Refinish a Gibson ES-335 bass?

[FlyingPigSound]

Completely by accident, I ran found a faded cherry Gibson ES-335 bass...I love the look, feel, sound, and playability.

I'm just not much of a fan of red guitars, and the nitro finish is a bit dull

I love...LOVE...Pelham Blue.

Would it be crazy to send it to Marty Bell to have refinished in Pelham Blue?

It's not cheap, but it's not CRAZY expensive...he does amazing work:
Marty Bell Finishing - PREMIER GUITAR FINISHING

What she looks like now...

Or have her refinished in Pelham Blue, like my Midtown?

 

[MattZilla]

Sweet find!

I'm more of a fan of nicely aged Pelham that's a lot closer to green.

Or ebony.

 

[FlyingPigSound]

Sweet find!

I'm more of a fan of nicely aged Pelham that's a lot closer to green.

Or ebony.

The ebony does look bad ass, but it really disappears on stage...I like it to pop a little bit, which is why I'm a fan of Pelham Blue or Alpine White (like my Jack Casady)

How does that old joke go....

Q: What's the best thing about a black guitar?
A: It's black

Q: What's the worst thing about a black guitar?
A: It's black

 

[MattZilla]

Yeah, I'm on an only Oly/Antique White kick for about the same reasons. The binding was talking to me though...



"Tuxedo" it whispers

 

[FlyingPigSound]

Yeah, I'm on an only Oly/Antique White kick for about the same reasons. The binding was talking to me though...



"Tuxedo" it whispers

I totally get it...

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Before spending money on it,
look around to see if someone out there loves everything about theirs...
except that it's blue.

 

[MrLenny1]

Yes, it would be crazy.
It would no longer be original and affect the value IMHO.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Up to you, but:

1. You already.have a P blue bass.
2. The red is more desirable if you want to sell it, especially if it is nicely faded. Also the refi could affect value.

I think it looks classic, and great.

 

[Guzzi Toad]

Would it be crazy to send it to Marty Bell to have refinished in Pelham Blue?

Yes, it would be crazy.
It would no longer be original and affect the value IMHO.

Oh my! Unless there's something I'm not seeing, there's not a chance in hell I'd refinish that instrument. They're only original once.
To each his own, I suppose.

 

[Border]

Congratulations on your gorgeous new bass!! I have recently bought a 335 in the sunburst finish. They are great basses and I love the way mine plays and sounds. There were not a great many of these made. I believe they were offered in burst, red and ebony. Unless the finish had issues, I would think long and hard before I had it refinished. That being said, we only go around once. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do with it.

 

[Bass V]

HELL NO! was my initial thot ...until I saw the blue bass lol now it's HELL YES!

 

[toomanyslurpees]

Marty Bell does really nice work, I have a sort of Transblack Stingray that I really dig... but... it wouldn’t be a nitro finish, and not that it really matters but I always like and expect the nitro finishes on a Gibson...

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

That is a tough call cause that's a nice blue. But that red looks alive on you.

Rezdog

 

[howlin]

Refinish a Gibson ES-335 bass?

No! You already have a PB bass. If it's not working for you just walk away. There will be other basses closer to your liking. Save your $ for one of them.

 

[Flamingo21]

Another vote for keeping it red. But I'm partial, because I just love it the way it is.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

If it ain't broke......but it's your bass, and life is short. I'd do something completely different than the Midtown, variety is good.

 

[FlyingPigSound]

Took a long look at her this morning...she stays red

 

[scottm]

Took a long look at her this morning...she stays red

View attachment 3568724

I’m not a fan of red at all, but that bass actually looks great in red. If fits you too, I’d keep it that color.

-ScottM

 

[Stewie]

I feel exactly the same as the above. Don't like red on anything but a 335 or Muddy Waters' Tele, and that bass screams "LEAVE ME RED!"

 

[Jazz Ad]

Where's the fun in having 2 identical basses ?