3 Wood Challenge: Nomad98 Semi-hollow 4banger? - Page 5

octaedro7 · #81 02-05-2013, 06:13 AM

Dig it, nice work nomad

Nomad98 · #82 02-10-2013, 03:54 PM

There have been a few changes since my last "black body" post.

I really tried to warm up to the black body and I would have been fine with it, but after 6 months of imagining that the bass would be a sunburst the black was hard to swallow. Also the clincher was that the black was water based Trans Tint. I had opened the grain and sanded many times to prep for the Trans Tint but the water in the black ridged up the surface along the tiger flame anyway. So much so that I would never be able to build up a smooth surface.

I decided to go back to my original plan (or something close) and I sanded back the black, got a nice smooth top and back, then sprayed the burst. This time using the Trans Tints with alcohol so the top would remain smooth.

This is the bass sanded back...

and then after the burst was sprayed.

Thanks for looking

RedMoses · #83 02-10-2013, 04:12 PM

So Kool! Sub'd

Splods · #84 02-10-2013, 11:16 PM

Oh wow.

roberthabraken · #85 02-11-2013, 01:56 AM

Yeah! Cool decision

Came out great!

T-34 · #86 02-11-2013, 02:54 AM

Awesome!

Nomad98 · #87 02-11-2013, 11:04 AM

Thanks for the positive remarks...

Here is the body with some hardware and neck attached. I also have a few coats of Danish Oil on the body now (F holes still have tape in them). I will continue to coat with the D.O. for a while, I don't know if I'll finish it with Tru Oil or Satin Poly? If I wait long enough I can shoot nitro over it. Sometimes I hate options.

Anyone know of a good matte finish that is easy to apply?

bassingeorge · #88 02-11-2013, 08:49 PM

Keep it satin, it looks sooo good that way!

Nomad98 · #89 02-25-2013, 10:56 AM

Yet another incarnation:

After many coats of Tru Oil I was looking at a smooth surface almost ready to buff out. Then disaster struck on my final sanding with 1000 grit sandpaper. I broke through the surface and decided to scrap the whole finish. Sanded it all down and re-did the burst. It's more of a tobacco burst with heavier black on the edges/top-back fading to vintage maple tint in the center.

I think overall, this is more of a color scheme that I can live with. The red was a little too strong for me with the black tinted flame/figure. This seems like it all blends together better in my mind. Hopefully this is the last go around, I have a coat of Danish oil on it and I am going to start with coats of Tung Oil and finish with wax. May be hard to buff with my fingers continually crossed!

Thanks for looking...

T-34 · #90 02-25-2013, 11:18 AM

Its beautiful anyway

Nomad98 · #91 02-25-2013, 11:26 AM

Thanks T-34, just think at this point it would be nice to have it finished so I can go onto the next thing.

jmorbita · #92 02-25-2013, 11:48 AM

Not that it matters, but I honestly like this last color scheme better.
Take a deep breath, relax, focus, take your time and get it done!

Nomad98 · #93 02-25-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmorbita

Not that it matters, but I honestly like this last color scheme better.
Take a deep breath, relax, focus, take your time and get it done!

Thanks for the comments. I do take the deep breath... I just forget to exhale.

Both color schemes are nice and I would have been very happy with red. I try to look at it like an opportunity to try something new out when I botched up the finish like I did (sanding through the Tru Oil).

There really is something that a smartphone picture cannot capture.

bassingeorge · #94 02-25-2013, 12:19 PM

I actually like the tobacco stain more than the other cherry stain...looks more serious. Amazing! Can't wait to see it finished!

Dave_2000 · #95 02-25-2013, 01:58 PM

I think the new finish is MUCH better than the red. The red was beautiful but this is really unique & (dare I say it?) dramatic. The contrast with the maple fingerboard really pops. You really turnd your mistake around - great work!

Hopkins · #96 02-25-2013, 03:57 PM

I liked it better in red personally. But It also looked killer with only the black dye on it.

Nomad98 · #97 02-25-2013, 04:14 PM

Ya, it's a hard call with the pictures that I have posted. The red has really saturated black in the figure. That doesn't show in the pictures, but in person the red took on a sorta 80's metal bass feel, very contrasty between the colors. The tobacco (I think) takes the metal 80's bass look out of it. Tones down the figure much more than the red.

If I had to choose from my pictures I might lean towards the red? But in person, I like the tobacco.

I appreciate all the comments...

T-34 · #98 02-25-2013, 04:34 PM

Come on, who would possibly think "geez, what a typical metalhead's bass is it!"

Nomad98 · #99 02-25-2013, 04:59 PM

Ha, just talking about how the color scheme made me feel, more than it looking "metal!"

Nomad98 · #**100** 04-16-2013, 11:03 AM

Here are the "all finished" pictures.

I was able to get 16 thin coats of Tru Oil onto the body. I found that applying it with a cloth and then smoothing it with my finger worked the best. Lightly sanded half way through the coats and then sanded/buffed after the last coat. I could still buff it out a bit more but I am fine with the look as it is.

There are just two details I have to attend to:

I wired the pickup with each coil going to a concentric pot (V/T) but I have the coils wired to the wrong pots.

Also I wanted to make sure if I needed to move the bridge back, I could (if the intonation needed extra room). Thus I only drilled the back screw holes for the bridge. So I have to drill a hole for each bridge piece.

This morning I just got the wiring finished before I went to work. This bass has sustain. Rings forever! I wasn't sure if it would since the neck is barely set into the body and (to be honest) the neck pocket is a bit loose! I have never used the countersunk threads until now, and I think that really helps the sustain? I will use them again.

Thanks to all those who have followed this build and for everyones comments.

Sincerely,
Phil (Nomad98)