It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:23 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: How to Refinish Pre-CBS P-Bass Correctly
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:15 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:02 pm
Posts: 15
I am the lucky owner of a 1964 P-Bass which I purchased from a shop in Santa Fe, NM, about 10 years ago.

The body had been repainted (appears to have been done many years ago) and the knobs were replaced. The neck is stamped 64 and the bridge and hardware look appropriately vintage. I think the pickups and wiring are original, but haven't had it looked over by an expert.

It plays and sounds magnificent. The body color is sort of candy apple red which I hate and I would like to have the body redone with a 64 stock color and maybe relic'ed a bit to make it match the look of the well worn neck.

Any suggestions on finding an appropriate person to do this work correctly and who could possibly assess the entire bass for originality? I'm expecting to spend around $500, but please tell me if that's off base.

Thanks.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:17 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:02 pm
Posts: 15
FYI, I live in Portland, OR.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Wagons EAST! (Or North, or South!)
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:56 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Hi William,

I don't know of any professional refinishing service in Portland. Or in Oregon either! Sorry.

But I do know of 20 shops that do refinishing. Some are very expensive and will be out of your budget guideline. Others will be under it even taking shipping into consideration.

I really like the two Gord Miller refinishes I've seen out of Canada. He does everything in every step exactly like the guitar was finished originally. No shortcuts. He's relatively new to the refinishing scene considering that some refinish shops have been in operation for forty plus years, but his work is highly respected and he's very knowledgeable. He's also very passionate about old guitars and has played guitar since he was a child. After his music career started winding down he turned his talents for refinishing his own instruments to taking in a few guitars for refinishing and it just snowballed when the word got out about his work. He's expensive, but worth it. You would have an extended turn around time because the project would have to clear customs twice, but it would be worth the wait.

On the other end of the cost spectrum is Mark Jenny in Carthage, Missouri. Professional refinishing at a value price due volume. Mark Jenny does tons of refinishing.

Both these shops do Nitro. Mark Jenny will do either Nitro or Poly but I can't imagine putting Poly on yours.

These are just two examples I selected from my list, there are 18 others I know about that do really good work. You can access the complete list of professional, reliable refinish shops, plus a link to Re-Ranch which sells do-it-yourself refinishing supplies, on my Bass Resources Page under the heading "REFINISH, RESTORE & MAJOR REPAIR" by clicking my website link in my signature.

Three things about refinishing.

1. If you have an original finish on a vintage instrument (which you don't) leave it alone! A few nicks and wear spots make it look authentic and a refinish will decimate the collector value. Collectors are not interested in refinished instruments, but they make good player instruments.

2. As in any painting job the bulk of the labor is in the preparation of the surface to be painted. You can reduce the overall project expense by stripping the old finish off of the body yourself all the way down to the bare wood. It will probably take an entire weekend to do that depending on how many layers you have to remove and depending on the type of paint that is on it, but stripping it down to the bare wood yourself can save you a lot of money at most of the services I know about. Most shops charge extra for stripping, but will gladly do it for $100 to $150 extra. You can get about all the required stripping supplies from an automotive paint supply shop. The first product to apply to a Nitro finish is "Lacquer Reducer." Often this is all that is needed to strip a Nitro finish. If that didn't get the job done after a couple of applications proceed to applying "Strip-Ease." If a guitar has a Poly finish about the only thing that works is "AirCraft Remover by Kleen Strip." All of the products are health hazards and must be used exactly as instructed.

3. Stripping a neck is very tricky so be very, very careful because the stripping process can damage fretboards and inlays. Unless a neck is absolutely hideous I would never consider refinishing a neck. I would also recommend you let the refinish shop do the neck stripping. Keep in mind you'll lose the headstock decal so make sure the refinish shop has the correct decal to restore it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Any contacts in Seattle?
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:44 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:02 pm
Posts: 15
I hate to think about shipping my 64 p-bass even though it's well insured. I am going to call Bass NW in Seattle and see if they know anyone reputable up there. It's just a three hour drive and I wouldn't have to ship the bass.

I'm not planning on refiinishing the neck, just the body. I'm too chicken to strip it myself, so I'll probably leave that to the professional. I want it done right.

Thanks for the info. If I don't find anyone in Seattle, I may try the guy in Carthage.

_________________
On the 7th day God would have created a Fender, but Leo beat him to it.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:16 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Gord Miller isn't really that far from Seattle. If you are going that far, you might as well take it a little further north. I'm a fan of Mr. Miller's refinishing work. If I was lucky enough to have a '64 that needed refinishing, that is the person I'd want to do it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Gord Miller Looks Like the Guy!
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:44 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:02 pm
Posts: 15
I checked out Gord Miller's website and he is definitely THE GUY I'm looking for. I sent him an email and pics of my bass. He has a long waiting list, but I don't mind waiting a few months to have my sweet baby made beautiful again. His prices are high, but the work he shows on his website is top notch and his backlog speaks for itself.

Thanks for the tip.

_________________
On the 7th day God would have created a Fender, but Leo beat him to it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Moving Forward
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:44 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:02 pm
Posts: 15
I talked to Gord Miller today and he was so nice on the phone. I seemed genuinely excited about restoring my bass. I'm sending it to him in a couple of days and after he gets it, he will check it out, tell me what's vintage and what's replaced, and we'll finalize exactly what will be done.

I'm having the body refinished in aged Olympic white and installing a "new" tortioise-shell vintage replica pickguard which Gord sources from Japan. He says they are made of the same material that Fender used back in the day.

We may do a few other minor tweaks, but nothing to the neck or hardware. Once it's done, it will look as beautiful as it sounds. I'm really stoked. The 4-6 month wait will be worth it.

I'll post pictures when it's all done.

_________________
On the 7th day God would have created a Fender, but Leo beat him to it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Moving Forward
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:15 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
williamegray wrote:
I talked to Gord Miller today and he was so nice on the phone. I seemed genuinely excited about restoring my bass. I'm sending it to him in a couple of days and after he gets it, he will check it out, tell me what's vintage and what's replaced, and we'll finalize exactly what will be done.

I'm having the body refinished in aged Olympic white and installing a "new" tortioise-shell vintage replica pickguard which Gord sources from Japan. He says they are made of the same material that Fender used back in the day.

We may do a few other minor tweaks, but nothing to the neck or hardware. Once it's done, it will look as beautiful as it sounds. I'm really stoked. The 4-6 month wait will be worth it.

I'll post pictures when it's all done.


YES pictures would be really nice! Actually the O White with the Tortoise with yellow chunks and swirls is a great look for a '64 and will knock everyone out I'm sure. I'd sort of also be curious to know about the original color.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: