bassatnight Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Hi All, I have an old black Aria bass that has a fair bit of battle damage, chips and scratches and I have been thinking about having her refinished in the original black, but from my initial research it’s a very expensive process and have also read a few horror stories, can anyone recommend a reputable refinish company? Cheers, Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 (edited) Pics please... I think the cheapest you will find is doing the prep yourself, or if you have a local Auto Repair Paint Shop, that could give it a go over next time they are doing black... Rattle Can finish if you are any good?. Edited March 4, 2023 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 I've used Jack's Instrument Services in Manchester after I spent a good while removing the finish myself - heat gun and paint scraper. Cost about £200 but that was nearly ten years ago. The re-finish was nitro, really nicely done and was very happy with the result (just turned out that I had the wrong bass re-finished as I sold it a few months later... oh well...). Jack was great on comms and although the whole process took a while it was worth it. If you send the body away this time of year - you can expect two to three months (or more) for it to all dry out and cure and stuff. Again, was worth the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Only probably worth it if its a bass you love and keep forever tbh. The only bass body I ever paid to have refinished was in the 80s at chandler's, it was ok - ish.. I soon flogged the bass anyway so bit of a waste of time and money really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 I have a fella I’ve used in Kent, who refinished a warlock I was working on. He used to spray for rolls Royce and now does luthiery full time. he may be a bit far away from you though. Happy to share contact details with you if you’d like though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilorius Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 8 hours ago, bassatnight said: Hi All, I have an old black Aria bass that has a fair bit of battle damage, chips and scratches and I have been thinking about having her refinished in the original black, but from my initial research it’s a very expensive process and have also read a few horror stories, can anyone recommend a reputable refinish company? Cheers, Steve. Ask Your 1#guy, to who You go, when problems with your instrument appers, if he does refinish (there are are a lot that doesn't) - he will recommend another guy who does it good. I had the same situation with my road word scrached jazz bass. He did his job perfectly, it cost me 200e. Decide yourself, is it cheep or too much. I am satisfied at 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Dave Wilson in the North East? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 On 04/03/2023 at 09:53, bassatnight said: Hi All, I have an old black Aria bass that has a fair bit of battle damage, chips and scratches and I have been thinking about having her refinished in the original black, but from my initial research it’s a very expensive process and have also read a few horror stories, can anyone recommend a reputable refinish company? Cheers, Steve. Would help to know where you are based. I had a bass refinished by a guy in the West Midlands for about £200 and was very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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