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Post subject: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 11:24 am
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Hi All,

I picked up a '98 or '99 (can't remember the exact year, don't have the serial number with me at the moment) American P-Bass from a buddy a few years back for a steal.

Problem is, the back of the neck has some knicks in it (sorry I couldnt post pictures, bass is at home and I'm not there ;)

I also am not a big fan of the natural wood look on it.

I've never looked into having a bass or guitar refinished, I would like to get it redone with a standard fender color, and have the back of the neck refinished (have already been told by a guitar shop it is possible for around $200 they would)

Do you guys have any experience with refinishing a guitar? I'd like to know a ballpark area I'd be looking to have my bass looking fresh. It's worth it to me since I got the bass for $250.

Thanks,
David

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'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 12:25 pm
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I am never a fan of recommending a refinish on an MIA bass, but would instead encourage you to sell it and purchase another. Should be close to a wash, and it will save you the cost of refinishing.

That said, refinishing has a very wide price structure, usually reflecting the quality of the workmanship, as well as what you want done. I have seen bodies refinished for as low as $100. Necks are typically similarly priced but there are less folks doing it. At the other end of the spectrum, I just had a vintage bass (previous refin), refinished in an aged and classic color with matching headstock, for $950. It really depends on what you want done and the reputation of the craftsman.

Brother Dave has a link on his posts to his resource page, and that list contains refinishing folks that he knows about. Check that out. There is also a place called Fiesta Finishes that an acquaintance of mine has used.

I would also suggest you ask local luthiers who they use. Save on shipping and issues are more easily resolved locally.

Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 12:35 pm
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I agree with affprod.

For a different look, you might consider a tort pickguard. I think my '78 looks nice.

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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:20 pm
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Thanks for the info!

I see what you are getting at. I think if I do re-finish anything I will only do the back of the neck, as it is bad enough (to me) that it effects playability.

As for the body... I might try a new pickguard to give it a new look, but I think as-is does for me. I'm more of a guitarist, however bought this bass in hopes of learning more. Hopefully soon I'll pick it up more :)

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:21 pm
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affprod wrote:
I am never a fan of recommending a refinish on an MIA bass,


By the way, sorry if this question makes me sound like a newbie :) (which I am)

What do you mean when you refer to it as an MIA Bass?

Thanks,
David

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Profile
Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:58 pm
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Made in America. We sometimes get used to acronyms, MIA, MIJ, MIM etc. to reflect country of origin. Sorry about that. You will see PUP which is pickup and has nothing to do with a Cocker Spaniel. All kinds of surprising acronyms will be coming your way....but welcome to the forum, I think you will enjoy your time here.

Steve

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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 2:19 pm
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Thanks for the insight!

I'll look into the different options... Will most likely end up selling for something that suits me better :)

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Profile
Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 9:45 pm
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Hopefully as you become a great bass player you will see that bass is more about sound than looks. Fortunately Fender basses look really good in almost any color and you can find one sometimes that's off the hook with sound. :D


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 11:55 pm
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Nice bass. Depending on how deep the nicks in the neck are, you could probably make them disappear with some Scotchbrite pads. They put that finish on there pretty thick, so nobody would ever notice, and I don't think it qualifies as a modification. There's also some fill-in tricks you can do with superglue, for the deeper nicks.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:43 am
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WildintheStreets wrote:
Nice bass. Depending on how deep the nicks in the neck are, you could probably make them disappear with some Scotchbrite pads. They put that finish on there pretty thick, so nobody would ever notice, and I don't think it qualifies as a modification. There's also some fill-in tricks you can do with superglue, for the deeper nicks.


I was reading this thread and was going to post about the Scotchbrite pad. If that doesn't do it some super fine sandpaper. However I do not think I'd use superglue. LOL.

No way would I do any "refinishing" or use any fillers whatsoever unless absolutely necessary.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:59 am
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What would you use for down to the wood nicks and scrapes, brotherdave? Dan Erlwhine(sp?) has talked about superglue fill in's on guitar bodies, but not necks. Another website I go to suggests using the glue because it's poly based. There's also the lighter fluid thing...

Either way, don't mod your American Standard Precision, deash. Fender was building extra nice stuff from 1995-1999, and I know people who would kill to have that thing.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 6:20 am
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Great. Brotherdave's gonna make us beg for information.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 8:55 am
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WildintheStreets wrote:
Either way, don't mod your American Standard Precision, deash. Fender was building extra nice stuff from 1995-1999, and I know people who would kill to have that thing.


Wow! I had no idea! I was always under the impression that this bass was part of the "worthless" years of Fender P-Basses (I mean worthless in a nice way - as I know it is still a very nice bass, hence the reason I jumped on it :) )

I will post pictures later today on this thread of the back of the neck... however when I took it to a local guitar shop they said it would need a complete refinish (not sure if they were just looking for money)


Thanks for all of the advice guys, I'll look into your suggestions as well

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Profile
Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:11 am
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Is that a one piece body? Looks that way from the pics.

I've heard about those years of the American Standard having front and back veneers..which is no big deal to me, while a buzzkill for others. Your bass obviously wouldn't have those veneers.

What you paid for that thing might be the best deal I've ever seen.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 3:19 pm
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The worst years for Fender was when CBS bought the company in the 60's. Things went to hell in a handbasket for awhile after that. In the early to mid 70's it was not uncommon to find : out of alignment bridges- bad/too large neck pocket routes- weak pickups- crooked covers- and other problems. I think the early 80's basses got better and from then on it kind of looks like things have been uphill to today. Now some MIM basses are really good and some can compete with USA's.


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