Any idea what a refin '62 jazzmaster is worth?

[Old Cane]

I have one in pieces. Got it when I bought my store 25 years ago. I think I have everything but it all needs to be restored. Just wondering. Looks like what appear to be originals are asking priced at $3500-10k. I may sell it if I ever get around to redoing it but probably not. I never liked playing these but might be fun to have around the house. Just curious.

 

[lewis]

Photos would help evaluate but $1,500 and up would be a starting point.

 

[Old Cane]

Well, right now it looks like it's worth $5 for kindling so that really shouldn't matter.

 

[DOGMA Dunn]

They are worth some good coin if it is not relic or in poor condition. For the old vintage stuff the better the condition the better the value.

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

whoa, I could've started this thread!
I bought my Jazzmaster in the early '70s. The sales dude said it was a '59, but the neck date was '62.
Unfortunately, it had been badly refinished a few times by the previous owners.
Some time in the late '70s I stripped it bare and put a light tinted finish on it.
I sometimes think that it would be worth more to sell parted out, but that would break my heart.
What to do?
image removed
image removed

 

[Telesavalis]

Not sure about what the refinish does to the value but a friend of mine recently sold his
65 - original cond - for $8 thousand.

 

[Kamper]

to refinish

There's an old saying that goes something like:
"It can be refinished (restored) a thousand times, but it can only be original once." Not sure if it applies, but think about it before you pull the trigger.
Kamp

 

[rangercaster]

i have seen a 50% reduction in value thrown around ...

 

[Old Cane]

Thanks guys. I'm not asking opinons on if I should. Also, it's already been done once. Just wondering what the going rate would be. Value usually drops 40-60% on a refin. I know. I've been doing this a long time. What I don't know is what these things are going for. That's what I'm asking.

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

Do you have any pics of the refinished body, Old Cane?

 

[Strat62]

I have the same question-

My '62 Strat was refinned in 1970. Original tuners, frets, neck, pickguard, switch tip. I have two of the original pups(both dead). I have the original trem, trem arm, springs, but the saddles are long gone, as are the knobs, pots and pup covers. Still have the original switch. I've often wondered what it's worth.

 

[Old Cane]

Not sure why everybody wants a picture but to satisfy, picture if you will:

A piece of old firewood is paying on the ground and our good friend Bob is skipping along with a can of used turpentine, house paint and motor oil. But ooops. Oh, no! Bob has tripped and spilled the can on the old piece of firewood. But wait! That's not firewood. It's an old Jazzmaster! Bob, what have you done? Oh, well. Dismantle the guitar, put it in a box and pass it along for 30 years as-is.

Does that give a good picture?

 

[lewis]

Not sure why everybody wants a picture

Because you are asking us for an appraisal.

 

[Old Cane]

Reading really is fun-da-mental. I asked what they are worth, as in "what are they going for in your neck of the woods?" I guess instead of any background at all I should have just flat out asked that point blank.

So, any idea what a refin '62 jazzmaster is worth? Oh, wait, I did. In fact that's the title. Hmmm. Anyway, my question has to do with what they are selling for as a refin. That's all. Maybe I'd have better luck with "hey, I'm thinking about buying a '62 JM. Any idea what they are selling for? What if it's a refin?" Is that better? It's the same question.

Trust me, if I knew how to delete this thread I would.

 

[BradKM]

The quality of the refin work plays a major role, making difference of thousands of dollars..

Used to be you saw lots of horrible, horrible DIY refins, but things have gotten much better, and a refin doesn't necessarily mean a 50% drop in value.

If it's as bad as I imagine based on your last description, I'd guess that it's worth a couple of thousand less than one with a pro-quality refin.

You're also right in your initial post, asking prices range from a few grand into the low five digits.

That's why people are asking for pix...we're all interested and want to help, and the best way to do that is to actually see what we're dealing with.

 

[Old Cane]

But, but,but........I haven't even started on a restore. I don't see how pictures of wood and some parts would help anything.

 

[BradKM]

Okay then...uneducated guess: $1,900-$4,900.

And the finish isn't everything.

Quality of frets, remaining original hardware, etc. will help narrow that down.

 

[Old Cane]

Thank you Brad. That's the kind of info I was looking for.

Sorry to be so snippy guys but I just had no idea of real word prices on JMs, original or not and was hoping some of you do.

 

[brookdalebill]

Long ago, a refin or broken headstock made the guitar worth 1/2 current book value.
I personally still adhere to that rule.
Now that "vintage" player guitars are rare, maybe their value has gone up.
Broken/repaired headstocks are a deal breaker, for me.
Refins/stripped guitars often look cool.
It's easier to sell player guitars in "Guitar Towns" like N'ville, Austin, NYC and LA.

 

[Old Cane]

I'm with ya on headstocks. You just never know. Now if it's dirt cheap and I really want it I will go through the pain of the repair but it's not my favorite to do. I'd rather do one that's snapped off completely than one that's cracked.