BreadBin Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I purchased this from Gumtree a few months ago - it was in a pretty sorry state with thick white emulsion paint all over the body and hardware and some red gloss in the mix too. Stickers slapped on top of the paint and getting on for 8mm string height at the 12th fret. Crucially however it had all the original parts including the unique to this model control knobs which are virtually impossible to replace (albeit covered in both red and white paint!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 First job was to remove the excess paint from the body, I removed the neck and hardware and then painstakingly removed the paint with a plastic scraper. Unfortunately the finish underneath was pretty bad, lots of scratches and dents plus some wierd reactions going on. I did consider the road-worn look but there are plenty of them around so instead I went for a fine sand all over followed by Scotchbrite to give it a satin finish, which feels amazing! The bridge and neckplate were cleaned with Nitromors and came up really well. The knobs I had to carefully clean with a fine pick, and were then given a coat of satin black along with the wiring cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Next, the neck. And this was the part I was most worried about. I had two goes at reversing the bow - the first time I wasn't brave enough but the second time worked a treat. Tightening up the g-clamp was really nerve-wracking but I screwed up my face and carried on! It ended up with a bit of back bend unstrung which has left it pretty much perfect. 12th fret measures just over 3mm on the E string - nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Tonight I finally put it back together with the arrival of the only part I had to replace. I purchased a Graph-tech top nut as the original had been filed down to try and drop the string height - right into the fingerboard! It plays fantastic, with great action and it sounds amazing. I am really chuffed as it was a bit of a gamble taking it on. It'll never win any beauty contests but I like the fact that it has a story to tell. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Smart and simple. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
project_c Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Nice, I saw this on Gumtree the other day and thought it would be a tough one to restore. Looks great . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Looks great, good job and great basses......and a cheeky first dibs if you decide to sell on 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Thanks chaps! It's taken quite a lot of elbow grease but it was worth it. I may yet replace the toggle switch as it's full of white paint but it still works and is original. It's either that or break out the fine pick again, which will take ages... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Just now, Raslee said: Looks great, good job and great basses......and a cheeky first dibs if you decide to sell on I don't plan to but will keep you in mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 So you weren’t tempted to make it into a Duff Signature? Nice and simple great job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Darth Vader bass!!! Looks cool matey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I adore the JBS basses. I have a pair of the active versions, an '87 and an '89. They really were some of the very best to come out of Fender Japan and I am so pleased to read you rescued this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 13, 2018 Author Share Posted February 13, 2018 @Jimothey I think that's what the white paint was trying to achieve, my goal was to try and keep it relatively original. @kevin_lindsay I am reminded of the Disaster Area sun dive ship from Hitchhikers guide. The satin finish really let's the fingers slip off! It looks a lot less uneven in reality - the camera hasn't done it any favours. @dood yes they really are good, the fact that this has survived such abuse is a testament to the quality imo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 3 hours ago, BreadBin said: @Jimothey I think that's what the white paint was trying to achieve, my goal was to try and keep it relatively original. @BreadBin sorry I meant do it properly not the bodge that they had tried to do it Ive always been a fan of the JBS but I would have to do it Duff style!!! I’ve been looking for a JBS project for a long while but they are always go for too high price a price for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted February 13, 2018 Author Share Posted February 13, 2018 This was quite cheap, but could have needed a new neck so had to be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted April 6, 2018 Author Share Posted April 6, 2018 I meant to update this. No changes except that I now have a choice of genuine Fender hardcases to transport this in and I have been playing it. I did a bit of research too - the serial number on the neckplate combined with it being A09.. makes it a Japanese market model, so may have travelled a bit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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