It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 12:57 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: pbasses last forever, or need tlc? battered vs. museum kept
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:08 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:12 am
Posts: 212
Hello,

I am always torn between taking really good care of my bass (keeping in case and clean when not playing), or, leaving it by the bed with an open window nearby during the cool moinths so I can noodle whenever. I think I'd get more playing done that way and more musical ideas. But I am afraid of it warping, or getting damaged over time.

I don't mind the battered bass look, I just want it to be playable through the years. They are so expensive now adays.

Recently saw a 70's model that was battered but the owner says it plays great.

Anyone got any experience/advice/opinions?

Mike


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:29 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Plenty.

Of course there is more chance of developing a problem if the ax is abused.

With that said I find the P-basses (as well as Jazzes) pretty much indestructable. I try not to batter them intentionally..or leave them out in the rain etc..but I gig alot and they get dropped, banged around and on occasion exposed to various liquids, lol.

So far no problems..but you need to appreciate "natural" relicing or you will be miserable. In that case I would be anal and wipe it down after every use..handle it with kid gloves..and always store it in the hardcase (which BTW I don't even own a hard case).

Oh I need to mention this...when I was a wee tot my bass instructor (Randy Coven for those up on their bass virtuosos) had the most beat up..spray painted purple...extra pickup routed in...bass whammy bridge routed in...neck so worn you could see the truss rod coming through on certain spots of the finderboard, 64 Fender jazz bass.

I have never to this day found another bass of any model that played so easy..and sounded as good as that bass...so yes, it can asthetically look beat to heck..and still play and sound like a dream. If you want to hear that particular beat up bass in action you can go the Randys myspace and the first song (from his "funk me tender" album) uses that very bass..with the second solo on guitar played by Steve Vai.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... d=89653770

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:08 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:26 pm
Posts: 2849
Location: Green Bay, WI
I don't put my basses in a case unless I'm traveling to a gig or to practice with friends/band. In the winter, I move the basses away from the vents and windows, I leave them on a stand at all times when not playing with it except when I travel. I wipe it down after I play, sometimes before due to dust, but I don't clean them thoroughly more than once every 4 to 6 weeks.

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:59 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
My number one rule on instrument care is, "Never leave your instrument in any place where you would be uncomfortable." My instruments are the last thing loaded and the first thing unloaded. I don't leave them in a hot or cold car. I don't leave them in the rain. They stay with me. So long as I'm comfortable then they are comfortable. If taking only one instrument I use a hard case, otherwise they are in a dual Fender Bass Gigbag that holds two basses. I love my dual bag and take it to most gigs.

James Jamerson NEVER cleaned his P-bass. He NEVER did any maintenance on it. He was afraid of messing up "THE FUNK." The dirtier it got the better he liked it. He never changed a string unless one broke. But Mr. Jamerson did at least carry it in a case. Jaco Pastorius carried his J-bass around with no case...on tour...in subways...taxis...out to dinner....everywhere. Jaco's bass was beat all to heck and back...and well...it obviously had no negative aural impact.

I on the other hand try to stay somewhere between being a compulsive polisher and Mr. Jamerson's "hands-off" policy. I wipe down only the strings with an old tube sock after every use. I tend to blow the dust off around the bridge and pickup every 6 months or so, but not too often. Every now and then I give the whole bass a wipe with one of those Fender treated cloths or again an old sock. I also use the Ernie Ball String Cleaner Wipes and the Fretboard Conditioning wipes maybe once a month or so. I only use the fretboard conditioning on the rosewood boards.

I want the strings to last as long as possible so I always wipe them off. Seems to really make a difference in string life and whether or not the string cleaner actually helps I can not say, but I usually get some stuff off the strings.

Dave


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:23 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
I guess people just look at things differently and have different things they are "neurotic" about..hey, we are human.

But I don't really get very anal about my instruments...I even let anyone play them. I figure if someone else can break it..then it's not built well enough for me anyhow. And so far nothing has ever broke..I only clean em before I sell em..as I too like the "funk" to stay with it. I don't own a case as stated but when we go on the road the crew uses anvil cases for everything since if something does break..someone is going to have to deal with finding replacements in the middle of lord knows where.

And my "stand" usually consists of anyplace I can wedge the bass...lol, However for those rare big shows I do use a rack since I will bring up more then one bass in those situations.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:51 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:12 am
Posts: 212
Thanks for your advice and experience.

It sounds like the basses can put up with just about anything, barring deliberate abuse and exposure elements.

I usually keep it in the case, but I never clean it. Sometimes I'll use the fender mist and wipe on the back of the neck if it starts to feel grungy, and I use string cleaner just to keep the strings clean and lubed up (I find it makes it easier to play).

I don't mind if the finish starts to get worn off after years of use. I think that is part of the beauty of the instruments in a way.

If you all have some battered basses, upload the pics so I can see! Mine are still in great shape as they are only about 4 years old.

Mike


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:54 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:16 pm
Posts: 533
P-basses are tanks. Just play and never look back. They'll outlast you.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:55 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:01 pm
Posts: 1479
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Mastermold wrote:
P-basses are tanks. Just play and never look back. They'll outlast you.


+1....that about sums it up.

_________________
I'm almost out of stuff to sell.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: