My First Parts Bass

theory028 · #1 10-25-2008, 07:54 PM

I've been waiting all week to start working on my parts bass. This is what I've gotten done so far.

I've stripped away the old finish, Dremeled/drilled the cavity to fit the P bass electronics harness I bought, applied the wood stain with polyurethane, and painted my old pickguard.

The electronics have proven to be the most annoying part. I had to resolder a few joints and spent a while making the cavity big enough to hold the S1 switch pot. I don't have a neck or strings yet so I haven't been able to actually test that it all works (I'm crossing my fingers; I don't want to dig around in there again). I plugged it in and put it up against another bass and it did pick up and amplify the sound, I'm just not sure if there is going to be any buzzing, humming, or odd noises. I'm hoping for the best.

My neck, which should be coming early next week, is a Mighty Mite fretless, unlined, with an ebonal finger board. It should look pretty nice.

Anyway, here is a picture. I'm excited with how it's turned out. I have very little experience with wood staining, and there are obvious imperfections, but I like it.

jordan_frerichs · #2 10-25-2008, 09:52 PM

liking the coffe table brown finish. doesn't seem too smooth. did you sand with fine grits between coats. i use 2000 grit auto sandpaper i get from walmart on the last coats, inbetween coats.

Lesfunk · #3 10-25-2008, 09:57 PM

It would look better if you countersunk those pickguard screws

theory028 · #4 10-26-2008, 12:10 PM

I used 0000 steel wool between coats. I only did two coats because of time constraints.

I wish I would have used separate stain and poly. I wanted a cherry but they didn't have that in PolyShades. I doubt it would have turned out any better since I am new to finishing stuff, but I would have at least gotten a color closer to what I was shooting for.

About the pickguard screws, they are pretty bad. I'll redo those next weekend or over Thanksgiving since I may end up refinishing it.

62bass · #5 10-26-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theory028

I used 0000 steel wool between coats. I only did two coats because of time constraints.

I wish I would have used separate stain and poly. I wanted a cherry but they didn't have that in PolyShades. I doubt it would have turned out any better since I am new to finishing stuff, but I would have at least gotten a color closer to what I was shooting for.

About the pickguard screws, they are pretty bad. I'll redo those next weekend or over Thanksgiving since I may end up refinishing it.

That's pretty good for a first attempt. It's tough with Polyshades. I much prefer a separate stain and top coat and it requires a lot more coats with careful, fine sanding between coats to get it perfect. I wouldn't use steel wool between coats on a hard finish that's supposed to build up to desired thickness. It just follows the contour of the previous imperfections. Sandpaper takes out the nibs and brings them level with the rest of the surface. I like using 400 grit open coat sandpaper between coats when using varnish. Before the last coat I use 800 grit.

Anyhow, you did good and learned something.

Now get out there and start another project.

It gets to be a lot of fun after a while and you learn something each time. Practicing on scrap wood is a big help too and you can head off problems beforehand.