First Time Warmoth Build Questions

[Auchenorrhyncha]

So, after saving up for some time, I have finally set myself on getting a new bass, as a lefty there isn't much for mid level basses that have what I would like, so Warmoth it is.

The plan is for a '51 body in ash with some form of blond finish,

Would it be possible to have the body waxed with some form of butchers wax as a finish, and still have it turn out blond?

I believe that there is a possibility of the wax developing a patina over time, which is fine.

Another thought would be to use violin shellac, like a French polish in a blond finish, but that could be a little costly.


It will have the traditional '51 pickguard, and possibly string ferules in the back.

So, Wax it, Shellac, or Have Warmoth spray it in Poly that I personally do not like, but will stand up in time.


Or, perhaps something different?

[tjclem]

Wet sand with Danish oil?

[62bass]

If you're going to do it yourself, Danish oil is the easiest, but you may want to put some amber dye down first. Use a water based dye. It's the easiest to work with by hand. The oil alone will darken and add some amber colour but maybe not enough blondness for you. I don't know what sort of blonde colour you want. Stew Mac sells dye and should have a colour you like.

Minwax Wipe On Poly is also very easy to do yourself and will give you a tough enough finish. Basically it's a thinned out urethane varnish that you wipe on in thin coats by hand. About 6 coats or more will do it. It dries fast enough to do two coats a day.

Or get Warmoth to do it in poly with the colour you want if you're willing to pay the price.

Wax alone is not a good finish. It also won't darken the way you want it to and provides minimal protection. It's fine on furniture pieces that aren't being handled but I wouldn't do a bass with it.

Shellac looks good but is not very resistant to water, alcohol or harsh chemicals. It's easy to renew though.

[Auchenorrhyncha]

I'll take a look at some of the Stew Mac stuff, if I can remember where I put the catalog.


I would like to do it myself, as the wait time and price for the Warmoth paint shop is ridiculous.

[Greenman]

Oil and don't wet/slur sand it. let the grain show.