This Makes Me Really Sad !

[57pbass]

I love this bass and the white is starting to turn to that beautiful aged color. It's an AVRI series and is beautifully constructed. Unfortunately this started - see photo. I guess I need to have body refinished ??
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[bholder]

I would take it to a luthier to make sure those are only finish cracks - you've got bigger problems if they're into the grain. But if it's just the finish, a good luthier should be able to do a near - invisible patch.

 

[AGCurry]

Finish cracks are common around the neck joint. @bholder has the right idea.

 

[J_Bass]

It seems like if you take off the neck you can see if the cracks are only on the paint or on the wood also.

 

[WillyW]

That looks like it was dropped face first.

 

[57pbass]

That looks like it was dropped face first.

Thankfully that did not happen.

 

[57pbass]

I would take it to a luthier to make sure those are only finish cracks - you've got bigger problems if they're into the grain. But if it's just the finish, a good luthier should be able to do a near - invisible patch.

Thankfully I have a few local luthiers and will do that. Thanks
How are you doing bud ? Hopefully all is good.

 

[bholder]

Thankfully I have a few local luthiers and will do that. Thanks
How are you doing bud ? Hopefully all is good.

Hangin' in there as best I can. Ain't we all?

 

[57pbass]

Hangin' in there as best I can. Ain't we all?

Uphill 24/7 - plus weekends

 

[Hillbilly Sam]

That makes me sad too!
What @bholder said: take it to a trustworthy Luthier. And please report back when you know what's going on there. I really hope it's just the finish...

By any chance you took the bass from a cool (temperature wise) place, where it was being stored, and exposed it to a sudden heat?

Anyway, let's wish this is just a nice (and harmless) scar.

 

[crazyBassClown]

I guess I need to have body refinished ??

If the cracks are only in the paint you could just live with it.

The position and shape of the cracks do look suspiciously like the headstock was pushed back and damaged the body though.

 

[Mike Vee]

seems like something had to have happened...did this just occur by itself?

 

[bholder]

If the cracks are only in the paint you could just live with it.

The position and shape of the cracks do look suspiciously like the headstock was pushed back and damaged the body though.

Yeah, looking at the position of those cracks and trying to explain them, I get a nasty vision of a fall forward onto an uneven surface, overly stressing the neck joint. Would be bad.

 

[57pbass]

I emailed Pat Wilkins with the same pictures.
His reply.

Hi Daniel I have seen that too many times come out of the Fender factory. It's a factory defect but I doubt that Fender will honor any warranty on that even if you're the original owner. That finish is going to have to be completely removed and stripped down to the wood. I could repair it but it's going to keep cracking and breaking and you'll be paying more and more money to keep it looking just Ok. The cost to strip the body and match it as close as possible to the headstock is $500. The disassembly and reassembly/setup is $125. I'm running about an 8 week turnaround right now. Have a great week.
Peace
Pat Wilkins
Wilkins Guitars
15734 Stagg St
Van Nuys, CA 91406
818 909 7310 ph
818 909 7439 fax
www.wilkinsguitars.com

 

[57pbass]

seems like something had to have happened...did this just occur by itself?

I opened the case and noticed the crack. Bass didn't fall and I have never removed the neck.

 

[Joebone]

That is seriously effed up. Condolences.

 

[HeavyJazz]

For something that extreme, I wonder if there was obvious damage to the body before finishing and whom(s)ever was supposed to be doing their job decided "Ah, to heck with it. It's almost 5:00 - this will cover her up just fine." Hope it gets repaired for you though.

 

[CGremlin]

I emailed Pat Wilkins with the same pictures.

I know it's expensive, but this is probably the route I'd take if it was an instrument I cared about. Pat WILL do it right, the first time.

 

[Obese Chess]

apropos of nothing I suspected that Pat's services were much more expensive than that.

Hope he gets you fixed up right, glad it's just the finish and not structural. My condolences, it's a beautiful instrument.

 

[murphy]

I would leave it and just see where the journey takes you.....
you can refinish any time you want in future