Scratches = Character?

[Fuzzbass]

Red or black finishes are exactly what they appear to be. A "relic" finish is counterfeit ageing that attempts to imitate something old and distressed through genuine playing wear over an extended period time.

I'll never understand why this gets so many people's panties in a twist. Some folks like relic finishes. If you don't, then don't get one and spare the rest of us your sanctimonious indignation.

Then again, keep testing the moderators' patience by bashing relics and questioning their judgment in public.

 

[Bassist Jay]

so many people, so much idiosyncrasy.

Jay,when I was reading your post, I wasn't thinking the word 'anal' that you used, but I did think I'd use 'picky' in my reply. Here you go: this makes me think you are picky Well my woman tells me that I'm picky to some detail (which means: in rare cases when I'm really interested). Like last night, I re-did the copper shielding on my 55-JJ because I didn't like what it looked like or, like the other day, Doug AKA Basspraiser (whose signature reads 'Lakland Addict') called ME a Lakland geek, LOL, for thorough description of differences between Lakland USA and Skyline.
Well anyway, like you, I've always earned all of my gear. It is true that those were the first POS guitar and bass that my dad brought home; but, firstly, it was because he had played in a school band and he was interested; secondly, that stuff was total crap and I didn't play them a week.
I've bought stuff new and old. In fact, I tried to buy new stuff since I thought it could make me feel cool. The truth was, it didn't, and I realized I'd spent money for nothing. Also, that trying to keep the thing look untouched is too freaking embarassing. New became old anyway and that's the nature of things.
So instead, I try to get awesome used stuff at great price. I also try to stay away solid black finishes because they work as a fingerprint pad, especially under the stage lights. True, I had it on 2 of my Laklands, 1 brand new from the factory, but I got them at a steal of price. Actually, the new one is a B-stock with a dent on that can't be seen unless yo're inspecting the edge of the headstock, and I got it for the price of a used bass.
The bottomline? My stuff is for playing. True, getting the first scratch, whether on my bass or car (rather expensive one, but I got it for a steal of a price) does piss me off. Man, right now a window is broken by some punk, and I just received a spare part from Moscow that longed for two weeks. But, really, jerking each time I get scratches would disturb me from playing, driving, and, finally, living.

I hear ya. Prior to my 1993 Ibanez Soungear bass, I only had 1 other bass bought new and it was an Epiphone. The other ones were all used and were in decent shape but did have very slight scratches on them. I currently have 1 black bass right now and I agree with you that it is the toughest to keep clean and free from fingerprints.

 

[PZapdos]

i think if its a raw wood/stain, it looks MUCH better clean and well taken care of with no scratches/dings/etc.

if it's painted/finished with something that can easily be replaced (relatively at least) then i say scratches/dings/etc do add character. it really depends on the bass for me.


My warwick swamp ash black stain i would be sad if it got all dinged and scratched up, as i only use it for recording/playing at my house etc.

currently looking for a good travel/etc bass (thinking a cheaper esp or schecter or something) and id have no problem scratching/dinging the crap outta that one

 

[lowphatbass]

.

My warwick swamp ash black stain i would be sad if it got all dinged and scratched up, as i only use it for recording/playing at my house etc.

currently looking for a good travel/etc bass (thinking a cheaper esp or schecter or something) and id have no problem scratching/dinging the crap outta that one

I'm assuming since you use your Warwick for recording you feel it's your best sounding bass. Unless your playing in REALLY hazardous conditions you should put your best sound out there at all times. You may also gain more consistency and get that Warwick sounding even better if you gave it your full attention. If you're really concerned about resale value bacause you think you may have to sell it or don't think it's "the one" I can understand that, but if it's the one I urge you to play the piss out of it.

 

[JAGGL3S]

This seems pretty extreme considering you devalued your bass by thousands of dollars because of a few scratches...but who cares, its your bass I suppose...so value's worth is only to the owner...

Regardless, I love me some scratches/wear/tear and think they make a bass look cool as hell! Evidence I believe this? My buddy's 66 Jazz...looks like it's been to hell and back and played every gig in between...look at that crater by the bridge PU! WOW!

No way should anyone ever refinish something so beautiful IMO - there's just way too much history to erase that can never be brought back

Nothing more beautiful

 

[DylanB]

Ding up a nitro finish, it looks sexy as hell. Scratch a poly finish, it looks awful. I only seem to have poly finishes, so I really feel all my dings

Not that it stops me using them.

 

[JackANSI]

I'm assuming since you use your Warwick for recording you feel it's your best sounding bass. Unless your playing in REALLY hazardous conditions you should put your best sound out there at all times. You may also gain more consistency and get that Warwick sounding even better if you gave it your full attention. If you're really concerned about resale value bacause you think you may have to sell it or don't think it's "the one" I can understand that, but if it's the one I urge you to play the piss out of it.

I agree with you 99%

But, I've actually found that my playing progressed much more when I played a variety of basses as often as possible. I used to be quite clumsy on any bass except my beloved BBN's, after branching out to quite a few different brands, string counts, and pickup layouts, I've gotten to the point where as long as the scale feels familiar, I can play that bass as good as my own. This in turn made all my basses sound better too.


You should never hide a bass away out of fear of it showing signs of use, especially if its your favorite sounding/playing/etc.

If its historically important, I can understand, but very few basses really strike me as qualifying for that treatment, definitely NOT a mass produced one (be it mass produced by hand or machine). If a bass does qualify, they belong in a museum or on stage being rocked the **** out, not tucked away in a case in some overbearing crazy person's house.

 

[Aspidites]

I actually share this as a character flaw, but a ding on a bass absolutely drives me nuts. I have actually sold otherwise serviceable basses because they suffered a bruise or two.

I'm the same way with everything else though, cars, etc. It is far from an admirable quality.

Don't feel bad, I am exactly the same way.

 

[Fuzzbass]

There may be a thread on this but i didn't see any.
Do you think a beat up bass is cooler than one that looks new? My guitarist says scratches give it character but I like mine to look nice.
How does TB feel?

You asked us for our opinions, and you got 'em , but here's the bottom line: it's merely opinion. Therefore it's perfectly okay for you to dislike scratches, and it's equally okay for your guitarist to think they add character.

 

[J. Crawford]

This is ridiculous.. Great thread gone sour, again, by relicing debates.

 

[Muaguana]

IMO, Fenders are the only basses that still look good all bashed up, since it's impossible to make them look any uglier.

 

[envy1400]

well thanks for the input all. i enjoyed the pic of the worn to hell jazz bass. if you got pics of your mint/beat up bass please post. i love pics

 

[COBRARI]

Muaguana... You took the words right out of my mouth.

I kind of got out of the music scene for a few years and in that time these Guitar Centers starting popping up. Well, I went in to one (a big one in a big city) the other day for a couple cables and staploks. Thousands of guitars. No, really.
Never scene anything like it. No rickys... Hmmmm? Whatever.

I am cruising around checking the place out and they got a couple/three of these glass music rooms. I go in one and inside of the room is three walls of huge glass doors with guitars and basses locked inside.

I see this totally beat up sunburst Jazz with a price tag of like
$3,999.00. Wow. I thought for a second they were selling Jaco's old bass. Then, I look behind it and there are two more just like it. Same price.
Well, I don't get it. Some people do.
At least if you get one of these, you won't freak out when you
bang it up.

My grandchildren will end up with my instruments and by then they will be real relics.

 

[Schlyder]

If you're selling scratches = character... if you are buying scratches = damage

 

[sr506]

i like them if you put them there from use, im not a fan of basses that are aged when you buy them, my p has the clear coat wearing away where i rest my hand, but i like that because it was from me, not the factory