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To Restore or not to restore....
- Thread starter SRAC76
- Start date
I'm a really big fan of the GZR-P I put in my fretless Jazz/Precision pickup bass, but they're essentially a mildly hot-rodded 60s P type pickup. Not sure about their soapbars, humbuckers, etc. I know most of their pickups are active, I think the 'HZ' line might be the passive ones?
I would think, being somewhat obscure and having been refinished, it's probably not worth a mint, right? Do you like the look and feel of the bass? Is the neck/truss rod/fret situation on the up and up (or can you fix it if not)? If so, hell yeah, fix it up.
I doubt the genuine article parts you need are readily available or worth what you have to pay for them when they are, so I'd personally make it however I wanted it and keep it for a player, but I give nary a damn about resale values and originality and all that nonsense. I'm a player and tinkerer, though, and not a collector, so what I would do may very well have no bearing at all on what you ought to do.
I doubt the genuine article parts you need are readily available or worth what you have to pay for them when they are, so I'd personally make it however I wanted it and keep it for a player, but I give nary a damn about resale values and originality and all that nonsense. I'm a player and tinkerer, though, and not a collector, so what I would do may very well have no bearing at all on what you ought to do.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,602
- 222,030
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I don't think that's the point. If I owned Overland Watts white '64 T-bird IV (as I've heard a tb member owns) I wouldn't touch it, and yes - I'd put it in a glass case and stare at it. But to bring a nice vintage instrument like this one back to life is a very rewarding experience both as a project and as a resulting playable bass. A few '60s basses I've restored have become my favorite players for live shows and recordings. Unless a vintage bass is pretty much bone-stock, it isn't going to get a "vintage" price if sold. For me, that's the beauty of resurrecting a bass that normally I wouldn't buy because of the high asking price.
It's a cool looking bass. If it were me, I wouldn't touch the finish on the body, unless it was to fill a crack or a deep ding (which I don't see in the photos). I would try to make it a player and go out and gig with it.
If it were me, I'd put some good modern parts on there and rock it.
Yep, I'd throw a Bartolini soapbar in it, Hipshot Ultralites for tuners and .... either modern bridge or Hofner floating one.
A lot of valid opinions here, some I share some I do not.
Mine:
Only thing really missing are the tuners and wooden bridge saddle, find some good tuners that might be a close match to originals (you wouldn't want original 57 year old tuners unless they were mint or in a box unopened, would never stay in tune or would break at the tension of strings). Bridge & saddle should be easy to replace a Hofner bridge like someone mentioned above.
Then if the neck is Ok and it plays go from there.
I wouldn't touch anything else unless it doesn't play (bad neck, electronics don't work).
The body is sweet, headstock is a little chewed up and might need some love but not a complete refinish.
That old tailpiece is amazing would never touch it. Electronics can be rewired and replaced internally, the pickup looks original, probably works fine. Not sure I would even replace the nut unless absolutely needed.
If you can get it up and running from there you might have a sweet vintage bass that is what it is - semi restored to the best it can be without degrading the original feel and look. Might not be the sound you are looking for but who knows? Classic single pickup '50's/'60's style bass. I have a '73 Gibson L6S from about 30 years ago, love the guitar & it played well except stock tuners on a cheaper Gibson were crap and it never stayed in tune so put on some Grovers and plays great, my favorite guitar will never part with it though I wish I would have keep around the original tuners for posterity....
Surprised no one has offered to buy it from you
Mine:
Only thing really missing are the tuners and wooden bridge saddle, find some good tuners that might be a close match to originals (you wouldn't want original 57 year old tuners unless they were mint or in a box unopened, would never stay in tune or would break at the tension of strings). Bridge & saddle should be easy to replace a Hofner bridge like someone mentioned above.
Then if the neck is Ok and it plays go from there.
I wouldn't touch anything else unless it doesn't play (bad neck, electronics don't work).
The body is sweet, headstock is a little chewed up and might need some love but not a complete refinish.
That old tailpiece is amazing would never touch it. Electronics can be rewired and replaced internally, the pickup looks original, probably works fine. Not sure I would even replace the nut unless absolutely needed.
If you can get it up and running from there you might have a sweet vintage bass that is what it is - semi restored to the best it can be without degrading the original feel and look. Might not be the sound you are looking for but who knows? Classic single pickup '50's/'60's style bass. I have a '73 Gibson L6S from about 30 years ago, love the guitar & it played well except stock tuners on a cheaper Gibson were crap and it never stayed in tune so put on some Grovers and plays great, my favorite guitar will never part with it though I wish I would have keep around the original tuners for posterity....
Surprised no one has offered to buy it from you
I'd just get into playing condition and have fun playing it. Looking at the pictures I wonder if either Hofner or Kluson style tuners might fit?
As for a bridge, for some projects I've modded a floating jazz guitar bridge I bought on Amazon for about $13.
As for a bridge, for some projects I've modded a floating jazz guitar bridge I bought on Amazon for about $13.
My recommendation (seconding many people above^^), would be to get it sounding, ASAP. Once you know it is structurally sound, then start thinking of updating components. If the neck is shot, no need to go any further...
I would not put any modern-looking components. It would be much cooler to keep the vibe. No need to go original. Lots of cheap (Artec and such) pickups and things...
I would not put any modern-looking components. It would be much cooler to keep the vibe. No need to go original. Lots of cheap (Artec and such) pickups and things...
The pickup looks original to me.... What makes you think it's not?
What kinda pickup is it if it's not the original one?
What kinda pickup is it if it's not the original one?
Look at the Framus ad about 1/2 way down on the first page. That is the original pickup.
