Custom Shop JM change finish

[augur]

Hi !

I did purchase a CS Jazzmaster with a lightweight swamp ash body at a reasonable price (2nd hand).
Total weight is 7,3lbs. It resonates better than any guitar I have played, and is so great to play !

One thing to blame...I don't like the desert sand closet classic finish.
Don't like the "military" color and too much crackles on paint.


In case of resale (impact on value), would you recommend to
keep original body and refinish it ?
OR
replace body with a brand new ? (guitar mill or other ?)

I am more fond of blonde or sonic blue finish.
Cost would be quite the same, so I am just thinking about future.

Thanks by advance,

[manwithtitties]

im pretty sure the finish is part of that resonance. i wouldnt refin a custom shop guitar, it seems like that would be a huge money sink, and you will in no way ever gain that money back

i think changing those pickup covers and knobs to (aged) white covers and witch hat knobs, would make it look like a more blonde-like guitar. maybe the pickguard as well, this isnt very expensive and easily reversible

[BoringPostcards]

If you really love the guitar and plan on keeping it, do whatever you want.

[Embenny]

Yep, you're free to do what you want. Replacing the body would be a bit of a weird move to me though, literally three parts of that guitar are Custom Shop - the neck, the body, and the bridge. 95% of what makes it a Custom Shop guitar are the body/finish and the neck. If you swap the body out, it's basically a different guitar at that point.

If you love how the guitar plays and you got a good deal on it, a refinish seems reasonable but will likely tank the resale value.

[dc]

literally three parts of that guitar are Custom Shop - the neck, the body, and the bridge. 95% of what makes it a Custom Shop guitar are the body/finish and the neck. If you swap the body out, it's basically a different guitar at that point.

yep

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_T ... 's_old_axe

[Embenny]

literally three parts of that guitar are Custom Shop - the neck, the body, and the bridge. 95% of what makes it a Custom Shop guitar are the body/finish and the neck. If you swap the body out, it's basically a different guitar at that point.

yep

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_T ... 's_old_axe

Hah. I meant more along the lines of the weight, feel, and acoustic resonance that the OP enjoyed, than I did about its identity.

[marqueemoon]

Get a new body. Not much difference in cost between that and getting a pro refin and you won’t take a bath if you decide to sell it.

[mortron]

If the guitar plays as nice as you say, I think the underwhelming looks is a plus. Kind of like that movie where Susan Sarandon is this boring lady in a tan pantsuit, but in reality she is a full on rocker who hangs out with Goldie Hawn and knew Jim Morrison.

[frelonvert]

You could try a black pickguard + black whitch hat knobs.

[NICQ]

Try a white pickguard and white pickup covers? If you google "Fender Desert Sand" some Strats come up that look good with that combo.. the dark fretboard would also support that

[beauzooka]

I think it is awesome as is.
Maybe black witch hat knobs - or maybe aged white witch hats and aged white pup covers.

[marqueemoon]

You could try a black pickguard + black whitch hat knobs.

Black anodized guard/raw brass Tele knobs is what I would do if I wanted to change it up.

I like it fine as-is though.

[stafflod]

I think it looks great!

[gusgorman]

I think that guitar looks properly good!

[aaronstrumpel]

ya know, i did cover my rims with plasti-dip a few years back and it's held up and apparently you can just peel it off when you want to restore the original finish...hahaha, PLEASE DO NOT do this - i'm kidding. i actually love the finish on your guitar - and yes, my seafoam CS sparkle JM is one of the most resonating guitars i've picked up!