Should I refin my '68 jazz?

[stevej1982]

Hi all, hoping I could get some opinions on here, I have a 1968 jazz bass all original parts and wiring, very playable condition, it has been refinished at some point in the 70's in nitro and was a pretty good job, apparently done by George Lowden a fairly well know guitar maker in Ireland, this stacks up as it's a local guitar.

The original colour was sunburst and it has the original tort pickguard. The finish has aged very nicely and has that light relic look with checking and great mojo.

However, I'm not sold on the colour but had to buy the bass because it's clearly awesome!!! The colour is not an original fender colour so should I

1. Leave it as it is, it's already vintage after all

2. Refinish it in orginal colour and if so should I relic it?

3. Pick a fender colour available in 1968 it's refinished anyway so value won't be affected much by another refinish

 

[stevej1982]

 

[mellowinman]

I would restore sunburst and relic. It just feels right for some reason.

 

[stevej1982]

I would restore sunburst and relic. It just feels right for some reason.

I know what you mean, I think that's what the bass wants but it doesn't get me a 'dream' bass

 

[mellowinman]

I know what you mean, I think that's what the bass wants but it doesn't get me a 'dream' bass

Then choose your favorite color, and have at it!

 

[JohnDeereJack]

I'd go for LPB with matching headstock in a very light relic finish. With the block/bound neck and tort p/guard, that combo would look killer!

 

[Spidey2112]

I know what you mean, I think that's what the bass wants but it doesn't get me a 'dream' bass

Sounds like you have already selected option #3... are you doing the re-fi (no idea what skills you possess... yet), or having someone else do it?

 

[stevej1982]

I'd go for LPB with matching headstock in a very light relic finish. With the block/bound neck and tort p/guard, that combo would look killer!

Like the idea, but maybe sonic blue?? Don't know if want to paint the headstock as it has orginal water slide on it

 

[stevej1982]

Sounds like you have already selected option #3... are you doing the re-fi (no idea what skills you possess... yet), or having someone else do it?

I've refinished a bass before, wasn't too bad, it was a cheap diy project, I think I would leave a valuable bass to the pros

 

[Spidey2112]

What colors were available for a Fender Jazz bass, in '68?

 

[capnjim]

Leave it. It looks vintage. If you refinish, it will look like a shiny new re-issue. Even if you try a fake relic, they never look real and it will look like a new bass some idiot tried to make look vintage.
You will be sorry if you do it!

 

[stevej1982]

What colors were available for a Fender Jazz bass, in '68?

 

[stevej1982]

Something along these lines might be nice?

 

[Wisebass]

Hi stevej1982

will she play faster when you change the colour?

Nothing is faster than racing- green

I vote for "leave it alone" (and put a white pickguard with a number on her )

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[stevej1982]

Ha... she plays faster since I fixed the action for sure, I like the colour, just never associated it with guitars for whatever reason??

 

[Wisebass]

Ha... she plays faster since I fixed the action for sure, I like the colour, just never associated it with guitars for whatever reason??

who does?

it has been refinished at some point in the 70's in nitro and was a pretty good job, apparently done by George Lowden

maybe George did? That puts some "majormojopoints" to her look!!!! and make her a real dreambass
(at least for me drool)

greetings

Wise

 

[eaglemachine]

It's already a refin. Pick a 68 color. I personally like sonic blue

 

[Wisebass]

And car colours where always associated to fenders!!!

so why not racing green

 

[stevej1982]

Yes however 'British'racing green wouldn't look right on a caddy??

 

[InhumanResource]

No way. It's a 68, don't change a thing.