66 Mustang Refin.... What would you do?

[Slax]

Wow. So much love for the natural finish. Easier for me!

Doesn't bother anyone that it's not period correct for 1966? Probably more 'correct' than an acrylic refin I spose.
Should I not worry about its vintage and just go with what I think looks best?

One thing- the PG is original and definitely stays.

Thanks guys. Keep em comin.

I like the natural finish, if you feel the same, I'd say stay with that. I mean it is your bass. Who cares if it's period correct besides you?

I know the pickguard is original but, if it were my bass, I'd store the original pickguard somewhere safe and put a black pickguard on. But that's just me. I'm not a fan of white pickguards.

 

[Blues Cat]

Natural. Maybe oil it.

If it had mismatched body wood I'd say paint it solid.

 

[jtlee]

Clearcoat - that wood is too pretty to hide. Doesn't matter if it's era correct since the refin (especially with non-nitro) pretty much kills any collectible value.

Nice bass. Black pickguard would look great.

 

[faust23]

either leave it natural, burgandy mist,sonic blue,then seafoam

 

[brightorangband]

Yeah, As much as I love the sonic blue. The natural looks... natural. You can always add racing stripes if you feel it is missing something.

 

[mongo2]

I'd be most likely to leave it as it is but if I had to refinish it, I'd use a transparent amber that matches the headstock.

 

[MNAirHead]

I own a ton of oil finish basses.. it may be good to note they end up looking like lumber after playing them.. they'll dent easily.

I do like your natural finish.. IF my bass... I'd consider letting the UV outdoor rays give it an amber tan.

T.

 

[Meddle]

That bass looks awesome without finish. I would clearcoat it and leave it. Looks like a nice bit of wood was hiding under there.

 

[The Birdman]

I'd go back to Sonic Blue, but don't overthink an exact match. I've seen Sonic Blue go all the way from almost Surf Green to Daphne Blue, and no one really complains. The Sonic Blue in your original post looks like Daphne Blue. "Real" just-painted Sonic Blue is a bit lighter.

I'd pick a blue that is your idea of Sonic Blue and go with it. The original Mustangs with Sonic Blue are all pretty green from color change now anyway.

Roger

 

[the art guy]

A little off topic, but relevant:

The original blue color on these was Daphne, not Sonic. Sonic Blue is much lighter, and almost looks off-white in certain lights. The pastel blue that was stock on early Mustangs was Daphne Blue. Interesting trivia: the red was Dakota also, but Fender just advertised them as "red" and "blue" on Mustangs, since they were considered budget instruments.

Anyway, if it were me, I'd repaint it Daphne Blue. I actually had a '66 Mustang bass that had been stripped, and I did exactly that (with Reranch cans).

 

[elgecko]

I have a Sonic Blue P so I'm gonna have to vote for "Easter Egg Blue"!

 

[tifftunes]

Some kind of pale blue anyway. ;p

 

[bassbully]

I would leave it bare naked...looks sweet!

 

[Rattman]

Clip sounds great, photo looks great.

I say don't touch a hair, just gig that puppy out as-is!

Hey!! The clip sounds fine...a bit over-driven perhaps, but the tone is great just like you said it be. You did great by finding that old Fender... never let go it is my advice!! . . .

 

[mr.mow]

I did post this reply in another thread you posted in, Jim cargill in seaford sprays full nitro, I think the going rate is about $400 or so from memory, he does pretty nice work.

 

[Osprey]

I own a ton of oil finish basses.. it may be good to note they end up looking like lumber after playing them.. they'll dent easily.

T.

Your standard of lumber must be pretty high. My natural basses (waxed, not oiled, but no different for protection) look fine, and one has been my main bass for five years. Bring them back to top appearance with a brief wipe & polish.

I like unpainted wood in anything: boats, doors, furniture. The Mustang looks good as it is, will look better as time & some treatment darkens it a bit. All the same...there's something about that simple shape & big pg that asks for colour!

 

[vespasian1]

Interesting. This is the natural wood finish and definitely an option. My bandies liked the woodgrain too when I brought it to rehearsal.

I agree. It looks great. You might want to put a clear coat over it, or Tung oil.

But if you want to do a color, I'd go with a retro Fender color, like Vintage White, or Seafoam Green, or Shell Pink.

Nice bass.

 

[bronzdragon]

If going with a color, I'd go original. If you like the woodgrain, you may think about putting a bit of stain on it to accentuate the grain, and then reseal it.

There's also the option of sending the body out for refinishing. Don't know what type of post you'd pay on that from Aust. though.

~r~

 

[addylewis]

Celadon Green!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Would it be cheaper to send it to the US and get ot painted and shipped back? go with the orginal color