Would YOU refinish this Mar 72 immediately?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:41 am

I'm with Shaun...I'll second that the bass is okay IMHO(as I stated in the other thread)and not an earlier bass...Other than replacing the pickguard and finding a mute, the bass is correct and all original.

I'd wait on refinishing it until you spend time with it to see how it PLAYS and then re-evaluate the situation....a bass that looks AND plays great is worth it's weight in gold.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:51 am

Mine is my favourite of all the Rics I've ever played, which is why I was in such turmoil about bidding on this one...glad to see it went to a good home. If you ever want to get rid in the future please put me down as first in line

And yes, after thinking about it it may be best to see what it's like in the flesh before jumping for the refin, although there's no doubt either Paul or Dale would do a marvelous job, and I still think that's the route I'd probably take (if only of the clear coat).

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 7:57 am

$0.02

Do it!

or not...your choice

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:21 am

Thanks to all, for your expertise. It seems that this is quite likely to be stock-original and correctly-dated after all, especially if Shaun's is so similar and just made a month earlier (thanks Shaun!). Of course I would get it delivered and play it a lot first to see if it plays as well as I remember the March 71 BG I had did. It does not seem to be a 21-fretter, though, judging by the kinda dim full-neck photos, so I cannot see how it could be an earlier production fretboard, like a 1970, as had been speculated upon in the "High price for a 72" thread earlier. What I have wanted so badly is that magical fast neck, especially when played with a Herco Gold Flex 50 Nylon flatpick, that I remember from my March 71. I am hoping that this one has that thin neck profile without problems with separation of the fretboard from the neck up at the nut like the 71 had.

You are right, John, gotta find a mute too to make it complete (although I never used it on the 71 - kept it screwed all the way down away from the strings).

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:33 am

The neck on mine is my favourite Ric neck, so hopefully yours will be good too.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:44 am

Definitely leave the finish as it is. Honest play wear is good mojo.

When I bought my 1976 Fender P it was near mint. Now, after many years of playing, this is what she looks like from the back - and don't forget it's that thick poly finish that's really hard to scratch:

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:36 pm

Congrats Elys! I think the general consensus was this is a transition 72 and that makes the price justifiable as the walnut wings put it a little above the average 72 with the stripe. That being said I would lean towards keeping that finish original since it looks pretty decent on the front side and that's definitely a great shade of fireglo.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:52 pm

All 72's are desirable but those are a bit more special. Very cool.

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:17 pm

Hey, I am all for refinning at the drop of a hat, but on this one, I think I would keep it original.

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:33 pm

No question about it...you don't touch it. It looks great as is, with real mojo and a great shade of Fireglo. Any refinishing will subtract value, and not just in a financial way.

My old Dec 71 Fireglo was similar, wings, no stripe and with a still wonderful finish and sold for slightly more last summer. It shows where these basses are at present.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:42 pm

Just don't hang it by it's Grovers on the bricks.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:06 pm

I would leave it as is. I love the work Paul and Dale and others have done, beautiful work, but this one seems to have a little special mojo, and the top looks nice, I tend to enjoy the ones that are a little "broken in"...You wonder why a bass has a lot of player wear? Because it has been played, not displayed....those are usually the good ones!! Congrats on the new bass!

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:48 pm

Found a great deal on a case for the March 72 4001, since the seller in London did not include one. It is a 4001 version of the 4005 case from Bob Atherton's recent thread "'new' vintage case for 4005 - good price". Here is the link, and I was told the seller has a few more if anyone else is interested....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=140076839019&rd=1&rd=1

I am thankful to you all for continuing to share your incredible advice and wisdom

Elys

rick_ovic · Post by **rick_ovic** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:24 pm

I wholeheartedly concur with Steve Cooper's comments. Leave it as is.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:03 am

Either way...play it and enjoy!!!