Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
- Parksie
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Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
I am interested to get some feedback on returning my 1961 Jazzmaster to its original colour?
A few things to note are;
- The guitar was originally Blonde over Ash. I spoke to the original owner this week and he confirmed this.
- The original owner had the guitar re-finsihed in around 1968 and changed the colour to white.
- You can still see some of the blonde original finish in the neck pocket.
https://ibb.co/WyXvWn6
https://ibb.co/fvgtYS6
https://ibb.co/JBh8yN5
As the guitar was refinished over 50 years ago is it more valuable as it is in Olympic white?
Or would it be a more valuable / collectible guitar if I was to return it to its original colour?
There is a place in the US call Chicago Fret Works and they look like they do great work on refinishing vintage guitars.
I'm on the fence about this and really need some solid advice.
Cheers.
A few things to note are;
- The guitar was originally Blonde over Ash. I spoke to the original owner this week and he confirmed this.
- The original owner had the guitar re-finsihed in around 1968 and changed the colour to white.
- You can still see some of the blonde original finish in the neck pocket.
https://ibb.co/WyXvWn6
https://ibb.co/fvgtYS6
https://ibb.co/JBh8yN5
As the guitar was refinished over 50 years ago is it more valuable as it is in Olympic white?
Or would it be a more valuable / collectible guitar if I was to return it to its original colour?
There is a place in the US call Chicago Fret Works and they look like they do great work on refinishing vintage guitars.
I'm on the fence about this and really need some solid advice.
Cheers.
- PorkyPrimeCut
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Surely a 50 year old refin would be more valuable than one done today?Parksie wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:43 pmI am interested to get some feedback on returning my 1961 Jazzmaster to its original colour?
A few things to note are;
- The guitar was originally Blonde over Ash. I spoke to the original owner this week and he confirmed this.
- The original owner had the guitar re-finsihed in around 1968 and changed the colour to white.
- You can still see some of the blonde original finish in the neck pocket.
https://ibb.co/WyXvWn6
https://ibb.co/fvgtYS6
https://ibb.co/JBh8yN5
As the guitar was refinished over 50 years ago is it more valuable as it is in Olympic white?
Or would it be a more valuable / collectible guitar if I was to return it to its original colour?
There is a place in the US call Chicago Fret Works and they look like they do great work on refinishing vintage guitars.
I'm on the fence about this and really need some solid advice.
Cheers.
If you could restore it to the original blonde finish by removing the Oly White paint job I'd imagine it'd be a different story, especially if the neck pocket remains intact.
You think you can't, you wish you could, I know you can, I wish you would. Slip inside this house as you pass by.
- Parksie
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Thanks mate - appreciate this.PorkyPrimeCut wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:49 pmSurely a 50 year old refin would be more valuable than one done today?Parksie wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:43 pmI am interested to get some feedback on returning my 1961 Jazzmaster to its original colour?
A few things to note are;
- The guitar was originally Blonde over Ash. I spoke to the original owner this week and he confirmed this.
- The original owner had the guitar re-finsihed in around 1968 and changed the colour to white.
- You can still see some of the blonde original finish in the neck pocket.
https://ibb.co/WyXvWn6
https://ibb.co/fvgtYS6
https://ibb.co/JBh8yN5
As the guitar was refinished over 50 years ago is it more valuable as it is in Olympic white?
Or would it be a more valuable / collectible guitar if I was to return it to its original colour?
There is a place in the US call Chicago Fret Works and they look like they do great work on refinishing vintage guitars.
I'm on the fence about this and really need some solid advice.
Cheers.
If you could restore it to the original blonde finish by removing the Oly White paint job I'd imagine it'd be a different story, especially if the neck pocket remains intact.
I have thought about the possibility of having the white removed however there is also a grey primer under the white.
I agree that if it was possible to remove the white and primer this would be a better option however I would doubt its even possible to do this.
- PorkyPrimeCut
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
There have been a few successful attempts at removing one finish to reveal another on this forum but, as far as I can remember, they've been paint jobs applied directly to lacquer, sometimes sanded down, giving you a little bit of room for avoiding errors.
I don't know enough about blonde finishes but I'd imagine they're thinner & more delicate. Is the white finish poly or nitro?
I don't know enough about blonde finishes but I'd imagine they're thinner & more delicate. Is the white finish poly or nitro?
You think you can't, you wish you could, I know you can, I wish you would. Slip inside this house as you pass by.
- Maggieo
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
It's an ash body. It needs to be transparent blonde. You could even get it refinished to match the wear that's on the current finish.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
- countertext
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Yes, you would likely need to go back to bare wood first. Removing paint and primer and saving a blonde underneath seems unlikely!
A good transparent blonde would look better than oly white, though.
A good transparent blonde would look better than oly white, though.
- Parksie
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
countertext wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 4:31 pmYes, you would likely need to go back to bare wood first. Removing paint and primer and saving a blonde underneath seems unlikely!
A good transparent blonde would look better than oly white, though.
Is there any affect on current value versus value after new re-finish?
What would buyers prefer a refinish circa 1967 or a refinish circa 2022?
- Surfysonic
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Honestly, if you're priority is selling it than keeping it, save yourself the time and cost of refinishing a second time. I don't think your value will increase by stripping and refinishing it a second time, even to its original color. To clarify, this is not a judgement of your intent. We've all not bonded with a guitar and moving it on was the best course of action.
That said - if this were my guitar (and I was lucky to own a refinished '63 Jazzmaster for a time) and I truly bonded with it and planned on keeping it for many years until I couldn't play it any more, then I would go through the time and cost of getting it refinished to its original look or whatever finish that YOU wanted - potential buyers be damned. By the time you really had to move the guitar on after possibly several years, then a refin finish will always be less than the original. You're still going to get a hefty amount of cash. The longer you hang on to it will most likely increase it's selling value (if the market continues as is).
I ended up moving mine on to knock out some debt. It was refinished in Candy Apple Red with matching headstock - it was beautifully done and it would have been a crime to refinish it in my and my luthier's opinion - he wouldn't do it and he's a fantastic refinish guy. However, the US market has been so oversaturated with Fender Candy Apple Red guitars over the last two decades that I wouldl have preferred another color. Because I was less than enthused with Candy Apple Red, it made things slightly easier to let it go, figuring I'll get another chance down the road to get another vintage Jazzmaster. Mabye. Likely doubtful given the increasingly inflated value of vintage guitars, unless it's a restoration project.
Luckily, I've got two fantastic vintage guitars - a '63 Jag and '66 Mustang - the Jag was a refinished purchase (excellently and professionally done) and the Mustang was a restoration project that my luthier did a superb job of restoring it back to its original finish and rescuing the original pickguard. It's going to be a long time before I let these wonderful guitars go.
That said - if this were my guitar (and I was lucky to own a refinished '63 Jazzmaster for a time) and I truly bonded with it and planned on keeping it for many years until I couldn't play it any more, then I would go through the time and cost of getting it refinished to its original look or whatever finish that YOU wanted - potential buyers be damned. By the time you really had to move the guitar on after possibly several years, then a refin finish will always be less than the original. You're still going to get a hefty amount of cash. The longer you hang on to it will most likely increase it's selling value (if the market continues as is).
I ended up moving mine on to knock out some debt. It was refinished in Candy Apple Red with matching headstock - it was beautifully done and it would have been a crime to refinish it in my and my luthier's opinion - he wouldn't do it and he's a fantastic refinish guy. However, the US market has been so oversaturated with Fender Candy Apple Red guitars over the last two decades that I wouldl have preferred another color. Because I was less than enthused with Candy Apple Red, it made things slightly easier to let it go, figuring I'll get another chance down the road to get another vintage Jazzmaster. Mabye. Likely doubtful given the increasingly inflated value of vintage guitars, unless it's a restoration project.
Luckily, I've got two fantastic vintage guitars - a '63 Jag and '66 Mustang - the Jag was a refinished purchase (excellently and professionally done) and the Mustang was a restoration project that my luthier did a superb job of restoring it back to its original finish and rescuing the original pickguard. It's going to be a long time before I let these wonderful guitars go.
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- Parksie
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Hi mate, I actually have no intention of selling the guitar as I absolutely love it.Surfysonic wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 5:57 pmHonestly, if you're priority is selling it than keeping it, save yourself the time and cost of refinishing a second time. I don't think your value will increase by stripping and refinishing it a second time, even to its original color. To clarify, this is not a judgement of your intent. We've all not bonded with a guitar and moving it on was the best course of action.
That said - if this were my guitar (and I was lucky to own a refinished '63 Jazzmaster for a time) and I truly bonded with it and planned on keeping it for many years until I couldn't play it any more, then I would go through the time and cost of getting it refinished to its original look or whatever finish that YOU wanted - potential buyers be damned. By the time you really had to move the guitar on after possibly several years, then a refin finish will always be less than the original. You're still going to get a hefty amount of cash. The longer you hang on to it will most likely increase it's selling value (if the market continues as is).
I ended up moving mine on to knock out some debt. It was refinished in Candy Apple Red with matching headstock - it was beautifully done and it would have been a crime to refinish it in my and my luthier's opinion - he wouldn't do it and he's a fantastic refinish guy. However, the US market has been so oversaturated with Fender Candy Apple Red guitars over the last two decades that I wouldl have preferred another color. Because I was less than enthused with Candy Apple Red, it made things slightly easier to let it go, figuring I'll get another chance down the road to get another vintage Jazzmaster. Mabye. Likely doubtful given the increasingly inflated value of vintage guitars, unless it's a restoration project.
Luckily, I've got two fantastic vintage guitars - a '63 Jag and '66 Mustang - the Jag was a refinished purchase (excellently and professionally done) and the Mustang was a restoration project that my luthier did a superb job of restoring it back to its original finish and rescuing the original pickguard. It's going to be a long time before I let these wonderful guitars go.
I was just interested to get opinions.
It's not easy to get your hands on a 1961 Jazzmaster at the right price and fortunately for me I was able to do this so this guitar is a keeper thats for sure.
BTW, your guitars sure look mighty fine. Congrats on having such great guitars!
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- Parksie
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- marqueemoon
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
I would personally not. If it’s been established that it was originally blonde that would make me feel a little more confident it had a decent looking grain pattern, but as I understand the original refin was done after the guitar took a hit, so maybe there’s some filler or other surprises under the finish.
The old refin is part of the guitar’s history, and you got the story from the original owner.
The old refin is part of the guitar’s history, and you got the story from the original owner.
- Surfysonic
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Glad to hear it! Then if it's a keeper and you want to restore it to it's original finish or a finish to your liking, go for it! You'll just be adding to the guitar's journey. Don't be constrained by a previous owner's aesthetic choice (white).Parksie wrote: ↑Fri Dec 17, 2021 1:57 am
Hi mate, I actually have no intention of selling the guitar as I absolutely love it.
I was just interested to get opinions.
It's not easy to get your hands on a 1961 Jazzmaster at the right price and fortunately for me I was able to do this so this guitar is a keeper thats for sure.
BTW, your guitars sure look mighty fine. Congrats on having such great guitars!
Thanks, I do love my Jag and Mustang!
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- powerdroid
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
Agree with this 100%marqueemoon wrote: ↑Fri Dec 17, 2021 7:24 am
The old refin is part of the guitar’s history, and you got the story from the original owner.
To the OP, you just got the guitar recently, no? You mentioned it's a keeper, so I would at least give it time. Let's see how you feel about it in a year or so?
Congrats by the way, I think it looks great as is !
- Maggieo
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Re: Should I return my 1961 Jazzmaster to it's original colour?
I want to marry that Mustang.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.