Refinshing basses? Need your thoughts

[velalv]

So, I have been lusting after an olympic white bass for a long time, with either a black or tort guard (probably matching headstock as well). I don't think this is too exotic, but we all know the standard issues with the lack of color available for lefties.

I have two basses. A 2005 American Jazz Deluxe in Sunburst (mint guard/alder body), and a Squier P-Bass antique burst (tort guard, agathis body). I love them both (took PJ suggestion on my Squier by dropping in some new PUPs(Fender 62 RI, not the Lindys) and put some flats on it). The Jazz is my main player in my church band, and my Squier I use when I jam informally with folks who are fans of 60 rock and Motown, or am on the road for work.

I have heard that getting a refinish done can hurt the wood on your bass, and that agathis is not a good wood to get a refinish done (these are notions from the internet boards). Is this true? Are there any issues regarding intergrity of the body, or finish issues that I need to be aware of?

Also, how bad does a refinish hurt resale value? If I refinished my Squier, I can't see that hurting resale value anymore, but figured I would ask. My Jazz is a keeper, I can't see ever reselling that bass, so if I refinished it, it would stay.

Any guidance from this august group would be appreciated.

FWIW, I am inclined to refinish my Jazz (with the "thinner undercoat" per marketing materials and keep it forever (unless I switch to a five), and keep the P bass look on it.

[AustinLeftyBass]

I had my Fender Jazz Bass FSR refinned, should I have? You tell me!
BEFORE:

AFTER:

[velalv]

Hi Ronn:

Thanks for posting. Absolutely beautiful! Mind me asking how much you paid for yours? Mine is a slighly smaller body than a regular jazz.

[AustinLeftyBass]

Sure, here's the receipt I received.

Refinish bass body in Sonic Blue $150.00
Pickup and control cavity shielding 22.00
Texas Sales Tax 14.19
Total $186.19

[Jules1]

So, I have been lusting after an olympic white bass for a long time, with either a black or tort guard (probably matching headstock as well). I don't think this is too exotic, but we all know the standard issues with the lack of color available for lefties.

A 2005 American Jazz Deluxe in Sunburst (mint guard/alder body),

I have heard that getting a refinish done can hurt the wood on your bass, and that agathis is not a good wood to get a refinish done (these are notions from the internet boards). Is this true? Are there any issues regarding intergrity of the body, or finish issues that I need to be aware of?

same thoughts (plans) and wood/colour combination here

I'm thinking about changing it to maybe black with matching headstock...or Shoreline Gold....or Sonic Blue...

Some german luthiers here told me that you can hear a difference when going from the hard Polyester finish to the softer Nitro but....everything can , nothing has to be

I'm sure that when you change from a hard laquer to another hard laquer there should not happen too much

But my Sunburst Bass sounds really really good - so I'm frightening to do this step

oh and for some eyecandy - here's my Fender CS Jazz Bass in OW

[velalv]

Jules:

That picture definitely was the inspiration for my idea, and my desire for a white bass. I seem to recall Matt R. has a white jazz bass as well. I had a friend offer me his white MIJ Jazz bass for $800, but I thought it would be redundant to have both a passive and active jazz bass hanging around the house (or at least I am having GAS guilt).

Thanks for the comments, especially about going from hard lacquer to nitro finish.

[Jules1]

Jules:

That picture definitely was the inspiration for my idea, and my desire for a white bass. I seem to recall Matt R. has a white jazz bass as well. I had a friend offer me his white MIJ Jazz bass for $800, but I thought it would be redundant to have both a passive and active jazz bass hanging around the house (or at least I am having GAS guilt).

Thanks for the comments, especially about going from hard lacquer to nitro finish.

Thanks

oh, and nothing wrong about having two Jazz Basses

(ok I only do have two Jazz Basses because one is the white one above and the other one is the sunburst MIJ JB 5 String)

my actual fav. colour for my sunburst is Shoreline Gold ...


Please keep us informed here about your further steps with your refinishing plans - I'm curious

[velalv]

I will be curious too.

I just talked to a dear guitar playing friend of mine about this, and he went ballistic when I suggested refinishing my american jazz (discussed here) http://leftybassist.com/viewtopic.php?t=2230 He just thought that it was too high end, and too rare a bass, to bother refinishing it.

He begged me to just hold onto to it, and either refinish my Squier P or just wait and order a G&L SB-1 or 2 as my P-bass choice, and keep the Squier around as a beater/travel bass.

We'll see.