I just bought a 1985 G&L SB-1 (p-style bass) that is all original, but has some wear and tear. The finish has some chips, cracks, scratches, etc and shows its age for a 19 year old bass. If I were to refinish the bass, what effect would this change have on the value of the bass? I know Fender intentionally beats up the new "vintage" basses to give them this look and charge quite a lot of money for it. I'll probably keep it as-is for the time being, but the question will linger. Here's a picture:
You're in luck...an SB-1 is not a high demand bass so a refin has almost no effect on it's value With vintage Fenders a refin can cause a loss in value of 1/3 to 1/2. This is good if you're buying, bad if you're selling. Pickup and hardware mods also affect the value but not as bad as a refin. After the finish, non-original pickups seems to have the biggest impact on value. It can get pretty stupid. I have an 80s US P that has non-original pickups and bridge (i.e. the mods that everyone seems to do as soon as they buy a bass) plus the headstock was refinned to match the body. I got it with the HSC for $200. If factory stock it would have been $500. FWIW, I have chosen not to refin worn basses that I've bought used. Finish wear is gonna happen anyway, why waste the $$$.
Personally I wouldn't dream of modifying a 20 year old Leo Fender bass, but my reasons have more to do with preserving Mr. Fender's legacy as a bass builder than with monetary gains, "searching for my sound", or collector's values.
Did you buy the bass as an investor or as a player? It shouldn't be a concern if its a bass you intend to play. If your investing in it as a commodity that will increase in value, don't touch it. Don't play it .Don't even look at it ( your stare may degrade the finish).If you play it at all, stop worrying about the value to you financially and worry about its value to you as an instrument. Personally, I play my basses. If they're worth something after I'm gone, cool. I won't reap the benefits, my family will. I have a 74 Jazz that I have had since 75. It was already stripped when I got it. I have never been afraid to modify it because I was concerned with it as a tool for making music.
This bass will be a player just like the rest of my basses, but this one will be used mostly for teaching and for sessions that need the P bass sound. Another difference between this bass and my others is that I will not worry about leaving this bass in the car in extreme temperatures. The only mods I would make would be to upgrade hardware with newer/better ones or if I got a wild hair and wanted to change the finish. By the way, the bass sounds great on its own, but when I run it through my Sadowsky preamp, a whole new sound comes alive.
