'82 Ibanez Blazer bass body refinishing project - already stripped and grain-filled

TimBosby · #1 03-20-2010, 12:23 PM

Note - neck is sold, body still available!

Another project I've decided to abort, but I hope someone will pick up where I've left off (I've done most of the difficult stuff already.) This thread is for the body. Neck already to another TBer.

This body is that of an '82 Ibanez Blazer (made in Japan.) I believe it is mahogany with an ash top. It was originally a translucent purple, but, after many hours with dangerous cancer-causing chemicals in my garage (with the garage door wide open, a respirator breathing mask, goggles, and rubber gloves, of course) I managed to strip off the heavy clear poly finish and purple paint. It was not fun, but I did it just to say I could. You can still see some light purple stains here and there, and there is a purple square of finish underneath where the bridge goes, as well as purple finish in the neck pocket and control cavity. Obviously these areas will be covered once all the parts and hardware are in place. Neck pocket is a hair narrower than a Fender neck pocket - it's made to fit a neck that is about 2 and 7/16" wide.

I was planning on going the whole way with refinishing, but winter came, I got sidetracked, and lost interest. I DID sand and grain-fill the body, as well as apply two coats of sand-and-sealer. The refinishing process is about halfway done (I was going off what http://www.reranch.com had to say) but the most difficult part (stripping that horrible old finish) is done. The steps that remain for a total refin are:

Sand the body, add another coat of sand-and-sealer, re-sand, and then add a final coat of sand-and-sealer, then sand again.

Apply white primer (optional), apply color coat, and apply clear coat. Sanding as necessary in between, of course.

Or you could just leave it sand-and-sealer/grain-filling brown like it is right now if you prefer

This body is obviously constructed from several pieces of laminate wood, though, and would probably look best with a solid, translucent, or burst finish. My original plan was Fender vintage blonde, which later changed to Lake Placid blue, which then changed to "I give up."

I will include all the original parts with the body. I recently polished the bridge meticulously with Brasso. While still pitted in places, it looks much better now than in the pictures. Also included are the original strap buttons, original white pickguard with original volume/tone pots (I also cleaned the pickguard with Goo-gone and that crud in the photos came right off - it looks nice now). I will throw in the original Precision-style pickups. I have the pickups pictured with the original black covers they came in, but I'll throw in the cream covers shown as well (cream covers are not original and are a little too big for the pickguard, but you can have them if you wish.)

Note: the neck plate and tuners were already sold, with the neck.

Everything for $115 shipped - lower 48 preferred. Money order, Paypal fine.

Some pics below. All pics here.

the art guy · #2 03-21-2010, 12:03 PM

PM sent.

TimBosby · #3 03-21-2010, 01:34 PM

Mockup put together by request. By "mockup" I mean what the bass will look like with the parts in place (without anything screwed in or bolted down.)

A couple other things - I don't have a ground wire for it, so you'll need to get that. Also, the cream pickup covers are a little too big for the pickguard, but they'll still be included.

I cleaned off the pickguard, and it looks way better. I also took apart the bridge, gave it a thorough cleaning with Brasso, and then put it back together. It still has some pits, but at least it's shiny now!

Mockup pics below.

TimBosby · #4 03-21-2010, 01:35 PM

More mockup pics:

Demonbird · #5 03-25-2010, 07:56 AM

Will this fit a Fender P/J Bass Neck?

TimBosby · #6 03-25-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonbird

Will this fit a Fender P/J Bass Neck?

It may, but will likely require minor modification. Fender necks tend to vary whether they are U.S., Mexican, Japanese, Korean, etc...

On the original neck that was on it (which is already sold), I measured the nut at about 4 cm (1.57 in), the 12th fret at about 5.5 cm (2.17 in), and the heel at about 6 cm (2.36 in).

These measurements are pretty rough, so I don't know for sure. I have a Squier neck up for sale in this thread that I think is about 2.5 inchs at the heel (Fender width, I think). When I get home, I'll see if will fit, or see if it COULD fit with some sanding/minor modification.

Sorry for the long answer, but it's pretty subjective and will depend on what exact neck you are planning to use. If you can send me measurements of your neck, that would give us a better idea.

To sum up, though, you could probably make it work if you don't mind some sanding of both the neck pocket on the body and the heel on the neck itself.

TimBosby · #7 03-26-2010, 06:46 AM

To answer this issue from yesterday, I tried the Squier neck, and it looks like it WILL fit but will need some slight shaving down of either the neck or the neck pocket. I didn't attempt to force it. You could probably accomplish this with some patience and sandpaper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimBosby

It may, but will likely require minor modification. Fender necks tend to vary whether they are U.S., Mexican, Japanese, Korean, etc...

On the original neck that was on it (which is already sold), I measured the nut at about 4 cm (1.57 in), the 12th fret at about 5.5 cm (2.17 in), and the heel at about 6 cm (2.36 in).

These measurements are pretty rough, so I don't know for sure. I have a Squier neck up for sale in this thread that I think is about 2.5 inchs at the heel (Fender width, I think). When I get home, I'll see if will fit, or see if it COULD fit with some sanding/minor modification.

Sorry for the long answer, but it's pretty subjective and will depend on what exact neck you are planning to use. If you can send me measurements of your neck, that would give us a better idea.

To sum up, though, you could probably make it work if you don't mind some sanding of both the neck pocket on the body and the heel on the neck itself.

odin70 · #8 03-29-2010, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonbird

Will this fit a Fender P/J Bass Neck?

Me dont think so

odin70 · #9 03-29-2010, 05:44 AM

Are you willing to sell the tuners separately?

TimBosby · #10 03-29-2010, 05:46 AM

Sorry, man, tuners were already sold with the neck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odin70

Are you willing to sell the tuners separately?

morguedoc71 · #11 03-29-2010, 03:28 PM

Hey Man, if this gets any lower, I might need to buy this body.

I hear I'll soon have a matching neck...

morguedoc71 · #12 03-30-2010, 05:40 PM

Yeah man...you want this varitone circuit for your new jazz body...

Trade it...trade it....

Fender Jazz - Custom Varitone Circuit

TimBosby · #13 03-30-2010, 05:54 PM

Unfortunately the new jazz body is rear-routed and has an active Fender stack knob preamp already installed... I came THIS close to buying a front-routed one though so...damn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by morguedoc71

Yeah man...you want this varitone circuit for your new jazz body...

Trade it...trade it....

Fender Jazz - Custom Varitone Circuit