Debating a refin on a 4080
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- JackTheRipper
- Junior Member
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:05 pm
Debating a refin on a 4080
I was fortunate to pick up a 1981 JetGlo 4080 from a seller in Japan in late December. For it's age, it's in good shape with just a few small dings, and a bit of rust/corrosion on some of the screws and hardware. The binding has yellowed considerably and under some light, the finish has a very noticeable green tint to it. Enough so that my wife and a few friends commented about the green color when I took it to a small, private performance. In the attached picture, you can't see any trace of the green tint, but in the video that I've seen, I can definitely see the green. And I don't like it, lol.
[EDIT]: The green is also quite visible when viewing with a flashlight or under bright flourescent/led lighting. [/EDIT]
Because of the green tint, I'm considering having it refinished. I plan to keep this bass to enjoy playing and looking at it so I'm not terribly concerned with resale value. I'm more concerned with MY enjoyment of the instrument. And the green definitely detracts from that.
What would you do? And who would you recommend to do a refin?
Thanks,
--jack
[EDIT]: The green is also quite visible when viewing with a flashlight or under bright flourescent/led lighting. [/EDIT]
Because of the green tint, I'm considering having it refinished. I plan to keep this bass to enjoy playing and looking at it so I'm not terribly concerned with resale value. I'm more concerned with MY enjoyment of the instrument. And the green definitely detracts from that.
What would you do? And who would you recommend to do a refin?
Thanks,
--jack
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
Larry Davis the THE ONE to send your 4080 to for a quality refin, and in a timely manner, too. He has done many outstanding jobs on forumite's Ricks over the years.
https://www.davisguitarworks.com
https://www.davisguitarworks.com
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
The green tint is caused by the yellowing of the clearcoat. This can probably be polished out with Scratch-X, but I wouldn't refinish the instrument. It'll only be original once.
- JackTheRipper
- Junior Member
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Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
Thank you for this recommendation.jps wrote:Larry Davis the THE ONE to send your 4080 to for a quality refin, and in a timely manner, too. He has done many outstanding jobs on forumite's Ricks over the years.
https://www.davisguitarworks.com
Understand about the yellowing. I have some Scratch-X and will try that. I'm not terribly concerned about keeping it original. I would PREFER to do so, but I'm not hell bent on it.aceonbass wrote:The green tint is caused by the yellowing of the clearcoat. This can probably be polished out with Scratch-X, but I wouldn't refinish the instrument. It'll only be original once.
Thanks!
--jack
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
sweet 4080, congratulations! To me unless there is something really nasty with the finish, why bother. A lot of effort and money.... it it plays nice leave it.
The only thing we can perceive are our perceptions - George Berkeley
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
Yes, the yellowing is the clear coat. Unfortunately though, this doesn't just happen on the surface and you can probably polish until the cows come home with compounds like ScratchX and it won't do more than make it shiny. You would have to remove and replace the clearcoat to remove the yellowing.
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
Indeed Todd and add to that the yellowing of the lenses in your eyes and many colour changes will emerge as time marches on.teb wrote:Yes, the yellowing is the clear coat. Unfortunately though, this doesn't just happen on the surface and you can probably polish until the cows come home with compounds like ScratchX and it won't do more than make it shiny. You would have to remove and replace the clearcoat to remove the yellowing.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
It earned that greenish tint.
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
My 1981 320 JG has developed the slight greenish tint, even being kept out of direct light except when playing it. I confess I don't play it as much, since I primarily gig on bass. Once a year I polish it with Zymol, change the strings "whether they need it or not," and keep going.
- JackTheRipper
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Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
I tried some Scratch-X last night and that's exactly what happened. Scratch-X made it shiny, but didn't touch the green-ness at all.teb wrote:Yes, the yellowing is the clear coat. Unfortunately though, this doesn't just happen on the surface and you can probably polish until the cows come home with compounds like ScratchX and it won't do more than make it shiny. You would have to remove and replace the clearcoat to remove the yellowing.
--jack
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
Yes, I can "see" it now: an entire band playing only old conversion varnish JG instruments, "Ladies and Gentlemen - The Cataracts!" playing their greatest hits:admin wrote:Indeed Todd and add to that the yellowing of the lenses in your eyes and many colour changes will emerge as time marches on.teb wrote:Yes, the yellowing is the clear coat. Unfortunately though, this doesn't just happen on the surface and you can probably polish until the cows come home with compounds like ScratchX and it won't do more than make it shiny. You would have to remove and replace the clearcoat to remove the yellowing.
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- bassduke49
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Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
You're singing my songs, Scott!
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
Amber Jetglo is real, Ive been saying so for years! I had a 1988 4003S with it in 2009! Larry Davis is your man. Have him make you a 12er neck to go with it for Rush songs.
- JackTheRipper
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Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
I can barely play a 6jdogric12 wrote:Amber Jetglo is real, Ive been saying so for years! I had a 1988 4003S with it in 2009! Larry Davis is your man. Have him make you a 12er neck to go with it for Rush songs.
--jack
- lumgimfong
- Intermediate Member
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Re: Debating a refin on a 4080
If you are sure you will keep it for life then refin away.
If not, give it a year and re-evaluate.
I would go for a nice veeeeeerrryyyyy light transluscent brown or a peachy tan so you can see all the lovely wood grain. Clearcoat optional.
If not, give it a year and re-evaluate.
I would go for a nice veeeeeerrryyyyy light transluscent brown or a peachy tan so you can see all the lovely wood grain. Clearcoat optional.