54 Precision Attic Find

[Tim Rinkerman]

I have big respect for its age and condition, I couldn't have made it any worse than it was, other than the ugly route and the crappy paint, the body was in nice shape..I didn't fix anything but the pickup hole. I thought I could put an honest,quality finish on it, but the shading process was a good learning experience...it has a nice color depth and all the grain is still visible..it took a few tries to get the balance of color and clarity I was hoping for, but it's there now.

 

[RaniBrandt]

Beautifully done, Tim! Despite being someone who finishes my basses in Danish oil partly for the speed of it, I truly admire the amount of patience you have had with this project.

 

[AltGrendel]

Kinda sorta the same thing.




Saw this and thought of your project.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Kinda sorta the same thing.




Saw this and thought of your project.

I watched that a few times! Very informative..but..he was able to cut a wedge shaped piece that fit tightly because the bottom end was open. He was able to get it to fit very snugly and trim off the bottom after it was seated as far as it would go. I didn't have that luxury!

 

[AltGrendel]

I watched that a few times! Very informative..but..he was able to cut a wedge shaped piece that fit tightly because the bottom end was open. He was able to get it to fit very snugly and trim off the bottom after it was seated as far as it would go. I didn't have that luxury!

I thought that the interesting part was where he matched the grain of the body with the grain of the blank.

 

[TomB]

I watched that a few times! Very informative..but..he was able to cut a wedge shaped piece that fit tightly because the bottom end was open. He was able to get it to fit very snugly and trim off the bottom after it was seated as far as it would go. I didn't have that luxury!

Good point, but then you only have the top surface to flush up, so you're even . I loved this until the relicing part, but that's just me. All my instruments have seemed to relic themselves. I guess that's what happens if you gig the darn things enough. I'm wondering if you plan any of that treatment for your project?

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Relic is earned, not bought. Just my opinion...every nick,scratch, gouge and dent should have a story to it..I made this look the best I could with honest, thoughtful care. The pickup route is solid and the location is dead on. The finish took some tries, but the results were worth it. The color is clear, deep and even and I was able to maintain a high degree of grain definition..( after several tries!) The neck has original wear on it, I'll clean it up a bit just because I think it's in that good of condition to stand on its own. I was able to set it up and get it to play well (string and action wise)before I stripped it, I'm hoping to be able to get it playing and intonated well with a fresh set of flatwounds and the stock bridge. I'm not sure if the frets have ever been changed or not..if they were, it looks like a very nice job.

 

[AltGrendel]

Wow, the neck cleaned up real nice.

 

[digmeout]

Relic is earned, not bought. Just my opinion...every nick,scratch, gouge and dent should have a story to it..I made this look the best I could with honest, thoughtful care. The pickup route is solid and the location is dead on. The finish took some tries, but the results were worth it. The color is clear, deep and even and I was able to maintain a high degree of grain definition..( after several tries!) The neck has original wear on it, I'll clean it up a bit just because I think it's in that good of condition to stand on its own. I was able to set it up and get it to play well (string and action wise)before I stripped it, I'm hoping to be able to get it playing and intonated well with a fresh set of flatwounds and the stock bridge. I'm not sure if the frets have ever been changed or not..if they were, it looks like a very nice job.

Looking better all the time! This is going to be killer when you get it all back together!

 

[Five String]

Looks pretty darned good to me

 

[Charley Umbria]

Saw this and thought of your project.

I have no opinion on the relic vs. ”legit” wear debate, but I seriously cringed when he raked the edge of that beautifully-repaired 1953 Telecaster across the rock!

Back on topic: amazing work, Tim!

 

[Roxcide]

Great job Tim!! You are an artist!!

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

While I'm waiting for this lacquer to cure, I think I'll move over to the amplifier section and show the resurrection/restoration of an Acoustic 370 with 2 bottoms..

 

[Aberdumbie]

Relic is earned, not bought. Just my opinion...every nick,scratch, gouge and dent should have a story to it..I made this look the best I could with honest, thoughtful care. The pickup route is solid and the location is dead on. The finish took some tries, but the results were worth it. The color is clear, deep and even and I was able to maintain a high degree of grain definition..( after several tries!) The neck has original wear on it, I'll clean it up a bit just because I think it's in that good of condition to stand on its own. I was able to set it up and get it to play well (string and action wise)before I stripped it, I'm hoping to be able to get it playing and intonated well with a fresh set of flatwounds and the stock bridge. I'm not sure if the frets have ever been changed or not..if they were, it looks like a very nice job.

Tim.... You gave me some inspiration to dress up the old Gibson RD I bought new in 1977. I have spiffed and polished and buffed and she is back to her original glory. All except the maple neck. I have worn thru the lacquer in part of the neck and it just looks rather grimy to me. I know the old bass has a lacquer finish and I have been rather afraid to have a go of it with any solvent based cleaners. May I ask what you used to get this old neck so spiffed up?

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

I used 0000 grade steel wool and naptha. It took off all the black and oxidized finish without hurting the good lacquer. The naptha cuts the grease without hurting the finish.

 

[ATLbassist]

While I'm waiting for this lacquer to cure, I think I'll move over to the amplifier section and show the resurrection/restoration of an Acoustic 370 with 2 bottoms..

What a great amp! I picked up a 370 a few years ago from the original owner after trying out a friend's head. It's the only solid state amp I've played that has a nice tube-like growl and warmth. It's near mint except that one of the knob facings is missing. Would you happen to have any extras?

 

[ExaltBass]

While I'm waiting for this lacquer to cure, I think I'll move over to the amplifier section and show the resurrection/restoration of an Acoustic 370 with 2 bottoms..

Link?

 

[jamro217]

Yay!!! What a shame some idiot was left alone with a bass and a sharp object. You did a great job fixing the hole, but matching wood grain is always a challenge. Maybe this calls for an opaque finish.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Yay!!! What a shame some idiot was left alone with a bass and a sharp object. You did a great job fixing the hole, but matching wood grain is always a challenge. Maybe this calls for an opaque finish.

You're a little late to the party...

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Link?

Gotta get some pics together first. Soon..