GregHughes Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Although it pains me to buy new I'm considering a new Sandberg as I really doubt that I will find the model and colour that I'm after second hand as they are rare enough as it is. Question is should I get it aged or not? They look really cool aged and they do a really good job but does seem a bit strange to pay extra to damage a perfectly good guitar. If aged should I go soft or hardcore? What are others thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 How old are you? Is it too late for you to age it yourself by having a long an distinguished gigging career? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [quote name='GregHughes' timestamp='1330077586' post='1552256'] . does seem a bit strange to pay extra to damage a perfectly good guitar. What are others thoughts on this? [/quote] This makes sense to me. Why anyone would want a damaged looking guitar, and pay more for it is beyond me. People who have owned a bass for years can wear the marks and dents etc with pride. Each one could tell a story etc, but to pay for someone else to do this to a brand new bass is beyond me. As you can see, im not one of the "roadworn" or "relic" gang, not that these basses have ever been road worn, and brand new they cant be relics. No offence, just giving my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1330078509' post='1552275'] How old are you? Is it too late for you to age it yourself by having a long an distinguished gigging career? [/quote]+1 There is nothing like a guitar that has battle scars that you created yourself. In the words of mcpitman "You're one of them tossers who goes in a clothes shop, buy a pair of jeans that are already dirty"! Seriously though, Only you decide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregHughes Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 Thanks for the comments. Its very much down the lines I was thinking..... but they do look cool and I don't have time to age one myself plus I would probably be inclined to keep really good care of a new guitar and try and ensure that it doesn't get scratched so it would take even longer to get that aged look. In an ideal world I would buy a second hand one which was already aged but that is not going to happen as they don't exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Go with your gut. Or buy some sand paper and a toffee hammer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) Good thinking. You could also offer to pass it around a few of the more "punk" members on BC for few weeks each, and let them do it for you. At least the battle scares would have a bit more meaning to them and it would become a classic at no extra cost Edited February 24, 2012 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregHughes Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 No there's a thought. I've never thought about damaging a guitar on purpose especially at the price they are. To be fair though the chaps at Sandberg do know what they are doing when it comes to ageing and I think there is more to it then simply damaging it. I doubt mine "home made" version would look anything like as good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Go with the relic then. You know you want to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 The definitely do a good job. Im sure someone posted a video of them building and ageing one of their basses. They dont actually kick them around the workshop apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/168592-sandberg-california-jm4-custom-finish/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/168592-sandberg-california-jm4-custom-finish/page__fromsearch__1[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregHughes Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 I saw that one but I'm really after a JJ (TT) and don't really like the sliver colour either. Plus I can get a new one special ordered from Germany for a little more than that in the colour/spec I'm after. I guess one thing that would go in favour of the aged look is that you get a new guitar which you know in perfect working order but looks and feels like a old guitar. The one problem with buying second hand, especially a slightly battered vintage guitar is that you not only end up paying extra but you have no idea what has happened to it over the years and if its quite battered then its obviously not been looked after that carefully. I know that can also be part of the appeal and history but you do end up paying extra for them and they are not necessarily any better sounding or playing. I bought an old fender a few weeks ago and do love that used feel. Probably something that has been discussed in length elsewhere over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) I remember a couple of years ago OHM had what i would call my almost perfect Sandberg (100% would be Blackburst). It was a custom Cali PM4 with block inlays and it was very, very cheap. The one thing that put me off was it was a relic model. It was only lightly distressed but as it was white i felt it looked horrible. I do now wish i had brought it :-( Edited February 24, 2012 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Oh spot on. If you want an antique then buy a wardrobe. New is best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Transaxle Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1330079866' post='1552307'] Go with your gut. Or buy some sand paper and a toffee hammer! [/quote] Or some very abrasive clothing and a studded belt. Why is there no market in road worn televisions? (or indeed pianos BICBW there I suppose) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 or roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) When Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jaco Pastorious, Billy Sheehan or Bobby Vega roll up with a worn out instrument they have the chops to back it up. I think some people might have higher expectations of your playing if you show up with (what looks like) a well gigged bass. Edit: I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong with your playing! Edited February 24, 2012 by Fat Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Personally, if I had the money to buy a brand new one, I would want it to be all shiny and new. If you're into aging, the Sandberg guys do an excellent job of it, but it's not for me I'm afraid. You wouldn't go and buy a brand new car from the showroom with rust, scratches and dents! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1330086599' post='1552445'] Personally, if I had the money to buy a brand new one, I would want it to be all shiny and new. If you're into aging, the Sandberg guys do an excellent job of it, but it's not for me I'm afraid. You wouldn't go and buy a brand new car from the showroom with rust, scratches and dents! [/quote] You obviously weren't buying cars in the days of British Leyland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 This is the only deliberately damaged bass I like: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregHughes Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) Yeah thanks a lot Rich, for a minute there I thought you'd heard me playing I know what you are saying re new and that's my thoughts too but they do look cool aged. Edited February 24, 2012 by GregHughes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 If you do go for an instrument that is already worn (either real or fake) just make sure that the existing wear patterns are consistent with you playing style. There's nothing more fake looking than if you start adding your own wear in completely different places to what is already there. For example there was a review in one of the guitar magazines of some relic'd guitars one with a maple finger board showing typical finger wear. However if someone saw me playing that they would instantly know it was fake because they'd be able to see that the existing wear pattern was nothing like what it should be based on what I play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1330090482' post='1552560'] If you do go for an instrument that is already worn (either real or fake) just make sure that the existing wear patterns are consistent with you playing style. There's nothing more fake looking than if you start adding your own wear in completely different places to what is already there. For example there was a review in one of the guitar magazines of some relic'd guitars one with a maple finger board showing typical finger wear. However if someone saw me playing that they would instantly know it was fake because they'd be able to see that the existing wear pattern was nothing like what it should be based on what I play. [/quote] People's playing usually evolves, most of the wear on my older basses is around the bridge pickup and some scratches under the D and G between the end of the neck and the neck pickup from playing slap. These days I'm usually playing fingerstyle around the neck pickup, plus I've recently started learning to play with a pick. In 20 years time I'll probably have worn some new holes in the finish. I also reckon if someone noticed the wear patches on your bass don't match what you're playing then they're probably stalking you! Edited February 24, 2012 by Fat Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rednose200 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 My old jazz was new when I bought it in 73. It now has its own distressed look but I have earned that over the last 40 years. Cant believe anyone would want to pretend their bass was much older than it actually is. If you have it distressed from new it will probably look like a total wreck when it is as old as mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1330088563' post='1552505'] This is the only deliberately damaged bass I like: [/quote] Is that not the one that was made from an old school desk? So it hasn't [i]really[/i] been deliberately damaged... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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