Double Bass Scratch

[Jeff Schwartz]

My bass has acquired an injury to the top around 1" long. There are no new rattles, buzzes, etc, so I do not believe there are any related structural issues. My question is, what is the best way to address this wound? Should I just wait for it to become part of the instrument's patina, or are there any active steps you recommend?
Thanks for your advice.

 

[BassinCT]

I use tinted shellac for small nicks on my bass. For touch-ups, I like a heavier mix (cut) 2.5 oz. of orange & garnet shellac flakes to 8 oz. alcohol. I have scrap wood on hand to test for color, and I mix in drops of different Transtint colors to adjust. I apply tiny amounts with a very fine-tipped artist brush. If you don’t have alcohol soluble dyes on hand, it can get expensive- but the darker varieties of shellac will get close

 

[turf3]

Get some Zinsser Bullseye Shellac, Amber color, and use a Q tip to apply it to the ding. A couple coats will be required. Most hardware stores sell this in wee half-pint cans.