Jazz Bass Refinish

[joedonohoe22]

I recently purchased a 1995 Japanese Fender Jazz - a ‘62 reissue with dark cherry foto flame finish.

 

It’s one of the smoothest necks I’ve played and it sounds wonderful with a set of Thomastiks!
 

However, the foto flame finish is very cracked and starting to peel away in some areas. I’m considering having it taken back to the wood and resprayed in a period accurate colour. I’m on the fence between Fiesta Red, Shell Pink or Black - all with a tortoiseshell scratch plate. Also considering a nitro, rather than poly, finish.

 

Good idea? Any opinions on colour? There’s always the option to keep the foto flame…

 

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

Don't cover up the flame....natural wood or transparent sunburst?

[Doctor J]

5 minutes ago, MOSCOWBASS said:

Don't cover up the flame....natural wood or transparent sunburst?

It's pretend flame. It comes off with the current finish.

 

OP, paint it the colour you prefer. I'd say Monaco Yellow but that's not much use if you don't like Monaco Yellow.

[HeadlessBassist]

I quite like it how it is - it looks well played, but if you want to refinish it, great

 

Bear in mind that you may lose a little of the body resonance with a new coat of paint and poly gloss lacquer. 

[Reggaebass]

Olympic white , with a vintage tort pickguard , nitro finish 

[Beedster]

The Foto-Flame finish is thick, heavy, and once it starts to come off is going to carry one. This is not relicing, this is like old lino peeling off a kitchen floor. I've stripped two of them and both times the grain on the body was non existent so they do not take a clear finish unless bland is your thing. I think you need to ensure there's no residue from the chems in the FF before you start applying a new finish 👍   

[Treb]

LPB with red tort. Sorted.

[bubinga5]

Keep the foto flame ( if possible )and get it refinished/ lacquered by David Wilson. He sprayed my Atelier Z and it was superb.

[PaulThePlug]

Back to Wood... Wax, Tru-Oil or Danish Oil finish, and just the Bell Plate.

Edited yesterday at 20:44 by PaulThePlug

[Alanko]

Foto flame is more like those '60s Paisley Fender finishes than any sort of AAA+ book-matched maple veneer. It is a thin image buried in lacquer. Once it is compromised, via any sort of dent or ding, it seems to loose strength and start to give way in sheets.

[Maude]

Shell Pink with a lightly amber tinted clear to give it some age. 

[Grahambythesea]

What a shamed the foto flame is coming off, I often wondered how durable it was going to be. If you’re wanting “vintage “ finish and sunburst isn’t an option , then provided the fiesta red is that slightly faded salmon colour that most were in the 60’s then go for that. @Trebis probably right that it will need a tort plate to look vintage. From what you’ve said it sounds like your are planning to have this done professionally, I think that’s a good call u less you’re really skilled in the art of spraying.

[Stub Mandrel]

If it was me... Sherwood Green, but follow path your own, must you.