Should I refin my '68 jazz?

[Spidey2112]

Out of the colors available on the chart you provided, my personal preference would be the Burgundy Mist Metallic... I know some value is lost, with it already having been refinished... how much, who knows? As long as it's a keeper, you're probably not too worried about worth... if I put money into a re-fi, I would relic it by playing the crap out of it...

 

[stevej1982]

Surprised to see very little love for relic'd finish, I agree to some extent in that a brand new guitar shouldnt be subjected to a bad relic job ... but I suppose I'm thinking about it more as a restoration in my case, like if the finish had been there from '68 this is what it would be like now?

 

[gt96g]

Might not be original but the finish is still well aged, id be worried what a new finish might do with regard to affecting how well the bass resonates. If you like the tone, id say leave it be. With that color id say try a pearloid pickguard, will probably work better with the color.

 

[pbassjbass]

I'd leave it, that's the history of this bass (I like it). I suspect it will grow on you. If nothing else, play it for a year or two and see what you think.

 

[ldryder]

I'm from an era where everyone liked to have their instruments look brand new. Therefore, I prefer that appearance to anything that looks old and beat up and especially to anything that's been altered to look old and beat up. Additionally, I don't purchase instruments with the idea that they're going to be worth a lot more money in the future.

If it were mine, I'd get the best person that I could find to refinish that '68 and make it look like it just left the Fender factory.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It already has been painted once. If this is a "lifetime" bass, repaint (by a professional) in nitro in an original Fender color. Do not get it reliced - let the next few decades of playing do that. My choice would be the original sunburst.

If it is not a lifetime bass, get a new body made in exactly the color and finish you want.

 

[johnson79]

I'd have a pro refinish it to an original finish and relic lightly. That green color just doesn't do anything for me.

 

[two fingers]

I actually like the green. And it's close to Sherwood anyway.

That being said, I have never been an "all original or nothing" guy. If I own it, and it doesn't make me smile as is, I will mod it until it makes me smile. I'm not worried about my grandkids having a holy relic in their collections. They'll be fine.

If I were going to refin to a 68 Fender color though for me it would be LPB with no relic.

But you do what makes you smile.

 

[Bassquest]

Black. Less chance of a mess-up.

 

[interp]

Either a) Pick a color and a finish that appeals to you, or b) leave it as is. The bass doesn't care and what any of us think doesn't matter either.

 

[Kmonk]

Leave it alone. It will be worth much more than if you refinish it.

 

[roller]

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

It's already been re-finished once... to a non-Fender color.

That being said, I say re-finish to a year-correct Fender color, preferably one that would've been a custom color in '68.

Most of all, have fun with it.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Nitro relic'd Shoreline Gold for me.

 

[jthisdell]

I don't see how re-finishing it again would affect its value since it has been done once.

Since you really like playing it but hate the color I would refinish it and then plan on keeping it for a long time.

 

[Wisebass]

green wouldn't look right on a caddy??

coolest colour to have, at least once a year!!! March 17

greetings

Wise

 

[BostonJazz72]

Originally, I cast my vote as 'Leave It Alone' because I thought it was all original; however, after reading the entire post I realize that it has already lost some of its value b/c it has be refin. If you don't like the color then I would refin it again. I had a vintage J and the first refin was terrible so I ended up refin it by a professional here in Chicago and it came out great.

 

[InhumanResource]

It's already been re-finished once... to a non-Fender color.

That being said, I say re-finish to a year-correct Fender color, preferably one that would've been a custom color in '68.

Most of all, have fun with it.

Fair enough. Think I still vote to leave her alone though.

 

[ONYX]

I'd leave it alone. That's a cool color! It reminds me of Sherwood or British Racing green. There's just something about that particular shade that shouts "60's!!".

 

[klejst]

Although it would be cool to take it back to its original sunburst ways at this point I'd just leave it the way it is if it was me. I like the green and it was a quality job on the refinish. After all it's still a true '68 under it all.

 

[sowilson]

Lake Placid Blue or Burgundy Mist Metallic would look killer and go with the original tort pickguard. Since it's already been refinished, repainting again won't hurt it's value.