Author Topic: Protecting the top (Read 283 times)

richbass939 · « **on:** December 04, 2004, 07:35:11 AM »

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a way I can protect the finish and the top wood from my thumbnail. I anchor my thumb against the side of the fingerboard near the highest frets. I keep my nails trimmed but I noticed a few small dents in the finish and maybe into the wood. Currently I have a small Bandaid on it. My top is natural/blond maple so the Bandaid isn't very noticable but I'd like something more permanent.
Is there some type of clear film or something that will protect it that has an adhesive that won't harm the finish?
Any suggestions?
Rich

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2004, 12:51:40 PM »

Do you have the high gloss finish, or the satin? On the satin, you may be mistaking some 'open grain' for dents - if you have high gloss this gets gets filled up, with satin you see 'small cuts'. Compare this area to the rest of the surface to see if you need to worry.

Anyway, unless the rest of the bass is in immaculate condition, this would be perfectly acceptable user wear in case you would want to resell.

richbass939 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2004, 04:33:16 PM »

Adriaan,
My bass has the clear satin finish. The open grain holes are very visible on the mahogany back but the dents are definitely from my thumbnail. All my other basses show kind-of the same thing, especially my acoustic bass guitar that has a soft pine or spruce top.
The bass is not in pristine condition. It has some buckle rash on the back and some other light scratches on the top finish. Also, a previous owner must have played with the right thumb anchored against the neck pickup. The edge of the pickup hole is beveled off a little. But the bass is in pretty good condition for a '95. I'm just afraid that my thumbnail will dent down into the wood. I doubt that I will ever sell it. My wife and I have been adding to our collection and don't really seem to be interested in selling anything. I just want to take care of my Alembic as well as I can. After 30 years of admiring them I still can't believe that I actually have one.
Thanks,
Rich

jlpicard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2004, 08:48:57 PM »

I have a slighty different issue. My thumb floats on the E string most of the time unless I am playing the E in which case I rest it against the body between the PUPS. This has the effect of buffing or lightly scraping the finish as my thumb changes angle. The result is when held up to the light at the proper angle the finish appears to be dulled to a satin finish. I have considered using some of that Clear Bra automotive film made by 3M that you can find at most auto detailers. It is totally transparent and will not harm the finish. Unfortunately, it has to be applied with heat and I am afraid of damaging the surrounding finish. Anyone know more about this product? Mike

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2004, 01:51:39 AM »

File your nails, you geeks! Trust me, it works perfectly, and as far as I'm concerned will be an Alembic Club secret that works so much better than walking around the gig like Edward Tapehands.
You could grind them against brick walls like Stanley, but I wouldn't recommend it. Nor would I recommend going down to the quick--file just below the pads of your thumb and plucking fingers and no further.

adriaan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2004, 03:58:37 AM »

Have been a nailbiter myself for as long as I care to remember.

From what I remember, Stanley grinds his fingertips against brick walls to get rid of excess callus.

richbass939 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2004, 08:32:23 AM »

Adriaan, that's what I remember Stanley saying he does and why.
Kick ass sheriff. I think you're misunderstanding me. First off, I do keep my nails trimmed REALLY short. My thumb would be bleeding if the nail was any shorter. The way I place my hand on the bass puts my thumb in a position that does dent the top.
Secondly, I don't put the Bandaid on my thumb. I put it on the bass top just above the neck. I guess I'll keep using one until I find some sort of tape or film that I know won't harm the finish.
Officer, I'm glad that you've found a very simple solution that works for you. However, we don't all hold the bass the exact same way. If we were all conventional then we would be playing Fenders and there would be no Alembic Club.
Rich

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** December 06, 2004, 09:05:52 AM »

Try the stuff they have for PDA screens. It's just peel-off plastic that sticks like cellophane wrap without glue. If it will adhere to the surface of the bass, it should be safe. Since the purpose is to prevent damage to touch screens when you're using them, I suspect that it would be perfect for what you need. If it were a gloss finish, I would almost guarantee it would stick, but I don't know on a satin.

I have never tried one for this purpose, but they're pretty cheap for a test run.

-Bob

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2004, 01:26:56 PM »

Misunderstand? Me? Never! (laughing)
Sorry about that, Rich, and thanks for the reminder about the perils of assumption.
Do you mean your plucking hand is sort of in the Stanley position, but with your thumb and hand perpendicular to the face of the bass rather than the parallel position Mr. Clarke assumes?
That's a good question. Maybe a layer or two of medical tape over the tip of your thumb secured by one turn around it? As far as I know the cloth kind is non-reactive, but if you choose this route it'd be a good idea to stick a small piece of tape somewhere unobtrusive, like under a pickup, to test my theory for a few days or weeks.
Good luck!

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2004, 01:33:01 PM »

PS--GORGEOUS top on that Epic. Wow.

richbass939 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2004, 04:41:42 PM »

Thanks, KFS.
I've always been fond of flame maple. Some of our violins are flame. I still am very partial to quilted. Maybe I can get some good digital pics of some of our violin backs. Santa is giving the wife a good camera for Christmas.
Happy Holidays.
Rich

richbass939 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2004, 08:09:18 AM »

KFS, I'm not sure how SC holds his hand but my thumb nail is pretty perpendicular to the face.
Well, I did a little test with some Bandaid tape. There is some buckle rash on the back so I figured I wouldn't make it any worse by trying the tape there. So far it hasn't hurt anything and the adhesive hasn't come off onto the finish.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Rich