Refin '72 P Bass

[Jazzbass]

I bought my Precision new in 1972 and as was the fashion in my circle of friends, had it repainted several times since.

Recently, since my Jazz is my normal gigger, I sent the old P off to a luthier to have it refinned back to original 3T sunburst. He used Nitro instead of the poly finish that '70s Fenders used. What an amazing difference! The nitro finish has 'opened up' the tone. Its like the car paint had slowly suffocated it and now it can breathe properly again.

If anyone else in considering a refinish, may I heartily recommend a nitrocellulose job. Costs just a little more but makes a significant difference.

I used to sit firmly in the camp of non-believers in all this different finish stuff. Oh how I've changed my song.
This is it before the final refin:


And now:

[David Martin]

Fascinating... thanks!

[Paulps]

WOW

Looks much better, and you say it sounds better? Or did I misunderstand?

[Jazzbass]

Yes, it does sound better.
Tone is impossible to describe, it just sounds like it somehow has more sustain and clarity, if that makes any sense.
It also seems to have lost weight over the 37 years I've owned it.
i also agree, the old 3T sunburst is hard to beat.