Looking for a fixer-upper.

[59jazz]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1970s-R ... AQ:US:1123

Any thought on what the going price would be for something like this? I'm looking for a repair or restore project and this one tickles my fancy. I emailed the seller a couple of questions....hope he replies.

[RickyBubba]

You gonna fix it, or send it out?

I would guess that can be fixed with some talent.

[59jazz]

Doing it all myself......just not sure if this one is worth it. The seller still hasn't responded to my question.

[antipodean]

Hi Stephen,

I can't make out the serial number (whether the first letter is an "M" or "N") but it looks to be a late '73 or late '74. A quick (conservative) estimate of the parts value of the hardware alone:

Tuners: $75
Plexi TRC: $150
Neck Pup: $75
Bridge Pup and Assembly: $100
Pickguard: $50
Harness: $75
Tailpiece and bridge: $100
Jack Plate: $100

That's a total of $725..... and I'm probably low-balling some of the parts...

[59jazz]

I've been mulling this over....the price of the hardware doesn't bother me, and if I were to get this, I wouldn't do a full resto on it. The thing that bothers me is that I haven't seen pics of the other cracks and the seller is not responding to my emails (red flag) so.......I'm out. Thanks for your opinions!

[jdogric12]

I'd go for it if I were you. Ebaypal's policies are in favor of the buyer pretty heavily now. Headstock repairs like this are pretty simple if you use the right glue - the powdered stuff you mix and use immediately. I've done several on guitars. I bet if you have the right clamps and touch, a bass should work too, and the result is usually stronger than the original, I hear.

[Gilmourisgod]

Unless there is some other hidden damage, that looks eminently fixable by a competent luthier, and the repair will be stronger than the original wood. I've witnessed a Ric headstock break once when a Mapleglo was knocked off it's guitar stand, and it looked just like that. It will have to be refinished, of course, and that's the hardest part unless you have the skills and equipment. Good luck with it.

[59jazz]

PLACED MY BID....I'd fix the cracks and breaks, level or refret. strip it down and repaint, clean all hardware and a new harness. I could use a 2nd RIC strung with flats.

[henry5]

Unless there is some other hidden damage, that looks eminently fixable by a competent luthier, and the repair will be stronger than the original wood. I've witnessed a Ric headstock break once when a Mapleglo was knocked off it's guitar stand, and it looked just like that. It will have to be refinished, of course, and that's the hardest part unless you have the skills and equipment. Good luck with it.

This. It's only a messy scarf joint after all. In fact IIRC this has happened to Chris Squire's bass a couple of times.

[59jazz]

Out of my hands now.....looks like it will go for more than what I would pay for it.

[squirebass]

How about this fixer-upper:

https://reverb.com/item/357231-rickenba ... 3-mapleglo

[antipodean]

I've been mulling this over....the price of the hardware doesn't bother me, and if I were to get this, I wouldn't do a full resto on it. The thing that bothers me is that I haven't seen pics of the other cracks and the seller is not responding to my emails (red flag) so.......I'm out. Thanks for your opinions!

Misunderstanding here - my poorly stated meaning was that $725 for the project would be a floor bid, as you could easily get back that sum by parting out the hardware.

[59jazz]

Yeah....missed that one; there will be others.

[RickyBubba]

Yeah, that went a little high.