In early 1974 a rock bassist in Chicago discovered the new “active electronics” and was eager to offload the ’63 Jazz bass he had just carved up to install P-pickups. I, who had almost no money, needed a pro bass really quickly, and scooped it up really cheap. Fortunately, my man saved all the original parts and they were in the original case when I bought it from him. I’ve been playing it in one pickup configuration or another since then, slowly bringing it back to be the Jazz bass that it is, as the double-P set-up was nothing special, really.
After trying to conceal and otherwise deal with the routes all kinds of ways, I finally decided it was time either to fill and restore the finish, or if that wasn’t possible (and everyone told me it wasn’t), go for a refin. I siimply can't play the way I need to play bass w/a Jazz bridge guard in the way. It would be a shame to refin this baby, I know, with 48 years of history in the finish, but the routes needed to go once and for all, and refins play just as good, IME
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After admiring his work here on TB, I contacted JohnK10, who volunteered to take on the project. It was unclear from photos if the sunburst could be saved; John was doubtful, but we both wanted to do what we could in that direction before punting to the refin. Here are the “before” photos of the bass body, showing my last and final "disguise":
The more John lived with the bass, the less he wanted to destroy the almost 50-year old finish, and I was sure supportive if there was any way to make it work. We always had the option of punting to the refin along the way, since much of the work would be the same in both cases. Here's a progress pic:
At this point we decided to just go for the selectrive restoration, trying to preserve as much of the original character, checking, pock & wear marks as possible using skill and a very light nitro finish. John felt he could capture much of it in a way that would mellow right into a cohesive whole after a couple years of new playing wear. I liked that. So the restoration continues in this photo:
...and after more of John's sweat and labor of love, voila!:
...and here, back safe and sound and ready for work:
John also potted the pickups that were in pretty loose shape after their long oddysey through life. New LaBellas and a little tweaking and it was back to work on 2 gigs yesterday. Not only does it play great (it always did), but now it sounds even better, clear as a bell like an old single-coil jazz should.
Thanks to JohnK10 for his skill and willingness to "go with the bass" and do beautifully what most of my advisors said couldn't be done.
I hope you've enjoyed this photo-journey!
After trying to conceal and otherwise deal with the routes all kinds of ways, I finally decided it was time either to fill and restore the finish, or if that wasn’t possible (and everyone told me it wasn’t), go for a refin. I siimply can't play the way I need to play bass w/a Jazz bridge guard in the way. It would be a shame to refin this baby, I know, with 48 years of history in the finish, but the routes needed to go once and for all, and refins play just as good, IME
.After admiring his work here on TB, I contacted JohnK10, who volunteered to take on the project. It was unclear from photos if the sunburst could be saved; John was doubtful, but we both wanted to do what we could in that direction before punting to the refin. Here are the “before” photos of the bass body, showing my last and final "disguise":
The more John lived with the bass, the less he wanted to destroy the almost 50-year old finish, and I was sure supportive if there was any way to make it work. We always had the option of punting to the refin along the way, since much of the work would be the same in both cases. Here's a progress pic:
At this point we decided to just go for the selectrive restoration, trying to preserve as much of the original character, checking, pock & wear marks as possible using skill and a very light nitro finish. John felt he could capture much of it in a way that would mellow right into a cohesive whole after a couple years of new playing wear. I liked that. So the restoration continues in this photo:
...and after more of John's sweat and labor of love, voila!:
...and here, back safe and sound and ready for work:
John also potted the pickups that were in pretty loose shape after their long oddysey through life. New LaBellas and a little tweaking and it was back to work on 2 gigs yesterday. Not only does it play great (it always did), but now it sounds even better, clear as a bell like an old single-coil jazz should.
Thanks to JohnK10 for his skill and willingness to "go with the bass" and do beautifully what most of my advisors said couldn't be done.
I hope you've enjoyed this photo-journey!
