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59 P Bass Restoration

sspear

sspear

Inactive
Jul 4, 2002
319
187
Memphis - Home of the Blues -
www.facebook.com
#1
I have a 59 P bass that I recently decided to have restored. When I bought it from a friend 30 years ago the sunburst was just about gone on the back of the bass. Not knowing back then what it would be worth down the road I had it refinished in fiesta red poly. Also a J pup was installed by the bridge and another bridge. All foolish mistakes. I heard about a guy in California that restores basses. I called John Kallas and after a few conversations I knew he was the person to take on this project. I wasn't wrong. He did a magnificent job. He was able to do the original burst after repairing the routes. Not only does it look great it sounds great. It rings like a piano now. I have attached a couple of pics and recommend you visit the luthier's forum for a full description of the project. John thank you man. You have made this bass what it once was, a true classic.
 

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#7
A-Step-Towards said:
It looks great but i wouldnt call the mods you did back then a mistake , if you look at it from a money perspectice yes but as a bass a worn out finish needs a new finish etc.
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i would call it a mistake, since you can always get a new one to route and refinish without effecting it's value (and tone!). to me, a bass is only original once in its life.

that said, she's all back to the way she should be and all i had to do was get out my big 'modification eraser'. ;)
 
#8
A-Step-Towards said:
It looks great but i wouldnt call the mods you did back then a mistake , if you look at it from a money perspectice yes but as a bass a worn out finish needs a new finish etc.


However i really like its restoration , its a nice one and its good to see another still kicking it after 52 years
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Thanks I played it twice this weekend and it sounded just great. It's pretty hard to beat a good old P bass. I feel like it fell out of closet where it had been locked away for 30 years or so.
 
#11
AdamR said:
but if he bought it in the 70s and thought it was a 60s P bass it was just another 10 year old Fender at the time. No different then buying a 2000 MIA P bass and modding it now.

Regardless, Great job !
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IMO, it's better to use an aftermarket body and make what you want out of it.
when i was repairing/restoring basses in 1973 i refused to refin or mod any 60's or early 70's fender. some guys begged me, and even tried to bribe me (but i still refused). years later they called and thanked me for not modding them and talking them out of it. i still get an occasional call like that today.
 
#14
I look at it like restoring a classic car. You can find a '59 Bel Air that many people have messed with over the years. Needs many things to put it back to stock condition. In the hands of a seasoned pro they work their magic and - wala. The Bel Air looks factory again.
It's OK if I want to upgrade the intake manifold and change the wheels. Its my car and I still have all the stock parts.

BTW - I don't have a '59 Bel Air. I wish. Absolutely stunning work on that '59 P.
 

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