GregHughes

Thanks, White pick guard but black pups. Yes 3 months seems like ages but if its anything like Jan/Feb it should soon fly.

I must admit that my vintage fender has a really unique, soft worn feel which I really like and its my favourite bass at the moment but that feel only comes from years of playing, not from a hammer and sandblock. I think you can make a guitar look old and some what feel used but it won't be the same. Interestingly at Sandberg, they have a Masterpiece range which is the most worn/vintage style they do (and the most expensive) and they subject the bass to over 100 hours of bass frequency which is mean't to soften up the wood. Think I'll just get the new one and start playing it as much as possible. Hopefully in 30 years it will still look like new but have that great vintage feel, if I haven't sold it in the meantime! My seven year daughter has already called dibbs on my stringray for when she is a bit bigger!

I've not seen one and I've been looking out for Sandbergs. There is a natural JM4 going at a good price and a Silver one too.

At the end of the day I guess damage on any guitar is likely to devalue it when you come to sell it. Even on vintage fenders. Mint condition are worth more than road worn as far I can tell. I'm so glad I posted this one as helped me make my mind up and I'm sure now that un aged is the way to go.

Session Music in Frankfurt. Price seems pretty good and to be honest they are one of the only one's who have bothered to come to back to me. Think I've finalised on TT 4 string, Roquefort blue (adler body, lightest bit available) with maple neck (pearl block inlays). 12 - 14 week lead time so I'll post pictures when it arrives..... if it ever does....

Yep. Just got to decide on colour and neck options now.

Have you seen this one on Andy Baxters website, think its new today as I do check on there quite often out of interest. [url="http://www.andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=262"]http://www.andybaxte...ails.php?id=262[/url] I was listening to Ian Dury & Blockheads the other day, some great bass playing on those early tracks.

I've decided to go for un aged and let it age by itself as I'm pretty sure I will be keeping this one for quite some time.

It was worth a try! Guess I'm going to just have to bite the bullet and order a new one. 12 week lead time if you want something that's not in stock. Think I've finally decided on colour/spec and also going for un aged after discussions this afternoon confirmed what I was already thinking.

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.

I've been playing around with a few on my jazz basses recently and I guess is depends on the style/sound are you looking for. At the moment overral I like D'addario nickelwound strings with a quite light G but fairly heavy E. They have a nice bright sound to them are don't break the bank. I also tried some flats which were interesting, especially for finger style but they do feel really different as they are smooth rather than ridged. I do like to play a bit of slap at home so they are no good for that and therefore would only recommend if you have a couple of basses and have those on one.

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.

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.

Thanks, did you buy the JJ new as it looks in very good condition. Looks like the PM is an aged one? Sounds like you should sell the JJ to me

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.

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?

Lovely bases Opticaleye, how would you compare the JJ against the JM?

I thought it looked mimed when I watched it last night as it was a pretty complex bass line with those dance moves. Maybe I'm just synical/jealous.

Holy sh*t. I'm not sure even Bootsy could pull off looking cool playing that.