Another Refinishing Question

[billfoss]

I have a MIM Jazz Standard V (dated Oct. 2000)that I bought used. I've had it for a year or so. I started stripping the "Midnight Wine" finish which I didn't care for in order to make it natural. Paint remover wouldn't touch it so I did the heat gun thing. In a couple of places, the grain rose and cracked. I've since been sanding and seem to have discovered something alarming. The wood grain is quite attractive. However, it appears to be a veneer on top of the body wood. Is it possible that Fender painted over a body that was earmarked for a natural finish, or have I lost my mind?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by billfoss

I have a MIM Jazz Standard V (dated Oct. 2000)that I bought used. I've had it for a year or so. I started stripping the "Midnight Wine" finish which I didn't care for in order to make it natural. Paint remover wouldn't touch it so I did the heat gun thing. In a couple of places, the grain rose and cracked. I've since been sanding and seem to have discovered something alarming. The wood grain is quite attractive. However, it appears to be a veneer on top of the body wood. Is it possible that Fender painted over a body that was earmarked for a natural finish, or have I lost my mind?

It could be they used the veneer for a smoother surface for painting instead of a rough surface of whatever the body wood is. Or it could have been earmarked for a natural finish. Or maybe they all are like that.

However I'm not a Fender expert.

I hope you didn't sand right through the veneer to find out.

[Turnaround]

This is pretty typical. My MIM is a 5-piece body with a 2-piece veneer over the top and back. I believe the veneers were applied to hide the multiple pieces in case the body were to be finished clear or burst. Mine was green ( I hate green - sorry Major Metal) and I stripped it. Did a walnut stain and now it looks nice. But I am sure it would have looked less nice if the body joints were showing.