1975 Fender Precision - considering refinishing

[GIBrat51]

This is one of those "it depends" situations. If you have any thoughts at all about selling it, then leaving it "as-is", is probably the best option. That's what the collectors and "Mojo" fans want, so why spend money up front - only to lose it on the back end? If it were me? I'd just play it as-is, while I looked for a buyer...
If you really have no plans to sell it? Then, by all means, fix it up however you want. it's your bass, after all. I had this '78 P-Bass refinished.. geez, 25 years ago; but, I didn't have much choice. The biggest piece of finish left on it was about twice the size of a postage stamp, and all the finish would have fit on a business card. However, I have no plans at all to sell it, so I don't care about collector value (and it's only a lefty, anyway...) Oh, and it weighs more than yours; 11.1 lbs. ....
As for "Mojo"? Here's all the Mojo you need; the "Triple-Strength Blues Boy" mojo bag for musicians. $34.95, in the bag color of your choice, from Mojohand.com...

 

[Michael F Clef]

Refinishing any of my old basses is against my religion. Period.

 

[40Hz]

Reverb price guide shows it's worth closer to $1500

Fender Precision Bass 1976 Natural Price Guide

Depends on what’s selling at the time I guess. Know one guy who bought one a year back and paid $1800 for it in no better comdition than yours. And one sold on Reverb for $2200 not too long ago.

Usually, if you’re willing to wait a bit you can get close to your asking price provided it’s not ridiculous. At least if my own experiences are anything to go by. So you could always just list it and play it in the meantime.

 

[bassliner50]

Let it be.

 

[joe4string]

That is like my dream bass. Love it!! Let her be.

 

[jumbodbassman]

i would leave it. the natural fender age very gracefully IMHO. and not that common either. my 73 when i bought it. now sporting a period correct white PG which is how they came back then

 

[glocke1]

I have a '75 P that I bought in the mid-80's when I was in college. It was my main gigging bass for a lot of years, and you can see that by looking at it. There are many spots on the finish where its worn through to bare wood. It's somewhat original, but no covers, and I replaced the pick guard when the original black one cracked and didn't keep the old one. The frets are in good shape and it sounds awesome, like a P-bass should. I never liked the natural finish, or the thick poly finish on the body, and it's an ash body, so it weighs 10+ pounds. There's also some nicks in the coating on the back of the neck that bug me. If I could find another vintage P that I liked better for the same price, I would sell it as-is. I am considering refinishing it, but worried that it may affect the resale, or more accurately, that I wouldn't get back the money I've put into it. It has a little sentimental value, but I could get over that pretty quickly. One advantage of a refin would be a new Spitfire tortoise shell pick guard. I would have them strip off the poly finish from the body and neck, and refinish with nitrocellulose in a solid color, and leave the back of the neck bare. I could match the existing wear with a relic finish, I would probably use MJT. Refin would probably cost something like $800-$900 all told, with the relic at the higher end and a new-looking finish at the lower end of the range.

What do you think TB?
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Thats worn in nicely...and thats coming from someone who prefers shiny/well maintained instruments over those with "mojo".

$800-$900 is a bit steep. At that price point I'd just either buy a new one or find a used one you like.

 

[eldoryder]

Leave it be with one exception.....that pickguard! This bass is either crying out for a one-layer black or an aged white pearl PG. The authentic "relic-ing" you have put on it is something that people actually pay good money for! Here's my P with the aged pearl PG:

Just my two cents. It might be enough to make you fall in love with it again! Good luck.

 

[DirkP]

It will affect resale and you put another 800-900 into it, only to devalue it. Makes no sense. If it would be your dream bass and you would want to play it for the rest of your life. O.k. But you mention the weight and other issues.

If you would sell it and would put another 800-900 on top of it, you could buy maybe your dream bass.
I have a 1975 Fender P that is very lightweight, although ash. It has a replacement pickguard and not the original pickups, but I would never ever refinish it. Esp. not for 800-900.
For the price of the refinish alone you could buy a used MIJ '70s Precision. And these are at least as good if not better as most of the originals. I have a '78 US Jazz, too and keep it for sentimental reasons and the natural age. But the MIJ '75 RI Jazz is - to be honest - at least as good.
So my conclusion: keep it! I don't know how old you are but you might regret it if you sell it (or refinish it). Buy another one with the money you would pay for the finish alone.

 

[tycobb73]

I'll give you 1200 for it.

 

[Basshappi]

I think that is way too much $$$ for a refinish job.
Personally, I would leave it as is, it tells its own story.

 

[Tj smith]

She’s sweet just like that. A thousand bassist would kill for that thing. Sell it to me.

 

[sxaxsx]

Between the money you would get selling it, plus the cost you are willing to put into a refinish, you could buy a bass you like the finish of.

 

[Member8675309]

I would refinish it....but I’d do it myself, and I’d keep the natural finish. If I didn’t have the tools, time, or experience, I’d leave it alone. When you compare the cost of a refinish to the history of the bass, it’s not worth it, at least not to me.

 

[two fingers]

Forget paying extra for a relic job. Get the refin like new and wear through it again!

 

[madbass6]

I have a '75 P that I bought in the mid-80's when I was in college. It was my main gigging bass for a lot of years, and you can see that by looking at it. There are many spots on the finish where its worn through to bare wood. It's somewhat original, but no covers, and I replaced the pick guard when the original black one cracked and didn't keep the old one. The frets are in good shape and it sounds awesome, like a P-bass should. I never liked the natural finish, or the thick poly finish on the body, and it's an ash body, so it weighs 10+ pounds. There's also some nicks in the coating on the back of the neck that bug me. If I could find another vintage P that I liked better for the same price, I would sell it as-is. I am considering refinishing it, but worried that it may affect the resale, or more accurately, that I wouldn't get back the money I've put into it. It has a little sentimental value, but I could get over that pretty quickly. One advantage of a refin would be a new Spitfire tortoise shell pick guard. I would have them strip off the poly finish from the body and neck, and refinish with nitrocellulose in a solid color, and leave the back of the neck bare. I could match the existing wear with a relic finish, I would probably use MJT. Refin would probably cost something like $800-$900 all told, with the relic at the higher end and a new-looking finish at the lower end of the range.

What do you think TB?
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Regarding resale value you already lost some resale value when you replaced the pick up and don't have the original ! so it's no longer original anyway ! refinishing it shouldn't really be a big deal!
How ever if it was me ill much rather invest that money on restoring it to its original state! I'll Find a pick up from that year restore it and leave it as is !

 

[gelinas666]

Leave it.. If there are any divets in the neck,give it a light sanding and then wax.. I have a '75 and it rocks!

 

[Drucifer]

Okay okay okay. TB has spoken. At this point, it's 216-35 for not refinishing. I will not be refinishing this bass. I'm going to invest in a better pick guard. I need to decide original black, aged white or tort. No need to respond, I know the overwhelming consensus will be tort . And I'm going to take off the 15+ year-old Rotosounds and string it with chrome flats. I'll see how often it gets played. I'm starting a gig with a traditional country band (my first time), and I'm thinking this would be a great fit.

Thanks everyone for your responses, even the ones implying my faulty decision-making . You've helped me appreciate that this is a pretty cool bass to have had all these years.

 

[tycobb73]

For what it's worth I paid 13 for a stripped finish 75 p. It has original everything else.

 

[cripula]

You have chosen wisely.