Novice Builder Needs Help!

rankinreni · #1 08-13-2011, 05:22 AM

A friend has all the parts for an Ibanez GSR 200...in a plastic bag in his house. Everything seems to be ok, neck, body, pick ups....hideous paint job on it and the frets have been removed.....so now it's fretless.

I am really tempted to take on this rebuild project and, for as little cash as possible, turn the bass into something wonderful....or at least much better than it was.

I have never done anything like this before tho so need help please. Literally no idea where to start....if anyone can chip in with advice/links that'd be great.

Also, how much do you think the job would cost in total.....paint job, poss new pick ups...etc.....??

TomA1234 · #2 08-13-2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rankinreni

Also, how much do you think the job would cost in total.....paint job, poss new pick ups...etc.....??

Pro re finish would be around $150 to $200. DIY refinish would be $30ish if you need a primer coat if using automotive paint (primer, colour, clear)

New pickups would be however much you are willing to spend, from cheapy "functional" pickups costing $15 to boutique high quality pickups costing $200 or even more (alembics are around $1000, ridiculous!)

knucklehead G · #3 08-13-2011, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomA1234

Pro re finish would be around ~~$150 to $200~~$250-450. DIY refinish would be $30ish if you need a primer coat if using automotive paint (primer, colour, clear)

New pickups would be however much you are willing to spend, from cheapy "functional" pickups costing $15 to boutique high quality pickups costing $200 or even more (alembics are around $1000, ridiculous!)

The DIY pricing varies a lot too, if you want to spray paint it or try and do nitro via ReRanch..

yellowbassj · #4 08-13-2011, 06:11 AM

Just browse around this forum and you'll find tons of good stuff!

TomA1234 · #5 08-13-2011, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklehead G

The DIY pricing varies a lot too, if you want to spray paint it or try and do nitro via ReRanch..

Yes if using nitro or other specific instrument paints it will be a lot more expensive.

Porkbun · #6 08-13-2011, 06:41 AM

I have that same bass! It was my starter bass years ago. SInce then, I have changed the tuners, defretted it and finished the neck, and I bought some EMG P pickups to swap into it. If you want to epoxy the neck, I suggest envirotex lite. Besides the neck, the bass is pretty crappy, but I still use it occasionally. because its fretless. I even made a video of it that I completely forgot about! Ibanez Gio GSR with Envirotex lite finish on fingerboard - YouTube