Thought I would share some pictures of my new Highway One Jazz bass after buffing the body to a gloss and replacing the bridge with a Fender '70's repop. I could not warm-up to the factory satin finish so I decided to make a change. The Badass II bridge was picking up a little more string and finger noise for my taste as well although, to my ears, the tone and volume still sounds very much the same to me. For those that would like to attempt to buff the body on your H-1, I would caution you that the lacquer finish is thin and although I did not buff through mine, I could see where it could happen befor you know it.
Here is how I did mine:
First, remove the neck, all hardware from the body, and the electronics. This will require some minor soldering.
Next, due to the amount of orange peel in the satin lacquer, you will need to wet sand the body. I started with 1000 grit paper and ended with 2000 grit. It goes pretty quick. At this point, all you are trying to do is remove the orange peel. Now, the buffing begins. I am fotunate enough to have a Stew-Mac guitar buffer in my shop, so, that made life a bit easier. You can do it by hand using Maquires automotive liquid compounds as well. I finished with a mild swirl remover using a hand buffer that I mounted in a vise.
This may not be a do-it-yourself project for most people but, I built professional banjos for several years so, I have experience with working with finishes. Anyway, I hope you like it. Thanks, Cliff
Here is how I did mine:
First, remove the neck, all hardware from the body, and the electronics. This will require some minor soldering.
Next, due to the amount of orange peel in the satin lacquer, you will need to wet sand the body. I started with 1000 grit paper and ended with 2000 grit. It goes pretty quick. At this point, all you are trying to do is remove the orange peel. Now, the buffing begins. I am fotunate enough to have a Stew-Mac guitar buffer in my shop, so, that made life a bit easier. You can do it by hand using Maquires automotive liquid compounds as well. I finished with a mild swirl remover using a hand buffer that I mounted in a vise.
This may not be a do-it-yourself project for most people but, I built professional banjos for several years so, I have experience with working with finishes. Anyway, I hope you like it. Thanks, Cliff
