Help Refinish a 1961 Fender Precision Bass

[TheDialog]

Picked up this really sweet 1961 Fender Precision body with an American Original neck last week right here on TB. (IF YOU HAVE OR KNOW OF A 61 NECK FOR SALE... LET ME KNOW)

S/o to @Simonon Paul Simonon for the bass!

The body has all the original parts and the original guard is back on now.

I've always wanted to do a Marty Bell sparkle finish on an old p and now I have the opportunity to do it to one I want to keep, but it feels wrong!
I'm leaning towards 3TSB by Riggio with a lot of black and red (see pic below). I could always have my "players" 64 P refinished again from its current Burgundy Mist, but the Burgundy has really grown on me (it came to me that way). I'm thinking about sending my 51 P off to Riggio soon too as he has the original Duco paint and I'd love to see it with proper paint. I could send both together in one Mono dual case.

Any help from the collective would be great!




If I did a 3TSB, I'd ask for it to look like the one below. I think it's stunning.

 

[RyFinn]

Lake Placid Blue man!

 

[godofthunder59]

I'd be inclined to leave it, it's probably been wearing that hippie refin for a long long time, certainly longer than it wore it's original finish. That looks really nice for a hippie refin btw. My '69 is a Hippie refin and I have no plans to refinish it.

 

[Yahboy]

1961 Fender Precision Bass, Fiesta Red

1961 Fender Precision Bass, original Fiesta Red finish in Excellent condition. All original and complete including the Selmer case. Supplied with a 3-month warranty and a 14-day returns policy.This 1-owner bass came to us via the cousin of its original owner, Robert McNair. He lived in Paisley...

www.andybaxterbass.com

 

[Yahboy]

Fender Precision Bass Timeline - 1960s >> Vintage Guitar and Bass

Fender Precision bass chronology, 1960 through to 1969. Vintage advertising, catalog appearances and specifications

www.vintageguitarandbass.com

 

[SharpCat]

Gotta be something in the chips @Yahboy posted. Of those, LPB would be my choice, but black or 3TS probably the most classy.

 

[GIBrat51]

Gotta be something in the chips @Yahboy posted. Of those, LPB would be my choice, but black or 3TS probably the most classy.

I pretty much agree - but, Daphne Blue would be a string contender. But... for pity's sake; no tort pickguard. Cream/Black/Cream works so much better...

 

[sethlow3]

Not the popular opinion on TB, but I would replace that tort pickguard STAT!
Perhaps a custom colored one (wood, brown) or black.
And leave as is on the finish.

Maybe name it or give some kinda look that makes it unique and you.

 

[EagleMoon]

Sherwood green metallic would be my vote

 

[Dust2Dust]

3TS

 

[SharpCat]

I pretty much agree - but, Daphne Blue would be a string contender. But... for pity's sake; no tort pickguard. Cream/Black/Cream works so much better...

Good thoughts. On black, I might go for white PG, but for light PGs seems like everyone goes for parchment, and cream is so much better.

Even though the Black&Maple folks consider me a heretic, I do admit that black body with maple neck is sharp looking. Maybe you need to delay the refin until a 61 neck is sourced? Choose the color based on RW or maple neck? The existing look isn't bad or deteriorating, so no rush.

 

[BoogieZK]

I think 3TSB + tortoise pickguard looks like puked blood on old plastic kitchen table.... And i don't like that.

I'll go cream white:

or red:

My taste of course.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Lake Placid Blue man!

/thread

 

[Jughead6]

Picked up this really sweet 1961 Fender Precision body with an American Original neck last week right here on TB. (IF YOU HAVE OR KNOW OF A 61 NECK FOR SALE... LET ME KNOW)

S/o to @Simonon Paul Simonon for the bass!

The body has all the original parts and the original guard is back on now.

I've always wanted to do a Marty Bell sparkle finish on an old p and now I have the opportunity to do it to one I want to keep, but it feels wrong!
I'm leaning towards 3TSB by Riggio with a lot of black and red (see pic below). I could always have my "players" 64 P refinished again from its current Burgundy Mist, but the Burgundy has really grown on me (it came to me that way). I'm thinking about sending my 51 P off to Riggio soon too as he has the original Duco paint and I'd love to see it with proper paint. I could send both together in one Mono dual case.

Any help from the collective would be great!

View attachment 7050820View attachment 7050821View attachment 7050822View attachment 7050825View attachment 7050828


If I did a 3TSB, I'd ask for it to look like the one below. I think it's stunning.
View attachment 7050836View attachment 7050837

Wait.... THE Paul Simonon?

I'd do sunburst.

 

[fretno]

MJT does nice relic jobs. Infact that’s all they do.

 

[Gluvhand]

Wait.... THE Paul Simonon?

I'd do sunburst.

That was my only question. Everyone blew right by that.

 

[Five or Six]

If it plays and can be setup, I wouldn't do anything to it.

 

[bassdude51]

Oly White or 3TSB.

Here's my Marty Bell large metal flake silver. Was done unto an unfinished Allparts USA P Body. (Bass weighs about 7lbs 14oz)

 

[Auer]

I like the rustic dinner table finish, would look great in a log cabin.

 

[Crackle]

Oly White or 3TSB.

Here's my Marty Bell large metal flake silver. Was done unto an unfinished Allparts USA P Body. (Bass weighs about 7lbs 14oz)View attachment 7051068View attachment 7051069View attachment 7051070

That needs a chrome mirror pickguard.