Question about repairing rusted Bass

If you can get the bass at what you feel is a good price, go for it.
The hardware can be replaced easily and inexpensively if it doesn't work right or the looks bother you. You can lube up the tuners and try a little chrome polish on them. The electrics should be fine clean or replace the pots.

Or leave it the way it is, you have a Road Worn!

 

Yes. I rescued a bass that had rusted parts.

Rusty parts can be replaced. What you need to find out is: is there any damage from water/moisture?

The two really go hand in hand.

Take a look at the bass; and if you're not sure ask the owner if you can have it checked out by a guitar tech before buying.

The tech will want to see if the neck is bowed or twisted, if the fretboard is separating from the neck, if the trussrod works.

Also if the electronics are working and the body is sound and not split because of extremes in temperature or moisture.

Many of the more expensive metal parts (tuners, bridge, etc.) should be chrome or nickel plated and therefore not rusted but perhaps corroded. You can clean that up a little, and some honest relicing is part of the mojo, yes?

I had to replace rusted pickguard and pickup mounting screws, corroded strap posts, potentiometers, input jack and the pickguard itself on a 1990 MIJ bass that was stored in a damp basement for about nine years.

It looks and plays fine now.

 

Make sure you have an idea of what replacing those parts will cost.

Check a place with good prices on replacement parts (is there a eurozone equivalent to Angela Instruments Online Catalog - Home ?)

Buying a new Squier VM or CV bass may be cheaper and they are good basses.

 

Basic questions to ask when considering a rehab project:

Does it work like it supposed to?
What parts can be rehabbed?
What parts should be replaced?
What is the total cost (acquisition plus parts and labor)?
Is it less than purchasing the same thing in good condition?

The last question is the most important.

 

As mentioned - if the metal parts are so rusted - There is a good chance that the truss rod is also rusted and might be useless - be sure to check this carefully. The thing was probably in a damp basement for a long time.

350 is not cheap for a fixer bass - it better be a USA or Japan model.

 

Here's the 1990 MIJ post rehab. Pickguard, strap posts, p/u covers, mismatched bridge parts, jack, potentiometers and screws all replaced. The rest is original.

I should have taken a "before" picture!