Larry Hartke's 2010 Precision Bass Refinish

[Larry Hartke]

billiam5billion,

Thanks for the opinion...I like hideous, again it's not a luke warm opinion!

 

[bassteban]

^that was very well-worded^
billiam5billion, that is, not Larry- although you are doing nicely as well.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Maybe it's my inner art-school pretentious attitude coming out, but, as an artist, I'm dying to know...why?

When it comes to art matey, some say "WHY" like you, and then again, some say "Why NOT".....

 

[Luis Fabara]

Definitely Art.

It can evoke emotions of anger, hate, dissapointment and finally acceptance.

I have always wanted an LPB+Maple P-Bass like Steve Harris. Seeing something so similar burnt that way brought out a lot of feelings.

However. After having some closer looks, it actually holds up as something interesting...Instead of a torch, why not just flame it from below on a gas grill so the bottom is all blackened with some stripes of smoke/burn go up to the neck?

 

[tombowlus]

^that was very well-worded^
billiam5billion, that is, not Larry- although you are doing nicely as well.

Yeah, normally, all Larry wants to do is fight with people!

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Obviously, I kid! Larry is one helluva guy, and if he wants torch his perfectly good bass, then I say go for it!

Of course, I would have been more impressed if he would have burned it while playing it and drinking Johnny Black near a bonfire, or something...

 

[sloasdaylight]

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...

Funny you mentioned that. Larry *wink wink* sent me a Hartke Kilo to test drive after I called him up one time and told him his mustache was awesome.

 

[Larry Hartke]

Well this is all a guy like me needs to hear...I'm going to torch another bass! Let's see maybe a Billy Sheehan Attitude bass. I'll torch it and send it to Billy...he will either have a piece of "fine art"...or...well...something "hideous". It might be torched by a budding artist...or a complete hack! Only time and propane will tell!

I'm starting to look at everything like "how would that look torched?" My refrigerator...my car...my neighbors...

 

[millsbass5]

I think it's pretty cool. It reminds me somewhat of Zappa's "Burnt Strat" that he had given to him by Jimi Hendrix.

 

[DannDubblewe]

IMO, at least go the extra mile and torch parts of the rest of it.

I definitely believe the "finish" you have created holds up well aesthetically but the quote from Spinal Tapper is very true. Upon first glance I wanted to see more of the burn "pattern" on the body. Have you thought about lightly torching the entire body to get an overall effect? Right now it seems scattered and misplaced against the pristine color of the original finish which seems to be taking up space. This is just how I felt initially.

Neat concept I don't know if it has been discussed, but do you apply a coat of some kind over the top of the burns?

 

[Larry Hartke]

millsbass5,

Exactly! That was my inspiration for torching the bass. If Fender made them they would sell. And Fender probably will make them once they see mine. Any betting men out there?

 

[Larry Hartke]

DannDubblewe,

This bass is rare, perhaps you prefer medium well, or well done!

 

[Luis Fabara]

Well this is all a guy like me needs to hear...I'm going to torch another bass! Let's see maybe a Billy Sheehan Attitude bass. I'll torch it and send it to Billy...he will either have a piece of "fine art"...or...well...something "hideous". It might be torched by a budding artist...or a complete hack! Only time and propane will tell!

I'm starting to look at everything like "how would that look torched?" My refrigerator...my car...my neighbors...

you are too easy.

I will like to see you torching a $15,000 Alembic Bass... let us smell that crafty wood in flames.

This is gonna get like "Will it Blend?" from BlendTec. Pure torture.

 

[Larry Hartke]

DannDubblewe

The basses don't need a clear coat, the paint rehardens, and they leave no marks on a white shirt even where it's burned down to the blackened wood. They don't even have a burnt smell after an hour or so.

 

[hoyabill]

Have you thougth about trying the same treatment to an LH500 and/or cabs? You could name them (bass/cab/head) your new Hartke Burnt Collection.

 

[Instagator]

Hey Larry..they said I was crazy for using my "Webber art Bass Maker"..years ago.It seems that we have some points in common.Makers Mark usually helps with my creations.

Cheers.

 

[Larry Hartke]

Instagator,

Now there's a man with style right there! You looking for a job? I might have something for you!

 

[David Jayne]

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=no+sir,+i+don't+like+it&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35

 

[smcd]

I thought this is a nice bass, why do it...and then I said...because it will be cool .....

And then you sobered up and had other thoughts.





One day a few years ago, I drank a bottle of Johnny Black, and when walking home I thought "This is a nice picture window. I should punch it. Why do it? Because it will be cool!" So I did. It wasn't so cool an hour later in the emergency room.

Marchone,
Pictures don't really do it justice

Yeah, they pretty much do.

 

[Monsterbass74]

It is art. In a generalization: It's just something that somebody did. It doesn't pay my bills, secure my job, or aid in any aspect of my life... unless the burning of this bass created carcinogens that directly affect me.

 

[David Jayne]

Actually I think I might like it if you burned it all over, like Instagator did. Having just a couple discreet areas burned looks contrived to me.