Yeah....I tend to wash my hands before and wipe the instrument after playing. Takes no time at all. Gold hardware also gets a special wipe down, since I've found that it rapidly tarnishes in my hands if not.
I take a back up bass, although I've never had a problem. I guess it's that "just in case" worry. It also helps me justify having more than one bass 😃.
Recently purchased a Levinson Blade bass from @Aero71. Good seller and super communications throughout. The bass was packaged very well and the courier was handled quickly and efficiently.
Buy with confidence.
Bedankt, Marinus.
My wife has been known to quote something obnoxious when I have forgotten to zip up. "Don't worry dear......you'll never seen a dead budgie fall out of it's cage"
My first bass was a Columbus Jazz jap copy purchased new in 1971.......according to my Dad "to see if you get the hang of a "plink-plonk" sounding instrument. I traded it in against a 1964 Burns Jazz a couple of years later, which I still have.
My Fireglo 4003 is from 1999 and has inlays just like yours. Someone will provide a a date (or range) when changes occurred. I recall that they changed from VOC to lower VOC lacquers and added the vintage tone pull pot around 2005-ish. Hope that helps.
A cruel heartache that saps the will and life out of those poor folks who are afflicted by it. To add insult, a few medical folks still sneer at it and say "just pull yourself together"! Tosh........it's real.
Me too, @stewblack!
I catch myself sometimes saying - "no keep it simple, go with the music - don't get carried away with extra fills etc" . It is tougher than it appears.
Less is more!
@Jimbogubson : When you are able to, I would advise you to get it checked out. A focused series of physio sessions would be my recommendation having first had an overall physical. Timing at the moment is not ideal though. Good luck.
(p.s. i'm a retired occupational health physician)