That first dent in a new bass-upsetting or liberating?

[The Massive]

So I just picked up this used and in perfect condition Am. Standard P. Took out for its first gig with me last weekend and got it home without a scratch.

Today I'm putting another guitar on the stand and it falls over right on the new bass!

A younger me would have been super pissed…an older me says, "great, now I don't have to worry about it anymore."

Any of you go through that the older you get?

 

[Bozendoka]

Liberating, I suppose. I have a Dingwall Combustion with a matte finish that chips if you look at it wrong. It had a very small chip in the headstock when I got it and I covered that and the next few chips with nail polish, but at this point I don't worry about the battle damage.

 

[Geri O]

Liberating, I would say. It's inevitable if one plays the thing and I certainly play mine.

I seem to eventually get a couple of dings of the headstock of my basses from bumping into.....stuff....

 

[J Posega]

First, I'm sad, then I'm glad that it's finally over.

 

[DrBnz]

OOOofffff..... no..... I'd lose my mind. HAHAHAHA...... Oddly enough I have some bigger dings than that. But since "I" didn't do them, they're ok.... I don't know why that works for me. But it does.

 

[JIO]

A played bass is a happy bass, warts & all.

 

[The Massive]

It's funny, because the reason I bought this bass what that my 71 P and my 75 Ripper both look like they have gone through WWII. Partly other people's wear and tear, and a lot of my own from everyday use.

I wanted something nice and shiny new...it last two weeks! LOL!

But really, like anything else, it's "character" and I have yet to meet an instrument that gets played that is in pristine shape. It was weird, after it happened I had to process...and shockingly, I'm thinking to myself, "okay, well that's that...moving on...now lets play this thing and learn some Dio!"

 

[dalkowski]

Excellent relic job.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

In my mind, I'm the anti-Keith Richards who said you shouldn't play a guitar that's shiny and looks like your mum just bought it for you that morning. I like shiny and no damage.

In reality, as long as it happens at a good gig by accident, chalk it up to "life."

 

[GregT]

When I bought my new American Precision in 2015, I put a dent in it changing strings to my usual TI Flats, which are still on it by the way. I didn't mind at all; more of a relief. Now I can get on with just playing it and taking it wherever and not worry about hurting it. It still looks pretty new otherwise because I take care of it.

 

[Warpeg]

You're almost eluding to my "secret". Well, actually, it's no real secret. I purposely buy instruments that are used and somewhat worn. Not only do I not have to worry about wear, but I also end up getting the instruments at a good discount.

 

[andruca]

Liberating, as long as it's a solid body instrument (and after quickly checking there's no real damage). Don't dwell about those bumps for even 10 seconds. Fortunately there's 2nd hand buyers like me, who don't care a bit about cosmetic damage, sometimes even appreciate the right kind of scratch, dent, decoloration, wear or sticker. That looks "right" to me, that huge flat section, when immaculate, is BORING.

EDIT: It's sorta' like skating to me, I fear sprains, concussions just build me up.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

Both! For a split second I'm usually bummed it happened, then I realize I can move on and play the thing like crazy.

 

[tb4sbp]

Upsetting
Constant reminder of how careless I can be

 

[The Massive]

Upsetting
Constant reminder of how careless I can be

I'm just happy the headstock on my girlfriends SG didn't snap when it hit it tuning post first! Then I'd be out 1600 bucks on top of it all! LOL!

 

[Nev375]

That first dent in a new bass-upsetting or liberating?

Yes.

 

[dalkowski]

I like shiny and no damage.

Hence your awesome, one-of-a-kind DIY paint jobs!

 

[K73]

The reason I like pre-distressed!

 

[TrevorG]

Nope. I'm sixty and most dinks still hurt. Except for one bass that I know I will never sell. Those are just signs of ownership and ageing. I love the bass like family so I don't mind it getting old like the rest of us.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

So I just picked up this used and in perfect condition Am. Standard P. Took out for its first gig with me last weekend and got it home without a scratch.

Today I'm putting another guitar on the stand and it falls over right on the new bass!

A younger me would have been super pissed…an older me says, "great, now I don't have to worry about it anymore."

Any of you go through that the older you get?

Got a similar mark on my previously mint AmStd Strat. Definitely upsetting at the time, but I hardly mind it at all now. Guitars are tools and should be used. They should end up getting worn in/down over time if they're good instruments that are worth using.