Pinball Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 (edited) I got my 2nd bass guitar today. I'm on a budget having already spent a lot on lead guitars and amps in the last 3 months but I needed a decent bass. I snagged a bargain natural Schecter Diamond 4 Stiletto with EMG hz's on ebay "BIN" last week. It arrived today. I unpacked it and sure enough it looked like it had been bought cheap BIN. I tried it out and I was kind of disappointed. It sounded good with a wider and clearer range of tones than my Peavey Zephyr but it also looked really dull, everything was dirty, strings had spots of rust and it had some loose bits. I don't think it had been played for ages because the jack failed to work on the first attempt so I shoved it in and out a couple of times and it now seems fine. Anyway I couldn't enjoy playing it like that so I unplugged it and tightened up a loose pot and tuner nob, got the lemon oil on the fret board and got some polish on the body. What a difference it makes. The cleaning did wondered as some of the marks on the body that the seller had photographed simply polished off and the black fittings and diamond inlays on the fret board came to life. I'm off to get some new strings at lunch time and can't wait to get down to playing tonight. Much happier now! Edited March 20, 2012 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnyboy Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1332242914' post='1585291'] I god my 2nd bass guitar today. I'm on a budget having already spent a lot on lead guitars and amps in the last 3 months but I needed a decent bass. I snagged a bargain natural Schecter Diamond 4 Stiletto with EMG hz's on ebay "BIN" last week. It arrived today. I unpacked it and sure enough it looked like it had been bought cheap BIN. I tried it out and I was kind of disappointed. It sounded good with a wider and clearer range of tones than my Peavey Zephyr but it also looked really dull, everything was dirty, strings had spots of rust and it had some loose bits. I don't think it had been played for ages because the jack failed to work on the first attempt so I shoved it in and out a couple of times and it now seems fine. Anyway I couldn't enjoy playing it like that so I unplugged it and tightened up a loose pot and tuner nob, got the lemon oil on the fret board and got some polish on the body. What a difference it makes. The cleaning did wondered as some of the marks on the body that the seller had photographed simply polished off and the black fittings and diamond inlays on the fret board came to life. I'm off to get some new strings at lunch time and can't wait to get down to playing tonight. Much happier now! [/quote] It's true that a clean car goes faster!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='Donnyboy' timestamp='1332246346' post='1585407'] It's true that a clean car goes faster!!! [/quote] Because it's lighter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus_147 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 As always, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 Pics or GTFO But yes, I always clean my basses when I get them - out comes the chrome polish and I'm off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus_147 Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1332277905' post='1586103'] But yes, I always clean my basses when I get them - out comes the chrome polish and I'm off [/quote] Nothing like a freshly polished knob, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='Icarus_147' timestamp='1332278471' post='1586119'] Nothing like a freshly polished knob, eh? [/quote] I couldn't comment. Does take it out of the wrists, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted March 20, 2012 Author Share Posted March 20, 2012 [quote name='Icarus_147' timestamp='1332278471' post='1586119'] Nothing like a freshly polished knob, eh? [/quote] and people want pictures????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 I love getting basses like that though. You have this turd of a bass, neck all over the shop... and a hour or two later you have this amazing thing that is musically alive. I don't really care bout polish though, but a good set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Yep the string set up on this one was to low for me to live with. All the notes were clear but I could hear a slight rattle all the way up the neck on the lower 3 strings. I like it fine now! I'm home recording so it matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratking Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 (edited) The first thing I usually do when getting an new (or new second-hand) bass is lowering the string action for a little bit of "fret sound" in the tone But besides that, I couldn't agree more ... I always wipe my bass clean after rehearsal or gigs, give the body a good polish from time to time, and clean the fretboard with a little bit of lemon oil at each string change. I don't care if my basses have some scratches, dings etc. ... Just shows they get played But I just can't understand people dragging around a dirty bass that doesn't show any traces of maintenance over the last twenty-something years and make me want to wash my hands just after looking at it Edited March 21, 2012 by ratking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 (edited) pictures as requested, almost an albino! Edited March 22, 2012 by Pinball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I like how dirty pic3 is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Nice looking bass. Pic 3 is great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarus_147 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Nice! She looks great. :3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 Thanks, pic 3 has many of my favourite things in. A Guitar, a pinball backglass, Doug Watson art and a hot lady. The pin machine is based on the film Barb Wire starring Pam Anderson at the peak of her abilities. A rubbish film but worth watching for obvious reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I've never deliberately polished any of my basses - I just rub some funk on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 a bass in picture 3 ? best have another look... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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