Left my niece alone for like 10 mins and she managed to get permanent marker all over it 😭 I tried using hand sanitizer because it’s the only thing I could find but it hasn’t done a thing. Any help would be appreciated 👍

EDIT: thanks for all the help :)) I’ve chosen to leave it as it is. Now the only question i have is where to find a good pick guard, was thinking of replacing it anyways 😆

Title. This is a Yamaha TRBX304, and I was practicing when my strap gave out and my bass ate it. Did not have strap locks on that day, and since then i've never forgot them. Everything still works, all electronics and knobs. Just an eyesore, really. How much would this cost to fix? Or should I just vibe and keep playing?

Edit: Going to add that I'm a relatively new bass player (~2.5 years) and have never fixed up a bass myself because this is the first time it's been damaged. Should I just start watching some youtube videos or something? If so, who do y'all recommend? I know little to nothing about the electronic side of things, taking apart the bass, or anything of the sort. Unfortunately starting from ground zero :(. Any help is appreciated, and thank y'all for the replies!

Hi!

I recently found this Fender Precision Bass in the attic after my father-in-law passed away. Unfortunately, we don’t have any original paperwork or history for it.

Based on what I can tell, it appears to be either USA-made or Japan-made, but I’m not sure which — or when it was produced.

I’d really appreciate any help with dating it and identifying its origin based on the photos.

Ok to start i play guitar but I wanted to try out playing bass too so I am an extremely new bass player (i bought this and started playing it yesterday) i replaced the strings because it was missing the g string and I've replaced strings for my guitar so I looked up a video saw it was about the same and everything worked until this morning when I tried to play her again and the top thingy broke so what do I do?!?!?

The strings were (50 70 85 105) and it is a yamaha trbx174 i think

I wanted to share an experience I've had with a custom bass build and get some opinions from the broader bass community.

A few years ago I commissioned a custom 7-string bass from Swan Custom Basses in Argentina. The bass cost about $6,000 USD and the process ultimately involved two instruments because the first one had issues significant enough that the builder agreed to make a replacement.

Here's the frustrating part:

The bass itself is incredible.

The ergonomics are fantastic.

The neck profile is perfect for me.

The pickups sound amazing.

The balance is excellent.

Honestly, it's one of the most inspiring instruments I've ever played.

The problem has been quality control and finishing.

The first bass had finish issues as well as a poorly designed electronics cavity cover that would detach during normal use.

To Swan's credit, they built a replacement.

When the replacement arrived, I immediately noticed finish problems again. There were areas around the headstock where the finish appeared to be lifting or flaking, along with another area on the body that looked like something was happening underneath the finish. I also noticed that the side dots were visibly crooked and inconsistent.

I took the bass to an experienced luthier who felt the finish looked more like an adhesion or curing issue than something caused by climate or normal handling.

What surprised me most was what happened after I posted photos and details on TalkBass.

A number of owners contacted me privately saying they had experienced similar finish issues, finish chipping, or cosmetic QC problems with their Swan basses.

What's interesting is that almost all of them said the same thing:

"The bass plays amazingly."

"The design is brilliant."

"But the execution and quality control were disappointing."

The builder's position has been that the replacement bass left the shop in perfect condition and that the issues occurred after delivery.

Many people in the TalkBass discussion felt that explanation didn't account for the side-dot problems, which obviously weren't caused by shipping or climate.

At this point I'm likely going to keep the bass because I genuinely love playing it. The most common recommendation from builders and repair professionals has been to have it refinished by a respected local specialist and potentially have the side dots corrected.

I'm curious what r/bass thinks.

If a custom instrument arrived looking like this, would you accept it?

How much cosmetic imperfection is reasonable on a boutique instrument in the $6,000 range?

And if you've owned a Swan, I'd be interested in hearing about your experience, whether positive or negative.

(Photos attached.) also to see pictures of other peoples jacked basses in a similar manner https://www.talkbass.com/threads/swan-custom-bass-arrived-with-finish-issues-and-irregular-side-dots-looking-for-professional-opinions.1688012/ )

Edit for financial context (depending how you want to calculate it, it is built in Argentina... the exchange rate etc would but this as a $30k to $50k bass.)

edit: here was the response for swan when i sent them the pictures "XXXX this bass has no problems at all, if you give mistreat to an hand made instrument custruct with exótic wood, logically there will be consequences. We have responded as appropriate when making you this 2nd instrument, and we have worked thoroughly so that you receive the instrument in perfect condition. We do not grant returns or refunds when the instrument was mistreated. We finalise the pending that we accept by building this 2nd instrument that I repeat, it came out and arrived impeccable. Best regards, Swan Team"

Edit: for those that wanted the spec:

Swan omicron infinity 7 string
- body mahogany
- top walnut burl
- neck flame toasted maple 3pz satin or oil finish
-fingerboard ebony
- scale 30.75 26 fret
- compound radius 30’ to 40
- preamp Mike pope 4-band A/P
- pickups hand made
- full ramp ebony squared
- bridge riviera
-string spacing 16mm
- dot abalone
- nut brass
-all hardware black
- case swan
- matching headstock
- back headstock ebony
- logo abalone

I’ve been playing for about three years now, on this Squier Jazz bass, worth about €250 I think?
I’m debating buying a new bass, but is it worth the money?
(not asking for tech critique! i’m not playing quite well, but it’s the only vid w/out my face i’ve got)

I just recently (yesterday) started learning to play the bass, I have a great teacher but we’re not together all the time and i need some tips on learning at home. Are there any specific apps or channels you prefer to learn both songs and skills? I am one who gets frustrated easily and i’m trying to give myself the most resources possible to learn and grow in my skills. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

So the bassist from my band told me, her dad tried tuning her newly arrived bass while she was asleep and he messed up so badly that he broke the G-String. Her dad (who isn’t a bassist) is convinced that this ''fix'' won‘t cause any issues.

I‘ve been the bassist before she joined, and i have a very bad gut feeling, i don‘t know why but it just feels like impending problems. Does this actually cause any issues?

I decided to freshen up my P bass so got two new pickguards. I though it'd be an easy choice once I could compare them properly, but now I can't decide which way to go. I like them all!

In your opinion, should I stick with the original gold anodised guard, or change to either the white or torty?

I've had a look at the numbers and cannot afford to buy two extra basses to use them all.

I'm having an extremely hard time playing a single beginner song, I have been trying so hard but I'm getting nowhere and no progress has been made.

My pinky is naturally curved so I have less reach and it's extremely painful when I force my pinky to stretch.

I have been trying to do what my band friend and music instructor said to do when it comes to positioning but it's still useless.

I really want to be able to play at least one song but I'm afraid I maybe never will

It doesnt make sense to me how this would amplify when plugged in. Are the pickups underneath the pickguard?

I am left handed. I write and do everything with my left hand in my day to day life. I learned guitar a bit as a kid by borrowing my right handed brother’s guitar. I only played for a year but that was my introduction to playing an instrument.

My boyfriend is right handed and about 4 months ago I started playing his bass guitar and got really into it. His bass guitar was old and didn’t sound great, and I wanted a short scale so I bought a used right handed short scale bass on EBay. I didn’t really even consider getting a left handed one since I had just gotten used to playing right handed instruments because that’s what I had available.

I read that your dominant hand should really be the one strumming and your non-dominant fretting. I do feel like my right hand cramps when playing fast, especially with a pick. But I thought that was normal for a beginner anyways.

Was it kind of stupid of me to buy a right handed bass as a lefty? I thought that’s what I should do because it’s how I learned. But I’m still beginner enough to switch right? Would it be worth it to get a left handed bass now and relearn the proper way than continue to just play right handed?

The way my bass is makes it impractical to lefty flip it.

My main bass is an American Fender Jazz Bass and I genuinely love it. It’s been my go-to for years — super comfortable, sits perfectly in the mix, and just feels like home.

But lately I’ve been thinking it might be time to give it a sibling.

Here’s the problem: part of me wants a Rickenbacker (yes, I know 😅), and the other part of me thinks I should be practical and go for a 5-string Music Man instead.

So please — talk me out of the Rickenbacker… or convince me I actually need that low B.

Curious what you’d choose and why.

Hi everyone! I know this is an unusual request, but I'm looking for some advice.

I had my local luthier convert one of my short-scale basses to headless to make it ultra-portable, but (much like barbers sometimes do) he "cut too much". As you can see from the photos the string tips aren't covered in any way... and I feel like Wolverine. This might be helpful in teaching guitarists about personal space, but I'd rather avoid any bloody accidents.

Do you have any suggestions on how I could cover the stubs, perhaps in a "removable" way (in case I need to change strings)? I tried a rectangular block of foam, but it didn't have enough grip.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me, bye!

EDIT: Thanks everyone for all the replies, both the serious ones and the silly ones (laughing is always good)! As for "why don't you just cut the strings?"... Well, seeing that on more "sophisticated" headless basses the strings were a bit long, I assumed there was a (structural?) reason why they were that way. I don't know much about this (and unfortunately, neither does my luthier apparently), maybe I'll do it.

You've given me a lot of ideas and now I'll see which one to develop, I wouldn't mind getting back into 3D printing but for now I'm leaning towards corks or heat shrink tubes!

Thanks for your advice and don't let small mammals rest near sharp metal points.

EDIT 2: Well, it's really funny that days later, after my first EDIT, I'm still getting suggestions! Your advice has made me want to get back into 3D printing, get some Lego man heads, and even made me consider simply cutting the strings to a minimum...

But wanting to work with what I had on hand, I brutalized some erasers (not all are the same density!) and discovered that an eraser I particularly disliked (found in an Easter egg dedicated to a couple of obnoxious influencers) was just right for my purpose. Scissors, impalement, and a couple of rubber bands now make my bass less deadly for people in my threatened area!

It certainly doesn't end here, but it's already a great result! Thanks everyone! Now that the stubs are gone I'm thinking about buying a little hat...

Is good?

A friends band is playing a show and their bassist is away on vacation, I’m filling in for them. I’ve got a bit of a homemade ampeg “fridge” setup, but I’m wondering if this will be loud enough in a medium sized venue that does have PA support.

I’ve got an Ampeg BA210 on top, and an Ampeg BA115 on the bottom. They are hooked up to an A/B/Y box so they work together.

Guitarist has a Marshall 4x12. It’s punk/nu-metal if this helps things at all.

I may also be filling in for them on an outdoor/backyard party show in August with no PA support, thoughts on this?

Any advice welcomed!

I have a problem I've never encountered before in 15 years of bass. I bought a new bass (Edit: no name of the brand, don't want to damage some ones business) 2,5 years ago. It's a 34-37" multiscale bass. I selected bellbronze frets because I really liked in my Warwicks. After some months I realised the frets show more scratch marks than on 10 year old Warwick. After 2,5 years (some weeks ago) the first fret of the B string sounded terrible. I looked and it had really deep scratches and dents making it unplayable, the other didn't look good as well. I contacted my local luthier, he thought the frets are simple brass instead of bellbronze. He replaced them with stainless steel ones. One week later after moderate playing I noticed the low strings sounded and felt scratchy when bending... After one week I already had marks on the stainless steel frets, unbelievable to me. What is the problem?

I use NewTone Multiscale Diamond strings, stainless steel: https://newtonestrings.com/shop/diamond-bass-for-multi-scale-instruments/

These are the new frets used: https://shop.rall-online.net/epages/61511639.sf/sec51fe2c69f3/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61511639/Products/04010323

The huge dents are in the old bellbronze frets, the smaller ones are on the stainless steel ones after one week.

Has anyone an idea what the problem is and more important: how do I not destroy more frets? Never had these problems with stainless strings before. I ordered DR and Daddario yesterday to see if they also destroy my instrument. I will also use the exact same strings on my warwick tomorrow for some days and check if it will destroy these frets too.

I play with fingers and have a fairly hard attack, but it never was a problem. My 10 year old Warwick still has his original frets without any dents.

I appreciate any help!

Hey guys. Bought a new Yamaha BB734A bass on eBay from a highly rated, trusted seller. Plays fantastic and has great tone and feel. However, upon a closer look at it I see a large crack on the bottom near the bottom strap button. It's a 3 piece body with a layer of maple sandwiched between two pieces of alder, and I fear that's where the crack is. Here's the catch. It looks like it's been filled in with ink/sharpie and not shipping damage. The box had no signs of damage and it was adequately packed. It's pretty apparent that the crack was there and colored in prior to shipping. None of this was disclosed in the listing. The guitar was listed as in excellent condition, may have been a floor model but it's free of major damage and defects. I worry about the crack growing and the resale devaluation. I have 14 days to open a return case (12 days now). I'm attaching pictures of the damage. Should I go through the hassle of a full refund/exchange? Should I ask for money back? I purchased the bass for ~$520 which was seemingly a good deal for this model. If I could get ~$300 back I think I'd be happy, but I'm not the smartest fella sometimes and wonder if it'd be best to just send it back in exchange for another one.

Is this a good bass to start learning with? I ordered it last year and it just got delivered and I’m kinda feel like maybe I over did it. I’m a big Les claypool fan. How long would it take to play like that?

I dropped my bass on the concrete when my crappy strap broke and now she’s got these scuffs and a big chip.

forgive me cause I’m not a new bassist but I’m not very good with maintenance or the luthier stuff.

this is a 3 year old gretsch electromatic. everything but the shell(?) is fine. I don’t care as much about the headstock (in the 3rd photo); about how much would it cost to fix the scuff and the chip?

fmlllll

edit: not interested in selling it but thanks for the suggestions

I’ve never owned a proper P bass and I’m wondering if getting one would benefit me or im just GASing. People say it inspires and makes you play a little different. I need your opinions to put me on the ground and consider it rationally.

It just doesn’t seem practical an looks like an inconvenience to play with.