My 1st build

[bjabass]

Almost hate to post here in 'Luthier's Corner' but I am starting my 1st build. I definitely ain't no luthier.

I have the body, a Squier P, and I just ordered a Mighty Mite J neck with maple board. I am hoping it will look something like this, but with lollypop tuners.



This one is one of Johnk_10's basses so it won't be THAT nice, but I hope it will be respectable.

I have wanted a vintage white maple neck P since I first saw the Tele bass in that color combo back in the early 70's.

[Dark Horse]

Definitely post "progress pics" !

[bjabass]

This pic doesn't really show the color well. The neck pocket was fairly sloppy so I filled the body with some marine epoxy filler and sanded until the neck was an easy but tighter fit.



The paint is Ace hardware brand, called 'Navajo White'. My original plan was to use leftovers from several motorcycle and boat projects from the past, including a can of (believe it or not) 'Fred's' paint that was a perfect color. Unfortunately when I sprayed it it was all separated and runny with big blotches of pigment. Never saw spray paint do that.

I tried to use stripper on the original Squier finish but the 'Strip-Eze' didn't even begin to cut it, just wiped off. I sanded with 80 then 150 and applied left over epoxy primer from a boat rebuild. I sanded that with 220 wet and sprayed the Navajo white, three fairly thick coats. I waited three days to be sure it was cured and sanded lightly with 1000 wet. I'm gonna give it a couple more days and use spray polyurethane since the leftover clear I had from a BSA motorcycle project was dried up....

Here's a shot of the Mighty Mite neck.



It has a 'satin' finish and I am thinking of spraying a gloss over it but I kinda like how it feels, I'll see after I get the body done.

I have the neck plate and a string tree on order and need to order the pick guard, the tuners, the PUP covers and a thumb rest.

[bjabass]

I have decided that I am the worlds worst photographer, but some progress is being made on the bass. I sprayed a clear enamel over the color (which is impossible to determine looking at my pics...) and then sanded with 600 and 1000 and then buffed. Came out pretty good. I got through to the white primer just a little in a couple of tiny spots when I color sanded before the clear, but it is barely noticeable. Sure wish I knew how to take pics....




The neck plate and the pickguard are in transit, should have them next weeK.

Bernie

[bjabass]

My son came over with his hot rod Nikon D90.

[bjabass]

OK all done. Came out great. Repainted Squier body, Mighty Mite maple Jazz neck, Hipshot Lollypop tuners, SD 1/4 pound PUPs, Fender pickguard, string tree, neck plate, pickup and bridge covers, CTS 500K pots, Switchcraft jack, orange drop cap, GHS extra light gauge round wounds.









I had to replace the pickups I originally got with the SD's. The others must have been from a knock off bass because they wouldn't fit in the Fender pickguard. The SD's are REALLY hot. I love them through the practice amp so I'll see how they sound with the band tomorrow. They have a lot more variance in tone than my other Fender basses.

[Vintage Guy]

I just built a "P" using a Fiesta Red Squier CV body and a MIM "P" neck with a Rosewood Board. Strung it BEAD,and man does it sound good,especially the "B" string!

[marantz10]

That's a very sexy bass... It really looks vintage with that color and the setup. Throw some solid strings on there like rotosounds or DR's and you'll be set!