henry5 wrote:Looking cool Bert. I'd just consider a refin in Azure....
That is the original color. And I am considering it, but I am considering JG even more as a JG with binding is somewhere on my wish list for quite some time now.
If it really was an original 60's AZG 4001, that's a very rare bass. With the mono output, late '68 a possibility also. It really should go back to it's former glory!
Another vote for leave it as is. I would rather have the original '60's wood wings than "corrected" wings made from new wood,which seems unlike restoration in a way. Personally i love the color and look of it as it stands!
woodyng wrote:Another vote for leave it as is. I would rather have the original '60's wood wings than "corrected" wings made from new wood,which seems unlike restoration in a way. Personally i love the color and look of it as it stands!
It appears that at some point in time, someone cut a bevel on the body edges to remove the binding rabbit (ledge) and you can still see the short section of the binding and checkered purfling where the jack-plate was attached. The only way to do the job right in restoring this bass is to do what Bert has done and cut off the offending parts and make new body wing sections. I appreciate the thought that he put into his decision and it looks like he will do a first class job getting it restored.
There is an alternative to replacing the body wings. Mill the top off if each wing till the rounded edges are gone. Then glue new maple caps on, restoring the original thickness. Follow this with new binding routes and binding. Larry Davis did this on one of his vintage restorations, and the work was undetectable.
Would not have worked with this one. As you can see in the picture with the little part of binding left an awfull lot was shaven off from both top and bottom.