Big plans...first time refin/refurb . Opinions ?

[Intolerantbass]

I'm considering a potentially over ambition project.
When my G&L L2K Trib gets in next week Im thinking about dismantling my 27 year old T40 for a bit of an upgrade.

Now... before you guys lean in and say ' Just do it,...its easy..and fun ' you need to understand the extend of my madness .

I want to turn the T40 into a rear route no pickguard look.
Im guessing this is going to involve a complete strip of the body ...possibly planing off an certain amount of the body...laminating the top wood onto it...dealing with a jigsaw to maintain body shape......doing any contour work to reveal the rock maple underneath the top wood.

I have a decent array of tools available ......and two local builders of which to pester when I need help .

Some guys I talked to said ' HELL YEAH !!! while others think Im perculiar .

What do you guys think ?

 

[jdieh1]

Why put a new top on it? Couldn't you just fill in the front route (I'm guessing that it is front route right now) and then just put a solid finish on it?

That's what I would do in you case.

But if you are going for a transparent/sunburst finish then I see why you would have to put a new top on it.

 

[WRXbase]

You might try just putting a recess around the current top route and glue in a piece to cover it.

 

[Intolerantbass]

Thanks for the feedback...
I probably should have specified a stain or a clear coat finish in my first post ...pretty much requiring me to do a complete top lam .

My guitar player at practice told me Im no longer allowed to have any bass guitars which corresponds to the words ' quality ' or 'vintage' since this is going to be the second bass Im attempting .

The first was an unfinished project about 18 years ago ...sadly being an extremely old fender jazz . I was young..but vaguely remember a 5 serial number . It was taken apart with the best intentions ....stripped...and left for years .. the neck twisting and warping to practical uselessness. I ended up reassembling it and selling it as it to DJM Store for a couple hundred bucks. But in hindsight realise I probably destroyed what could have been a $3k bass.

Anyway ... The T40 is looking a bit skittish when I open the case.....and its almost a definite at this point . I was just hoping someone here has done a refin like this who may be able to over some do's and dont's

 

[62bass]

Thanks for the feedback...
I probably should have specified a stain or a clear coat finish in my first post ...pretty much requiring me to do a complete top lam .

My guitar player at practice told me Im no longer allowed to have any bass guitars which corresponds to the words ' quality ' or 'vintage' since this is going to be the second bass Im attempting .

The first was an unfinished project about 18 years ago ...sadly being an extremely old fender jazz . I was young..but vaguely remember a 5 serial number . It was taken apart with the best intentions ....stripped...and left for years .. the neck twisting and warping to practical uselessness. I ended up reassembling it and selling it as it to DJM Store for a couple hundred bucks. But in hindsight realise I probably destroyed what could have been a $3k bass.

Anyway ... The T40 is looking a bit skittish when I open the case.....and its almost a definite at this point . I was just hoping someone here has done a refin like this who may be able to over some do's and dont's

I've done a fair bit of refinishing work. It's pretty hard to answer your question with any specific answers without seeing the bass in person and assessing what needs to be done. There are lots of do's and don'ts. It doesn't sound like you're very good at it. Why not buy some finish and sandpaper and practice on some bare wood? Pick up a really cheap piece of furniture at a garage sale and refinish it. You'll learn a lot that way and it's less costly that destroying your bass.

 

[LCW]

Why not just build a whole new body. You dont ruin a old T40 and it sounds easier