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

[fishdreams]

I'd go with the refin. Given the state of the body it would turn into a proper restoration, rather than just a refin, actually. I'd get MJT match the wear on the neck, maybe go for an elegantly reliced black or 3 tone sunburst. Candy Apple red, to me is not a color suited for a reliced look

 

[Marky83dam]

And also get the chrome back on, CLASSY!!

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

 

[imdkoz]

View attachment 3888578

That is a great look.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

Have Joe Riggio refinish it! He does excellent work. Can even age it to match the neck.

 

[bassbully]

One of the things I love about vintage guitars is that they are unique, one of a kind, and crossed many paths in their time.
If you repaint it will look like just another grab off the wall Fender anyone can get. That bass has a history and story which makes it unique...keep it that way.

 

[Yango]

Yes, refinish it in sunburst.

BTW, nice bass!

 

[russellh86]

I would send it to MJT, they specializing in refinishing vintage instruments. I sent them a reissue jazz bass and they did an amazing job with it.

This exactly.

 

[Kukulkan61]

You should refinish it in Nitro Old Candy Apple Red with the gold base coat with a mild relic job!

 

[wraub]

Is the likely cost of a refin ($300-500 or so, or more possibly) something that you can reasonably afford after the purchase of the bass, in the current or coming situation?
Is that cost something that would minimize the "value" of the bass to you vs the worth of the probable satisfaction?
If a sale is necessary, would the cost of the refin be likely to be recoverable in the sale, or would it be lessened/lost?

You could do a basic protective finish yourself, if you have any talent and patience, for less than $50. Would this satisfy you, or would you feel like you'd "cheaped out"?

Sounds and plays great. Unless my financial position changes for the worse, it's staying. I will use it live but a little worried about how bare the wood is. If it does get refinished, it will still get played.

 

[Stumbo]

Are you going to gig with it? If yes, I'd leave it as is.

 

[Chubby Fingers]

Give it a coat of creosote and play the snot out of it

 

[BarfanyShart]

I'll allow it, but only in cream or butterscotch.

 

[Chubby Fingers]

Is the likely cost of a refin ($300-500 or so, or more possibly) something that you can reasonably afford after the purchase of the bass, in the current or coming situation?
Is that cost something that would minimize the "value" of the bass to you vs the worth of the probable satisfaction?
If a sale is necessary, would the cost of the refin be likely to be recoverable in the sale, or would it be lessened/lost?

You could do a basic protective finish yourself, if you have any talent and patience, for less than $50. Would this satisfy you, or would you feel like you'd "cheaped out"?

If you bought a vintage car would you respray it with a couple of rattle cans or get it resprayed properly?

 

[Recon1342]

Refinish it, with a caveat:
Don’t relic it. Have refinishing done to new, and then wear it out yourself.

 

[imdkoz]

You should refinish it in Nitro Old Candy Apple Red with the gold base coat with a mild relic job!

Another really good option!

 

[Rich Fernadez]

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

hi, I am an old bassist and I want to give you a suggestion. I have a friend who builds Partscastors, that is, Tele and Strats from parts. He did something unique to a Tele unfinished body that ended up really beautiful and would save you on cost. What he did was rub in 6 coats of gun stock oil and then when the last coat was dry buffed it really well.
Soyoucould take all the hardware off,sand it down to bare would. Do a nice finish sand to get it really smooth, and then do the oil. You would end up with a natural finish look pretty nice.
just a suggestion.

 

[wraub]

In this thread, the vintage car is not mine, so my opinion matters no more than yours, except that all were solicited by the OP.
I was responding to the OP, who was responding to me.

If you bought a vintage car would you respray it with a couple of rattle cans or get it resprayed properly?

 

[Electricalbass]

I’d refinish it natural and take the pick guard off.

 

[Marky83dam]

One of the things I love about vintage guitars is that they are unique, one of a kind, and crossed many paths in their time.
If you repaint it will look like just another grab off the wall Fender anyone can get. That bass has a history and story which makes it unique...keep it that way.

I agree with you but on the other hand it is a refin at end of the day but it was mine I’d refin it and age it well would have to find a refin expert no cock ups

 

[Chubby Fingers]

In this thread, the vintage car is not mine, so my opinion matters no more than yours, except that all were solicited by the OP.
I was responding to the OP, who was responding to me.

And as we all know the number of opinions posted increases by the number of posters squared.