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Post subject: Need some help - 76 Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 11:10 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 10:39 am
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Hi
I recently obtained a '76 Jazz bass, a "closet classic" that hasn't been played in over 10yrs. The neck serial number and pots date the bass to '76, plus it has other indications of the time (bound neck, 3 bolt neck joint, 70's style case, etc). What is troubling is the finish. The guitar is a somewhat faded yellow color. There are a couple of scratches in the finish that reveal a white color under the yellow. I know yellow was not a std. color in 76, but I think white was.

After changing the strings and cleaning some of the dirt out of the bridge with alcohol, I accidentally spilled a bit of the alcohol near the bridge. No big deal, just wipe that off. Well, the yellow finish started to soften up where the alcohol was, to the point you could see marks in the finish where I wiped.

Is there any possibility the yellow finish on this bass is original from Fender? I know on some very early models, Fender put custom colors over standard colors. Would they have done this in 76? If so, would the finish be this "weak" to break down with just a bit of alcohol?

thanks much for any replies!!


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Post subject: Re: Need some help - 76 Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:48 pm
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Professional Musician
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I had a 76 Precision. It originally was creme color but had faded to yellow. The white on my guitar was the primer sealer (or plain white finish) under the yellowed creme finish. I thought it looked great. It had worn away and rubbing on it with any kind of solvent would make more finish come off and will make it "soft". That is also something laquer finishes will do---BUT on a 76 it isn't supposed to be laquer so back then it may be from inferior paint etc. 70's had allot of QC problems. Without holding the bass and looking at it or even seeing pictures it's all a guess. Post some pics- that makes it a little easier to tell what's up with it. I would say- do not use any solvent- alcohol, mineral spirits etc on it and don't try to get rid of the marks you made. A pro guitar guy might be able to fix up what you did and make it look more natural to the rest of the finish .

Maybe my bass had the creme finish over white-- like you mention in your post- that's a possibility with yours too I may think. pics! It's late so my typing and thoughts may be a little tired- sorry.


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Post subject: Re: Need some help - 76 Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:40 pm
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Rock Star
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Wow, alcohol? That is a solvent. You should have removed the bridge before doing that. Lesson learned I guess. The bright white is the FULLERPLAST primer under the paint. The yellowed paint was probably Olympic White that yellowed with age. I wouldn't mess with the finish anymore. I suggest keeping your instruments away from alcohol, gasoline, kerosene...all those solvents.


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Post subject: Re: Need some help - 76 Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:44 pm
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Rock Star
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OK I went to the color chart linked on my website for 1976 FENDER and it seems the color was WHITE. Just WHITE, not Olympic White. Here is the Fender color chart for 1976:
Image


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Post subject: Re: Need some help - 76 Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:25 pm
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All of the white finishes from the 70's will turn yellowish with age. that's to be expected and there is nothing wrong with the bass finish. I think it looks cool but if you compound or spill any solvent on the yellowed finish you will take off the top layer and reveal the original white finish beneath the yellow.


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