Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

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Scatabrain

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So I am the happy new owner of a MIM 95 P Bass. It is in great shape. The pick guard has discoloration as you would expect.

My local luthier (and my wife) say leave it as is and it's actually preferred. Considering it's really only worth 400 USD I don't see the big deal with restoring the white pick guard.

. As a compromise I just ordered a new black guard. I will store the aged one and the plastic knobs and use the new one and some chrome knurled knobs I have ready.

What do you all think of preserving the aged look?

I think the new instruments with artificial aging is also super ridiculous.
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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

If I were spending my own money on a bass guitar like yours, my priority would be pickups and control electronics. Then, possibly, a Gotoh 201B bridge. Then, possibly, the cosmetics.
 
Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

Scatabrain said:
So I am the happy new owner of a MIM 95 P Bass. It is in great shape. The pick guard has discoloration as you would expect.

What do you all think of preserving the aged look?
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I've done a fair share of modifying, including pickguards, but I wouldn't update on an older instrument unless I disliked the color.

Scatabrain said:
I think the new instruments with artificial aging is also super ridiculous.
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I agree 100%. But I also wouldn't undo the things that naturally look old. The guard on my '69 Fender Mustang is really aged and I wouldn't dream of changing it.

I also think a Gotoh 201B would be a smart move. I have them on three basses and it made a big difference, especially with my '87 MIJ Squier jazz.
 
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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

Potential stupid question: with that bridge do you have to convert to strings thru body?


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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

No--it's a direct replacement for the bent metal Fender bridge.

gotoh 201.jpg

Here it is on my Squier, which was the first one I used it on.

1987 Fender Squier Jazz_4191.jpg
 
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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

Duh. The holes on the bottom clearly show they are the mounting holes and you can see the string holes. Thanks for the pics. Had to bypass my tone for now, bad pot. Going to replace all wiring as suggested.


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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

Its a 95 mexican - a players guitar, not a high dollar vintage collectors piece. If you don't like the pickguard, change it. Heck, sell the one you don't like on ebay to help offset the cost of the new one you want. It's you guitar now dude - do what you want with it!
 
Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

I say just throw some chrome barrel knobs on it and call it done, cosmetically. There isn't a bass much more attractive than a black Precision with a white guard, even if the guard has gone yellow. But I'm biased, as this is my baby:

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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

if the body is not pristine, I always prefer aged/parchment, if it's a perfect body/neck/hardware, then it depends on color if white looks better or parchment. Either way, I prefer metal knobs on a P-Bass.
 
Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

It all comes down to preference, it just doesn't matter. Somewhere right now someone is soaking their brand new P-Bass pickguard in tea trying to make it look aged. Whatever floats your boat.
 
Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

I'm of the "Let me beat it to hell, don't buy it that way" line of thinking, but I've had several used guitars that are in less than perfect condition. My Hamer is one of them. But overall I hate "reliced" guitars.
 
Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

dotsdad said:
Its a 95 mexican - a players guitar, not a high dollar vintage collectors piece. If you don't like the pickguard, change it. Heck, sell the one you don't like on ebay to help offset the cost of the new one you want. It's you guitar now dude - do what you want with it!
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I get the new pick guard tomorrow. I have no conflict changing it. The issue was whether or not to try to 'un-age' (somehow clean) the original. E-bay is a fantastic idea. I had no idea the discolored pick guard would be valuable to anyone.


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Re: Patina - the good, the bad or the ugly?

Scatabrain said:
I get the new pick guard tomorrow. I have no conflict changing it. The issue was whether or not to try to 'un-age' (somehow clean) the original. E-bay is a fantastic idea. I had no idea the discolored pick guard would be valuable to anyone.


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Some people like them, which is fine. I have nothing against someone wanting some old looks on their gear. I'd just rather be the one who makes it old.
 
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