Filling in the holes

[CYDbass]

I have a very crap bass (my first one) which i was going to put away in my loft. instead ive decided to go a bit mad and do some customising.
its a cheap fender copy, but i just want to mess around so it doesnt matter its actually no good!
ive taken off the scratchplate, and theres one hell of an untidy hole holding all the wires.
i dont want a big ugly scratchplate after my modifying, how do people recomend i go about filling/covering/doing something else to the hole, and what to do with the electronics??

bit of a n0ob question, but im sorry, new 2 this

all help appreciated =]

[Pilgrim]

If you have a pickguard over a cut away for electronics, then if you get rid of the PG, what holds the electronics?

The only thing that occurs to me is:

- Strip the bass
- Carefully measure, cut and craft wood block(s) to fill the routing under the PG
- Fill the holes with wood, carefully sanded and shaped to create a smooth top
- On the back side, route out an access hole for the needed electronics; drill holes through the front for pots and controls as needed
- Completely refinish the bass in a solid color, as a natural finish will not conceal the wood inserts on the front
- Manufacture a cover plate for the electronics access in back

That shouldn't total more than 40 or 50 hours work, although it could be twice that depending on your current skill level. it's a major, substantial project but you would learn a lot doing it. I sure wouldn't do it on any bass that didn't play really well, as you're going to have a lot of labor into it. You may also end up buying a few hundred dollars worth of tools to do the work.

Want a practical answer? Have a pickguard made in a color you like, and use it.

It simply is not worth spending all this time, money and labor on a "crap bass" unless you are doing it mostly to build your luthier, woodworking and finishing skills. Just play the bass and have fun.

[CYDbass]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you have a pickguard over a cut away for electronics, then if you get rid of the PG, what holds the electronics?

The only thing that occurs to me is:

- Strip the bass
- Carefully measure, cut and craft wood block(s) to fill the routing under the PG
- Fill the holes with wood, carefully sanded and shaped to create a smooth top
- On the back side, route out an access hole for the needed electronics; drill holes through the front for pots and controls as needed
- Completely refinish the bass in a solid color, as a natural finish will not conceal the wood inserts on the front
- Manufacture a cover plate for the electronics access in back

That shouldn't total more than 40 or 50 hours work, although it could be twice that depending on your current skill level. it's a major, substantial project but you would learn a lot doing it. I sure wouldn't do it on any bass that didn't play really well, as you're going to have a lot of labor into it. You may also end up buying a few hundred dollars worth of tools to do the work.

Want a practical answer? Have a pickguard made in a color you like, and use it.

It simply is not worth spending all this time, money and labor on a "crap bass" unless you are doing it mostly to build your luthier, woodworking and finishing skills. Just play the bass and have fun.

ok thanks, ive come round to the idea of that anyway.
i know itd take a hell of a lot of time and money doing that, so i think i'll just try and invest in a new pickguard in the shape and colour i want.
then i can spend more time repainting the body if thats what i decide to do in the end =]
thanks for the tip, i think filling in the holes would be a bad plan now i look at it!

[202dy]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you have a pickguard over a cut away for electronics, then if you get rid of the PG, what holds the electronics?

The only thing that occurs to me is:

- Strip the bass
- Carefully measure, cut and craft wood block(s) to fill the routing under the PG
- Fill the holes with wood, carefully sanded and shaped to create a smooth top
- On the back side, route out an access hole for the needed electronics; drill holes through the front for pots and controls as needed
- Completely refinish the bass in a solid color, as a natural finish will not conceal the wood inserts on the front
- Manufacture a cover plate for the electronics access in back

That shouldn't total more than 40 or 50 hours work, although it could be twice that depending on your current skill level. it's a major, substantial project but you would learn a lot doing it. I sure wouldn't do it on any bass that didn't play really well, as you're going to have a lot of labor into it. You may also end up buying a few hundred dollars worth of tools to do the work.

Want a practical answer? Have a pickguard made in a color you like, and use it.

It simply is not worth spending all this time, money and labor on a "crap bass" unless you are doing it mostly to build your luthier, woodworking and finishing skills. Just play the bass and have fun.

It is very to get a perfect grain orientation with similar species. No matter how careful you are the chances are that after or year or two the blocks will show themselves after expansion and contraction occurs due to the changing seasons. If the guitar will be painted in one of the industrial polys it might not be much of a problem, but it is almost a guarantee that it will show if the guitar is painted with nitro or acrylics.

Another solution that works is to veneer the top. Run the body through a planer to create a flat surface taking 1/4 to 1/2" inch off the top. Laminate a veneer. Alder, maple, or any other choice will work. Plywood would be fine for this guitar. Shape the contours and rout the for the pickups. Sand and paint.