NBD - 1969 Fender Jazz! (Should I refinish?)

[BurningSkies]

I'll probably send them an email and see what they have to say.

Mark is cool in the way that you can specify everything from 'just like new' to whatever type of wear. When we worked on the neck for my Tele, we discussed finish aging from mild 'wheat' to that grungy orange tone that some instruments turned, from 'played but not worn' to various levels of neck finish missing. How much and what kind of weather checking, play wear, etc.

 

[Lowbrow]

It's giving you the perfect opportunity for refin and you wouldn't hurt the value as long as the job is done right - I say go for it!

 

[And I]

i'd put the bridge and pickup covers back on (or order some if they're gone) first to improve the appearance immediately by covering up those holes. But yeah, if you refinish using one of the colors the thing may have come in originally (Fender Custom Colors in the 1960s) you'll increase your enjoyment of owning an authentic classic by making it also beautiful to look at. do it.

 

[chris_b]

This is just waiting for a nice 3 tone sunburst finish.

 

[mongo2]

I like it just as it is.

 

[bobalu]

Given that the original finish was sanded off, I myself would have no problem re-finishing it. Get the colour you want and enjoy the bass.

If however you know that you will be selling the bass sometime in the future, I would leave it alone.

 

[mattj1stc]

If it had its original finish and that finish had a lot of wear and tear or had been worn down, I would have voted no. Since it was already sanded down, why not? It's your bass.

 

[AMJBASS]

It does look cool. Thats a really tough decision. A really pro refin job with relic'ing to match the neck would probably increase the value of the bass. I'd definitely get in touch with Mark Jenny(MJT Guitars) if you are going to go this route. His work is absolutely top notch.

 

[nilorius]

Why should you ? It looks awsome.

 

[Cheez]

No refinish for me.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

I love the current look, and the fact that it is fingerprint-proof like that, but you should do what makes you happy.

 

[cnltb]

I like it exactly like that( looks really quite good, I think), but it's your bass and you are the only one who really cares what it looks like.

 

[eldoryder]

Nothing wrong with the way it looks now. To me, of course!

But then, 70% of my basses are "natural". You might say I'm biased. I don't even care what the body wood is, I always prefer the look of wood to the look of paint. But then, that's why Baskin-Robbins has all those flavors....so everyone can get what THEY like.

What do YOU like?

 

[imdkoz]

It does look cool. Thats a really tough decision. A really pro refin job with relic'ing to match the neck would probably increase the value of the bass. I'd definitely get in touch with Mark Jenny(MJT Guitars) if you are going to go this route. His work is absolutely top notch.

And I think you hit on the point that makes me think about a refin. If the neck wasn't in such amazing shape the body would match. But with the neck being so "new" looking compared to the body it kinda throws me off a bit. Just a bit.

 

[sawzalot]

I'd refinish it in a period-correct color. The decrease in value already happened when it was sanded down the first time.

 

[herndonbassist]

I voted for the refin. With the fact that the horns were sanded, I'd def get it relic'd so that it would make more sense (with the finish being completely gone where it was sanded down). Now... I'd take the refin one step further, and have it painted with a standard finish (3tsb) , then refinished again in a color that wasn't offered, but with the original finish showing through in spots. IMHO I would want to point to the fact that it was refin'd as a character trait.

Oh and for reference, this bass is 2 years and a month (or so) older than me. I am currently hunting for a '71 in a similar condition.

 

[Snaxster]

Is there any indication in the neck pocket or pickup cavities of what that color was?

You beat me to it. I was going to say check the neck pocket.

Also those tuners look a little rough. If they work, then okay. But I would prefer to not be handling rusty tuners.* Clean, period correct replacements should be pretty easy to find.


* Sounds like a stage name. "And on bass, the one and only Rusty Tuners!"

 

[darwin-bass]

Let me qualify my "Yes, refinish it" vote.

I'm not a fan of vintage instruments. I only see old and somewhat abused. Refinishing is part of maintenance on an instrument and that is overdue on this one. So for me it is an easy "yes" but my views are not reliable in this particular case.

 

[Killing Floor]

Do it. It looks like a nice bass but you can tell it's been stripped pretty completely. Is there any remnant in/around the neck pocket? If not, make it yours. If you care about resale value I guess look at colors available that year but I like the suggestion of Dak Red, it'll bring the bass back to life.
Or you can split the TB difference and paint it carrot orange!

 

[imdkoz]

Since the original finish is already stripped, and the current finish isn't that great, I say refinish it in the original color. Is there any indication in the neck pocket or pickup cavities of what that color was?

You beat me to it. I was going to say check the neck pocket.

Also those tuners look a little rough. If they work, then okay. But I would prefer to not be handling rusty tuners.* Clean, period correct replacements should be pretty easy to find.


* Sounds like a stage name. "And on bass, the one and only Rusty Tuners!"

Yeah I already looked and whomever removed the finish did a great job, I think. The tuners work great so probably not going to replace them. Good stage name though!