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

[zubrycky]

I wouldn't do that but this bass isn't mine.

 

[chanson]

I like the mojo it has now. I wouldn't refinish it but that's just me. I think it gives it a unique character.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Upon closer inspection of the neck cavity, it looks like maybe it was white. I'm adding a pic for anyone that cares to help out.
View attachment 3888239

Is that black whatever under the pickup in the classifieds ad pic the original black paint or remnants of foam?


The white stuff on the cavity and neck may not be paint but a polishing compound they used during finishing.

I would be inclined to perfectly refinish in a ‘69 colour. Nice bass.

 

[Bleecker]

My birth year too! Man they're pricey! What a beauty neck!

As mentioned above, I guess I'd refinish this one due to someone already messing with it. Make it your own dude and rock on!

 

[imdkoz]

Is that black whatever under the pickup in the classifieds ad pic the original black paint or remnants of foam?


The white stuff on the cavity and neck may not be paint but a polishing compound they used during finishing.

I would be inclined to perfectly refinish in a ‘69 colour. Nice bass.

I'm pretty sure it's foam. The original flattened foam was included in a bag.

 

[imdkoz]

My birth year too! Man they're pricey! What a beauty neck!

As mentioned above, I guess I'd refinish this one due to someone already messing with it. Make it your own dude and rock on!

Yeah the neck on this is pretty stellar. Thanks!

 

[alack]

That bass would look awesome in LPB.

 

[BurningSkies]

I'm pretty sure that they were using poly by '69. At least they did on mine which I've had for more than 40 years and is completely original other than a Badass II bridge.

That aside, as others have affirmed, the economic damage has already been incurred. No further harm in a professional refinish job, other than the cost.

Fender switched to poly by 1968...and while there are some rando nitro ones out there, 99% that this would have been a poly finish. (there's always that 1% never say never with Fender...someone always finds an exception to the rule!) The face of the headstock WAS still shot with nitro though, due to a reaction with the decals and the poly. This is why even on the 70's Fenders the headstock face is often a different color (or better, 'discolor') than the rest of the neck, which would be poly.

 

[Eli Brockway]

I'd say just put a coat of something clear over it to protect it.

Y'know, like Bruce Hall's jazz.

 

[MVE]

I do love dark blue J’s with old tort!

 

[imdkoz]

Fender switched to poly by 1968...and while there are some rando nitro ones out there, 99% that this would have been a poly finish. (there's always that 1% never say never with Fender...someone always finds an exception to the rule!) The face of the headstock WAS still shot with nitro though, due to a reaction with the decals and the poly. This is why even on the 70's Fenders the headstock face is often a different color (or better, 'discolor') than the rest of the neck, which would be poly.

That would explain the vigor in which they had to sand it to get it to bare wood.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Not even close to my birth year.. But congrats, kinda jealous. If it were mine i would be inclined to strip it, sand it, and some more, more, until it is super smooth. Rub in half a dozen coats of Tung oil (sanding for hours again between coats) and sit back and admire the feel and the look of all your hard graft, drink tea, enjoy.

 

[Mastermold]

Maybe consider leaving it natural and collect signatures like Lee Sklar's bass!

 

[mikewalker]

Daphne Blue FOR THE WIN ...

 

[Fender_Bender]

I’d go with a standard custom colour you like that goes well with the guard. I was also going to suggest a matching headstock, but the yellowing of the nitro topcoat helps to convey the legitimate age of the instrument.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I like how it looks now, but there wouldn’t be any downside to refinishing it as long as you didn’t do a polka dot finish or something like that.

 

[seanm]

I voted no because I like how it looks now. But if you are not happy with it, re-finish it.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Your call. I don’t see a vintage finish to preserve.

 

[Marky83dam]

I'm sure most of you saw this hit the classifieds mid June. Pretty much all original 69 Jazz with the finish sanded off. I was in the process of making a deal on this when the seller said another TB'er thought it was his old bass. Not going to get in the way of that, are we? But as luck would have it, it wasn't so I made a deal with the new owner and here we are.

I love everything about the bass, especially since it's a birth year bass and one I could actually afford. The only "issue" I have is when the finish was sanded off they rounded the horns, not crazy but enough to notice. It currently sits with what I would assume is an almost worn off nitro/bare wood condition. The question is should I refinish it? I like the way it looks, but something in the back of my mind says it should be.

Anyway. Big thanks to @smcgov and @sonicyogi for an easy buy! View attachment 3887909 View attachment 3887908 View attachment 3887910 View attachment 3887908 View attachment 3887909 View attachment 3887910

Definitely refin but I would def look at a nice shade of blue to go with tortoise guard pastel and obviously nitro I take back saying matching headstock would be a shame to destroy what’s not been touched

 

[Marky83dam]

And also get the chrome back on, CLASSY!!