Refinishing a Vintage G&L ?

[snappytom]

I am thinking about getting a 1st generation SB-2.
Depending on the condition, the body would get a paint job by a pro auto/boat/rv/etc.. customizer who is a friend of mine. When put back together it would be all original (except the finish) and cleaned up. Not sure what the final finish would be, probably something unique.

Is this considered a bad thing in terms of value and collectible status ? I read that many people like the mojo of a worn, vintage bass. I personally would want to freshen it up a bit, but not at the risk of screwing it up by doing so.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by snappytom

I am thinking about getting a 1st generation SB-2.
Depending on the condition, the body would get a paint job by a pro auto/boat/rv/etc.. customizer who is a friend of mine. When put back together it would be all original (except the finish) and cleaned up. Not sure what the final finish would be, probably something unique.

Is this considered a bad thing in terms of value and collectible status ? I read that many people like the mojo of a worn, vintage bass. I personally would want to freshen it up a bit, but not at the risk of screwing it up by doing so.

Nooooo! don't do it don't do it!.......

Refinishing is one of the worst things you can do as far as the value goes. I've done 2 refins on instruments and in both cases I think the value ended up being about 50 bucks.

Even if the original finish is crap and worn to hell, it'll still be far more valuable than a refin no matter how nice of a job you do....

LS

[Ken Baker]

Unless you really don't care about the resale value of the bass, I have to agree and recommend against a refin. Particularly a first gen SB which is pretty old. The value will only increase if left alone, even if it's a slow increase. Unless the thing is all gouged up, you might be surprised at how well G&L's clean up.

OTOH, it would be your bass to do with as you please.

Ken...

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by Ken Baker

Unless you really don't care about the resale value of the bass, I have to agree and recommend against a refin. Particularly a first gen SB which is pretty old. The value will only increase if left alone, even if it's a slow increase. Unless the thing is all gouged up, you might be surprised at how well G&L's clean up.

OTOH, it would be your bass to do with as you please.

Ken...

One example I've seen recently. a real 62 jazz bass completely intact could fetch 20 to 30 large depending, something like that. Same bass as a refin is probably worth 2 to 3k......

LS

[snappytom]

OK ....... this won't be happening ....... thanks for the advice.

[ljazz]

Besides, they look great all mojo'd up!

[prsbass]

Here's my train of thought. If the bass is just worn from heavy playing, I leave it, if it has been routed anywhere, I do what I want with it. I figure a filled route with new finish is the same as routed but original finish. I have two L1000 bodies under construction right now, both came to me with the finish sanded off and routed so I'm refinishing them to my liking.

[Chef]

Early SB2 JJ's aren't worth much anyway...~$500-ish.
If it were mine, I'd do whatevertheheck I wanted to it.

L1000, L2000...different story.