SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!

[SJLee]

 

[SJLee]

Here’s a well played Jazz with an unusual date for a bound neck.

 

[JIO]

Here’s a well played Jazz with an unusual date for a bound for neck.

Yes, a real road warrior! As CBS took control in July '65, they might have started releasing what technically began in Jan '66 early as a test ballon. There are examples of lolly-pop tuners appearing on J's during that same late '65 period.

 

[Church-Bass]

The more distressed, the more attractive the bass. An amazing paradox!

 

[JIO]

The more distressed, the more attractive the bass. An amazing paradox!

I think part of it has to do with an appreciation of a well-played instrument. The wear is like a visual story one can imagine; where was it played?, what was played on it?, how was the wear created? Some players love pristine instruments, and frown at these road-warriors - everyone has their own preferences. As an artist - I've always loved ancient ruins, well-worn tools and even "rat rods" that celebrate rust and degraded finishes. For electric guitars/basses - a direct reference is distressed furniture & interiors that has been going on in Decorative Arts for centuries.

 

[SJLee]

Yes, a real road warrior! As CBS took control in July '65, they might have started releasing what technically began in Jan '66 early as a test ballon. There are examples of lolly-pop tuners appearing on J's during that same late '65 period.

Yes, this must be one of the earliest examples I’ve seen. Check out the divot created by what most likely was where the owner rested the thumb. Reminds me of Guy Pratt burgundy mist J.

 

[Church-Bass]

I think part of it has to do with an appreciation of a well-played instrument. The wear is like a visual story one can imagine; where was it played?, what was played on it?, how was the wear created?

This is what I tell my wife as she gets older - like a well-played instrument - but I don't thinks she's convinced!!!

 

[SJLee]

I think part of it has to do with an appreciation of a well-played instrument. The wear is like a visual story one can imagine; where was it played?, what was played on it?, how was the wear created? Some players love pristine instruments, and frown at these road-warriors - everyone has their own preferences. As an artist - I've always loved ancient ruins, well-worn tools and even "rat rods" that celebrate rust and degraded finishes. For electric guitars/basses - a direct reference is distressed furniture & interiors that has been going on in Decorative Arts for centuries.

There’s a video I posted here several years ago that showed a close up of Guy Pratt playing his burgundy mist jazz bass and how the wear marks were created on his bass. If I can locate it, I’ll post it again.

 

[JIO]

There’s a video I posted here several years ago that showed a close up of Guy Pratt playing his burgundy mist jazz bass and how the wear marks were created on his bass. If I can locate it, I’ll post it again.

That would be cool!

I used his J as a reference on my modded '93 A/S J -

 

[JIO]

This is what I tell my wife as she gets older - like a well-played instrument - but I don't thinks she's convinced!!!

I personally have only owned a few 'new' basses over the decades and frankly prefer 'broken in' basses whether I do the 'breaking in' or not. I do like my own 'breaking in', but I just don't use it as macho posturing, aka - "my REAL" player wear. (yawn...) I'd ask Sting's opinion on the matter to hear how a "real man" thinks about it...

 

[shadven]

Here are some of my basses. All naturally relic’d with time and loving abuse.

 

[SJLee]

 

[SJLee]

Here are some of my basses. All naturally relic’d with time and loving abuse.

Your 60’s P bass looks like it has had several owners judging from the wear on the body. Looks like someone moved the thumb rest to play closer to the neck. Then there’s wear near the edge of the pickguard, underneath the thumb rest. It also looks like someone rested their thumb near the back of the guard, closer to the bridge. Where do you play on it?

 

[shadven]

Your 60’s P bass looks like it has had several owners judging from the wear on the body. Looks like someone moved the thumb rest to play closer to the neck. Then there’s wear near the edge of the pickguard, underneath the thumb rest. It also looks like someone rested their thumb near the back of the guard, closer to the bridge. Where do you play on it?

I use the p/u ashtray as my thumb rest. That bass came out of Chicago… I wish I knew its history. I’ve had it about 7 years.
Also, I wonder about that round swirl-ly wear on the back with a screw hole in the middle. What caused that? Some kind of pad or what? Very interesting.

 

[JIO]

I use the p/u ashtray as my thumb rest. That bass came out of Chicago… I wish I knew its history. I’ve had it about 7 years.
Also, I wonder about that round swirl-ly wear on the back with a screw hole in the middle. What caused that? Some kind of pad or what? Very interesting.

I thought we already addressed that - it was a strap attachment. (yours with some sort of surround) My friend has a '66 with the same set-up. You can see the upper hole on yours in the same place as this example.

 

[shadven]

I thought we already addressed that - it was a strap attachment. (yours with some sort of surround) My friend has a '66 with the same set-up. You can see the upper hole on yours in the same place as this example.

View attachment 7082641

Thanks! I didn’t know that. Wow, now I’d like to see what kind of strap setup they actually used.

 

[SJLee]

I use the p/u ashtray as my thumb rest. That bass came out of Chicago… I wish I knew its history. I’ve had it about 7 years.
Also, I wonder about that round swirl-ly wear on the back with a screw hole in the middle. What caused that? Some kind of pad or what? Very interesting.

Yes, I remember when you bought this bass. Nice score.

 

[JIO]

Thanks! I didn’t know that. Wow, now I’d like to see what kind of strap setup they actually used.

If I remember correctly, it was some sort of waist-belt connected strap thing - nothing over the shoulder.

 

[SJLee]

 

[JIO]

Pardon Our Interruption...