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Larry Hartke's 2010 Precision Bass Refinish
- Thread starter Larry Hartke
- Start date
An art gallery, you say? They want to display your "work"?
I'm not sure some NYC Art Gallery really justifies that what you've created here is indeed "art"...I'm not trying to start a flame war (puns intended), and I'm not even upset you torched a brand new bass for no reason. That's cool, I've seen worse...what gets me is the fact that you're convinced yourself and others here on TB that you've created "art".
I'm really appreciative the art of building relic guitars, and customization of instruments to better their appearance or sound/playability, and if I had the skills of a talented builder/relic'er (Like Nash, Atkinson, or Dark Horse who take time and pride in their work) I'd take much offense to passing off what you've done here as "art"...
IMO, at least go the extra mile and torch parts of the rest of it.
A famous artist once said, "Art is never finished, just abandoned". So...where does that leave you??
...I'd love to know what your thoughts/impressions/ideas/desires were when you created this piece of "art"?
What differentiates it between these amateur relic hack jobs we've all seen before overdone with a belt sander and a six-pack of beer? (God forbid a blow-torch comes in and the flame police jump on board)
Maybe it's my inner art-school pretentious attitude coming out, but, as an artist, I'm dying to know...why?
I'm not sure some NYC Art Gallery really justifies that what you've created here is indeed "art"...I'm not trying to start a flame war (puns intended), and I'm not even upset you torched a brand new bass for no reason. That's cool, I've seen worse...what gets me is the fact that you're convinced yourself and others here on TB that you've created "art".
I'm really appreciative the art of building relic guitars, and customization of instruments to better their appearance or sound/playability, and if I had the skills of a talented builder/relic'er (Like Nash, Atkinson, or Dark Horse who take time and pride in their work) I'd take much offense to passing off what you've done here as "art"...
IMO, at least go the extra mile and torch parts of the rest of it.
A famous artist once said, "Art is never finished, just abandoned". So...where does that leave you??
...I'd love to know what your thoughts/impressions/ideas/desires were when you created this piece of "art"?
What differentiates it between these amateur relic hack jobs we've all seen before overdone with a belt sander and a six-pack of beer? (God forbid a blow-torch comes in and the flame police jump on board)
Maybe it's my inner art-school pretentious attitude coming out, but, as an artist, I'm dying to know...why?
K, Ima only respond to this portion- IMO*as an artist* you should realize that- again, IMO the answer is *because*. No offense, but the question itself, coming from an artist, seems just a bit out-of-place to me.
Still looks like a bass that's been ruined to me. Played through a Hartke rig once though... that was nice.
Hey Spinal Tapper
First of all I’m glad you’re “dying to know why” and let me thank you for proving the point, your interested, you want to know more, and the bass is getting different emotions from different people...you are even projecting "much offense" onto others. It doesn’t get much better than that! Some people love it; some people are offended by it…great…is that not by definition what art is supposed to do? Keep this up and it might be “fine art”.
I've not convinced anybody of anything if you’ve read the posts; all I did was torch the bass. Actually I’m finding out here what it is. Many people have asked to buy it from me so there’s some attraction.
Now while I personally love relic basses I do understand the people who don't. I meet them all the time at Hartke’s 48th Street Bass Lounge and they say "That's nonsense why would I pay extra to have somebody phony up a bass" and then others love them as I do.
Of course I took the bass apart and I did burn the back (how dare you accuse me of being lazy). Why would burning the pick guard and neck make a difference to you? I wanted it to be fully playable and it is, actually better now than new because I’m one hell of a setup guy with my machinist background.
Nothing makes this different then anybody else out there creating, except remember that this is not a relic. It’s not a recreation of what might have been over time.
I’m not claiming to be an artist, but then again I might be, or do you have to go to art school to claim that…I would hate to get in trouble for doing this without a degree.
Thanks, that was a great post that I’m sure it will stir a lot of reaction, let’s sit back and enjoy!
First of all I’m glad you’re “dying to know why” and let me thank you for proving the point, your interested, you want to know more, and the bass is getting different emotions from different people...you are even projecting "much offense" onto others. It doesn’t get much better than that! Some people love it; some people are offended by it…great…is that not by definition what art is supposed to do? Keep this up and it might be “fine art”.
I've not convinced anybody of anything if you’ve read the posts; all I did was torch the bass. Actually I’m finding out here what it is. Many people have asked to buy it from me so there’s some attraction.
Now while I personally love relic basses I do understand the people who don't. I meet them all the time at Hartke’s 48th Street Bass Lounge and they say "That's nonsense why would I pay extra to have somebody phony up a bass" and then others love them as I do.
Of course I took the bass apart and I did burn the back (how dare you accuse me of being lazy). Why would burning the pick guard and neck make a difference to you? I wanted it to be fully playable and it is, actually better now than new because I’m one hell of a setup guy with my machinist background.
Nothing makes this different then anybody else out there creating, except remember that this is not a relic. It’s not a recreation of what might have been over time.
I’m not claiming to be an artist, but then again I might be, or do you have to go to art school to claim that…I would hate to get in trouble for doing this without a degree.
Thanks, that was a great post that I’m sure it will stir a lot of reaction, let’s sit back and enjoy!
- Feb 16, 2008
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- 23,638
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- John K Custom Basses
most people are offended by the smell of dog poop, but i don't think that it's considered 'art'.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Larry, if you weren't so busy blindly marching to everyone else's cadence, you might actually be able to make something of yourself, someday... 
I know, I know, I played Devil's advocate here and decided to stir the pot a little...this internet thing is some serious stuff, you know! 
Gotta keep it spicy (just like your bass)
Thanks for biting. My art degree was very expensive, so please, be kind
I'm sure others wouldn't dare challenge the thoughts and actions of the creator of Hartke amps...seems like a lot of guys on here think they might get a free amp or something for commending you in a job well done (is it too late to change my opinion? I could use a decent back-up head).
I think as an experiment, you really should've posted this under a different screen name as a punk teenager who torched his first bass his parents bought him for xmas and the responses would've been A LOT different - just sayin...
Gotta keep it spicy (just like your bass)Thanks for biting. My art degree was very expensive, so please, be kind
I'm sure others wouldn't dare challenge the thoughts and actions of the creator of Hartke amps...seems like a lot of guys on here think they might get a free amp or something for commending you in a job well done (is it too late to change my opinion? I could use a decent back-up head).
I think as an experiment, you really should've posted this under a different screen name as a punk teenager who torched his first bass his parents bought him for xmas and the responses would've been A LOT different - just sayin...
I really like it. I'm actually suprised that some are offended by it. But... Maybe I shouldn't be. Some people are wound a little tight...
Spinal Tapper,
That's great; I'm just out here having fun. But I did initially put the bass amongst the 150 basses on display at my bass lounge in NYC and told no one that I was the one who burned it. It was the first bass people were drawn to, like a magnet, because it's different. Most loved it and many wanted to buy it, a few others were horribly offended, but only a few, which I loved to be honest because there was no in between emotion. Just like me, people either hate me or dispise me, there's no in between!
And just like you they wanted to know more. So the first (many) responses I got had nothing to do with my name, but on the other hand maybe my name makes them more valuable in some way, it sure didn’t deter anyone when I told them it was me.
That's great; I'm just out here having fun. But I did initially put the bass amongst the 150 basses on display at my bass lounge in NYC and told no one that I was the one who burned it. It was the first bass people were drawn to, like a magnet, because it's different. Most loved it and many wanted to buy it, a few others were horribly offended, but only a few, which I loved to be honest because there was no in between emotion. Just like me, people either hate me or dispise me, there's no in between!
And just like you they wanted to know more. So the first (many) responses I got had nothing to do with my name, but on the other hand maybe my name makes them more valuable in some way, it sure didn’t deter anyone when I told them it was me.
I for one am shocked that an artist would not recognize this as art.
Kinda makes me wonder about that pedigree...
Kinda makes me wonder about that pedigree...
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
well, Triumph loves it.
really though, your 2010 p bass refin looks great!
.........................for me to poop on!
I'm not an artist, and I got nothing but respect for your right to modify your own bass as you see fit, but if it's opinions you're after (and why wouldn't you be, posting it publicly?), then my opinion is that it was a nice looking bass, and now it's hideous.
