Because they won't be on the same plane as the rest of the fretboard. I don't think I want to remove ~1/32nd of the 20th fret do I?
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5 string Ricken-Musicman Bass.
- Thread starter Videojunkie
- Start date
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,011
- 1
- 31,716
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Ummmm…
So I re-read your earlier post, and you’re considering bending the fretboard down to meet the body?
That sounds like a bad idea.
That would be sacrificing functionality for aesthetics.
Leave the fretboard flat. Fill in the gap if you must, but don’t screw with the fretboard plane.
Agreed, fill the gap or leave it alone, don't force the fingerboard down to the body.
Materials update,
Got some kedra dye today. There's a red and yellow that I plan on trying on some maple scraps. I'm hoping that the cooler temperatures will help with the isopropyl alcohol for working time. I'll have some time tomorrow to play around with it.
Looking ahead to finishing this. I was hoping to work with a buddy of mine, but his father just passed this week, so he's a bit overwhelmed at the moment.
I was thinking about trying the rattle can Varathane Ultimate, but I wasn't sure if I should use the indoor (blue can) or the outdoor (green can)version. The outdoor one adds UV protection.
My alternative is something like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wagner-Flexio-2000-HVLP-Paint-Sprayer-0529086/302752208
But I am not sure if it is really any better than just the rattle cans.
Got some kedra dye today. There's a red and yellow that I plan on trying on some maple scraps. I'm hoping that the cooler temperatures will help with the isopropyl alcohol for working time. I'll have some time tomorrow to play around with it.
Looking ahead to finishing this. I was hoping to work with a buddy of mine, but his father just passed this week, so he's a bit overwhelmed at the moment.
I was thinking about trying the rattle can Varathane Ultimate, but I wasn't sure if I should use the indoor (blue can) or the outdoor (green can)version. The outdoor one adds UV protection.
My alternative is something like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wagner-Flexio-2000-HVLP-Paint-Sprayer-0529086/302752208
But I am not sure if it is really any better than just the rattle cans.
If the exterior varathane is spar urethane, it should be better for uv protection, but a softer finish.
Unless they have a new formulation(?)
Seems like every time I get up to speed on a product, they change it or come up with something new. Anyway, I'd look into it. The spar stuff may or may not be softer than the other stuff.
Unless they have a new formulation(?)
Seems like every time I get up to speed on a product, they change it or come up with something new. Anyway, I'd look into it. The spar stuff may or may not be softer than the other stuff.
It looks like the spar urethane is slightly amber tinted. (Which probably comes from the UV agents.)
I've got rattle cans for both. I'll do some test pieces and see what I think.
I've got rattle cans for both. I'll do some test pieces and see what I think.
So I took some time this morning to fix the fretboard problem.
Using acetone, I glued some of the abalone binding to the front of the guitar.
The blue tape is the exact position of the fretboard. I then had some very thin strips of binding that I glued to the flat pieces. (Again using acetone) I fitted a thin piece of mahogany in the center to serve as a gluing block.
Using my straight edge with sandpaper on it, I sanded the whole thing flush to the neck angle.
Pretty happy with the results. When I glue this, I'll use some acetone to "blend" the binding...
Using acetone, I glued some of the abalone binding to the front of the guitar.
The blue tape is the exact position of the fretboard. I then had some very thin strips of binding that I glued to the flat pieces. (Again using acetone) I fitted a thin piece of mahogany in the center to serve as a gluing block.
Using my straight edge with sandpaper on it, I sanded the whole thing flush to the neck angle.
Pretty happy with the results. When I glue this, I'll use some acetone to "blend" the binding...
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,011
- 1
- 31,716
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Playing with the dye.
These are the red and yellow that I got. (It was a standard assortment of colors) I was hoping for more of a crimson red. I'll see if that's something I can order.
That said, when blended with the yellow using the technique in the video I posted earlier it does turn out pretty nice! And it's super easy!
the flame maple is the off cut from the fingerboard, which I stained a light brown, and then sanded back and added yellow. I think it's pretty striking! Especially next to the other colors.
These are the red and yellow that I got. (It was a standard assortment of colors) I was hoping for more of a crimson red. I'll see if that's something I can order.
That said, when blended with the yellow using the technique in the video I posted earlier it does turn out pretty nice! And it's super easy!
the flame maple is the off cut from the fingerboard, which I stained a light brown, and then sanded back and added yellow. I think it's pretty striking! Especially next to the other colors.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,011
- 1
- 31,716
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Not sure what you mean by “crimson”, but I get a nice wine red by mixing three parts red to one part purple.
Yeah. That turned out pretty nice 
My wife convinced me that the fretboard looked better without the dye...
My wife convinced me that the fretboard looked better without the dye...
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To do list.
1. Place some binding around the battery pack to fix a routing issue.
2. Finish fretting the fretboard
3. Apply finish.
I think I am going to use a wardrobe box and the rattle cans in my basement for the finish.
1. Place some binding around the battery pack to fix a routing issue.
2. Finish fretting the fretboard
3. Apply finish.
I think I am going to use a wardrobe box and the rattle cans in my basement for the finish.
Burst looks good
Wife was totally right
Thanks!
She's got a pretty good eye for colors.
Great looking burst, can you say more about the process? I'll be attempting something similar on my current build.
Fixed the battery pack. In case you were wondering. Acetone melts the battery pack plastic too!
fortunately I figured it out before catastrophe happened...
Now nothing is holding me back from fretting this!
fortunately I figured it out before catastrophe happened...Now nothing is holding me back from fretting this!
Fixed the battery pack. In case you were wondering. Acetone melts the battery pack plastic too!
View attachment 4900062
Now nothing is holding me back from fretting this!
So you’re saying Acetone will help you get a battery box in an odd shaped route?
I used the kedra dye. Wood Dye - Aniline Dye 5 Color Kit - Wood Stain Kit https://a.co/d/dRwU7f1 mixed full strength (1/4 tsp / 4oz. Isopropyl alcohol) I prepped the wood for finish first. Then I started with the yellow. 2 solid coats, while the second one was still wet,starting at the edge added the red. Using a 3rd cloth ball, blended the red in from the edges. I used a separate cloth ball for red and yellow. Then I alternated adding more red on the edges and more yellow in the center. I wound up with 4 cloth balls, red, yellow, red blend, and yellow blend.
Once I was pretty happy with the results, I used a clean cloth to buff the color and clean up any smudges.
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