The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Fender Basses => Topic started by: leftybass on October 21, 2009, 12:28:54 PM

Title: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on October 21, 2009, 12:28:54 PM
I own a lefty MIM Fender Jazz Bass FSR, in natural ash, and it's a great bass, the ash gives it a real nice bottom. But, I do not like natural finish basses. When I bought it I thought the great tone would make the finish grow on me but, didn't happen. So..I took it to a local Austin guy who does guitar refinishing and he's gonna redo it Sonic Blue, my favorite Fender finish. I've already got a white 'guard and chrome covers for it. Here's a "Before" shot, and some in progress.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/jazzkeith007-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_BAss-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass-3a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass-4a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass-4b.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Denis on October 21, 2009, 12:46:28 PM
Is Sonic blue a clear color over a white base?
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on October 21, 2009, 12:52:21 PM
It's a very light blue, looks white in the latter 2 pics, here's the notes he sent with the photos:
Quote
Hello Ronn,
I have attached some photos to show your bass in progress. I have prepared the surface by block sanding with 220, then 320 paper, it was then wiped with a cotton cloth with a light amount of acetone to remove any oils left on the surface..  The body is now dressed in three coats of white lacquer primer. It will next get another sanding and another coat of primer. On to the color coats after that.

Quote
Hello Ronn,
The past weather has not been good for paint work, but today was perfect. I got two coats of the sonic blue on so far, and wanted you to see the progress. Many sandings and more coats of finish to go. It is going to look very nice!
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Hornisse on October 21, 2009, 04:06:41 PM
Looking good Ronn.  May I ask which local guy you are using?  I have not had any luck finding a good refinisher in town.  Always send my stuff to Michael Dolan.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Dave W on October 21, 2009, 04:33:22 PM
I'm not a big fan of clear finishes on lighter woods either. This will look nice in sonic blue.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on October 22, 2009, 06:38:05 AM
Quote from: Hornisse on October 21, 2009, 04:06:41 PM
Looking good Ronn.  May I ask which local guy you are using?  I have not had any luck finding a good refinisher in town.  Always send my stuff to Michael Dolan.

His name is Mark Hobbs. I posted on Craigslist Austin for someone to refinish a guitar and got a lot of responses, I picked him because everyone else was telling me they could do it in a day or two but he told me every step he'd go thru, the materials he'd use(ReRanch), and that it'd take a few weeks to do it properly. When I went to his shop and saw an old Fender Mustang Bass he'd done in Fiesta Red I was sold.

He's a fan of my band and the price was right!
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: godofthunder on November 12, 2009, 04:18:10 PM
Thats going to look sharp !
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 13, 2009, 07:37:07 AM
Got this email today:
Quote
Hello Ronn,
Wanted to let you know that I'm in the final polishing stage on the refinish. I wish the photo of the buffed out horn would photograph better...it is really looking nice. Will have it ready for you soon.
Thanks!
Mark

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_bass-5.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Highlander on November 14, 2009, 02:12:18 PM
cool...
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Basshappi on November 14, 2009, 09:58:28 PM
Looking good there Leftybass!

I have always had a soft spot for Fenders in "surf era" colors.

Looking forward to the finished project.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 17, 2009, 08:18:19 AM
Quote
Hello Ronn,

The bass refinish is completed. I've attached some photos.

Here is the breakdown on charges:

Refinish bass body in Sonic Blue       $150.00
Pickup and control cavity shielding         22.00
Texas Sales Tax                                         14.19
Total                                                          $186.19

Let me know when you'd like to pick it up.
Thanks!
Mark

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass6a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass6b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass6d.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Ronn_Bass6e.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Pilgrim on November 17, 2009, 09:01:54 AM
Looks very nice!  I'll be interested in hearing a hands-on report as to whether it's as nice as it looks.

At those prices, he may find himself doing a LOT of refin work.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: godofthunder on November 17, 2009, 09:05:01 AM
That looks beautiful !
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 17, 2009, 09:18:32 AM
I hope to pick it up today, then assemble it over the next few days, I'll post pics and a review of the finished product.

Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Dave W on November 17, 2009, 09:35:24 AM
Wow, that's very reasonable and it sure looks like a first class job.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Highlander on November 17, 2009, 05:36:49 PM
Classy piece of work...

Not having owned a Jazz, or for that matter, any Fender, I got curious as to the reasoning for that approx 1/2" hole under the PG area and in the neck pocket...?
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Dave W on November 17, 2009, 06:32:22 PM
That's supposedly for CNC fixturing, a place to hold the body while it's being routed.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 18, 2009, 08:20:05 AM
Here we go, looks different with and without flash:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz009.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz014.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz010.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/sonicjazz013.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Pilgrim on November 18, 2009, 09:05:52 AM
DANG!  I normally like fancier pickguards, but that looks SO clean as is - that's a beautiful bass.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Hornisse on November 18, 2009, 10:19:13 AM
What a beauty!  He did a great job on the body. (and you did a great job of reassembly!)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 18, 2009, 10:41:47 AM
Not bad for $150, he used ReRanch paint.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Highlander on November 18, 2009, 01:24:18 PM
Very nice... when you gonna gig her...

(Cheers for the CNC info, Dave; makes perfect sense when you mass produce...)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 18, 2009, 01:27:20 PM
Quote from: Kenny Five-O on November 18, 2009, 01:24:18 PM
Very nice... when you gonna gig her...

(Cheers for the CNC info, Dave; makes perfect sense when you mass produce...)

Unfortunately we're off this week, couple guys visiting family out of state, so gonna be a few days.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Rhythm N. Bliss on November 19, 2009, 06:13:25 PM
Congratulations, fellow lefty! I want one!

Looks great in blue AND grey!!  :P
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 30, 2009, 09:08:13 AM
Friday night.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/nigelsonic3-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/nigelsonic2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/nigelsonic.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Highlander on November 30, 2009, 02:08:34 PM
Nice one, Ronn...

How'd she "feel" while treading the boards...?

I hope you used her for "Blue J Way"...  ;D
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Dave W on November 30, 2009, 02:10:14 PM
The bass is looking good, and you're looking thinner with every new pic you post.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 30, 2009, 02:25:52 PM
Quote from: Kenny Five-O on November 30, 2009, 02:08:34 PM
Nice one, Ronn...

How'd she "feel" while treading the boards...?

I hope you used her for "Blue J Way"...  ;D

:) Good one!
Nah, I used it for our 3rd set which is other bands from the 60s.
I dug it, still sounds just as good as it did when it looked ugly. ;)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 30, 2009, 02:26:49 PM
Quote from: Dave W on November 30, 2009, 02:10:14 PM
The bass is looking good, and you're looking thinner with every new pic you post.

Thanks Dave, you'll have to come to another show one of these days.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Highlander on November 30, 2009, 02:47:52 PM
What's this...?

The Lone Star State Appreciation Society...?

ps Alaska IS bigger...  :P
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on November 30, 2009, 02:55:52 PM
It feels like Alaska right now!  ;)
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: Dave W on November 30, 2009, 06:20:28 PM
Quote from: leftybass on November 30, 2009, 02:26:49 PM
Thanks Dave, you'll have to come to another show one of these days.

Maybe I can make the holiday show at Jovita's. Depends on company or lack thereof.
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: chromium on December 02, 2009, 11:17:53 AM
Late to the party, but just wanted to say that came out really good!  Love the color- major improvement
Title: Re: Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress
Post by: leftybass on December 02, 2009, 11:19:50 AM
One more, with everyone.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/oeggsis.jpg)