LeftyBassist.com

I thought olympic white was one of those more common colors.

Until I started looking for an American P Bass in oly white.

WTFudge?

MIA was previously only made in Sunburst and Black. Black is a hard one to find in a J or P these days. New 2011 models are the same, sunburst and black. You can always get a used one and send the body down to Pat Wilkins (http://wilkinsguitars.com) in Van Nuys, CA. I think he charges $250 for a standard finish. He does great work from my years of experience.

There some 90's MIA in Vintage White but not olympic white

I had no idea oly was so rare for the entire history of MIA lefty P's.

I was gassin for sonic blue, but I might get tired of it after a while.

Looks like Pat Wilkins will be refinishing my '74 ash body in oly white.

I'll certainly post pics when she's done.

Back in 2005 or so, I saw one hanging in the window at a music shop in my home town of Encinitas, CA. Looked like one of the '96 models I've become familiar with.

It almost looked yellow. Too much yellow.

This is going to be my one P. I'll go with oly and let it FADE over the years.

Another plug for Pat. Shoot, I should work some network for him. I brought him a butload of work... Hmmmmmmm

No offense, gravesbass, but does he need you to network when his finishes do all the talking?

I have generated Pat 40+ customers in the last 2 years (not mentioning leftybassist folks). His work is good and the price is very fair. Hung with him at NAMM a few years back... Good guy.

Nope, he doesn't need "my" networking skills, but without people like me networking business for folks word of mouth, there would probably be a price increase on his finishes. Check around for a good custom finish for a $200 price point including stripping, dings filled, etc thats more than satisfactory... Not many. The hi-end luthier guitar finishers charge $500-$600.

$200 is an insanely good deal considering ALL of the work involved to strip, prep, and re-finish a guitar body

I personally know of multiple high-end boutique bass builders who use Pat to finish their basses.

I've considered using Pat for finishes in the past, but all of my work is new construction where the boutique paint shop I use is very competitively priced when I consider the entire cost that also includes r/t shipping.

all the best,

R

..And I hear your work is very good as well I was considering contacting you on a fretless neck prior to ordering since you are only in Washington. We will talk soon...

Wait! Who's only paying $200 for a custom finish?

I've stripped my body and he's charging more than that. For oly white.

Not that I care. I'm happy. And Pat is VERY responsive to emails. Good guy!

Edit: My '02 Lakland Osborne US has THE finest sunburst finish (over alder). I'm going to send him a pic and ask if it's his work.

Here's Pat's oly white. This is exactly the color config I'll have:

Geoff, I meant $200 range. Not 3, 4, 5 like some of the competitors. Did he raise his prices? I need to call him. AND that Oly White reference you posted... KIller!!!!!!
BTW: I think Pat did that Lakland finish. It's a USA. Also he did Spector as well but not anymore.

I also had a vintage white '96, and although a nice color, it's not as nice as oly. I have an '85 MIJ Strat in vintage white also, but it's custard yellow by now.

BTW, if you are looking for any kind of faded or worn look in the next 30 years, or more, I suggest you go with a nitro finish. Unless you are planning to play that bass 8 hours a day for the next 20 years, poly is extremely durable.

Take a look at the '73 you asked my about a few days ago: almost 30 years of use and abue and still looks great from a few feet away. . .

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K8xhIGeNKE49kXqRteCFKBPelpQTJFOf2-JQiB9oYl0?feat=directlink

I'm going with poly. I'm not big on the nitro. Yeah, it won't fade much, but who knows. Since it's a P, there's a great chance it will be my main player for a while.