Incoming NBD: 1972 P bass

[Lowbrow]

Very cool, @Bass4ThePublic! I own this MJT refin beast...

 

[jamro217]

Lake Placid Blue or Candy Apple Red. Keep the gold guard.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you are going to have it re-done, go CAR. But I wouldn't touch that honest mojo.

 

[imdkoz]

I'd leave the MJT finish already on there but this is what they did to my 69 Jazz

 

[Ghastly]

I have a '73 p that was poorly refinished in black. It was originally natural. After being stripped, the black had bitten into most of the grain so much that natural was not an option. So I went with blond, to still see a hint of the grain. MJT did my refinish with light wear. I love it. I vote oly white or blond.

 

[MichelD]

Not to be a jerk, but I thought that was the worst era for Fender quality.

I am happy to be told why I'm wrong.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I would not refinish it myself. I think it looks better as is, but it may also impact the resale value. I'm not sure, since you indicated some parts have been replaced already.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Not to be a jerk, but I thought that was the worst era for Fender quality.

I am happy to be told why I'm wrong.

No offense taken! I wish more people would think that, keeps the prices of basses down.

 

[JimmyM]

I could see a body like that being used for a sunburst since it's got a good grain pattern for it, but I always vote black, especially if it has a maple neck, and especially if it looks as well-used as that one. Leaving it alone isn't a horrible idea, but I get it...you want to make it your own thang that's more period correct. You'll probably be able to tell what color it used to be in the neck pocket or body cavity.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Very cool, @Bass4ThePublic! I own this MJT refin beast...

View attachment 4329363

Nice! What are the specs?

I'd leave the MJT finish already on there but this is what they did to my 69 Jazz
View attachment 4329452

Woah, that's a looker fo sho! Is that firemist gold underneath the blue?

I have a '73 p that was poorly refinished in black. It was originally natural. After being stripped, the black had bitten into most of the grain so much that natural was not an option. So I went with blond, to still see a hint of the grain. MJT did my refinish with light wear. I love it. I vote oly white or blond.

View attachment 4329459

Really cool! That gold anodized looks great with the blond!

 

[Lowbrow]

Not to be a jerk, but I thought that was the worst era for Fender quality.

I am happy to be told why I'm wrong.

You are not wrong. But they are vintage rarities now … and the GOOD ones are good.

 

[bmusic]

Oh yeah, I eyeballed that one for a while. Nice get.

I voted Oly White, but not the see-thru kind that’s already on there. Though Firemist Gold is lovely, too.

I’d also be tempted to go 2-color sunburst, keep the gold guard, and make it a looks-57/feels-72 kind of animal.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I could see a body like that being used for a sunburst since it's got a good grain pattern for it, but I always vote black, especially if it has a maple neck, and especially if it looks as well-used as that one. Leaving it alone isn't a horrible idea, but I get it...you want to make it your own thang that's more period correct. You'll probably be able to tell what color it used to be in the neck pocket or body cavity.

I think the owner said it has hints of it being originally black. But that could have been another refin, so I don't think I'll ever know. I took a look at the custom color charts from 1970-1972 and it looks like Blonde was an option back then. So although it isn't a period correct poly finish, the color itself is.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Not to be a jerk, but I thought that was the worst era for Fender quality.

I am happy to be told why I'm wrong.[/QUOTE

Early 60s they hadn't @$&$#ed things up TOO badly. You get to about '76 and fuggetabout it.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Oh yeah, I eyeballed that one for a while. Nice get.

I voted Oly White, but not the see-thru kind that’s already on there. Though Firemist Gold is lovely, too.

I’d also be tempted to go 2-color sunburst, keep the gold guard, and make it a looks-57/feels-72 kind of animal.

A 2 tone sunburst would be quite cool. Maybe something like this. Fender custom shop P but with a wide 2 tone sunburst.

 

[devnulljp]

Similar to my #1 72P, routed for J, badass bridge, original pickups long gone.
But shouldn't the bridge should be further back if that's a 72 body?

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Similar to my #1 72P, routed for J, badass bridge, original pickups long gone.
But shouldn't the bridge should be further back if that's a 72 body?

View attachment 4329552

I think that picture I showed is a little bit of an illusion. Here is another picture which shows the bridge being quite far back.

 

[80jazz]

My vote was firemist gold, but sonic blue with a mint guard would also be nice (and period correct as far as sonic blue goes, even if it was not commonly ordered by 1972).

 

[imdkoz]

Woah, that's a looker fo sho! Is that firemist gold underneath the blue?

I don't think so, just the natural under the white primer I think? I sent them a pic and they matched it, so not exactly sure what process they used. But it turned out way better than I expected.

 

[steveinohio]

I'd ditch the bridge for a traditional one and possibly change the guard. Looks killer. Play the crap out of it.