Adding arm and belly cuts to a finished body

[ThickBassSteaks]

Given a slab body that is already finished, what’s a smart way for me to add arm and belly contours? I don’t want to do a total refinish, any new exposed wood will just get a coat of oil or shellac.

Leaning toward using a rasp and files, I don’t currently have a belt sander or anything else that would make quick work of it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Ive done it with a hand drill with one of those slightly flexible plastic sanding pads with velcro or stick on sanding discs. Its surprisingly controllable with a light touch. I cant think it will look great with just a shellac or oil finish though, the edges between finished and unfinished will get a bit chewed up regardless.

 

[dwizum]

What's the current finish like? Unless it's also oil or shellac it might be hard to match.

The right rasp will make quick work of that. Not really any different than doing it on a new, unfinished body. I would tape down some heavy cardstock or similar over the finished parts of the body to give them some protection from nicks and damage during the process.

 

[2saddleslab]

Mine was done by a previous owner more than 30 years ago. So I had the entire body refinished a couple times. Decided to return it to it's original glory. MJT did an amazing job getting exactly how I found it in 1989.

@marchone has just had the same done to his 68 Tele bass.

As to how to do it and the tools to use? Sorry, can't help with that.

 

[ThickBassSteaks]

The current finish is a blonde poly, I’m not concerned with making it match at all. (If it came out like @2saddleslab’s up above I’d be 100% pleased)

 

[2saddleslab]

The current finish is a blonde poly, I’m not concerned with making it match at all. (If it came out like @2saddleslab’s up above I’d be 100% pleased)

I'd prefer an unmolested slab, but have come to embraced the aftermarket contours since they are part of the basses 69 year history.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The thing about most rasps is they leave gouges that have to be sanded out anyway. Thats why i like the sanding disc method, start with 80 grit, take your time, when you get it roughed out switch to 120 grit, then 220 By hand or with a rubber sanding block, and Bob's Your Uncle. Assuming you have a drill (the corded ones work better for this, get one dirt cheap at HF) , the discs are cheap, most Autozone stores stock them for body work. Good luck with it.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

I use a flap disc on an angle grinder. Makes quick work of wood so you need to be delicate.