Refinishing P Bass

[robfitz1968]

I have an American P bass that is black, and I will be taking everything off to be painted. My question is, do i need to loosen truss rod, or will the neck be OK until its ready to put back together. By the way, Im thinking a cool looking blue with a white peraloid pick guard. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks

[Pilgrim]

Your post doesn't say whether you're planning to do the refin or if someone else is. if you're going to do it....

First, search refinishing threads on TB - there are many.

Second, do research at Reranch.com - lots of good stuff there.

Third, buy Dan Erlewine's book on guitar repair (Amazon has them used) - it's one of the best references you'll ever find.

Finally, if someone else is doing it, then IMO it doesn't matter much whether or not you loosen the truss rod as long as it's not going to sit that way for six months. If it makes you feel better, loosen it one turn. You can always tighten it again when you re-assemble and do the setup.

[VroomVroom]

^ Excellent advice! FYI, I'm a big fan of ReRanch. I used their products on a finish repair effort that turned out significantly better than I expected. I'm not totally sure I'd be brazen enough to do a complete finish out of aerosol cans, but for those more talented (and patient) than me, it can certainly be done.

Cool looking blue with a pearloid pickguard, hmmm....maybe something like this?

[Slax]

My MIA P bass was once black also. I wanted it white. I had someone else refinish it (a car painting place) but did all the stripping and primer myself.

I used generous amounts of Lacquer thinner to get the finish off followed by a ton of hand sanding. There's probably better, less toxic, chemicals you can use to help but that poly finish is tough as nails and lacquer thinner seemed to be the ticket at the time

I had no problems with just unbolting the neck and laying it down in the case while I did this.