Snook Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Hi all, Looking for some feedback on this as I don't have a massive clue! Recently purchased a 64/65 Pre CBS Fender Jazz in Sunburst, it is all original, besides the case but it is a period correct Selmer one. Original finish and frets! However the frets have pitted a little so it buzz's a fair bit. Value wise, do you leave the original frets on that aren't in the best playing condition, or get it refretted? Any indiciations on how this would affect the value and what the value might be? Notice someone had one up on here for £7000. Cheers Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 There are 2 routes you can take; keep the bass as it is as an investment (and look out for an original case) or use it as a player. Collectors will only be interested in paying higher prices if the bass is in its original condition. If this bass is totally original then any changes at all will adversely affect it's resale value. Can you raise the bridge to clear the buzzing frets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I'd get it in to a top pro luthier to look at the frets that are causing the problems. Sometimes a full set up with neck shims etc can reduce the worst of the issues without damaging the resale value of the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 (edited) Can you post pics of the frets? It has to be pretty bad before a refret is necessary. A fret level and crown to get it playing well shouldn't effect the resale. Edited July 11, 2016 by Manton Customs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Raise the action a bit, or try using flat wounds...both could avoid the problem. Some re-frets are almost impossible to see, but of course, it will matter to a true collector...and they are the ones who pay real money for original examples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted July 11, 2016 Author Share Posted July 11, 2016 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1468233659' post='3089383'] There are 2 routes you can take; keep the bass as it is as an investment (and look out for an original case) or use it as a player. Collectors will only be interested in paying higher prices if the bass is in its original condition. If this bass is totally original then any changes at all will adversely affect it's resale value. Can you raise the bridge to clear the buzzing frets? [/quote] Potentially, its with a reputable guitar tech at the moment. Tempted to get it refretted if it doesn't effect things pricewise too much... [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1468235720' post='3089407'] Can you post pics of the frets? It has to be pretty bad before a refret is necessary. A fret level and crown to get it playing well shouldn't effect the resale. [/quote] I will try and get hold of one, however I haven't got it at the moment as its with the tech which is a pain! :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted July 11, 2016 Author Share Posted July 11, 2016 Would anyone be willing to post a rough guide price of value with and without a refret? So frets that are original but not 100% versus a refretted to original spec one? This could be a big ask!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Is this bass a good one? Does it feel and sound unique? Many modern basses can beat vintage instruments on a gig. When you see interviews with the top US session guys they all have old Fender P basses purely for recording but use newer basses for the gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Manton Customs is right: you'd be surprised what a really experienced tech can do with a fret dress, even if the frets already seem quite low. Personally I think a re-fret - a GOOD refret - is perfectly acceptable on any pre-CBS Fender unless it's ridiculously, stupidly mint and/or a rare colour. Yours might be all-original but you didn't say it's mint, and it's "only" a sunburst (nothing against sunburst, just being realistic). If in any doubt, I'd make double-sure it's a keeper before having any serious work done. But check out the fret-dress possibilities first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I got the frets stoned down on my 62... why? because I want to play it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 The original frets on my 64 Precision are very low indeed, but i can still get a nice low action without buzzing, how low are the frets, could they be dressed? or maybe increase the gauge of your strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 [quote name='Snook' timestamp='1468238057' post='3089435'] Would anyone be willing to post a rough guide price of value with and without a refret? So frets that are original but not 100% versus a refretted to original spec one? This could be a big ask!? [/quote] It's not really possible to answer that as the market prices are not set or consistent. IMO, a refret would affect the desirability of the bass (for some people) more than the price. I know a fair few guys who buy vintage and don't care about frets, they just see them as a wear and tear part. Other guys are precious about it. It's all down to personal opinion and that makes pricing harder too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 IMO a musical instrument that is no longer playable due to a part having worn out is worth absolutely nothing. Or maybe £5 as firewood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 As suggested by several others you will be surprised how much fret wear can be resolved with levelling and re-profiling before a refret is needed. If this is a long term keeper / investment you may want to think about using flats to minimise the fret wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuyR Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 Have a top quality tech like Martin Petersen look at it and do the work if required - a well respected name for the refret is reassuring for buyers. I bought the bass you alluded to in your post for £6500, the fact it was refretted bothered me not in the least as all else was in order and it is a fantastic player. Any bass worth playing will eventually need refretting, so I see it as a wear and tear item. I have two other pre cbs Jazz basses, one with the original frets, which is the least good of the three. Great player 100% Original finish, original components are my criteria. Missing covers, finger rest, few wrong screws, wrong case, I can live with. Chiliwailer is absolutely correct in his post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 As others have said - get a luthier to do a fret-dress and a set-up You'd be surprised at how much of a difference this can make If you were nearer Cardiff, I would always recommend Dave Dearnaley He's a top-notch luthier, and has worked on several famous musicians instruments, as well as building his own, custom made guitars - and they fetch quite a handsome price... If the frets are too worn for even a fret-dress, then get that same luthier to re-fret it If it's 100% original but unplayable - then it's either useless or a Deko model for the wall of Hard Rock cafe.... You could always wait a while - do a bit of research, and see if similar instruments that have been re-fretted come up for auction? Compare the prices to unmodified (un-repaired) examples..... It all depends on whether you actually want to play this fabulous instrument Personally, I would never buy a vintage car that didn't work, unless it was to fix it & get it back on the road, where it belongs even if only to drive it a few times a year.... Good luck, and let us know what you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 I would sugest that getting informed opinion from specialist vintage instrument dealers would be a good idea - they know the product and the potential customers. I've never had any dealings with Mr Baxter, but he would be top of my list of people to call if I were in the OPs shoes http://andybaxterbass.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 Well here are some close ups of the fret on my 64 Precision, they are dressed very low but it plays beautifully! [URL=http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/chrisanthony1611/media/image_zps6wrfke6k.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r776/chrisanthony1611/image_zps6wrfke6k.jpeg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1366.photobucket.com/user/chrisanthony1611/media/image_zpshroj8puu.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/r776/chrisanthony1611/image_zpshroj8puu.jpeg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1468239172' post='3089446'] Is this bass a good one? Does it feel and sound unique? Many modern basses can beat vintage instruments on a gig. When you see interviews with the top US session guys they all have old Fender P basses purely for recording but use newer basses for the gigs. [/quote] Not tried it yet :/ must give it a good blast... [quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1468252462' post='3089591'] The original frets on my 64 Precision are very low indeed, but i can still get a nice low action without buzzing, how low are the frets, could they be dressed? or maybe increase the gauge of your strings? [/quote] I'm not much of an expert, but couple of pictures below...[quote name='GuyR' timestamp='1468483333' post='3091171'] Have a top quality tech like Martin Petersen look at it and do the work if required - a well respected name for the refret is reassuring for buyers. I bought the bass you alluded to in your post for £6500, the fact it was refretted bothered me not in the least as all else was in order and it is a fantastic player. Any bass worth playing will eventually need refretting, so I see it as a wear and tear item. I have two other pre cbs Jazz basses, one with the original frets, which is the least good of the three. Great player 100% Original finish, original components are my criteria. Missing covers, finger rest, few wrong screws, wrong case, I can live with. Chiliwailer is absolutely correct in his post [/quote] This is very good to know, thank you [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1468304402' post='3089901'] IMO a musical instrument that is no longer playable due to a part having worn out is worth absolutely nothing. Or maybe £5 as firewood. [/quote] Might get a little bit for the frets by scrapping them in too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 Thanks for all the replies guys! It is really good to get people opinions! Sorry for the delay replying.... Here are a couple of pictures of the frets now I have it back from someone who had a look....still not done anything with them as yet. [URL=http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/nick147258/media/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3298_zps3cuaxvsb.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag155/nick147258/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3298_zps3cuaxvsb.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/nick147258/media/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3300_zpsasd6ukqs.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag155/nick147258/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3300_zpsasd6ukqs.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/nick147258/media/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3302_zpsa2suyupw.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag155/nick147258/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3302_zpsa2suyupw.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/nick147258/media/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3304_zpswo56tmu8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag155/nick147258/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3304_zpswo56tmu8.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/nick147258/media/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3294_zpsjobjpszk.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag155/nick147258/Fender%20Jazz%2065%20Pre%20CBS/IMG_3294_zpsjobjpszk.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 If that's the worst of it then there is enough material there for a fret job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 How does it play? My 78 Ray was in a similar state but played very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1469093781' post='3095618'] If that's the worst of it then there is enough material there for a fret job. [/quote] Yes, I thought this too. I'm sure a decent luthier could do a fret dress, with plenty of life left in those frets still Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 Anyone who expects a 50 year old instrument not to have had a fret dress ever is, in my humble opinion, deluded, and after a museum piece rather than an instrument If it is a decent job I'd still buy it, instruments are made to be played Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted July 22, 2016 Share Posted July 22, 2016 They look decent to me. I reckon just a fret dress would sort it out. For that age, the frets are doing well. You could think about switching to 'bright' flats as well to maintain the life of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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