Should I refinish or leave original honest relic?

CrimsonGhost · #1 01-21-2011, 11:26 PM

So heres the deal,Heres a pic of my '82 Fender bullet bass deluxe. The original finish feel great, very well played in with dings,dents, chips and worn in forearm area.. Its dingy and dirty and smelly from being played alot since 82...

. But I just have never been the biggest fan of dakota red...

I cant really decide, But I think this bass would look great in either competition Orange or Daphne blue..

Think I should keep the original "relic" finish and perhaps go with an aged white pearloid pickguard?

Suggestions?
Thanks!

C.Linton · #2 01-21-2011, 11:34 PM

I don't know. It depends on your priorities. Which is more important to you - resale value or aesthetics?

prd004 · #3 01-21-2011, 11:35 PM

Refinish always reduces (kills really) the basses value. If that's not important to you and you really want it a different color go for it.

I wouldn't do it, but the most important thing is for your instrument to inspire you!

SurferJoe46 · #4 01-21-2011, 11:50 PM

I see a 1973 Corvette red paint job in the future of that if I owned it.

I dislike scratches and dents.

Original 1997-8 Affinity::

NO scratches or dents or owieeees!

big evil robot · #5 01-21-2011, 11:51 PM

Leave it! Dakota red is nice, just throw a black pickguard on it.

LowBC · #6 01-22-2011, 12:03 AM

DO. NOT. REFINISH.
The red ones play faster, right?

Red Rover · #7 01-22-2011, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowBC

DO. NOT. REFINISH.
The red ones play faster, right?

They absolutely do... which is why they're best for metal.

Munjibunga · #8 01-22-2011, 12:09 AM

Refin. An '82 is a used bass.

Chris K · #9 01-22-2011, 12:16 AM

Sell it. Somebody will like this baby the way she is.

M0ses · #10 01-22-2011, 12:19 AM

If you have such reservations about ruining a beautiful and, as you say, honest relic, then don't do it. You'll probably end up regretting it.

christw · #11 01-22-2011, 12:25 AM

No way I'd refinish!

ledyard · #12 01-22-2011, 12:27 AM

I agree, if its a definate keeper and you dont care about killing the value, then refin.
If your not attatched to it then sell it.
I would start by changing the pg. Black would seem the obvious choice but I bet theres a couple other colors that would make it pretty cool.

Osprey · #13 01-22-2011, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimsonGhost

Its dingy and dirty and smelly from being played alot since 82...

I'm having trouble imagining what has been done to this bass, even over 30 years, to make it so dirty and smelly! It looks to be in a really good case..might it be possible to wipe it and get rid of any sweaty marks or cig. smell?

It looks like a decent, rather unusual instrument with a bit of wear to me: and (looking at the bridge) maybe needing a setup. If I owned it I'd be happy with the appearance, but if you want to spend money to make it look fresh from the shop, why not?

SurferJoe46 · #14 01-22-2011, 12:33 AM

The Plasti-Kote touch-up paint for Fender Dakota Red is #4779 Poppy Red in their Trucks colors.

c/o ::: http://www.brandsport.com/plik-4779-pr4.html

Pearldiver · #15 01-22-2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris K

Sell it. Somebody will like this baby the way she is.

+1 only if there is no emotional attachment.

ledyard · #16 01-22-2011, 12:47 AM

Also in factoring whether or not to sell it. Attatched to it or not is....what are these things worth? You definatley dont see these everyday. MIJ or MIA? 84? Is it one of those things thats worth $5-600 because they were never that popular? Or are they a more rare thing thats worth $1000-1500?

TAZ · #17 01-22-2011, 12:59 AM

Red is one of the most popular colors for the 1st generation of Bullets and not a terrific shade IMO. If wear and tear doesn't cut it for you, get it refinished.

A refinish in seafoam was on ebay a couple of weeks ago. If you saw it, I don't think you'd be having this discussion today. It looked like a piece of candy. It was absolutely killer.

BTW - the Japan Squiers go for around $250 and the USA go for around $450. There isn't much of a difference between the '81-82 and the '83-'84 except the decal.

elgranluis · #18 01-22-2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ledyard

Also in factoring whether or not to sell it. Attatched to it or not is....what are these things worth? You definatley dont see these everyday. MIJ or MIA? 84? Is it one of those things thats worth $5-600 because they were never that popular? Or are they a more rare thing thats worth $1000-1500?

had one in like-new condition, same color, sold it on ebay for something like 350 bucks maybe 2 years ago. Usa model.

These things do not command a high price as many people arent even aware of their existance.

Scatterblak · #19 01-22-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

If you have such reservations about ruining a beautiful and, as you say, honest relic, then don't do it. You'll probably end up regretting it.

+1

This is the salient point, IMHO; if you have to ask, then you'll likely have regrets later. Otherwise, you'd have just done it and not worried about it.

Peace!

Barkless Dog · #20 01-22-2011, 07:53 AM

You could try buffing it out a bit & polishing it first. I bought a black Ripper like that. It was covered in grime, guy had horrible pictures of it (clean a bass & take good pictures when you sell a bass!). I Took off the hardware & buffed it out. Turned out great and made $200 more when I sold it.