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I've killed my bass' finish

How about getting a new top coat and preserving the scar?? That would be neat.
 
I've always found the best sounding basses are the ones that get played the most.
Battle blisters....shows character, and you will always know which one is yours! :)
 
Who cares what the back of your bass looks like?!

And btw, if you get famous, there will be fans who'll want to have exact replicates of your battled SR! :D
 
oli@bass said:
Who cares what the back of your bass looks like?!
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I was just curious what caused the finish to split and sort of melt like it did since it only took a year for that "scar" to appear. My SR5 is a very well used bass that was my main axe for round 10 years or so. I've recently started playing it again after leaving it in the case since '99.

I see in your signature you also have Lakland basses. I started playing my 55-94 amber quilt/maple along with it's fretless twin (Lakland endorser) in '99 and that was the reason the SR5 was benched.
 
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Laker said:
I was just curious what caused the finish to split and sort of melt like it did since it only took a year for that "scar" to appear.
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OK, that's actually a pretty short time for such a big scar, IMO... however, it looks pretty cool! Best bet is to call Customer Service, maybe they know why that would happen. Could be that a chemical in the case lining somehow altered the finish. It would have been exposed to that for almost ten years constantly. That could explain the size and on the back only. But it's a wild, most probably uneducated guess.
If EBMM CS never heard of it, maybe also call up SKB customer service.

Laker said:
I started playing my 55-94 amber quilt/maple along with it's fretless twin (Lakland endorser) in '99 and that was the reason the SR5 was benched.
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Interesting. Similar time frame like myself. We come around eventually, don't we! :D
 
Laker said:
I finally managed to get a small picture of the back of my Stingray5.

Its almost like the finish melted and she's not too pretty.

attachment.php
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that looks cool! like paul stanley mirrow guitar (the one that the mirrow looks cracked)
 
After nearly 10 years I thought I'd add a little update to my old thread. After letting the Stingray 5 lay idle for quite a few years I had it refretted last year and started gigging with it occasionally. The old girl really does sound pretty nice through my little lounge rig that consists of an Eden WTX500 and TC Electronic RS210 cabinet.

I never did have the bass refinished. It has earned its "soul marks".
 
This the photo from back when I started the thread. The finish looks the same.

Stingray 5.jpg
 
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Laker said:
This the photo from back when I started the thread. The finish looks the same.

View attachment 31365
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My 2004 looks worse than that. What started as a scratch from a shirt button ended up splitting and lifting. Curling edges from the peeling finish have ruined three of my gig shirts. I have a couple decals over it now, so I don't destroy any more shirts. Oddly, I've seen much older Stingray5 basses that don't have that problem. This finish lifts like it had never adhered to the wood.

I don't call it 'relicing'. I call it a failure. I take great care of my instruments. Someone buying what is considered a premium instrument should never have to deal with things like this. It's poly, right? Sad... I have a Mexican Fender that's older, been played as much, and hasn't had an issue.

*how long before I get attacked for telling the truth?
 
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It did start with a scratch from a shirt button though, right? I agree that it'd be great if everything just wore evenly rather than peeling. But once things are exposed, other things can get in under. If I'd've noticed a scratch I'd've repaired it! Not to mention, stopped wearing that button! More on that later.

The truth is that buttons and buckles wear holes in basses. What do you think could be done by manufacturers so that you don't have to deal with it? Remember that improvements in this area will most likely call for compromises in other areas like cost if the finish has to be harder or thicker, aesthetics if a protective barrier is to be incorporated, weight, balance, ergonomics, the list goes on.

Like you, not having to deal with this is very important to me. I solve the issue by not wearing buttons or buckles when I'm playing my Basses.
 
Ox Boris said:
It did start with a scratch from a shirt button though, right? I agree that it'd be great if everything just wore evenly rather than peeling. But once things are exposed, other things can get in under.
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I'd be a bit more understanding, had it not been just a surface scratch. It wasn't through the finish. It wasn't a gouge... Like I said, my Mexi Fender is faring better. Maybe the finish is thicker on the cheap bass. I don't know, but the Fender doesn't even have a scratch on the back. It's a shame. The Stingray5 is a beautiful sunburst. It is what it is. No fixing it now, without an expensive refin.

I can't play my gigs in T-shirts. The 'lowest' level of dress, for me, is a button up work style shirt and nice jeans.

I love the way the bass plays. It sounds good. The finish thing really bugs me.
 
Someone I know has a guitar that has the same issues that you mentioned Stone. Belt Buckle tore a small dent into the finish and some years later the finish starts to basically deteriorate. He took it to a tech that told him that it might have to do with the guitar being exposed to heat in his car, damaging the finish to a point where it won't hold onto the wood anymore.

My poly basses are all very rugged, no issues at all.
 
djaxup said:
He took it to a tech that told him that it might have to do with the guitar being exposed to heat in his car, damaging the finish to a point where it won't hold onto the wood anymore.
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I get the extremes of temperature thing. I never left it in the car. The best I can figure is sweat somehow deteriorated the finish. It's very disappointing. I take great care of my instruments. I keep them clean, and well maintained. They're always on stand or in a case...
 
Noodge alert. Sort of like owning a red '56 Ferrari 250 California. And never taking it out on the road.
Not an accurate comparison but making a point. My '88 SR hasn't gigged since I've owned it.
In recording studio couple times where it sounded INCREDIBLE. I just can't see exposing it
to anything that might happen gigging- least of all shirt buttons. Mojo is respected, but for beaters.
Same for my '76/'77 SR. Rarely out of the case. Have a SBMM RayCA5, Modulus Q5 and sweat rag for the road.
 
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