Show your Munched, Mangled and Mistreated Mods!

[BreSha6869]

As a bass player, I have always been fascinated with people "relic-ing" perfectly good instruments to look old and used. Good old sweat, beer, banging into stuff and honest playing is a different story. If a guitar looks like it was dragged behind a car for a few miles, it is likely a great instrument as it was played for thousands of hours.

Same with mods. Unless you are just a sadist and like hurting your mod or are a complete klutz, most of the worn out mods that have lasted long enough to show heavy wear (early smok Aliens excluded!) are good ones.

So which of your mods look like they took enemy fire or were attached by a pack of wild animals?

My SX Mini M Class was purchased last Feb while on a trip to Nashville. It is heavy as hell but it is an amazing mod. I used this mod almost exclusively for about 6 months and still use it almost daily as a backup. The black finish on the body isn't the best, but it has its share of wear as it has been camping, in my golf bag, cup holder, multiple flights, etc. I take care of my stuff, but sometimes a bit of wear comes with the territory.

Let's see yours...

 

[Eskie]

Mine all look mint, but I've only been at this a little over a year. And yes, they do leave the house. Sometimes. Only under supervision, and no horsing around with other mods in the park.

 

[BreSha6869]

Mine all look mint, but I've only been at this a little over a year. And yes, they do leave the house. Sometimes. Only under supervision, and no horsing around with other mods in the park.

The SX plastic is notorious for wearing so one would have to keep it wrapped to avoid wear if it was in heavy use.

All of my other mods (40+) are very close to mint with the exception of a few that have some bottom wear. My Alien as an example is showing some bare metal on the bottom. Just a tiny bit which could be expected with 2 1/2 months of daily use...

 

[Kprthevapr]

It's kinda hard to wear out a mech mod lol. Mine all have "character" now because of a ding here or a scratch there. I learned the hard way in the beginning, always check your lap before exiting the car or standing up
Dremels are a vapers friend
I will from time to time let this one patina, just cause it only does it in the engraving and top cap on the RDA

 

[dyanaprajna]

It's kinda hard to wear out a mech mod lol. Mine all have "character" now because of a ding here or a scratch there. I learned the hard way in the beginning, always check your lap before exiting the car or standing up
Dremels are a vapers friend
I will from time to time let this one patina, just cause it only does it in the engraving and top cap on the RDA

View attachment 641561

I don't do mechs, they tend to scare me a little. But I will say this, that is a gorgeous mod.

 

[Kprthevapr]

I don't do mechs, they tend to scare me a little. But I will say this, that is a gorgeous mod.

I have to give the cloners credit, they are only getting better. This mod has the cleanest engraving of any mod I own, I have quite a few. I use mech mods pretty much all the time, I have a Fuchai 213 as a back up if needed

 

[BreSha6869]

I have to give the cloners credit, they are only getting better. This mod has the cleanest engraving of any mod I own, I have quite a few.

I agree totally. I own lots of authentics, but own more clones and out of the 20+ clones I own, maybe 4-5 are kinda crappy or absolute crap and the rest are varying degrees of awesome.

I had an authentic SMPL and then bought a $10 clone from FT. I ended up selling the authentic as I was afraid I would not be able to tell them apart. They were basically identical and performed the exact same. Ok, the firing button is a tiny bit different, but besides that it was a $100 SS tube vs. a $10 one that were basically twins. I bought another 2 clone SMPLs in Brass and Copper and they are 3 of my favorite mods.

 

[RainSong]

It's kinda hard to wear out a mech mod lol. Mine all have "character" now because of a ding here or a scratch there. I learned the hard way in the beginning, always check your lap before exiting the car or standing up
Dremels are a vapers friend
I will from time to time let this one patina, just cause it only does it in the engraving and top cap on the RDA

View attachment 641561

Learning about mechs is on my to do list eventually because they look so amazing. I just love how this looks.

 

[Rule62]

I can't say that any of my mods look beat up. I take very good care of them; although my hands do tend to tarnish copper, brass, and aluminum quickly. I have to clean them often. But no chips, gouges, or dents on anything.

 

[aikanae1]

This could be interesting.

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

 

[Solaire]

 

[leftyandsparky]

Can I have some?

 

[anavidfan]

This is the one with the most "character" this old little mech, was gifted to me , I dont think its the first GUS, but the second version. Im not sure, but I love this little guy. Im the second owner and this will be in my collection for the rest of my days.....

I dont keep mine in glass case, I do care and maintain them. I keep them clean but dont use them with gloves, but also try not to drop them. A few scuffs and dings should not "break" them. As long as the insulators are kept in good shape, brass bits cleaned, threads kept clean they should last a lifetime.

This is the oldest device I own, and probably at least 5 years old.
Maybe Mr q @qorax , Im sure he knows the history of these better than anyone.

I have bought some used item that were visually bad shape, dirty, greasy, basically just not maintained. After I cleaned them up, they look like new... Like new but with character.

 

[HauntedMyst]

All my mods and atties are either stainless steel or titanium so the worst they get is tiny scratches (unless being directly targeted by and/or run over by an M1 Abrams tank). Two minutes on a buffing wheel and they look brand new.

 

[Zutankhamun]

This thread definitely strikes a chord with me...
I can't stand 'dings' and I've only just learnt a lesson not to sand your own gear (I hope)!
My newish Paps V4 18500 Stays in a little Gus pouch. So when it goes into its box to sleep, it doesn't rub against my other mods. Good times
Then I bought another V4. The dremel is not my friend...
'Seamless? Really?'
Then I damaged an authentic kfun. I thought I'd leave the dremel to one side and sand it by hand. Bad move...
Now I have to send it to the same guy who had to refinish the phenomenon I sanded

I just can't learn...

 

[bsidb]

Ruff REO[

 

[anavidfan]

This thread definitely strikes a chord with me...
I can't stand 'dings' and I've only just learnt a lesson not to sand your own gear (I hope)!
My newish Paps V4 18500 Stays in a little Gus pouch. So when it goes into its box to sleep, it doesn't rub against my other mods. Good times
Then I bought another V4. The dremel is not my friend...
'Seamless? Really?'
Then I damaged an authentic kfun. I thought I'd leave the dremel to one side and sand it by hand. Bad move...
Now I have to send it to the same guy who had to refinish the phenomenon I sanded

I just can't learn...

Next time you want to spruce up or brush a polished item, the ScotchBrite pads do an amazing job.

If I have a brushed item with scuffs I take some Autosol and with my hands just rub it and let the micro abrasives even it out, then I take a scotchbrite and give it a few spins, by hand. Like new.

I have also done this with mirror shined items. COmes out pretty good.

THe PAPs 4, now like all GP items has such an immaculate and unique brush finish, I have never been able to match, and with the seamless job they do, I would only use the special tool they have and a scotch brite or send it in for them to fix.

If it were me Id send your KFL and the PAPs V4 in before they close up and have them fix it.

We all learn, sometimes its painful..... It still looks good though...

 

[anavidfan]

I got this old PAPS V2 or 2.5 ( not sure, who cares )

I got it for a great price years ago. Its alum-bronze and was well loved. It was really high mirror polished. Thought it was fine and did not want it mirror shined again, so I took a scothbrite and did this, LOVE it, not a finger magnet, and when it gets the patina it looks wonderful

 

[Zutankhamun]

I got this old PAPS V2 or 2.5 ( not sure, who cares )

I got it for a great price years ago. Its alum-bronze and was well loved. It was really high mirror polished. Thought it was fine and did not want it mirror shined again, so I took a scothbrite and did this, LOVE it, not a finger magnet, and when it gets the patina it looks wonderful

View attachment 641813 View attachment 641815

I cant show you the kfun horror story.Its ludicrous and id prefer to not see it again until its fixed.

The paps i did using a drill, the GP polisher and some wet 'n' dry. It doesn't look too bad. I use it but the seamless has gone now.
Ive spoken with Perseas and he's told me that he doesn't recommend refinishing. He thinks it will lose diameter and has told me 'in so many words' that i should forget it.
GP polish on the left. Mine on the right.

Fine. You've got it out of me. Here's the hideous kfun.
Guess which one is mine

 

[anavidfan]

LOL, its not Hidious, but does not look as good as the one on the right

The PAPs is still beautiful, again, side by side....

You can at least have ones to take out and about and not worry about anyone stealing it.

What matters is they will both work forever.

What was the old saying , just cause the paint is dinged, you dont throw away a Rolls Royce.