Old Fender Jazzmaster: Restore or not?

6279 Views 44 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Rudder Bug, Apr 4, 2017

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · Jan 22, 2017 (Edited)

5

Hi everyone,

This old Jazzmaster, which is believed to be a 1963 or 66 just landed in my shop. The owner wishes to get rid of it. I suggested to first make it playable and we would go from there. Good start, right?

It's been sitting in a case for 30 years after someone decided to give it an horrible paint job. The original finish was a Tobacco sunburst. Be ready for a shock when you look at it, it's a hand made sunburst with a huge brush. The frets are shut but I can refret her for the next owner, that's no big deal. Last but not the least, the headstock logo is almost gone.

Now the good news...when I first plugged her in, no sound came out, nothing at all. I cleaned up all the electronic components and it now works perfectly well over 50 years later.

So far, I've only put 50 bucks of work on it, cleaned up, restrung and it now playes wonderfully despite of the worned frets, just like it was meant to do. My client can now have someone try her and make an offer. BUT...I might very well be the one making an offer...

What would it be Worth if I refinished her, could I find the appropriate decal and stick it on?

What do you think?

Gilles

See less See more

Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 45 Posts

jayoldschool

· #2 · Jan 22, 2017

Just sell it to me. It deserves to go to a good home. I'm almost finished a CAR Jazzmaster build and I'd be happy to have this one on the stand next to it...

G

· #3 · Jan 22, 2017

I think that a refinish may devalue it.
Take it in for an appraisal?

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 22, 2017

laristotle said:
I think that a refinish may devalue it.
Take it in for an appraisal?

I know but it's already devalued with the mess they've put on it. I tried some acetone on a spot on the back and it softened the paint. It might be some Tremclad...

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 22, 2017

jayoldschool said:
Just sell it to me. It deserves to go to a good home. I'm almost finished a CAR Jazzmaster build and I'd be happy to have this one on the stand next to it...

Ok, well, make me an offer...

Lord-Humongous

· #6 · Jan 22, 2017

Interesting. I'd leave the headstock alone if that is the original logo. As for the body, if that is the original finish in the brown part of the 'burst', I'd probably leave it alone. But if the original paint has been stripped on the body, then I'd have few concerns about repainting the body. I'd preserve any markings though and if the cavities are 'untouched', I'd leave them as is too. That's my 2 cents.

Reactions: 2

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 22, 2017

Lord-Humongous said:
Interesting. I'd leave the headstock alone if that is the original logo. As for the body, if that is the original finish in the brown part of the 'burst', I'd probably leave it alone. But if the original paint has been stripped on the body, then I'd have few concerns about repainting the body. I'd preserve any markings though and if the cavities are 'untouched', I'd leave them as is too. That's my 2 cents.

Apparently, it's been stripped

jayoldschool

· #8 · Jan 22, 2017

What's under the guard? Original? Pot dates? Neck stamp? Let's see the details...

amagras

· #9 · Jan 22, 2017

Tough decision indeed, although I'm with Lord-Humongous on leaving the headstock and probably the entire neck alone. Is there lacker over the repaint?

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 22, 2017

jayoldschool said:
What's under the guard? Original? Pot dates? Neck stamp? Let's see the details...

Yup, all original, very old and fully functional. I'll show some more pics tomorrow. Thanks for your input.

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 22, 2017

amagras said:
Tough decision indeed, although I'm with Lord-Humongous on leaving the headstock and probably the entire neck alone. Is there lacker over the repaint?

I don't think so, it really looks like cheap paint.

amagras

· #12 · Jan 22, 2017

Just an idea as I don't know anything about repairing musical Instruments but, you could try removing the cheap paint and see if you can save some of the original lacquer.

knight_yyz

· #13 · Jan 22, 2017

Looks like the neck with those vintage tuners might be worth more than the body. That's a really tough call. But if the original paint is gone I would be tempted to have it refinished as a road worn. something like MJT does. Leave the neck as is. Match the body to the road worn neck.....

Reactions: 3

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 22, 2017

knight_yyz said:
Looks like the neck with those vintage tuners might be worth more than the body. That's a really tough call. But if the original paint is gone I would be tempted to have it refinished as a road worn. something like MJT does. Leave the neck as is. Match the body to the road worn neck.....

Tough call indeed, and we are almost sure that it was stripped to the bare wood before being repainted. I now know it is a 1963.

Fender Serial Number Lookup Guide and Database

StratCat

· #15 · Jan 22, 2017

Buy it if you have the opportunity. They question is "how much do you offer".

I like the idea of getting an appraisal which is what you are trying to do. Suggest you contact Capsule Music in Toronto, The 12th Fret in (Scarborough?), and Folkway Music in Kitchener. Perhaps they would be willing to give you an appraisal based on photos. Take the average of the 3 as your maximum that you would pay, and offer less.

Personally, I would try to remove only the non original paint (if possible) and then based on the results, decide on refinishing, and likely wouldn't.

The faded logo looks cool. Don't touch it.

Reactions: 1

marcos

· #16 · Jan 22, 2017

Just my opinion but, it looks good as is. Even with the bad paint job it still retains a great look. Re-fret, yes for sure. Value? It depends on who wants it.
A lot of players looking for this type of natural relic. Dont think it would appreciate much with a new re-finish. Best of luck.

Reactions: 2

marcos

· #17 · Jan 22, 2017

Oh, that logo looks cool like it is.

Reactions: 3

Rudder Bug

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 22, 2017

Thanks to all, I appreciate your input and will make the owner an offer; this axe should be mine by the end of the day.

urko99

· #19 · Jan 22, 2017

Looks like a great candidate for one of Alain's relic jobs. Might be worth the inquiry.
Leave the neck and have him redo the body to match. Since the original finish is gone, perhaps try a solid Pelham blue, or Gold. IMO, you would get the most return on your investment. My 2 cents.

Reactions: 1

Scotty

· #20 · Jan 22, 2017

knight_yyz said:
Looks like the neck with those vintage tuners might be worth more than the body. That's a really tough call. But if the original paint is gone I would be tempted to have it refinished as a road worn. something like MJT does. Leave the neck as is. Match the body to the road worn neck.....

thats exactly what i was going to suggest

1 - 20 of 45 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.