Fender Jazz Bass refin in progress

[leftybass]

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.

[Denis]

Is Sonic blue a clear color over a white base?

[leftybass]

It's a very light blue, looks white in the latter 2 pics, here's the notes he sent with the photos:

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.

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!

[Hornisse]

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.

[Dave W]

I'm not a big fan of clear finishes on lighter woods either. This will look nice in sonic blue.

[leftybass]

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!

[godofthunder]

Thats going to look sharp !

[leftybass]

Got this email today:

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

[Highlander]

cool...

[Basshappi]

Looking good there Leftybass!

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

Looking forward to the finished project.

[leftybass]

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

[Pilgrim]

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.

[godofthunder]

That looks beautiful !

[leftybass]

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.

[Dave W]

Wow, that's very reasonable and it sure looks like a first class job.