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SR500 prone to scratches?

andrewrepasky

andrewrepasky

Oct 30, 2009
417
1
Houston, TX
www.inaltum.net
#1
Ok so i just picked up the ibanez SR500 with the mahogany finish. As i was digging in at practice, i noticed some scratches on the finish above the low E. Guess i was playing a little too rough! Is there any way i could protect the finish on the bass to prevent scratching it? Obviously playing adjustments should be made, but is there anything else i could do to it?
 
#2
Uhmmmm...nope. Unfortunately the finish on the SR500 is notorius for getting scratched even when played with a light touch. It's very thin and on the older models you could peel it with your fingernails :) That's why I don't understand why they keep using this finish...but it is what it is.
 
#6
My SR500 has had its fair share of little scratches, but I've found that they really aren't that noticeable unless there's adequate lighting above the body and you know what you're looking for. Also, popping has broken through the finish, exposing a small patch of wood near the end of the fingerboard just above the G string. Another qualm is that it seems that patches of some substance build up where you keep your hand the majority of the time, at least this is the case for me.

But I love the feel, looks and tone (upgraded US Barts) of the bass, and IMO the mojo is pretty cool.
 
#8
andrewrepasky said:
I got the red mahogany pen for the scratches. Guess it'll just add character! Im just used to playing my SRX390 without it getting chipped. I love the bass, was just seeing what others may have done to try to resolve this small problem
Click to expand...

I found that if I just added stain in the scratch itself it was fairly hard to tell the difference between the original finish and the touch up. It might not turn out to be just as shiny, but it's darn close.
 
#11
andrewrepasky said:
Anything i should do to care for the finish? Just it being wood and all. I found im probably better off playing with a wristband on my picking arm..got a little precipitation going last gig!
Click to expand...

I always use wristbands - for that specific purpose.

You don't have to do anything special for maintenance; just wipe it after playing with a clean dry cloth. Since it has a finish, wax won't work so I'd stay away from it (I've tested a bit of W wax that I normally use on my Thumb BO and it only helped build up more grease and gunk after a while).

However the area where my right hand rests on the body is now very shinny (it's a 2009 model); I'm still pondering how to obtain that effect on the entire body surface, 'cause it looks pretty cool...maybe some sort of polisher with a dry brush or something, but the darn finish is so freakin' thin that I'm afraid any polishing tool will damage it...
 
#12
Scratches? Mines got more than just scratches!:bassist:
 

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#13
You'll have to give up on the idea of keeping this bass pristine. Within a couple of weeks I had gouges in mine where my right hand ring finger (nail) hits it below thstrings when I slap. It's getting to be a deep gouge.

I don't care really. I use this bass when I want something light or if I'm going to play somewhere questionable. The bass sounds great anyway. One time this guy asked me about it because he thought is was some cool vintage bass?? I treat my stuff very well and it still looks like hell.
 

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