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1986 EBMM Stingray with horrible paint job.

Should I paint it the original color?

  • YES!

    Votes: 21 20.8%
  • NO! Get WEIRD with it!

    Votes: 68 67.3%
  • Listen to Adele in the tub and cry.

    Votes: 12 11.9%

  • Total voters
    101
This is a long one, because arming you all with the correct information is VITAL!

So, a few months back I traded an Elrick Expat NJS5 for a '76 Precision and an '86 Stingray. Yeah, I know!!! The P had its own issues which have been dealt with, but I have a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the 'ray.

Before I had a chance to see the bass in person, the owner told me up front that it had been refinished, and the paint was "An 8 out of 10". It wasn't. It looked like a toddler went at it with one of those Wagner power painters. It's hazy, there are drips, trash everywhere, and it looks like the body was laid down on a workbench before the paint dried. This didn't phase me, because I was getting two VERY cool basses for one that I didn't play anymore.

Now, other than the tragic refin and missing string mutes, this bass is all original and is without question the BEST sounding Stingray I have ever played. I've probably played a couple hundred of them, owned a few, but have figured out I'm generally not a fan. This one is different. I originally did the trade because I wanted that P, but this Stingray is making a case for itself.

Ready for the dilemma????

1) Do I have it painted the original color (cream white) for the sake of originality/value? Or would that make any difference, since some hack already repainted it?

2) I run a collision shop, which means I have access to a killer paint booth, and can mix pretty much any finish I could ever possibly want. Should I just paint it the color I want it to be?

To add fuel to the confusion fire, I might just sell it once it's back together. I VASTLY prefer fives. Before this trade, I don't think I'd had a four in about 2 years. So, even if I keep it, I might never play it.

Thoughts? Advice? Carrots?

If you plan to sell it maybe offer a refinish to it to the color of the buyers choice to give it the highest possible resell. I know that would definitely tempt me to buy a bass knowing I could make it any color I wanted!
 
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Sounds like flipping it was the original intent and it sound like you did really good on the deal already, so why not offer it as is before you put any more time or money into it.
 
If you're going to sell it, I'd recommend a refin that will have broad appeal (buttercream buttercream buttercream) and speed a sale.

If you're going to keep it, doowutchalike.

(Back in '80 a kid I knew got his hands on a blue Mosrite Ventures geetar. Friend of his worked in a body shop and refinished it Camaro orange. That guitar was the nads.)
Go L'il Camaro Go...
wasn't Mosrite Johnny Ramones' career guitar
 
Doesn't look that bad. Keep it. Leave it alone. Play it. Enjoy it.

Ya say it's the best sounding 'Ray you ever heard. Keep it!

Ya say that you are into 5 strings. Put a de-tuner on it.

Ya put a fancy, spiffy finish on it and then you gotta worry about dinging it up. Leave it alone. Be comfortable with it. Accept that 'Ray for what it is.

IMHO
 
This is a long one, because arming you all with the correct information is VITAL!

So, a few months back I traded an Elrick Expat NJS5 for a '76 Precision and an '86 Stingray. Yeah, I know!!! The P had its own issues which have been dealt with, but I have a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the 'ray.

Before I had a chance to see the bass in person, the owner told me up front that it had been refinished, and the paint was "An 8 out of 10". It wasn't. It looked like a toddler went at it with one of those Wagner power painters. It's hazy, there are drips, trash everywhere, and it looks like the body was laid down on a workbench before the paint dried. This didn't phase me, because I was getting two VERY cool basses for one that I didn't play anymore.

Now, other than the tragic refin and missing string mutes, this bass is all original and is without question the BEST sounding Stingray I have ever played. I've probably played a couple hundred of them, owned a few, but have figured out I'm generally not a fan. This one is different. I originally did the trade because I wanted that P, but this Stingray is making a case for itself.

Ready for the dilemma????

1) Do I have it painted the original color (cream white) for the sake of originality/value? Or would that make any difference, since some hack already repainted it?

2) I run a collision shop, which means I have access to a killer paint booth, and can mix pretty much any finish I could ever possibly want. Should I just paint it the color I want it to be?

To add fuel to the confusion fire, I might just sell it once it's back together. I VASTLY prefer fives. Before this trade, I don't think I'd had a four in about 2 years. So, even if I keep it, I might never play it.

Thoughts? Advice? Carrots?

My advice? If you can live with it, leave it the way it is. If it isn't, fix it. You have an unlimited palette to chose from, and the ability to fix whatever disasters you end up with.

As for my advice on what color, well, I'm the guy with 21 navy blue golf shirts in the closet, spaced out among 5 black ones. There is also one that's slightly off white, which was bought after much consternation and a lengthy discussion with my wife at the store on her suggestion I put 5 new navy blue shirts back on the shelf and for@!@!!##%%#!! sakes could you PLEASE get a different color?? Trust me, you don't want my opinion on color.
 
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Hahahahaha! Awesome.

My advice? If you can live with it, leave it the way it is. If it isn't, fix it. You have an unlimited palette to chose from, and the ability to fix whatever disasters you end up with.

As for my advice on what color, well, I'm the guy with 21 navy blue golf shirts in the closet, spaced out among 5 black ones. There is also one that's slightly off white, which was bought after much consternation and a lengthy discussion with my wife at the store on her suggestion I put 5 new navy blue shirts back on the shelf and for@!@!!##%%#!! sakes could you PLEASE get a different color?? Trust me, you don't want my opinion on color.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dbsfgyd1