Is it worth repairing?

[ComesATime]

Just looking for opinions and/or ideas. Wondering if I'm just being a bit overly-concerned with aesthetics.

A few months ago, I purchased this Mikey Way bass from a seller and received it with a pretty fair bit of damage sustained during shipping. I paid $250. As you can see in the photos, the bottom strap button is bent and there are a few cracks in the finish. Thankfully, they're not too noticeable from the front and, as far as I can see, do not extend down to the wood. It's all in the thick clear-coat. The neck-pocket cracks look like your typical neck pocket paint cracks.

I considered fixing it up. It plays just fine, no issues, but I wish the pickup had a bit more output, and truthfully, as much as I like the smaller size, it's not as comfortable to me as a regular old p-bass. The bass is pretty quiet even with the humbucker, so while finger-style works fine, a pick feels very award. Instead of investing in a new pickup and possibly refinishing it, I've considered selling it. Though the seller wouldn't accept returns, I was fortunate enough that FedEx paid $100 due to the damage.

If I decide to repair and refinish it, I know I can expect a large cost to strip and refinish. The new strap buttons and pickup would be ~$100. I'm figuring the total would be around $300, possibly more as routing would likely be necessary, but I can't justify that expense right now. Considering the bass costs $300 new, I'm thinking about just selling it due to student loan payments.

So here are my questions:

1. If it were you, would you fix this one up?
2. If I decide to sell it, would I be better off selling the neck and body separately or should I sell it assembled, damage and all?


Bridge-end strap button--the metal part you see is the string ferrule on the back.
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[Dave W]

I wouldn't refinish it, that's seriously minor cosmetics. Replace the strap button if it doesn't safely hold the instrument (locks are the first thing I do to any bass I get) and replace the pickup if you want a different sound.

 

[darrenmt]

I would not bother fixing it up if it was going on sale. The finish damage is pretty minor. As mentioned already, replace the strap button or screw if it is damaged/bent. Swap out the PUs to hotter ones if the stock ones are crappy.

If the bass doesn't suit your needs at all (tonally and comfort/feel), sell it off and get a used MIM Precision on the used market or something similar that you'd prefer. You could probably get a little bit more parting it out but i am not sure if it's worth your time.

 

[ComesATime]

I wouldn't refinish it, that's seriously minor cosmetics. Replace the strap button if it doesn't safely hold the instrument (locks are the first thing I do to any bass I get) and replace the pickup if you want a different sound.

Aside from a little wobble due to the bend on the rim, it holds the bass just fine, but I'd replace it to be safe if I go that route.

I like p-bass pickups, but I'm assuming I'd need to route it a bit since it's a humbucker in there now. That's my hang-up.

 

[ComesATime]

I would not bother fixing it up if it was going on sale. The finish damage is pretty minor. As mentioned already, replace the strap button or screw if it is damaged/bent. Swap out the PUs to hotter ones if the stock ones are crappy.

If the bass doesn't suit your needs at all(tonally and comfort/feel), sell it off and get a used MIM Precision on the used market or something similar that you'd prefer. You could probably get a little bit more parting it out but i am not sure if it's worth your time.

Yeah. I mean, I'd like to pay my loans a bit (especially since they just tacked on an extra $800 I have to pay out of pocket), but I think part of me is looking for justification to sell it and get a p-bass further down the line.

 

[dmac1961]

I believe there are some manufacturers that make P pickups in a humbucker size case. I know EMG did, probably quite a few others. The $100 from FedEx would probably cover it.

 

[darrenmt]

I like p-bass pickups, but I'm assuming I'd need to route it a bit since it's a humbucker in there now. That's my hang-up.

I see what you mean. I wasn't aware it was a shortscale Mustang with single humbucker. I wouldn't mess around with that. I doubt the issue is the pickup. Shortscales sound and play the way they do and that's their draw. Don't expect one to sound or play like a 34". Different animals.

IMO fix the strap button, sell it and get something that suits your needs better.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

You make that damage sound way worse then it is, when you write a ad disclose that there is some wear but dont detail it like that as it souds like its been destroyed almost. Those "cracks" are present on probably 75% of Fender bass 10 years old, just common finish cracks. The person looking at it is probably a young kid that doesnt mind wear you cant see from 10 feet away. You paid $250, you got $100 back , thats $150. You can sell it for that. Just sell it and get a bass that suits you.

 

[kodiakblair]

Very minor damage like that I wouldn't bother either for sale or as a keeper.

Have to say it sounds like it's not the bass for you. +1 for small size, -2 for tone and comfort. If you part it out you'll get more cash eventually
probably left with spares though.

Like others have said sell it and go for your P bass

 

[hover]

I'm not surprised by the diagonal flex finish crack at the neck pocket, tons of Fenders go through this as a byproduct of tension in that area and the like. Looks like the strap button took the impact during shipping alright, however...and that's a nod to crap packaging / rough handling and I would have filed a claim upon receipt.

But it's not worth refinishing, and dare I say the right Mikey Way fan may prefer that anyway.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Most likly the strap button screw is bent, but not the button.
A very cheap and easy fix.

 

[wraub]

Fix the strap button, leave the finish alone. Sell it as one unit, and buy a bass you're happier with, or embrace the difference and learn to love it.

 

[ComesATime]

You make that damage sound way worse then it is, when you write a ad disclose that there is some wear but dont detail it like that as it souds like its been destroyed almost. Those "cracks" are present on probably 75% of Fender bass 10 years old, just common finish cracks. The person looking at it is probably a young kid that doesnt mind wear you cant see from 10 feet away. You paid $250, you got $100 back , thats $150. You can sell it for that. Just sell it and get a bass that suits you.

It's probably because I've always been very adamant about keeping my things (Guitars, computers, car, books, etc.) in as good a condition as possible, so any damage seems, to me, almost catastrophic. I try to be detailed when I go to sell things, obviously sometimes to a fault.

Very minor damage like that I wouldn't bother either for sale or as a keeper.

Have to say it sounds like it's not the bass for you. +1 for small size, -2 for tone and comfort. If you part it out you'll get more cash eventually
probably left with spares though.

Like others have said sell it and go for your P bass

You're right. I like the size, but the tone and comfort just aren't there. I'm a smaller guy (5'6"), so I was interested in seeing how a small-scale would work out for me. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a shop with one in stock, but I took a gamble as I prefer Rosewood to the Maple on the other Squiers. Didn't work out in this case. Win some, lose some.

Most likly the strap button screw is bent, but not the button.
A very cheap and easy fix.

Yep. when I received it, I unscrewed it to be sure. Just the button is bent, and I can replace that simply enough with $5.

I think I'll do that--sell it, throw some money at my loans for now, and pick up a P down the line.

Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[Maxdusty]

Yep, sell it as is. I've bought basses like that before no biggie, those are minor cosmetic issues. Point it out though in the ad and keep a clear conscience.