Should I refin my '68 jazz?

[MMMiguelito]

I say either leave it alone (it IS a cool color), or refin as sunburst and DO NOT RELIC IT.
The whole concept of beautifully finishing a guitar and then beating the crap out of the finish is lunacy to me.
I know, I know... against the tide. I don't care.

 

[inthebassclef]

George Lowden is the Fodera of Acoustic Guitars. I would personal leave it that color and just put a black guard.

 

[InnerBass]

I did a nitro LPB refin on my 66 - LOVE her.

Klein p/u's and I have the original bridge, but I'm a Badass kinda guy.

I say DO IT !!

 

[mophead]

If it were mine I would do it in Olympic White with a black picguard. It would go great with the pearl block and rosewood board.

But it's not mine..................................

 

[roller]

MJT Aged Finishes does fantastic work when it comes to vintage finishes. They do incredible work and they're a fantastic bunch of guys to work with! They're wizards at not only matching all the classic colors but if you're looking for checking, boy howdy -- they have that down to a science! The body they painted for me looks like it's straight out of the 50s! I highly recommend!

mjtagedfinishes.com

 

[SirMjac28]

Not unless you take the frets out and make a rout for a humbucker.

 

[Roxbororob]

Leave it alone. It was not refinished by some hack after all. There is value (if that matters) in who it was re-finished by.
A beautiful 35 year old patina cant be faked. I think it looks just fine.

 

[ELG60]

There's little if any economic downside to changing it to a properly executed 68 Fender color, unless the luthier you mentioned is of great renown. Even so, verifying provenance is problematic.

If you dislike the color and don't care about the "mojo," why not make the finish comport with your desires.

Personally, I like Shoreline Gold, Lake Placid Blue, or Sonic Blue, but personal taste is just that.

Best of luck
ELG

 

[stevej1982]

I did a nitro LPB refin on my 66 - LOVE her.

Klein p/u's and I have the original bridge, but I'm a Badass kinda guy.

I say DO IT !!

View attachment 2635282

That looks great!! And the reality is that the bass has been well preserve to survive another 50 years of playing

 

[prowla]

Thanks for all your replies, I think there is a general consensus that relic'd is a bad way to go if it was to be refinished... it won't harm the value to repaint it... however it will lose some cool factor by losing the vintage paint?

I'm not a fan of fake relic, unless it is when one part is replaced and the new one has to blend in.
The problem with an older instrument, though, is to not have it turn out pristine either.
I'd be inclined to take it to the right age colour or sunburst and not make it too glossy.
Someone who knows their craft could do a good job of it.

 

[InnerBass]

Thanks Stevej -

It was an all original 66 except for a black refin that looked like it was applied with a brush.

And the black finish was coming off onto my forearm when I was sweating under the lights.

I just thought she deserved to look as good as she sounded.

Besides, the back of the neck has some decent dings and the like that shows her "vintage lineage" : )

I still have the pickups, but these Klein Epic 62's are freaking amazing - just Wow !

I have to say, the necks on the '66 J basses are super comfy.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Looks like it's just starting to get good.
Leave as is.

 

[basted]

Refinish it if you want but relic'd basses look false to me

 

[ThuzzleFump]

Darn it, I have no opinion. This is a strange sensation for me.

 

[Richard I]

I'd go for a professional refin, I can't look at this colour (probably good for a bottle of beer, rather than for a bass guitar)
Since it has already been refinished, some (a big part?) of it's value it's gone. Plus, if you think it won't get sold...
I'd go for Olympic white w/matching headstock, in order to keep the original tortoise pickgurd..it's one of the best chromatic combos, imho.

 

[bikeplate]

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[Tim1]

I am just going to throw a small spanner in the works here. I had a 68 jazz refinished once and the tone changed. It was a beautiful refin done by an expert but it never sounded the same to me afterwards. I sold it.

 

[basses51]

I WOULDN'T TOUCH IT !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gasman]

Since the paint isn't original you've already taken the resale hit. Pick a color you like and have it done again

 

[pudge]

Looks good as it is.