Refinishing a 4001

rob · Post by **rob** » Thu Jun 07, 2001 6:40 pm

I'm not really going to do this, but just out of curiosity, will refinishing an older instrument such as my 4001 going to devalue it? I've been told it will, but I tend to think that many people would like to purchase guitars with a "nicer" looking paint job than one that looks like a pizza was baked on it. (Not that mine looks like that.)

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Jun 08, 2001 3:45 am

If you have an original Pizzaglo ...leave it .

Some of the old finishes have not held up as far as playing in clubs and they look rather beat.

There is the idea that old Fenders with 1/3 or less original paint left on the body is worth more than a re finished body .

With a Rick it is a one piece instrument ,and I have never seen such a road worn guitar that was made in Santa Ana .They have held up rather well .
At least in comparison.

The fact that there are virtually NO/ZERO custom color instruments (at least there is no catalog designation ),then spraying /respraying one professionally in some custom color might devalue it .
On the other hand ...it might just spark some interest .

With all the colors of the rainbow and more being used by the automotive industry ,I always wondered why we never did have custom colors .

I guess it was the same reason that CF Martin did not.

To answer your question......it could but it would depend on what it looked like before the work was done.
Also ,if the color is changed ,and the original color was as rare as goose snot ,then YES ...Don't do it !

andy_winter · Post by **andy_winter** » Thu Jun 14, 2001 3:21 pm

The finishes on my 4001s,s are both unoriginal. one white previously fireglow, the other sea green(looks great)previously maple(i think!!).been thinking about having both returned to original colour...any input greatly appreciated, along with who i could trust to do the work!!!DE163 needs a complete overhaul,original horseshoe p/u needs rewinding, as she has been just used by her owner who wanted a 4001 when he was young and did not appreciate all that these wonderful basses need!!!

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Fri Jun 15, 2001 4:13 am

Why do you think the original horseshoe needs rewinding?

Is it weak?

If it is dead ,it may be possible to fix it .

If the beginning of the coil has come loose it will need to be rewound .

I could do any of these for you .

If the pickup reads above 5K then you have a working coil and the magnets are most likely the trouble .

You could have the same 'illness' that Paul McCartney's bass had in the mid 1970's.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jun 15, 2001 10:23 am

Andy...before you think about refinishing your white bass, I refer you to some posts made on The Beatles Forum concerning a chat I had with Peter Greenwood concerning instruments owned by The Bee Gees. The serial# he refered to is VERY similar to one you mentioned in your latest post....Could you describe the details of the white 4001S??? It could be that you don't want to do ANYTHING to it, for it is possible it has some historical significance by being white over a factory Fireglo finish. You have a great instrument that may be even better if it was previously owned by, say, (Maurice Gibb).......Cheers and Happy Ricking !!!!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Jun 15, 2001 10:32 am

Andy: I don't know if this will work due to my inability on the computer, but look at the bottom photo on this shortcut to pics of Maurice Gibb. http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/mccorp/mgibb.html

andy_winter · Post by **andy_winter** » Fri Jun 15, 2001 1:14 pm

hi all, andy winter here.....thanks for the feedback and info.....well i DO have DH163, not DE as posted previous,(a tired typo...)plexi scratch plate on back,lots of little dings and all....she,s needs a complete set up and i,ll need info on this..i,m in florida.....i bought DH163 in london in 1981 from a guy in a music shop in tottenham court rd....i was 17 and just wanted a white rick like squire had.......over the years it,s been used and had some wear and tear..i put white insulation tape over a couple of gouges that it had when i bought it, and i,ve played around with pots, pick ups etc.....at present the horseshoe is out and will be going to the md!!!i can hear you all going aaahhh, but hey , what do you know as a teenager!!! i don,t have the ability here to post pics, but of course i will try somehow....does this mean i can play that "jive talking" groove now!!

andy_winter · Post by **andy_winter** » Fri Jun 15, 2001 2:49 pm

mark...where are you. do you have an e mail address?, phone# etc.....i,m going to need some advice on DH163. As i mentioned she needs a complete going over, and of course,with someone who knows the field. I,m on the west coast of florida. thanks andy winter

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Sat Jun 16, 2001 5:14 am

[email protected]

I am in the Seattle Washington USA area ,this is also in the northern hemisphere ,3rd rock from the sun etc.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Jun 18, 2001 3:04 am

Andy, it just goes to show you the world seems small sometimes...good luck with both of your basses---sounds as though you've got a couple of VERY interesting pieces...

sirshack · Post by **sirshack** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 7:06 pm

Regarding refinishing....I've been a bad boy, as they say (don't ask who "they" are-- I'm winging it). I decided recently to strip the fretboard on my 4001S (1982), to remove the white junk from the wood pores and to replace the flaky, yellowing clearcoat. Couldn't help myself....I decided to strip the finish, sand the whole bass down to bare wood, and refinish the whole thing.
I used a "vintage cream" colored nitro-lacquer from Guitar ReRanch online, and I am now clearcoating with nitrocellulose lacquer from the same shop (using aerosols). Headstock wings? I stained the original wings with a water-based rosewood stain, that matches the revamped (and lovely, I must say!) fretboard. This bass now looks hauntingly familiar.......was it a limited edition? Anyhow, it ain't for sale! Looks great, though. Bottom line: does resale matter to you? If not, make it what you want! I love that particular finish (can't recall where I first saw it

), and I wouldn't part with this bass for the world. It sounds incredible, with the vintage pickups and all (bought those online too!).

L._4001 · Post by **L._4001** » Wed Jun 20, 2001 7:32 am

Maybe you could post a picture for this forum. It sounds like a pretty cool mod..

sirshack · Post by **sirshack** » Thu Jun 21, 2001 4:35 pm

Sure....I'd be glad to.

humbucker75 · Post by **humbucker75** » Mon Jul 16, 2001 11:19 am

Hi Brian,
what did you use to strip the finish off the body.
Was it difficult to remove ?
Thanks,
Jeff

syncop8r · Post by **syncop8r** » Thu Aug 23, 2001 2:02 pm

How did you remove the white filler in the fretboard, and what did you replace it with?