OffsetGuitars.com

Hey guys,

First post here, second jazzmaster (AVRI sunburst that I'm selling to fund this one) and looking for advices !

I've looked through the forum and found some amazing restorations that I never thought could be done so that's giving me hope for that one.
Good to learn that I'll probably be able to save the pickguard !

So here we go:

Basically, I bought this 1965 jazzmaster that's been poorly refined and I'm looking for answers on if I should have it refined by Danocaster or if I should just try and remove the paint and hope there is something great under the awful awful blue.

A friend of mine also has an original set of 62 pickups he's willing to sell so good for me !

From what I've read, I guess it's possible to remove the paint and get to the "maybe" original finish.
Slowly wet sanding it with tons and tons of patience (800 and up) should do it if it's only been painted with house paint.

I have not seen it yet (but I will get it this week) so I can't tell how bad it is and if it's been sanded before applying the blue paint.
That's a game changer but my guess is the guy only painted over the original finish with oil? based paint.
And looking at the neck I don't think the wear on the body ever got through the original nitro finish meaning it's not been played too much.

There is still hope I might be able to save the "maybe" original finish !!!

Any advices before I embark on this journey ?

Any hints from the neck pocket ?

Thanks a lot guys !
Damn I love forums and the internet

oh wow! Most important: the neck looks GREAT!!!
I'd vote for the Dano Refin. And, looking at the neck pocket, I doubt that there is any of the original finish under the blue refin but you can try to strip the paint on your own. You should refin it in Ocean tourquise or lake placid blue.
OR (even though it's not vintage correct): Fender Maui Blue

You can also remove the vibrato to see whats going on there if you spot the original colour in the cavity.

Such a lovely neck… and such a horrible finish on the body - someone's just slathered that on with a brush. I'd think about getting a pro refinish. Definitely deserves it.

Awesome guitar!. Neck is lovely... clay dots... Can't wait to see how the restoration comes out. I have a 65 and I'm planning to refinish it too (LPB), so I will def be interested in your process. Have you looked under the guard? How's the routing for the humbuckers? Congrats!

Thats awesome! What a great project candidate.
I bet there's some vintage tort under the pickguard paint. That will be fairly easy to wet-sand back.

I'll keep you guys updated.
I'm leaving to go pick it up now.
I will take more detailed pictures once I get to show you how things are working out !

Here we go !!!

Rescued pickguard !
Quite easy to do.
I'm letting it rest for a while before polishing it.
I was thinking toothpaste to start.
Anyone has any other suggestions ?

It's my first restoration but things are going great so far !

Crappy Iphone pic sorry. Will get better ones later


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Oh boy! what a great start!

TORT!!!
What a good start!

I've had luck polishing guards with Turtle Wax polishing compound. It's a similar consistency to toothpaste, just not as minty fresh.

It's heating up!!!!! That's awesome!!! Don't let it rest too long... SHRINKAGE!

You can get this (or similar) for less than $10 at a local auto parts store (Autozone and the like). It's a really nice compound. I follow it up with their wax.

3M Finesse-It products are great too, but you usually have to go to an auto paint & body store to get it.

Oh sorry I'm on my phone, I see it's screwed down

Slowly stripping it with a wood scraper and some medium and fine steel wool.
Are you guys cleaning the cavities as well ?
Oh I'm loving this !
Still not sure on which color I should have it refined...

So here's today's progress





Anyone with advices or suggestions go ahead !!!
Still some cleaning to do in the cavities and then the sanding and then probably off to Danocaster.

Wow! the Humbucker routing isn't that that bad. I'd leave it as it is.
What about the brass shielding? has it been removed completely?
And I'm really surprised that the Pickguard has not been altered at all. Lucky you!