SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!

[MObasshead]

I've never been a huge fan of CAR. It seemed as common as burst. However, after discovering various versions in differing states of age, I've come to find it an interesting and complex color. It can look cool over silver, warm over gold, copper with oxidation or dark such like what's on the Nate Mendel. It's a Chameleon much like Burgundy Mist Metallic.

To be honest, I'm not a fan of most fresh off the floor colors but you put 30+ years of age and yellowing over them and I want them all! Haha

 

[JIO]

I've never been a huge fan of CAR. It seemed as common as burst. However, after discovering various versions in differing states of age, I've come to find it an interesting and complex color. It can look cool over silver, warm over gold, copper with oxidation or dark such like what's on the Nate Mendel. It's a Chameleon much like Burgundy Mist Metallic.

Very astute observation - I tend to agree about CAR and have never owned a bass w/that finish. But, at the same time - I love trans finishes of which CAR finishes are. A trans finish in any shade/hue is a complex/sophisticated colour/finish resulting in a deep, light receptive coating.

 

[Sub-hoo-fer]

Man - if it plays and sounds good - that is all that matters. I have played some top dollars basses that stink.

Where ya from in Va, I now live in GA but grew up in Norfolk area.

Nice color on your bass and good p/u's

Lenny

Thanks! I am really happy with how it has turned out.

We enjoy going to the Tidewater side of the state but live on the other end. Roanoke is our "big" town

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

 

[Dark Horse]

I've never been a huge fan of CAR. It seemed as common as burst. However, after discovering various versions in differing states of age, I've come to find it an interesting and complex color. It can look cool over silver, warm over gold, copper with oxidation or dark such like what's on the Nate Mendel. It's a Chameleon much like Burgundy Mist Metallic.

Agreed, 100%

 

[SJLee]

That seems odd - were they using soft maple on those models necks? All maple neck basses I own don't have the graphite rods and none have issues.

I don't know. I've had some bad luck with necks as I also had the same issue on my Fender CS 59 RI which had a quarter sawn neck. Both basses were early 2000's. To their credit, the CS replaced the neck for free.

What would you say the reason Fender ads them now to their professional series necks?

 

[SJLee]

Very astute observation - I tend to agree about CAR and have never owned a bass w/that finish. But, at the same time - I love trans finishes of which CAR finishes are. A trans finish in any shade/hue is a complex/sophisticated colour/finish resulting in a deep, light receptive coating.

When you say trans I'm assuming you mean transparent, as it needs a base coat of another neutral metallic finish to create it such as silver or gold?

 

[SJLee]

To be honest, I'm not a fan of most fresh off the floor colors but you put 30+ years of age and yellowing over them and I want them all! Haha

I'm the same way. I'm not necessarily into a finish that looks like it's been torched, ahem Hartke, but a bass that shows the natural signs that someone has enjoyed playing it over the years is so much more appealing.

 

[2saddleslab]

Ok... I'm jumping in. This is one of my favorite threads and there is serious bass porn in display.

I have several and this wasn't my
first distressed finish, but it is my favorite.

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Well done! We'll have to meet up once the current situation allows, would love to see this in person.

 

[JIO]

When you say trans I'm assuming you mean transparent, as it needs a base coat of another neutral metallic finish to create it such as silver or gold?

Yes, a transparent coating. For metallic's it's silver or gold, for seeing woodgrain it's any product diluted to varying levels of transparency. It can also be considered a 'glaze' or 'patina' - both thin transparent coatings.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

So check this out.

 

[JIO]

I don't know. I've had some bad luck with necks as I also had the same issue on my Fender CS 59 RI which had a quarter sawn neck. Both basses were early 2000's. To their credit, the CS replaced the neck for free.

What would you say the reason Fender adds them now to their professional series necks?

Could be the quality of available maple is younger and less hard and by incorporating bars it covers them so there are no warping issues down the line. I watched a Carvin factory tour vid and they use roasted maple and stabilizing rods - both to have necks that stay put over time. My '68 Coral Deluxe Bass neck is made of soft poplar but it has two steel stabalizing beams and after 52 yrs it's straight as a board. (as they say)

 

[JIO]

So check this out.View attachment 3901883 View attachment 3901884 View attachment 3901885 View attachment 3901886 View attachment 3901887 View attachment 3901888 View attachment 3901889View attachment 3901890

Wow Bob Wow - super nice '60 J. I'm always amazed to see highly figured necks on vintage Fenders - now it's FCS only to see that going on. Considering that finish is Olympic White, that is a classic example of a transparent amber patina, otherwise known as 'aging'.

Here's a '63 P highly figured birdseye maple neck -

 

[JIO]

So nice I'll post it twice!

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

Wow Bob Wow - super nice '60 J. I'm always amazed to see highly figured necks on vintage Fenders - now it's FCS only to see that going on. Considering that finish is Olympic White, that is a classic example of a transparent amber patina.

The "guy" said it one of the earliest production ones known to man...might be right, I don't know, but I know it's amazing!

 

[JIO]

The "guy" said it one of the earliest production ones known to man...might be right, I don't know, but I know it's amazing!

Could be - January and July are the start of Fenders 6 month cycles. According to Fender - The Golden Age 1946-1970; "The earliest examples of the Fender Jazz appeared in March 1960, but the new bass didn't appear on a price list until July of that year. At $279.50 for the standard sunburst finish, it was $50 more than the Precision." Set the Way-back machine Manfred - I'm going back to buy a 1960 J for less that $300!

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

Could be - January and July are the start of Fenders 6 month cycles. According to Fender - The Golden Age 1946-1970; "The earliest examples of the Fender Jazz appeared in March 1960, but the new bass didn't appear on a price list until July of that year. At $279.50 for the standard sunburst finish, it was $50 more than the Precision." Set the Way-back machine Manfred - I'm going back to buy a 1960 J for less that $300!

I'll go back with 600.00 and get both then eat whatever the 60's version of Ramen noodles was (Malt-o-Meal or whatever) till I get paid again. I know those were way back then dollars, but still blows my mind. That beauty and craftsmanship at sub-Skwire prices.

 

[JIO]

I'll go back with 600.00 and get both then eat whatever the 60's version of Ramen noodles was (Malt-o-Meal or whatever) till I get paid again. I know those were way back then dollars, but still blows my mind. That beauty and craftsmanship at sub-Skwire prices.

I just know that their 1966 price was not even a consideration for my 1st bass as I could have never afforded it. But I was lucky to not know anything back then so when I saw the $40 Japanese bass hanging on the wall at Woolworths Dept Store - I put a downpayment of $20 from my paper-route money on it. In fact, I only ended up buying a bass guitar because it was bigger than the guitars that shared the wall with it and it only had 4 strings! I was already 6' tall at 13 so the bigger size appealed to me visually. I also thought it would be easier to learn with less strings. Little did I know then...

No photo's of that bass and only a vague memory of what it looked like, but I think this was it. A St George, also badged Stadium which mine was.

 

[gtlover]

That beauty and craftsmanship at sub-Skwire prices.

I just checked the inflation calculator... works out to $2,425 in 2020 dollars. I presume you are all familiar with current MSRP on new MIA Fenders; I guess some things haven't changed as much as you'd think. Just remember to use vintage currency when you fire up the ol' WABAC machine.

 

[SJLee]

So check this out.View attachment 3901883 View attachment 3901884 View attachment 3901885 View attachment 3901886 View attachment 3901887 View attachment 3901888 View attachment 3901889View attachment 3901890

That is one sweet bass. With mutes and all... <sigh>