One of the forum members just asked how I did the stripes on my Bronco bass. It's quite easy to I thought I'd share my response...
NOTE: if you have ever used a polish containing silicone, don't even try this. Tape will not stick to finish that has been treated with silicone - another reason to stay away from it.
First, I've seen a gent on Ebay selling pre-cut Mustang stripe kits. Those are less work if you want to do it the easiest way. But if not...
Here's the bass, with stripes made of chrome auto striping tape:
Easy steps...
- Stop at Autozone and pick up a roll of 3" wide chrome striping tape.
- Then figure out a way to cut STRAIGHT strips in it. I used a fabric cutting roller and a straight-edge my wife has. It looks like this, and makes cutting straight lines easy (and they are VERY sharp, so be careful when using one - and only cut on an approved cutting board):
- Make the strips any width you choose - you have enough length of material to try two or three different runs, each with different widths.
- Clean the bass thoroughly (denatured alcohol works), lay the strips more or less in place to get a look you like.
- Then anchor one end of each tape strip, pull it across the body of the bass and peel the backing off carefully, then press it into place a bit at a time. Repeat for all strips.
- Trim the ends off CAREFULLY with the tip of a sharp razor blade. You'll find the chrome tape doesn't flex well, so you can't wrap it very far around the edge of the body before it starts to wrinkle.
- Be careful not to cut the instrument's finish - use a light touch when trimming the ends.
- If you don't like the result, strip it off and start over.
Easy!
