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63 Fender Jazz. Need Advice

#21
So, both of my cars broke down at the same time, flushing about 1200 down the drain I didn't have to spend. Which puts me in no position to buy this bass. I let him know of my predicament, and he had an interesting proposal. Since I know basses, and the bass community better than he does, and could clean the bass up, at least make it more presentable, he offered giving me the bass, I spend some time cleaning it up, maybe get it professionally refinished, and then sell it, and we split the profits.
 
#23
Okay guys, looks like I might be making the drive up this weekend. I'll be bringing my camera and will take an abundance of photos for you to review. I expect painful critique, pretend you're looking to buy the bass.

So, a few questions. Would it be more prudent to replace the wiring, or repair the original wiring? I plan on leaving all other hardware original, hopefully the pickups are still in good condition, how much does it cost to get vintage pickups repaired, about? I plan on sending it out for a professional refinish. I want to get one of the original finish styles, but haven't decided which one (due mainly to ignorance of what finishes were available in 63), or would I get a bigger return to leave the finish the way it is? It might still be the original finish, but in poor condition. I will be cleaning and polishing all hardware, and hopefully will need to make no adjustments on the fretboard.

Does this sound like a good plan? Anything more that I should be doing, or anything here that I should avoid doing?

Thanks for the advice guys, I really do appreciate it.

Also, how much could I expect to turn this bass around for with all original hardware polished, and original electronics in working condition with a professional finish? Is it really worth putting the work into it, or could I get a comparable amount by selling it as is to someone looking to work on it?
 
#27
Wow, okay. I was wrong. Looks like only the neck has been sanded down. He's saying it's an original finish. All original electronics and hardware. He lost interest before getting around to refinishing. Hopefully the finish is recognizable at least. In either case, I'll abandon the cause to refinish.
 
#29
Ever notice how crazy deals like this always end up with the seller not able to reply for this reason or that... Or that they can't send pics for one reason or another? Or that they've "just" now remembered the project that the seller and son would have bonded over 20 years ago, but never finished?

The cynicism deep in my soul says the seller knows exactly what he has (or doesn't have for that matter) and is hoping you'll do exactly what you're doing... Dreaming about the great deal you're gonna get. Planning on turning it around. Anticipating what you're going to do... Because the more you do that, the more likely you will be to excuse the things that might identify it as not what he's presented it as.

Tap the brakes on the dreaming, do lots of research on serials, neck and pocket markings, proper wiring and pots... and be ready to walk away the second something doesn't feel right.

I hope it's the real deal for you, I hope you get a great price too... But be weary as you go into this... It sets off my flake o' meter.
 
#30
deals like this should be worked out on the spot, asap. I'm not going to give you the talk about lowballing the seller if you know the price of the bass (i'll let the guys at the fdp forum do that!). But, in all seriousness, the more time you spend talking with the seller, the more time he will spend looking t internet shops and whatnot. He might end up looking at an auction where the seller wants 79,000 for a 65 J (which we know will never sell), so he might think that his bass, being a project and all, is probably worth half of that.

About a month ago I contacted a guy that was selling a ric and a P. First he said the ric was a 60-something and the p was a 70-something. He sent me some pics, turned out the p was a 60s, while the ric was a 70s. We agreed on a price for both basses, I drove close to 8 hours to meet the guy, and he came up with a funny story about how the p had just been stolen a coupel of hours ago.

I was left with the impression that the guy saw an ebay ad where someone was asking silly money for the bass. Furthermore, the guy wouldnt sell the ric because he felt that he needed to do some reaserch about the price of the bass.

So, if you really want the bass, the longer you talk to the seller, the higher the chances of not getting the bass.
 
#31
I think the whole situation is a recipe for disaster.

If you end up making anything from the deal you would have probably earned the same by playing an extra gig or bartending for an evening. Worst scenario you end up arguing with a stranger over scraps and possibly screwing up a nice old instrument.
 
#32
Well, he's offering to split the money made, if I put the work into restoring. So I'd be putting no money down on it. Its wholly possible that he's bsing and I'll walk away disappointed. But I'm ready to take that chance. In either case I'll be keeping you guys up to date.
 
#34
Okay. Updates. I just talked to him over the phone. He's convinced of the year, but he's starting to believe its a p bass. I asked a couple questions about the pickups but he wasn't really tracking What I was talking about. I'm heading up this evening to see it.
Plan on many pictures. He says it was a special issue with all gold hardware. The original finish is still mostly intact and when he checked the original electronics were still in good condition. When he says he had plans to refinish the neck, he meant the fretboard. He keeps saying the neck was sanded down and now I suspect the fretboard is sanded down. He had the intention of making it restless for his son.

Wish me luck. Next update: tonight.
 
#36
calmb4tehpwn said:
Okay. Updates. I just talked to him over the phone. He's convinced of the year, but he's starting to believe its a p bass. I asked a couple questions about the pickups but he wasn't really tracking What I was talking about. I'm heading up this evening to see it.
Plan on many pictures. He says it was a special issue with all gold hardware. The original finish is still mostly intact and when he checked the original electronics were still in good condition. When he says he had plans to refinish the neck, he meant the fretboard. He keeps saying the neck was sanded down and now I suspect the fretboard is sanded down. He had the intention of making it restless for his son.

Wish me luck. Next update: tonight.
Click to expand...

Refinish the fingerboard? Sounds like it may be a maple board neck,in which case it is more than likely NOT a '63. Until pics show up on this I have my reservations.
 

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