Jazz Bass refinish, opinions?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:29 am

Several years ago, my parents bought me a fretless Fender Jazz Bass, Mexican made, in a finish that Fender calls, or called, "Midnight Blue". I was never really crazy about it, and liked it less and less when my friends began to chastize me for having a "purple bass" (I'm colorblind and it looked like blue to me).

It hadn't been played much in a few years, as I simply don't play fretless very much, but recently I happened upon a Warmoth P-bass neck with a maple fretboard which I proceeded to affix the bass. Suddenly, I was playing it! Really dug the sound, and the big Precision neck was a nice contrast to my Ricks.

But the color hadn't grown on me over time. So I decided to have it refinished (Mike Dolan). But, i'm still not totally sold on a color.

The obvious first choice (and up to this point, still the front-runner) was Sonic Blue, my 2nd favorite guitar color (behind RIC's Blue Boy). The problem is that I don't know how well it's going to go with the maple fretboard. I prefer rosewood boards with that color.

So, in considering colors that would fit the scheme, i've also thought about Coral Pink, or perhaps Salmon Pink. I'd like some more opinions/ideas though. Anybody?

I'm definitley going for a 60's Fender vibe with the body - i've got the finger rest and the two ashtray covers (and will get a mint pickguard when the time comes), so think late 50's/60's.

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:45 am

Whatever that pink Fender does that looks a little teeny bit orangeish. Shell pink maybe?

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:54 am

There's a music shop near me that has a used F*nd*r Jazz Bass with a finish that looks much like RIC's Sea Green finish. It looks pretty cool...and I'm no J-bass fan.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:57 am

A nice aged cream with a tortoise-shell pickguard?

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:08 am

I always liked Ocean turquoise

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:46 am

Custom paint job!

http://www.pamelina.com/pamelina_001.htm

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:32 pm

I had a salmon pink Jazzmaster with a horny-toad pickguard, and it looked KILLER. Go for it!!!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:48 pm

I've looked at some photos of the Fender pinks - I think i'm partial to Shell Pink, actually. Salmon was a little too red for my tastes (undercooked?).

Love this look, minus the silly relic job: http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms/images/jazzmaster-lg.jpg

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:58 pm

Here's an example of what a [url=http:/www.southpawguitars.com/stratcs56sonic.html]sonic blue strat w/ a maple fret board[/url] looks like. Actually, it looks pretty good in person.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:41 pm

Love that Jazzmaster pic John! That shade of pink looks great!

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 3:03 pm

And it even goes fine with the pinkish maple. For Fenders, I generally think the sonic blue, the shell pink and some of the sparkle finishes look the best (as well as the pink paisley.)

jdogric12 · Post by **jdogric12** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 3:55 am

Very cool color scheme JB.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:40 am

Seems to me that something in the pink range (be it coral or salmon or shell or Roosterdink) is the most arresting.

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:34 pm

Here is a Wal bass of mine, John, that I had refinished in Sonic Blue. Since the shape is close to a Jazz, this might help. Refinish performed by Pat Wilkins, Wilkins Guitars, Van Nuys, CA. Also, this is a fretless.

brianeharmonjr · Post by **brianeharmonjr** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:34 pm

I really like ocean turquoise, dakota red, and shoreline gold, among many others.