Redefining a custom bass

[dukeorock]

Interesting how much passion this thread has generated. I was really worried about what was going to happen to this bass that I don't even own and was shocked and then pleased how the bass that I don't own and will never play on stage turned out.

This was kind of fun. Hey Duke, have Jio do another bass so I can avoid conversations about politics and crime for another week!

Depends on the next royalty check

I do plan on it eventually though!

 

[JIO]

Wow, I go away for a few hours and find this when I return! First off thanks to everyone who has followed this thread and openly expressed your feelings about all aspects of the project. For further insight/background on my work, please visit my tb thread covering the subject of distressed finished guitars/basses: SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES! However, be cautioned that relic-bashers are not welcomed and as OP/manager of the thread I won't appreciate negative viewpoints no matter how heartfelt. I say this w/o malice - I just know how this topic can quickly devolve here on tb as it has done and continued to do on a daily basis. The thread purely celebrates my topic/focus in a positive way, and as mentioned earlier was started to build a visual library of distressed/player worn finishes. A research library if you will. I am willing to have an open discussion about it here because I have a dog in the fight, and in a continuation of further enlightenment I will address a few of the points made.

The topic of artistic manipulation of a finish that expresses the investigation/study and emulation of a player-worn guitar/bass (in our specific reference - horns can also show beautiful aging/patina's) for me is simply a look. Because of this I am not 'offended' because it's not "hard-earned" "real" wear and although I understand the viewpoint, I feel it's missing the broader point.

I've paraphrased these posts to address specific points -

It looks like some cool old buildings I've seen where the brick is peeking through the plaster, where something is hiding underneath and maybe trying to get out. It doesn't look abused.

What OB expressed here is spot-on. Our lives are made up of layers - from our skin coating our guts & bones inside to grass layered over dirt, bark over a tree's core, art, music and everything around us. What's under a layer is potentially as beautiful as the layer itself, and so part of having a "brick peeking through plaster" becomes the way that wall 'looks' and is the result of that exposed layering. And, "It doesn't look abused" is another great observation. The way I effected that finish was performed in the exact same way I would approach a canvas with oil paint, or chisels on a stone statue. So the reason it doesn't look abused is because as Mark rightly stated - it was lovingly articulated to emphasis what I feel is beautiful about theses finishes.

Let me start this off by saying you did a BEAUTIFUL job on that bass!
To me an artificially reliced bass is like having a first edition Hemmingway, but all the pages are blank. The cover is there, but there's no story to it.
I really like the touch of sparkle though. Showing you're not trying to replicate true road wear, but making it look like it is a piece of art.

(I apologize for the type size discrepancies - this site has bugs and this one surfaces w/o reason off & on)

Thanks for your kind words on my work - I'll respectfully disagree with your analogy because it still places the "holy" personalized icon of "real wear" on the high pedestal as though art can not and should not tread near it. I have much respect for an actual player-worn instrument. My own '66 P is an outstanding example. Each gouge, scratch and dent has a secret story which will never be explained by it's now deceased owner. Do I feel bad about performing with it, thinking that someone might think it's my wear? I think Sting could answer that question which would align with my own feelings about it. (short answer - no) Am I (or Sting for that matter) attempting to fool anyone that it is our wear? (that would be another no) I bought it and play it because of my appreciation of they way it looked. Lucky for me (and Sting also) instruments with heavy wear like ours mean they were played a lot, and they were played a lot because they sound amazing. If my '66 did not impress my fingers and ears - it would have been too costly to justify hanging on my wall to appreciate it (only) visually.

I like the look, but I'm more of a shiny-shiny looks almost new kind of guy, but that's me.

I like shiny also - one of a number of finishes I like and offer.

I look at the basses that have been given artificial aging and I very rarely see anything that looks convincing to me.....

Again - convincing of what? As someone not attempting to fool anyone into thinking it's "real", the concept of being 'convincing' wasn't my aim. My goal was to make a beautiful finish using a stylistic technique to achieve a stylistic interpretation. It does bring into focus part of why it seems to ire some peoples sensibilities. That is, the reluctance to approach art with an open mind and be willing to readjust set ways of looking at something. If it's only conceptually "seen" as an attempt to replicate something else - one will not see it for what it actually is, right in front of them. A horse can be lead to water, etc. But the good news is, if ones mind and spirit is in the right space, such expansions/enlightenments are always possible.

 

[dukeorock]

What he said

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

(I apologize for the type size discrepancies - this site has bugs and this one surfaces w/o reason off & on)

Thanks for your kind words on my work - I'll respectfully disagree with your analogy because it still places the "holy" personalized icon of "real wear" on the high pedestal as though art can not and should not tread near it. I have much respect for an actual player-worn instrument. My own '66 P is an outstanding example. Each gouge, scratch and dent has a secret story which will never be explained by it's now deceased owner. Do I feel bad about performing with it, thinking that someone might think it's my wear? I think Sting could answer that question which would align with my own feelings about it. (short answer - no) Am I (or Sting for that matter) attempting to fool anyone that it is our wear? (that would be another no) I bought it and play it because of my appreciation of they way it looked. Lucky for me (and Sting also) instruments with heavy wear like ours mean they were played a lot, and they were played a lot because they sound amazing. If my '66 did not impress my fingers and ears - it would have been too costly to justify hanging on my wall to appreciate it (only) visually.

(I removed the parts of your post that are not relavent to my reply)

I can see what you’re saying. This may not have been what you meant, but what you said made me realize that both real and accelerated road wear both have soul to them, different soul, but still soul. And like music, I have my favourite genres, but I respect all of them… as long as there’s a bass in it
I will definitely be keeping an eye out on your future projects.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I've said all that I have to say.....

 

[tbrannon]

It's a piece of art.... as such, it won't appeal to every eye. It's a well executed vision and even though I rarely think I like the direction of your builds as you're doing them, I always enjoy the finished product. Nicely done.

 

[reverendrally]

I've just looked through the pics. You totally caught me off guard. I can see what you did and your intention. I think it would grow on me.

You know, maybe I should send this load of trash to you and have you do something interesting with it...

My only concern is having the CITES mob confiscate it at the airport for the RW fingerboard. :/

 

[spiritbass]

Just for the record, some viewing may like his bass "as is" but that aspect of this thread is mute as we need to respect his personal wishes to do this.

Cool project and thread, but I think you meant 'moot', not "mute". Carry on, the Grammar Nazi is at rest...

 

[JIO]

(I removed the parts of your post that are not relavent to my reply)

I can see what you’re saying. This may not have been what you meant, but what you said made me realize that both real and accelerated road wear both have soul to them, different soul, but still soul. And like music, I have my favourite genres, but I respect all of them… as long as there’s a bass in it
I will definitely be keeping an eye out on your future projects.

Well summarized. And to further broaden your point, real wear happens as a result of function - 'accelerated' wear (as you referred to the stylistic look) is a concept that is created aesthetically. In another way of putting it - the player who created the wear can be seen as a conceptual artist; his sole intent was expressing himself as a musician, probably never really considering the physical traces of his playing ever being looked at critically as something of aesthetic beauty. But he did 'create' that look. I approached this bass very deliberately and created my interpretation with purely aesthetic consideration related both to my vision and to Andrew Drakes pre-established 'look'. All exposed area's are unmolested (no gouges or physical invasion into the wood) - it may 'look' like it does, but my finish could be stripped-off and it would reveal a smooth wood surface. I deliberately did this with respect to Andrews work, and allowing it to surface under my finish was done under that same consideration.

In retrospect, I will eventually make a bass (body) that has a dynamic appearance on it's own whether it be highly charactered wood or (?) which I will then over-spray and create a similar look to this one. I like the balanced two-layer look because of the visual tension it creates. That and the over-riding aspect of it creating a 3rd unified look that defines/identifies the gestalt.

 

[JIO]

Cool project and thread, but I think you meant 'moot', not "mute". Carry on, the Grammar Nazi is at rest...

corrected! thanks!

 

[JIO]

I've said all that I have to say.....

With all due respect, probably best at this point.

 

[JIO]

I've just looked through the pics. You totally caught me off guard. I can see what you did and your intention. I think it would grow on me.

You know, maybe I should send this load of trash to you and have you do something interesting with it...

View attachment 2812324

My only concern is having the CITES mob confiscate it at the airport for the RW fingerboard. :/

Franky I can't see the need for redefinition - and interestingly enough, one of my personal rules is when re-finishing/re-doing something (anything) it has to be of quality stock. You know, never gild a lily or polish a turd... (and I only frame it like this as you opened the door)

 

[dukeorock]

I've said all that I have to say.....

Oh come on, don't quit! Not sure I'm bummed out enough by all the negativity going on in the world today

 

[dukeorock]

I've just looked through the pics. You totally caught me off guard. I can see what you did and your intention. I think it would grow on me.

You know, maybe I should send this load of trash to you and have you do something interesting with it...

View attachment 2812324

My only concern is having the CITES mob confiscate it at the airport for the RW fingerboard. :/

I've always loved that body shape!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Well summarized. And to further broaden your point, real wear happens as a result of function - 'accelerated' wear (as you referred to the stylistic look) is a concept that is created aesthetically. In another way of putting it - the player who created the wear can be seen as a conceptual artist; his soul intent was expressing himself as a musician, probably never really considering the physical traces of his playing ever being looked at critically as something of aesthetic beauty. But he did 'create' that look. I approached this bass very deliberately and created my interpretation with purely aesthetic consideration related both to my vision and to Andrew Drakes pre-established 'look'. All exposed area's are unmolested (no gouges or physical invasion into the wood) - it may 'look' like it does, but my finish could be stripped-off and it would reveal a smooth wood surface. I deliberately did this with respect to Andrews work, and allowing it to surface under my finish was done under that same consideration.

In retrospect, I will eventually make a bass (body) that has a dynamic appearance on it's own whether it be highly charactered wood or (?) which I will then over-spray and create a similar look to this one. I like the balanced two-layer look because of the visual tension it creates. That and the over-riding aspect of it creating a 3rd unified look that defines/identifies the gestalt.

Honestly the first couple pics I saw I was shocked that you painted it, because of the uniqueness of the top, then I saw how is was worn showing that wood and the more I look at it the more I realize how fitting it is. And like you said it pays homeage to Andrew.

I’d love to get a CS Fender with the “Paint-over-paint” finish, but having the top coat solid. So it will eventually wear. So it will be equal parts of aesthetic and function.
I specifically like the look of Scott Devine’s CS that’s white over red.


I referred to it as “accelerated” relic, because I didn’t want to call it artificial. I guess I could have referred to it as relic’ing vs road wear.

 

[Novarocker]

Fantastic work Jio! You and Duke really did quite the cross country teamwork on this...you guys sure you haven't lived next door to each other for the last decade?

"Hey Peter man! Check out channel 9!" Lol

Anyway, the whole finish looks great. Truly does justice to the life of the bass. I'd say this and the flea MIM pink jazz are the only two "road worn" basses I've seen that I would buy.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Oh come on, don't quit! Not sure I'm bummed out enough by all the negativity going on in the world today

Your sarcasm cuts me like a knife....

Let's just leave it shall we?.....

Your bass doesn't appeal to me.....No need to get nasty about it....

 

[JIO]

Fantastic work Jio! You and Duke really did quite the cross country teamwork on this...you guys sure you haven't lived next door to each other for the last decade?

"Hey Peter man! Check out channel 9!" Lol

Anyway, the whole finish looks great. Truly does justice to the life of the bass. I'd say this and the flea MIM pink jazz are the only two "road worn" basses I've seen that I would buy.

Thanks man - part of doing custom work is that I get to know the people I'm doing the work for. It's not just, "ok - paint it blue and here's the colour chip to match." I've done it my whole adult life as a professional finisher, and longer than that as an artist. It's part of what I like about 'the job'. I recently played the Flee J in a local music store. Felt great (satiny smooth, like mine) sounded great (classic Jazz bass tone) and looked cool. I nearly bought it as it was on sale but geez, I own a few awesome J's so couldn't justify it. But I thought, if I did I would have taken the machine made look to another level... but that's so me all over!

 

[Reedt2000]

Man, this thread got all heavy at the end!

I must admit the final product is not what I expected but I do like it far better than the original bass. I think the bricks behind stucco analogy is apt. There are hints of the original peeking out from behind the new bass it has become. It definitely implies that the bass had a different life prior to what you see now.

More importantly than my opinion or interpretation is that it sounds like you nailed it for your customer. If @dukeorock Is happy that's what matters. Seems you guys were on the same wavelength and this bass is gonna get more action which is the true success.

 

[Beej]

Your sarcasm cuts me like a knife....

Let's just leave it shall we?.....

Your bass doesn't appeal to me.....No need to get nasty about it....

Well you started it!

Unsolicited feedback or no, @Fat Freddy 's an important part of what I consider to be the community in this forum and has valued opinions. Just not today! lol I'm actually just kidding - the voice of dissent is important in this world, assuming one is emotionally strong enough to handle it. Differing opinions make the world go 'round...