To refin or not

[Stub Mandrel]

In the small hours the mind starts to dwell on long put off decisions.

 

I have a mid-70s Maya fretless that I have had since the mid 80s. It's a nice Matsumoku bass but the body is blockboard with a thick facing (not ply).

 

The original finish is a sunburst in thick poly sprayed to hide the timber on the forearm cutaway.

 

Over time including 10 or so  years in unheated storage during the 2000/2010s some big chunks of the finish have chipped off, although the damage started to accrue back in the 90s.

 

So... it has mojo, but not in a nice worn nitro way. I am conflicted... do I keep it as it is, or do I refin. And if so, what finish? Or is it possible to restore the burst, or just make the hard edged missing chunks look less jagged?

 

I have already fitted a new scratchplate to replace a broken one, and added a bridge and pup covers.

 

Any bright ideas. Some pics..

 

See chunk of poly glued back on... since fallen back off.

 

Back in the 80s!

 

Back in the 2020s!

 

Aside from a big chunk hidden by my hand and smaller chips that are visible there are several big chunks out of the finish around the sides.

[lemmywinks]

Looks fine IMO, leave it as is.

[Guest]

Nice fresh Candy Apple Red and a mint guard to go with that lovely bit of endlessly smooth maple

 

On the other hand, from the outside world's pov, there's not much wrong with the appearance as it is, especially with our eyes used to the current fashion of belting the living daylights out of brand new instruments.

[Jaybeevee]

On the other hand, if it's something you love and cost is not an issue, you could indulge yourself and bring it back to full glory. I'm sure it would be a satisfying experience.. 

[Reggaebass]

Looking at the 80’s pic a lot of the mojo is yours stub, I’d leave it as it is 🙂

[Paul S]

Do you look at it and every time think - I wish this looked smarter?  if so get it refinished.  If you look at it and think about all the good times you've together and the missing bits don't even enter your head unless it is the small hours - then don't.  

 

FWIW I woudln't, but it isn't my bass.

[Pea Turgh]

If you refinished, it would be like a NBD.  LPB would look nice with the maple. Or Olly white with a minty guard.

[Waddo Soqable]

It looks brilliant as it is, good honest wear and clearly you've a long history with it, I wouldn't dream of changing it... IMHO of course 

[Stub Mandrel]

I need to post some pics of the big chips...

[tegs07]

Bass looks great. Dude playing it could benefit from a makeover though 😉

[ezbass]

19 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I need to post some pics of the big chips...

That would help, as it looks OK to me in the ones above. Ultimately, if it bugs you, refinish it, if it doesn’t, keep adding that mojo through playing it.

[Lozz196]

2 hours ago, tegs07 said:

Bass looks great. Dude playing it could benefit from a makeover though 😉

Looks like you’re going for a refin instead then @Stub Mandrel 🤣

 

But seriously as per @Reggaebass as the mojo is mostly/all yours I’d keep it as it is.

[EBS_freak]

It's not as if it's a vintage Fender.... so... if it's your keeper bass and you are thinking about refinning it, just get on with it. May as well enjoy the bass with its new coat sooner rather than later. It's all part of it's and your story.

 

[PaulThePlug]

Love the Hawkwind Strap...

As far as a refin goes... you could loose the pony, and try shaven head, contacts and a goatee?..

[Jaybeevee]

37 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

Love the Hawkwind Strap...

As far as a refin goes... you could loose the pony, and try shaven head, contacts and a goatee?..

Gosh.. didn't notice the Hawkwind strap  kudos and first dibs if you sell it lol

[TheGreek]

Leave it...or go natural

[Ralf1e]

If you just want to protect it from further damage e.g. damp getting into the block board and get rid of the sharp edges then drop fill the chips with clear fast setting epoxy followed by cyno which does polish up.

If otherwise leave it alone or strip it right back and start again.

If you are doing it yourself be sure to use grain filler or you will most likely get bubbles.

My bro bought one of those years ago for his studio. It was a really good bass. He loved it.

Edited December 15, 2022 by Ralf1e

[tauzero]

11 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I need to post some pics of the big chips...

 

Mmmmm, chips...

[40hz]

I'd leave it as is - not all mojo has to look like an abused, nitro fender. Your bass has stories to tell, that are all yours! It looks great!

[BigRedX]

There's a point at which "mojo" just looks like a damaged/neglected instrument, and one which comes sooner if the wear has been caused by someone other than yourself.

 

37 minutes ago, 40hz said:

I'd leave it as is - not all mojo has to look like an abused, nitro fender. Your bass has stories to tell, that are all yours! It looks great!

 

On the other hand the story of doing the refinishing or getting someone good to do it is just as valid.

[Stub Mandrel]

The problem, I think, was keeping it in an unheated garage.

 

Big cjunks of poly chipped off. They dont look 'prettyx like worn nitro.

 

 

 

[Pea Turgh]

Oh, stinky poo!  That’s a mess!  Lake Placid Blue it is! 

[PaulThePlug]

see what ya mean... tort has got to go...

 

I'm with @TheGreek Natural, Danish oil the block... light colour to go with the lovely neck, 

[Beedster]

39 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

see what ya mean... tort has got to go...

 

I'm with @TheGreek Natural, Danish oil the block... light colour to go with the lovely neck, 

👍

[tauzero]

Take the finish off and see what the body's like. Go for natural if you can, otherwise paint it.