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Professionally Refinished Basses

Rip Topaz

Rip Topaz

Aug 12, 2005
8,664
918
Willow Street, PA
#1
I know there's a club for rattle can finishes, but is there one for refins done by pro's?

I was just looking at Marty Bell's site. I've always said that when the finish on my P-bass gets dinged up enough that I can't take it anymore, that I'll have it repainted. Yeah, I know that many will say to leave the "mojo", but at some point it just bothers me. I'm talking about my 60th Ann P. Yeah, yeah, I know. I shouldn't refinish a limited series instrument, but it's a player, NOT a collector bass. I'm planning a sparkle refin when the time comes. I don't mind the "mojo" but eventually I'll get tired of it and want a fresh paint job.

Anyone get tired of their beat up bass and have it redone by a pro? I've seen Marty Bell's site. Cool stuff. Anyone else I should check out?

Let's see 'em.
 
#2
Just had my two BMV customs refin'd by Pat Wilkins. Fathom Green for the J & Olympic White for the P. Spitfire pickguards.

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#9
I'll admit it, I like em pretty, feeds the fetish, so to speak. Id love to have my 83' G&L L2K redone, probably have to do it myself with rattlecans. I don't get the whole relic thing, why make it look all beat up on purpose?
 
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#10
I can't find my "before" picture but this is over 20 years old. This was sort of olympic pearl white and was chipped and banged up ALL over including the pickup covers. Obviously a fretless FBass and again I give the highest praise to Pat Wilkins what a super guy to work with, excellent communication and price IMHO. I said please make it like a custom MusicMan color and he super nailed it.
 

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#11
Means2nEnd said:
I can't find my "before" picture but this is over 20 years old. This was sort of olympic pearl white and was chipped and banged up ALL over including the pickup covers. Obviously a fretless FBass and again I give the highest praise to Pat Wilkins what a super guy to work with, excellent communication and price IMHO. I said please make it like a custom MusicMan color and he super nailed it.
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I know there are a lot of great pro finishers out there, but I have to agree, Pat Wilkins is the finisher I use. He is getting my Fender Performer soon to finish it - and he did both of these for me:

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I couldn't agree more about everything you said about him. A consummate pro, and an incredibly knowledgable dude.
 
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#12
I keep debating whether to leave the finish on the early 70's Mosrite bass I bought last year untouched or have it refinished. Semie Moseley used some kind of thick clearcoat on instruments of that vintage and they all seem to have cracks all over the finish. I would like to have a beautiful nitro refinish but like they say, it's only original once. So far I have been able to ignore the finish problems since they don't affect the playability of the bass.

Rick b.
 

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