ToddS Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Dear Forum Friends, Not only because it will save money on counselling, but also because really you are the only people who will 'get it' and actually care, I've decided to post a slightly frivolous thread ... but one with serious undertones nonetheless. Last night I put a little dent in the back of my 335. I was sitting in my office chair, the arms of which are made from nice hard plastic, leant down to adjust a setting on my effects pedal, and when I sat back up the back of the guitar hit the arm of the chair. It's a little dent (size of a small grain of rice), sitting in the dark part of my vintage sunburst finish. A dent so small, that it takes a while to find, and you have to tilt the guitar in the right light to see it, but a dent none the less, and whilst it may be hard to see ... I know it's there. And although this one 'hurt' - it wasnt as bad as my first. The first is quite a long, very thin, not very deep at all surface mark (not even a real scratch) on the front of my guitar, that I did 2 days after I got her, by dropping my 2.5 yr old daughter's little pink uke in a plastic case on it, after we had finnished a little jam session. Plus, I have put marks where the neck joins the headstock, by hanging my guitar on the wall in my office (little did I know that the Fender that was there prior to my 335 purchase is finished with a different coating, so the plastic padding on the hanging hook didnt damage it ... but it does eat away at the finish on a Gibson apparently!!). I now have leather covers on the hook, so at least those wont get any worse!! All this in the first month of having this brand new 335. What annoys me most, is my previous guitar, a Fender SQUIER Tele, made in Indonesia, costing about one tenth the price of my 335, which I had for 4 years ... has not the tiniest dent or scratch or mark on it!!! So, I guess I type for two reasons. 1. To seek sympathy and understanding for those who know my pain 2. To tell you all - be careful. Be more carefuly than you think you need to be! Actually, there's a third reason ... to make a little fun of myself ... both for your enjoyment, and as method to help me alleviate my pain by laughing at it!! Take care of your axe. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlekenny Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 ouch man, sorry to hear that. just consider it "Instant Mojo" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hi13ts Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 The Squier probably had a suffocating casing of polyester, and that's why you didn't see dings and/or scratches. Nitrocellulose is superior in tone to the polyester, but it does crack and damage easily. Guitars will get minor scratches and dings the more you use them, and I think that it "personalizes" the guitar. Gibson and Fender both have their VOS and Relic lines that consists of banged up guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I feel your pain... It happened to me as well. Here I am with my limited run 1st edition Robot Guitar (LP Studio with a bound neck and headstock, ebony fret board, absolutely mint)... One day I walk into my studio, pick up the guitar to practice and there it was.... a chip in the paint!!!! down to the wood.... ] I thought dam, who the f**k did that to my guitar.... As it turned out I did of course... Not quite sure how it happened but I think when I was practicing and had it strapped on I bent down to pick up a dropped pick or something and banged into my desk.... Just as I was writting this I went to have a look to see how big it was and noticed another little nick in the same place...dam!!! I gotta find out how I'm doing it... but these things will happen and as someone else said the guitar is gaining personality... the ding is up to about 1/4 inch now... right on the edge of the guitar where the binding should be.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobv Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I'd rather see a guitar that's been handled. To me it signals that it's a good one, a favorite that somebody wanted to play. Nothing sadder than a pristine shiny old one - maybe there was something wrong with the action or the tone so the owner(s) didn't really play it much? Or maybe it's just sad nobody played (with) it, like seeing an old toy on Antique's Roadshow that's still in the original box. I was going to make fun of an acquaintance who really doesn't ever wipe the smudge off his guitar; but then the next guy got up to play with a brand new twelve string acoustic without a scratch on it. Everybody kind of looked at him thinking "Poor lad, he hasn't been at this very long, has he?" Still, I'm a believer in hard cases and polish cloths (I even try to match the cloth to the color of the plush lining, that's how far I take it) so like the others, I feel your pain. Especially if there's nobody to blame (like repeatedly hitting a headstock into the ceiling fixture in the basement when pulling the strap over my head). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 (like repeatedly hitting a headstock into the ceiling fixture in the basement when pulling the strap over my head).My Casino headstock has gone into the ceiling fan a handful of times... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddS Posted June 18, 2008 Author Share Posted June 18, 2008 Gentlement, I thank you truly for your support. It helps to both hear that (a) you feel my pain, and (B) that in many people's opinions I am only adding character to my baby! Whats also interesting is that a number of your stories echo mine - we're not damanging these things bcause they are getting so much use as we tour extensively for our sold out gigs ... we're banging them on office chairs and ceiling fans!! Making me even more intent on getting our renovation done, so we end up with the bigger office space I need!!! Thanks again for the support. I love this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Every mark kills me. It's like putting a dent in your car every so often just so it looks used! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted June 20, 2008 Share Posted June 20, 2008 While I realize that every single ding and scratch on the guitar hurts, I also realize that if you play the guitar, it is inevitable. It's like a new car. The first scratch is the worst, but you aren't going to keep it pristine unless you keep it in the garage. I play music for a living, and "double" between sax, flute, wind synthesizer, guitar, keyboards and vocals on stage. This is a sure recipe for dings and scratches. So I leave my already scratched ES-330 at home and I bought a used Casino to take to the gig. The Casino was in great shape when I bought it, a couple of minor scratches on the back (had to hold it up to the light to see them), and I have put a few more on it. It hurts less than putting more scratches on my 330 though. Sometimes I wish I was one of those players who didn't care how worn the instrument looked. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troels Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 If you own - and play - them long enough they end up with no finish at all... particularly nitro finishes. Sooner or later guitars fall to pieces - particularly semis. So why not just play them and get some new ones when they crash ???? BTW I once got the advice in case of a new car: Take a hammer and give it a light beat somewhere... The first scratch is the worst. :)/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnt Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 we're not damanging these things bcause they are getting so much use as we tour extensively for our sold out gigs ... we're banging them on office chairs and ceiling fans!! My J45 is damaged, I lent it to my son for a gig. He wore a belt (enough said) last night I clonked the end of the SWD just getting it our the case but no damage! You are so right I worked my guts out to afford these treasures then I smack one up against the fish tank as I remove it from its "protective covering" DUHHHHH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 ToddS, The pain is only short lived! LOL. I did the same with mine 40 years ago...hang it by the neck and messed up the finish by the neck. The finish was extra soft and not yet cured. So it wrinkled where the hooks where supporting it! Now, it doesn't bother me at all...besides, 40 years from now that would be part of the "relic" character. Just play and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvansickle Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 A scratch or dent from a gig is a battle scar, particularly when you got it smacking the stage-diving drunk who got too obnoxious. But from an office chair? And you admitted it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaresz Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 ToddS your correct in feeling bummed, but looking on the bright side the uke story is a great one. Something you'll remember your whole life to be shared with your daughter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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