1991 USA Jackson concert bass. Your thoughts on restoration

[police squad]

Basschat massive.

My late boss and bandmate's widow is thinking about letting his custom made jackson go.

It has laid unplayed for 10 years now.  It had done literally thousands of gigs . At least 50 per year for 24 years

It has a custom graphic, a Star Wars theme.  There is only one other of this graphic which was the original custom build Jackson did but they made it right handed and he was a left.

I tracked the right handed one down on here 10 years ago.

This l/h one is a bit tatty

Should I tell her to get it restored a bit. Laquer is peeling in places

Here's a few pictures

It has a rewound p pickup by Aaron Armstrong and  Kahler bass trem

[velvetkevorkian]

My guess would be that this is sufficiently niche that a refinish would probably cost more than it would add to the value unless there's a collector looking for exactly this.

 

Is it even possible to refinish without losing the graphic?

[police squad]

34 minutes ago, velvetkevorkian said:

My guess would be that this is sufficiently niche that a refinish would probably cost more than it would add to the value unless there's a collector looking for exactly this.

 

Is it even possible to refinish without losing the graphic?

well there's the rub, I have no idea how it would work but it is pretty scruffy the way it is

[Pea Turgh]

I wonder if there’s a way of just cleaning and stabilising the finish as-is?

[LeftyJ]

@uk_lefty is looking for an '80s style bass. I'd say it doesn't get more '80s than this! 

 

Seriously though: It looks like it was kept in a rather damp environment, judging from those screws, the separated fingerboard binding and the peeling finish. It needs some work, and the right loving home because this is definitely niche! It's also really cool though, and USA-made Jacksons have always been built to a very high standard so I'm sure it's lovely. It looks like it's mostly the clearcoat that's flaking, and most of the graphic is still in place? 

 

I don't think Sims do finish work anymore, but only pickups and LEDs these days? That's a shame, I couldn't think of a better man for the job.  

[bassbiscuits]

Be interesting to see if the loose lacquer can be removed and then a new thin coat applied to protect the graphic. 
 

Given the overall condition id want to check that its structurally ok in other areas before deciding whether its practical to restore as a working bass. 
 

Good luck tho. It’s a cool bass 

[NigeJ]

I've seen a similar finish problem repaired. The lifting paint had glue put under it and a vacuum table was used to press the paint back into place. 

 

[police squad]

14 hours ago, LeftyJ said:

@uk_lefty is looking for an '80s style bass. I'd say it doesn't get more '80s than this! 

 

Seriously though: It looks like it was kept in a rather damp environment, judging from those screws, the separated fingerboard binding and the peeling finish. It needs some work, and the right loving home because this is definitely niche! It's also really cool though, and USA-made Jacksons have always been built to a very high standard so I'm sure it's lovely. It looks like it's mostly the clearcoat that's flaking, and most of the graphic is still in place? 

 

I don't think Sims do finish work anymore, but only pickups and LEDs these days? That's a shame, I couldn't think of a better man for the job.  

I know the paint man that used to work at Sims, he's my next port of call

The bass was always stored after gigs. I don't think he ever cleaned it

[police squad]

12 hours ago, bassbiscuits said:

Be interesting to see if the loose lacquer can be removed and then a new thin coat applied to protect the graphic. 
 

Given the overall condition id want to check that its structurally ok in other areas before deciding whether its practical to restore as a working bass. 
 

Good luck tho. It’s a cool bass 

yes the bass is sound, I know it well

[NancyJohnson]

Personally, I wouldn't do anything beyond giving it a deep clean (while retaining the patina as much as possible) and a basic set up.

 

Things worth considering that despite it being rareish, this is more down to it being left-handed, a niche 90s bass, with a Star Wars graphic.  You have three fairly big boxes to tick here when considering a buyer; [you] could throw a sizeable wedge restoring this back to pristine condition and not realistically see a return on that outlay.

 

In the same situation, I'd just source a buyer and let them take on any mods.

[uk_lefty]

17 hours ago, LeftyJ said:

@uk_lefty is looking for an '80s style bass. I'd say it doesn't get more '80s than this! 

Thanks LeftJ. Unfortunately this one requires care and attention I am not qualified to give.