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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Refin or leave it.

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TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 264 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Oct 27 2023 10:23 AM 1978 Music Master bass. Looks like someone mixed nitro and poly. Should I leave it as is or re finish it? — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-merch-store.printify.me/products Top
cricketseed Joined: Dec 09, 2019 Posts: 45 North Carolina	Posted on Oct 27 2023 11:23 AM My admittedly non-expert take: Since someone has already monkeyed with it, you can do whatever you want. I might start sanding with very fine grit and see what happens. Again, not an expert. — https://hyperfollow.com/weepingfigs Top
chiba Joined: Sep 02, 2022 Posts: 516 Central VA	Posted on Oct 27 2023 12:37 PM Whatever vintage value it has is undermined by the poor refin it's got right now. If you don't like the way it looks, IMO get it refinished properly. — -- Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available! Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2243 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 27 2023 12:39 PM It looks really bad and it’s also a boring black. So why not. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
edwardsand Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 769	Posted on Oct 27 2023 03:20 PM So are you sure it was a bad refinish? From what I recall, Fender was using polyester finishes rather than polurethane or nitro for a while in the 70s. This could be an original finish, but I'm not sure how guitars from those years ended up looking as they aged. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4452 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Oct 27 2023 03:35 PM Go for it. A rattle-can refinish would be a step up from this mess. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Last edited: Oct 27, 2023 15:36:21 Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 144	Posted on Oct 27 2023 03:39 PM Rrfin! Looks afwul.... Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Oct 27 2023 03:45 PM - Last edited: Feb 01, 2024 02:41:01 Top
TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 264 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Nov 02 2023 10:42 AM Yeah the finish is smooth. it plays nice. if the grain was nice it would prob stay a natural. for now i am leaving it be. it has character, and it is usually only played at home. — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-merch-store.printify.me/products Top
edwardsand Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 769	Posted on Nov 03 2023 08:20 AM This also reminds me of how I had a second hand 1970s Musicamaster Bass back in high school that had a horrible paint job. Somebody had painted it white, but looked like they used house paint and the finish was not smooth at all. But I didn't care because I had a Fender. Bass is long gone now, last reported hanging in a sandwich shop in Isla Vista, CA. Top
TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 264 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Jan 10 2025 02:14 PM I have left the Bass as is till today. Installed a Curtis Novak pickup in it and couldn't be happier! — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-merch-store.printify.me/products Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1492 Redlands, CA	Posted on Jan 12 2025 12:27 PM Well the strings are off. I say Refinish that guitar. I think trashed guitars look like trash. And the owner has no pride of ownership. It’s redo time! Top
wfoguy Joined: Dec 11, 2011 Posts: 2132	Posted on Jan 12 2025 04:55 PM I'm a creator of race cars, hot rods and unusual stuff. Patina is not part of my world. You have your standards to live up to or create depending on your age. I would strip it and paint it a color that reflects who I am. Happy decision making. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4452 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Jan 12 2025 07:58 PM Joelman wrote: Well the strings are off. I say Refinish that guitar. I think trashed guitars look like trash. And the owner has no pride of ownership. It’s redo time! That’s how I see it. My guitars, even the workhorses, are kept loking pretty much like new. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 264 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Jan 12 2025 09:14 PM Upon research and talking to vintage dealers. This is the original finish. In the late 70’s they tried a new paint and they did these on their own. I love the finish on it. I am having a hard time wanting to strip it. — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-merch-store.printify.me/products Top
edwardsand Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 769	Posted on Jan 12 2025 09:41 PM I'm a fan of both pristine looking guitars and trashed up ones - my stable of guitars includes some of each. My most valuable one, a 67 Jaguar, is in between with some wear and tear, but still in good shape. It's got buckle rash on the back, caused by me before I knew that was a thing. The thing about pristine guitars is I am a bit reluctant to play them because I don't want to mess them up. My non-pristine guitars are my go-to instruments, and I seem to bond with them more. So if you dig the finish its current state, and you like playing it, then I'm all for you keeping it as is. Plus it also makes it an easier decision if you want to change other bits, like tuners, bridge, knobs, etc. because you don't have to worry about keeping it pristine. Top
edwardsand Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 769	Posted on Jan 12 2025 09:52 PM Also, one of my top guitars is this Frankenmaster, which I built from a 70s Musicmaster 6 string body. So I believe it has the same black polyester finish as your bass. It was already dinged up and scratched up, and I decided to go with it and not worry about refinishing. Top
TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 264 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Jan 13 2025 09:01 AM edwardsand wrote: Also, one of my top guitars is this Frankenmaster, which I built from a 70s Musicmaster 6 string body. So I believe it has the same black polyester finish as your bass. It was already dinged up and scratched up, and I decided to go with it and not worry about refinishing. This think looks awesome! — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-merch-store.printify.me/products Top
TheOutpost Joined: May 26, 2020 Posts: 264 Highlands Ranch	Posted on Jan 13 2025 09:01 AM edwardsand wrote: Also, one of my top guitars is this Frankenmaster, which I built from a 70s Musicmaster 6 string body. So I believe it has the same black polyester finish as your bass. It was already dinged up and scratched up, and I decided to go with it and not worry about refinishing. This think looks awesome! — Social Media https://www.facebook.com/TheOutpost/ https://www.instagram.com/theoutpostmusic/ Music https://theoutpostmusic.bandcamp.com/ https://soundcloud.com/theoutpostmusic/ Merch https://the-outpost-merch-store.printify.me/products Top
edwardsand Joined: Jun 29, 2018 Posts: 769	Posted on Jan 13 2025 10:23 AM TheOutpost wrote: This think looks awesome! Thanks! The other thing about a guitar with a messed up finish is that I have no qualms about putting stickers on it. Top

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