Refinish or leave as is.

[RickyBubba]

I wouldn't do a thing except some careful clean an polish (and the fret job).

That baby looks awesome, and if I was on the hunt for that one, the mojo would only add to my interest.

Now if it was really beaten badly, that is a different story.

[Colonel Sanders]

Apperently, the Finn's want to be left alone! Unfriendly chaps, aren't they?

Nothing compared to Moldavians!

[rickyfricky]

Colonel, I would be Basqueing in that vintage Fire-Glo!

[eddied]

Why not try to do a refinish where it is need job? The pro doing the work can probably repair where it is most need or noticed. The back of the neck look like S*** for such an aswsome deep firefglo. IMO

[antipodean]

If you are going to get a refin done, as a prerequisite you will have to have the gouge under the G-string filled, which will force you towards a solid colour for the new finish, as the fill would show under a new semi-transparent finish. This is one reason I'd be tempted to leave the bass as is, given its exceptional (though well-worn) FG finish.

That said, if you intend to gig with the bass regularly and if you sweat a lot, the worn parts of the bass will absorb sweat like a sponge, and this will probably be detrimental to the longevity of the instrument. In this event a refin or maybe a light clear coat overspray to seal the maple may be advisable.

[sloop_john_b]

If you sweat a lot, the worn parts of the bass will absorb sweat like a sponge, and this will probably be detrimental to the longevity of the instrument.

In what way?

[Colonel Sanders]

That said, if you intend to gig with the bass regularly and if you sweat a lot, the worn parts of the bass will absorb sweat like a sponge, and this will probably be detrimental to the longevity of the instrument. In this event a refin or maybe a light clear coat overspray to seal the maple may be advisable.

I am more of a hoarder than a gigger! My next step is to chose the next bass color to match with the decor...

A bit sad to have all those nice instruments hanging on the wall with minimal playtime.

[antipodean]

If you sweat a lot, the worn parts of the bass will absorb sweat like a sponge, and this will probably be detrimental to the longevity of the instrument.

In what way?

Excessive moisture is not a wonderful thing for wood. For a single piece of wood (like the body of a Fender) the expansion and contraction of the soaking/drying process is likely to raise only cosmetic issues in the short medium-term, but in an area where different woods meet under stress , such as the neck of a '72 4001, there can be repetitive stress on the join areas in addition to any effect the moisture may have on the adhesives which will probably compromise the joins over time (e.g. start a little fretboard separation or possible delamination around the skunk-stripe)). Of course, the precondition is that the player sweats fairly profusely - a little moisture isn't going to be sufficient to get the process going.

[pflash4001]

I'm considering a refin on my 1981 4000 MG. It looks worn down to almost bare wood in spots. I've simply always wanted a sexy FG Ric, but there is NO WAY I can afford one now or anytime in the relatively near future...The bass needs some neck repairs so I need to send it in to get fixed. Dale Fortune did a repair on my 1968 4001 and I am really happy with his work. I need to find his contact info again...lost it when my last phone died. If anyone has this info or another suggested person to take on the job, please let me know. I'm still kinda in the middle about the refin, though. As far as this FG, man, that is one SEXY bass. I'd leave it just as it is unless there is any exposed wood that is vulnerable. In that case, like was mentioned earlier, perhaps a thin clearcoat...but I'd definitely keep it as is...

[Happyface]

Yeah, it's pretty obvious that as far as collector's value, leaving it as is carries the day.

That's kinda sad. Why should restoring an instrument to its original glory be a negative?

But that's the reality of it.

[PJRL]

I wouldn't, I think it looks good as is and you would probably effect the value in a negative way if you do a re-fin.

[armybass]

LEAVE IT

The French concur mon amis!

[Kiddwad57]

While its on the wall you can imagine all the gigging this bass has seen, and the scenes in which its been gigged.

[Kiddwad57]

Hey, I was just wondering if there is any evidence of tail-lift on that bridge? A close up of that would be cool. (God knows why!) And if you have it refinished will you have the chrome redone? I didn't see anything wrong with the pick-guard, did I miss something? Anyway, beautiful bass, great find.

[Colonel Sanders]

Hey, I was just wondering if there is any evidence of tail-lift on that bridge? A close up of that would be cool. (God knows why!) And if you have it refinished will you have the chrome redone? I didn't see anything wrong with the pick-guard, did I miss something? Anyway, beautiful bass, great find.

No tail lift whatsoever. The old casting was sturdier. But most likely more difficult to plate (and I would guess it was the main reason for the alloy change around 1973). Re-plating is the plan, re-finished or not.

The pickguard is broken in two parts. Refer to the top most picture.

Cheers