Vintage bass quandry

[ChuckMann]

I recently scored a killer deal in a vintage Electra Outlaw bass guitar.
It plays like a dream, but it is a heavy relic instrument.
Not a manufactured relic, btw ... it seems to have earned all its beauty marks.
But, I am considering a refinish job to bring it back to its past glory.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[jd56hawk]

Pics?

 

[Erokker]

I recently scored a killer deal in a vintage Electra Outlaw bass guitar.
It plays like a dream, but it is a heavy relic instrument.
Not a manufactured relic, btw ... it seems to have earned all its beauty marks.
But, I am considering a refinish job to bring it back to its past glory.
Thoughts?
Thanks!

I would leave as is, as long as it plays great. That's a unique instrument and, while it's not a vintage fender, will increase in value - and more so if unaltered. Old wear is authentic, it tells a story of it's life. It would be a shame to delete that history.

 

[Basshappi]

Very cool basses, Congrats!
I am all for leaving alone an instrument that earned it's scars honestly. But I also understand that sometimes that kind of "mojo" ain't pretty.
If restoring the finish makes you happier to play the instrument then go for it.

 

[ctmullins]

Do what you want to do, without regard to what others may think of it.

 

[Ghastly]

Need photos!

 

[smcd]

Unless the bass is a complete mess - prior bad refin, routing, and especially on that bass, gutted electronics - it's always better to leave the original finish alone. No matter how rough the original finish is, a refin will lower the value. And not by a little, by a lot. Like half. So you'll be spending $350 to cut the value of a $700 bass in half.

 

[ChuckMann]

It wasn't so much a value consideration.
More aesthetics.
That said, my wife told me, "Don't you dare!"
I will post some pics when I get home.

 

[Ghastly]

So no pix?

 

[Fresh Eddie]

Do what it takes to make you happy! If painting it makes it your forever bass, then resale value doesn't really matter.

 

[charlie monroe]

my wife told me, "Don't you dare!"

So why are you asking us? Are you nuts?

 

[wraub]

I wouldn't.

 

[micguy]

I have basses that won't ever get sold - if you feel that way about it, paint it. If you're thinking you might sell it, play it a while and decide whether you want to keep it.

 

[Jigmay]

1) Do what you want, but...
2) Don't do it!
Personally, I would want a vintage bass with the mojo, no matter how gnarly.

 

[ChuckMann]

So why are you asking us? Are you nuts?

Because I wanted PLAYER opinions as well.
All in the interest of due diligence, you know ...

 

[FrenchBassQC]

I wouldn't just leave it as is and enjoy. Now if the bass look is such that you don't like it, well that's another story. Pics would help us for sure.

 

[mongo2]

I'd leave it. You can always refinish it later if you feel the need.

 

[primusfan1989]

Do what feels right to you, Ill alway vote against refinished an instrument unless the finish is absolutely hideous (super sparkle finishes...yuck)

 

[dalkowski]

my wife told me, "Don't you dare!"

The mere fact that she cares even a fig about such matters should tell you all you need to know.

 

[Cutter8]

That said, my wife told me, "Don't you dare!"

That’s all I would need to know!