Refinishing an MIA Precision Bass

[Alexander]

I recently bought an MIA Precision Bass online and got to play with it during a rehearsal this past weekend. The tone I got from this thing was just unreal - gooey thick rich goodness throughout. Loved it.

I wasn't really impressed with the aesthetics of the bass, though I must say. Meaning, I got one in a sunburst finish and not sure I really like it. It isn't as well done as that on my Sadowsky - and the body looks like it was made with two (very different) scrap pieces of wood slapped together. Just looks cheap.

Was thinking about possibly refinishing in a nice, solid color - like Sonic Blue perhaps. This would have been my first choice anyway, if that color were offered on an MIA Precision. Just curious about refinishing - is it a good or bad idea? Are there recommendations on where to get that done (I live in the PacNW, so am wondering if Warmoth or USACG would possibly do something like that)? Any idea on what something like that would cost?

 

[hdracer]

Send the body to Pat Wilkins. He does fantastic work and doesn't take forever.
http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/finishing.htm

 

[Nivek91]

I'd get it refinished in TV or Banana Yellow, but that's just me.

 

[Alexander]

Send the body to Pat Wilkins. He does fantastic work and doesn't take forever.
http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/finishing.htm

Can I send him the entire bass for him to disassemble, refinish, re-assemble or would I need to do disassemble first?

 

[MovingPitchers]

Send the body to Pat Wilkins. He does fantastic work and doesn't take forever.
http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/finishing.htm

Thanks for the suggestion! I Think I'll look into it myself! How much did it cost you?

 

[hdracer]

Can I send him the entire bass for him to disassemble, refinish, re-assemble or would I need to do disassemble first?

I believe you can but it will cost you a lot more. Both in his labor and in shipping costs.
I would take it all apart myself or have a local tech that you trust take it apart and reassemble it and do a complete set up.

 

[hdracer]

Thanks for the suggestion! I Think I'll look into it myself! How much did it cost you?

I have seen his work but have not used him myself. I like having mine done in nitro and he does not paint with it. I use Southbound Custom guitars.
Nitro also takes a long time to have done properly and most people are not willing to wait.

 

[MovingPitchers]

I have seen his work but have not used him myself. I like having mine done in nitro and he does not paint with it.
Nitro also takes a long time to have done properly and most people are not willing to wait.

Ehhh I'm in no rush all the time, so the waiting part isn't the problem. It's cost. Most people are financially squeezed and can't afford to have this done right away.

I would've have had Wilkins redo my MIM P from midnight wine to a solid Olympic White but I realized the midnight wine shines in the spotlight in a way no other colour can really seem to replicate. True story.

It looks sexy.

 

[Alexander]

Got a quote from Pat - $300 for the re-finish and $125 for disassembly/assembly + shipping

For those interested. Seems like a good guy

 

[MovingPitchers]

Got a quote from Pat - $300 for the re-finish and $125 for disassembly/assembly + shipping

For those interested. Seems like a good guy

Yeah I got the same quota for my MIM P as well, although I don't think I'll pull the trigger on it anytime soon.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Got a quote from Pat - $300 for the re-finish and $125 for disassembly/assembly + shipping

For those interested. Seems like a good guy

Its a P bass, anyone with 2 sizes of phillips screw driver can take one apart in 10-15 minutes and shipping a body is roughly $25, a whole bass and case? $75+

 

[Alexander]

Its a P bass, anyone with 2 sizes of phillips screw driver can take one apart in 10-15 minutes and shipping a body is roughly $25, a whole bass and case? $75+

I thought about that, figuring it would be fairly easy - but never done it before. Might just give it a whirl...