• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Any good refinishers in the NYC/NJ area?

VeryTallBassist

VeryTallBassist

Supporting Member
Mar 21, 2022
2,085
7,817
#1
I have a neck thru Spector I'm looking to get refinished. I looked into sending it to Pat Wilkins and I know he would do an amazing job, but that's another $250 in shipping alone to get it to and from California from NJ. Looking for recommendations for a high quality refinisher that is local to NYC/NJ or at least not across the country and could be trusted to refinish a neck thru bass? Worse comes to worse, I'll eat the $250 to get it done right. If this was a bolt-on, I'd go Leroy Jenkins and at least try it myself with some rattle cans, but I'm really worried about how the neck will come out.
 
#3
VeryTallBassist said:
I have a neck thru Spector I'm looking to get refinished. I looked into sending it to Pat Wilkins and I know he would do an amazing job, but that's another $250 in shipping alone to get it to and from California from NJ. Looking for recommendations for a high quality refinisher that is local to NYC/NJ or at least not across the country and could be trusted to refinish a neck thru bass? Worse comes to worse, I'll eat the $250 to get it done right. If this was a bolt-on, I'd go Leroy Jenkins and at least try it myself with some rattle cans, but I'm really worried about how the neck will come out.
Click to expand...
Check Pirate Ship.. I sent him a full sized bass that he has now and it was right about $75. Shipped. I’m in metro NYC area.
 
Last edited:
#4
Subbed! I’d love to know if there’s someone local.

I had great luck with a body shop once and with someone who did custom motorcycle paint a while later but that was many years ago and neither business still exists.

Have you asked around the NYC repair shops?
 
#5
Lo-E said:
Subbed! I’d love to know if there’s someone local.

I had great luck with a body shop once and with someone who did custom motorcycle paint a while later but that was many years ago and neither business still exists.

Have you asked around the NYC repair shops?
Click to expand...
Since I was refinishing a Spector, I pinged Stu Spector on FB and asked him. He pointed me to Cue Gerhards at Gerhards Guitarworks. Apparently he does a lot of the factory finishes for Spector, MTD, Fodera, and others. I reached out to him and I'll be bringing him my project bass next Saturday. Prices were right in line with the other big names, but without shipping it becomes a no brainer. He's up in the Catskills, which isn't THAT big a deal for me since I'm usually up in Dutchess county once a week, so it's only an extra 35 minutes or so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lo-E, Barticus and James Hart
#8
Barticus said:
Not in NYC/NJ but closer than California, and he does fantastic work.

Sims Guitar Refinishing - The Guitar Refinishing and Painting Custom Shop. Specializing in factory quality guitar finishes and restorations.

The Guitar Refinishing and Painting Custom Shop. Specializing in factory quality guitar finishes and restorations.
simscustomshop.com simscustomshop.com
Click to expand...
Sims did a pretty good job on my bass but it took 18 months and lots of non communication or “it’s ready to buff and polish” every few months. In my experience, definitely not worth the headache. Got really bad vibes off of him.

Pat Wilkins did a bass for me and did a good job with much less hassle and much quicker.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Barticus
#9
Alembic83 said:
Sims did a pretty good job on my bass but it took 18 months and lots of non communication or “it’s ready to buff and polish” every few months. In my experience, definitely not worth the headache. Got really bad vibes off of him.

Pat Wilkins did a bass for me and did a good job with much less hassle and much quicker.
Click to expand...
Wow, that’s really good to know!

I’ve not had him do any work for me, but I have a friend who has and his bass turned out great, but I didn’t know the wait time was so long. I’ll have to ask about that one as well.

The OP has found a good resource in his area, so I’m sure we’ll hear back soon how his experience went.
 
#10
Barticus said:
Wow, that’s really good to know!

I’ve not had him do any work for me, but I have a friend who has and his bass turned out great, but I didn’t know the wait time was so long. I’ll have to ask about that one as well.

The OP has found a good resource in his area, so I’m sure we’ll hear back soon how his experience went.
Click to expand...
I'm supposed to get it back mid September. He gave me a 7 week lead time on it, which I thought was very reasonable. That said - he's also working out of his house ever since the pandemic so I do know where he lives in case things get shady 🤣
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Barticus
#11
VeryTallBassist said:
I'm supposed to get it back mid September. He gave me a 7 week lead time on it, which I thought was very reasonable. That said - he's also working out of his house ever since the pandemic so I do know where he lives in case things get shady 🤣
Click to expand...

Cool, let us know how things turn out. I check that site and it sounds like he does worldwide shipping and not just the NY/NJ area so there might be other TBers interested. Can I ask the price for a neckthru refinish?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back