Ronald Bigsworth Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Hi, my Dad left me his prized Jazz when he died over 10 years ago. Apparently it’s a 62 year but is not in its original state. Its been resprayed & doesn’t have the original finger plates. I’ve also been told it needs a refret but I’m hesitant in case it devalues it or screws it up. Is there anyone in the UK who restores them or can offer any advice ? Many thanks in advance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 (edited) Just my opinion of course, but if my dad had left me that, and it was playable, I would leave it exactly as it is 🙂 Btw, , welcome Ronald Edited March 10, 2020 by Reggaebass 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Welcome Ron. I agree with Reggaebass. What you have is a certain amount of mojo. While a refret is okay to keep it playable, it might be wisest to leave as is if you want to preserve its value. You've come to the right place for pointers. I am no expert but there are a good few here in the know, as it were. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Hi Ronald That's a nice bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 Hi Ronald, Welcome to the club. I'm with @Reggaebass. Preserve what you need to be able to play it, but cherish the memories of what your dad has passed on to you!! Best of luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 It's very nice and for me the family connection would make up for it being refinished as it's part of your story. That serial number suggest 1963 (which is close enough). https://www.guitarinsite.nl/serienummers-fender_eng.php An original scratchplate would have a lot more screws, you could ask someone to add these. If the neck is original and has the correct marks on it (when removed) it would be OK to get them to put on the Fender decals that were probably removed during the refin. It's rare for a bass to really need a full refret, a good luthier can probably sort it with a fret dress. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 30 minutes ago, BlueMoon said: cherish the memories of what your dad has passed on to you!! Absolutely this, don’t do anything, just enjoy it ☝️ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammybee Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 If it's already been refinished, the 'devaluing' has already been done. I'd get it refretted by a decent luthier and enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onehandclapping Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 I have 3 original old jazzes from that era .You do not say if you are going to play it or if it’s a keepsake.If it’s a keepsake do nothing, if you are going to play it ,get the best vintage luthier the guys on the site here recommend to do as little as possible to bring it up to a playable condition for you to enjoy and don’t try to get it done on the cheap ..just my thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted March 14, 2020 Share Posted March 14, 2020 What is the story with the headstock? It appears to be blank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 15 hours ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: What is the story with the headstock? It appears to be blank. "I was wondering who'd be the first to spot that" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 15 hours ago, skankdelvar said: "I was wondering who'd be the first to spot that" >cough< On 13/03/2020 at 11:40, Stub Mandrel said: If the neck is original and has the correct marks on it (when removed) it would be OK to get them to put on the Fender decals that were probably removed during the refin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 22 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: >cough< I have shamed myself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 22 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: >cough< Are you feeling unwell? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, Teebs said: Are you feeling unwell? It isn't persistent. Unlike the damn tree-pollen sniffle I get every March... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 4 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: It isn't persistent. Unlike the damn tree-pollen sniffle I get every March... Good Dr Teebs suggests that you refrain from sniffing trees - a strange and unusual habit! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 12 minutes ago, Teebs said: Dr Teebs suggests that you refrain from sniffing trees - a strange and unusual habit! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 (edited) Hi @Ronald Bigsworth First of all - welcome to the forum Secondly, what a lovely thing to have - a bass that your Dad owned and played. It's a treasured thing indeed. If a few components aren't original, but look OK - I'd be tempted to leave them as they are... After all, they're part of your Dad's modifications and general "mojo" of the bass i.e. they're part of the basses history. As for the frets, they're another matter - depending on whether they make the bass playable or not, and whether you want the bass to be playable or not. To my thinking, I would want the bass to be playable. If I leave a treasured bass to my son (I've already given him two! lol) I'd like to think he would play it, rather than hang it on a wall... So I would get a luthier to look closely at it, and decide whether or not it needs re-fretting. As has been said - a good luthier can often crown & polish frets and make them playable If only a re-fret would do this though.... then I'd personally be tempted to get it re-fretted Another factor you mention is "value" - I'd say the biggest perceived value is the bond the bass creates, because it was your Dad's You aren't going to sell it - so financial "value" for me, would be less of a consideration than sentimental value... Best of luck whatever you decide, and let us know how you get on Cheers mate - enjoy such a lovely, treasured possession EDIT: One thing I would definitely restore though - get a Fender logo on the headstock ... and yes, replace the missing screws Edited March 17, 2020 by Marc S 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.jpg.7e18f76540598a8efc0e6ca9be453059.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.