alembic1989

Thank you gentlemen. I think I'll follow your advice, and replace the crap looking parts, and keep the originals for a potential future owner.

I am currently doing a 'sympathetic renovation ' of a bass, and found myself wondering about 'keeping it original '....it's a vintage bass, some parts are impossible to source, so I've been keeping all the original parts and tidying them up as best I can. Looking at the strap buttons, they're brass, but really corroded. Should I keep them on the bass as they're ' original '...or just buy some nice new ones? I know that if I ever try to re-sell it it won't be 100% original so would be worth less just for that tiny thing? What is right thing to do here?

Yup...incorrigible bender.

Like many of us on this forum, my first love was/is bass, and like most of us, have played so many different types of music with many bands over the decades. But it wasn't until after nearly 25 years of playing, that I discovered my own personal path as a bassist and musician. It took me that long to realise that holding it down, playing under chords was something I didn't really want to do, and also to realise that my path was melody and rhythm, as opposed to harmony and counterpoint. My background is Indian, and for the last 20 years I've been going my own way, making music with the bass / acoustic guitar as a melodic instrument, accompanied by a tabla player this fits, and satisfies my love of soloing and improvisation. I still love all styles of bass playing, but no longer want to be a bassist in a conventional band. Anybody here have a similar tale ?

Just an update. I have discovered that a lot of parts that look like solid brass, are not. So while trying to sort out the pitting on the bridge assembly, and sustain block, I noticed some copper coming through...you live and learn I guess. Refret and finger board is complete, and looks great. Body looks much, much nicer now that I've sorted out some fairly sizeable dents, most dings, all the buckle rash, and have polished it. I decided against refinishing, I just rubbed down the original finish from 600- 1500 grit wet& dry, and used a fine rubbing compound...looking nice. Next steps.. 1) Re -shield cavity with copper shielding tape 2) Treat all controls and switches with high quality switch cleaner 3) Re- install electrics 4) Finish restoration of all " brass " fixtures in bridge and string anchor area. ( I've decided to leave the machine heads and ' badges' alone) 5) Make a new bone ( or possibly brass) nut 6) Re-assemble and set up. There will of course be some unforeseen problems..there always are...but contrary to my normal nature of rushing..I'm taking my time and am trying to do the best job I can.

Fabulous basses...great tones, very underrated.

It was less than 20 miles from me...so no customs highway robbery :-)

Just tried the link myself. It wasn't bought from Japan...it was London. Don't know why that happened?? :-)

Thanks. As in all these type of projects, the thing that messes things up is all the unforeseen obstacles. But I want to do the best job I can and do justice to a lovely bass. Having said that...I don't even know what it sounds like! Bought it cos I've been gassing for one for years...it'd just be my luck if after all this work I don't actually like it ! :-)

More front than Sainsbury's.

I haven't found out yet....

Fingerboard flattened, refret nearly complete, electrics removed. Slow but steady progress.

Or..perhaps the opposite.

Nooooooooooo!!! don't say that!! I've been after a fretless Affirma for years!!

Hi Si, no I didn't think of contacting Ibanez directly...tbh, I guess I'll just wait and see if & when they come..I've taken all the steps I'm prepared to take ( I would've even considered paying a deposit if the price & spec was right)... perhaps they've missed a trick here?

But they were on display recently at NAMM n the Ibanez stand...doesn't sound like a leak...sounds like a launch.

Fair point. But the guy in sales didn't even know what I was talking about.....that can't be right..I expected that at least.

I've been refurbing a 1977 Greco GOB 1200 for a few weeks now. It was complete and in working condition, but dings, buckle rash...some very deep dents, electrics scratching all over the place, pieces missing, frets shot and all brassware very worn and pitted. I started with the bridge trying to remove the pitting..only to discover that this, and the saddles are brass plated, and not solid brass after all. I initially intended to see if I could get all the brassware re plated, but extensive searching only yielded a few home plating kits, and some commercial companies that weren't interested in doing a few guitar bits. So I've decided to leave the remaining brassware with the original wear ( hey some folks pay premium for fake reliving), clean it up the best I can and concentrate on the body, electrics, and neck. I'll keep posting updates. Goota say though, it's a high class bass, with some very neat touches...can't wait to play it !

As soon as I'd heard on here that Ibanez was going to re-release the Affirma range, I was onto it straightaway. Sent an email, looking for inf on the spec ( whether or not it was identical to the original, in terms of hardware, woods etc, if fretless version were going to be available....a rough release date, and finally a price)...waited for about a week no response. So I sent another, AND also rang their sales dept, who confirmed the 2nd email...but knew NOTHING AT ALL about Affirma Basses....but did say they'd get back to me. Like f**k ..still nowt. I think this is really poor indeed.

I had the same problem with my Ampeg sv200t. I took it to Surrey amps, who did a major refurb...but it still happened..they took it back checked it again and said there's nothing wrong with it?? To this day it still does it..but I've noticed that it does it if I haven't usd it for a few weeks. ....if I use it regularly it seems to sort itself out, and sounds great. No idea why that happens...

Thank you!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-Greco-GOB-1200-Electric-Bass-Guitar/302609356900?hash=item4674ec5864:g:dUcAAOSwdTJaY0Vf

I'm in the process of a 'sympathetic restoration ' of a recently acquired bass. I've read a lot about different products that have been used for refinishing, many people pointing out that some lacquers/ varnishes can react with others. I'm not completely stripping the body back, just getting the old finish sanded smooth, filling in dings/ dents etc. How do I know what was used for the original finish on the bass, so I don't screw up when I attempt to apply the new finish. The bass in question is a 1977 Greco GOB 1200. any ideas, and tips are most welcome.

Very impressed...sounds like he nailed the design.