb 15, 2002 #5
    fretbuzz

    fretbuzz

    Jun 25, 2001
    buffalo grove, illinois
    I would be proud to have such wear marks on my bass. i means your a player. wear your bass high, and wear it out!
     
  22. Feb 15, 2002 #6
    hyperlitem

    hyperlitem Guest

    Jul 25, 2001
    Indianapolis, IN
    i'm guessing that could be corrected with your technique. ive seen some people who really dig in. i have more of a light slap pop style as i never touch the body when i slap and pop. I can do it just as well as someone that does dig in i'd guess so i guess you could try changing yoiur style if it bothers u. I like my basses to be immaculate, but some people like em all beat up so its a preference thing. you couild try putting a guard or sumting over it to protect it if u wanted though.
     
  26. Feb 16, 2002 #7
    A Rock

    A Rock

    Mar 18, 2001
    New Haven, CT
    its a ibanez btb..i dunno if its a stain or a oil finish but its not like a hard laquer finish
     
  31. Feb 16, 2002 #8
    Jarrod

    Jarrod

    Jan 1, 2002
    Los Angeles, CA
    i'm not familiar with the "510", but i have seen some BTB's with a satin finish.... where its finished but not hard and glassy... like hyperlitem said, you could probably get it to stop by changing your technique... when i first learned how to slap and pop i really dug in and started carving out a bit of my wood, but after a while i eased up and i only nick it once in a while now.... its up to you... if the marks bother you, then try to go easier on her, but if not i say don't worry about it, it adds flavor to the bass :)