Copper Tape Fun

[Basso54]

So I gutted this thing earlier this week. This is also the bass i reattached the brass nut to. Just waiting on pots/bridge from Allparts and then pickups from fellow TB-ers.

Sorry, just had to share.

[funkybass4ever]

You did a great job on the shielding- I hope the copper tape didn't cut you up.
I used the liquid shielding paint from Stew mac and then the copper tape but it was probably overkill. That tape can be sharp as a razor blade!

[Basso54]

I actually had no issues with it cutting me. I did consider that to be a risk before I started, so that may have helped.

[walterw]

just be sure to run wires from those cavities (soldered to the copper) to ground, or your shielding tape will become "antenna tape"!

[Basso54]

Absolutely. Still waiting on parts before I start soldering. Also, I got the new bridge and I'm going to fill the old screw holes and redrill for the new one. What's the best filler to use on bass bodies? Just regular wood dough?

[walterw]

if the old holes are overlapping, i'd say wood dowels slathered in wood glue, re-drill after dry.

if the old holes clear and are covered, leave them be.

wood putty won't have any structural strength, skip it.

[Basso54]

Thanks Walter, they are overlapping, so I'll have to run out for dowels later on.

[XylemBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by funkybass4ever

That tape can be sharp as a razor blade!

Yes it can! I've gotten lots of little cuts over the years...

Nice shielding job Basso54! I know how you feel, there's something slightly magical about how a well-shielded cavity looks

[ThePhoenix]

Originally Posted by walterw

if the old holes are overlapping, i'd say wood dowels slathered in wood glue, re-drill after dry.

if the old holes clear and are covered, leave them be.

wood putty won't have any structural strength, skip it.

I had to replace a bridge and I used wooden golf tees as fillers

[Basso54]

Updates!!!





Also, I haven't started on the bridge yet. Work and my daughter, mixed in with Modern Warfare 3, have kept me busy. Also, built this one on the side from parts purchased from the accessories classifieds:



Got a Squire Jaguar neck for it now with pearl inlays on a rosewood board with black headstock. Have to fill/re-drill the neck screw holes to line up on it as well. Fun fun fun.

[Basso54]

Updates:





Still dragging my heels on the P/J. Hope to get the new bridge in within the next two days. Might have to go Christmas shopping, but weather my not permit. Time will tell.

[Basso54]

Yay, almost there. Going to try and start soldering the pickups and jack tonight. Home stretch. Also, generic high-mass bridge from Allparts.com was very nice, would recommend for someone on a budget build.

[Basso54]

Holidays were hectic, but it's DONE!!!

[WildWes]

Originally Posted by funkybass4ever

You did a great job on the shielding- I hope the copper tape didn't cut you up. That tape can be sharp as a razor blade!

Oh yeah! I mistakenly ran my thumb down the edge thinking the copper tape would just fold over............eh wrong .

Opened up my thumb like a utility knife blade. Took quite awhile to stop bleeding. WW

[MglMatador]

If you haven't sliced your thumb open on a shielding job, you didn't burnish your edges enough!