I used the search function but couldnt find any usable info, anyone have any ideas, suggestions about cleaning, restoring vintage instruments. Someone just gave me a vintage jazz bass, some 30 40 yrs old and its quite beat up. Any ideas what i can use to clean the frets without damaging the wood, how to clean the bridge, and get it back in proper shape. This is going to be my practice at home axe cuz my sr5hh gets most of the playing time but the jazz bass needs some work. Id appreciate any suggestions, online reference.
- Thread starter cky4ever
- Start date
silverburst
Well-known member
If it is a Fender Jazz Bass that is 30 to 40 years old I wouldn't touch it. The values on those are insane and the more original they are the better.
high mileage
Well-known member
Agreed - vintage Fenders are almost hallowed ground in the way of value. Even re-soldering a joint or replacing a pickguard screw can affect the value. I need a friend like that!
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
maybe check on a fender forum?
I know a few guys who buy old beat up, broken down fenders and restore them back to brand new, so I'd go check the fender forums.
I know a few guys who buy old beat up, broken down fenders and restore them back to brand new, so I'd go check the fender forums.
Caca de Kick
Well-known member
You can clean the gunk off of it and make necessary adjustments, but don't restore or repaint anything...leave it alone, they're more valuable original than restored.
I use furniture cleaner for the fretboard/frets, and moist Q-tips for cleaning the bridge.
Someone "just gave" you a vintage Jazz Bass??? You're a lucky dog!
I've got a '69 Jazz, an amazing instrument. Enjoy yours!
I use furniture cleaner for the fretboard/frets, and moist Q-tips for cleaning the bridge.
Someone "just gave" you a vintage Jazz Bass??? You're a lucky dog!
I've got a '69 Jazz, an amazing instrument. Enjoy yours!
bovinehost
Administrator
Right. I cleaned this Ecuadorian girl the wrong way once, don't ever do that.
boston asphalt2
Well-known member
yeah, you arent supposed to use her banana tree-copping machete to trim her rain forest
Bill
Well-known member
IkaruShizzlemah
Well-known member
First the bridge, you gotta remove it from the instrument. Soak it in a mixture of 3 parts lighter fluid (naphtha), and one part light household oil. Brush over it with an old toothbrush. That should take most of the rust off. Remove the bridge from the mixture and wipe it off.
Now for the frets. Use masking tape on the fretboard to protect the wood, then you clean the frets with very fine steel wool. Be careful to keep the steel wool away from
your pickups. Also look for a masking tape without a strong chemical smell. Some masking tapes contain chemicals in the adhesive that could damage your finish.
Hope this helps.
Ikaru
RitchieDarling
Well-known member
I have a friend who owns a Fender Broadcaster..........Yes, Broadcaster....
1947 or 1948 I think......
It's rusted all over, the neck is rubbed raw, and the frets are worn out completely.
It recently appraised for about $10,000.....
Best to leave it alone, I think.
Ritchie
1947 or 1948 I think......
It's rusted all over, the neck is rubbed raw, and the frets are worn out completely.
It recently appraised for about $10,000.....
Best to leave it alone, I think.
Ritchie
Caca de Kick
Well-known member
Wow a Broadcaster! I guarantee, on Ebarf that would go for several times more than 10k...probably like 50-60k.
-Mike
-Mike
RitchieDarling
Well-known member
Yeah, he bought it from some store out in California three weeks before Leo died. He paid like $3000 for it then...... And after Leo left us, the value went through the roof........ He keeps it in a glass case over the mantle!
Ritchie
silverburst
Well-known member
Kind of like a Beanie Baby. Guitars were made to be played...
high mileage
Well-known member
I think we need a quote thread here...
What I meant and probably others too is that there is a lot of potential to destroy it in the eyes (and bank accounts) of collectors. I've heard of people refinishing an instrument to restore it but not only are you out a few hundred or so for a good quality job, you lowered the value of the instrument by a lot. There are probably things that you can do to help it out, but without knowing exactly what we're dealing with and what condition it's in I'd advise against doing anything just yet. You can always do something after you research it and talk to vintage experts, but you can't un-do something that you shouldn't have done.
I'm not a vintage expert and don't claim to be but I've talked with enough of them (or at least big fans of vintage gear) to have an idea of how it works. All my basses are player's instruments. One has a lot of mods but most don't other than Straplocks - I usually wouldn't buy a bass unlike I liked it...
