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black & blond P makeover (etc)
- Thread starter JIO
- Start date
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Mary … is that a question? ...or did you mean to hit the exclamation key? 
I've considered the Mary Kay finish a few times but so far I passed - next one! Post pics of yours to help inspire me. 
Anyway - the Glam J arrived as expected and I spent some concentrated hours doing prep. Needed to remove the thick finish from the bridge cavity, and clean up all the other cavity edges. I'm a detail guy (if you haven't noticed) so this kind of fussy work is right up my alley. The edges were critical but the center section came off fairly easily. I saved the larger chunks because.., I'm weird like that.
Once removed - the bridge fits snug - like a bug in a rug. Something like this is the definition of 'custom'.
Trimmed all the cavities and painted shielding paint (2 coats) followed by a floor-layer of copper tape. Did star-grounding of all cavities (including bridge-plate) to the jack and will wire it up after I post this. As it's late in the day, I'll post assembled pics tomorrow when the light is good and I've had a chance to do all necessary alignment. The tobacco black/brown is very dark (black to the casual observer) but know a bright light/sunlight will bring that rich dark chocolate brown out!
I've considered the Mary Kay finish a few times but so far I passed - next one! Post pics of yours to help inspire me. Anyway - the Glam J arrived as expected and I spent some concentrated hours doing prep. Needed to remove the thick finish from the bridge cavity, and clean up all the other cavity edges. I'm a detail guy (if you haven't noticed) so this kind of fussy work is right up my alley. The edges were critical but the center section came off fairly easily. I saved the larger chunks because.., I'm weird like that.
Once removed - the bridge fits snug - like a bug in a rug. Something like this is the definition of 'custom'.
Trimmed all the cavities and painted shielding paint (2 coats) followed by a floor-layer of copper tape. Did star-grounding of all cavities (including bridge-plate) to the jack and will wire it up after I post this. As it's late in the day, I'll post assembled pics tomorrow when the light is good and I've had a chance to do all necessary alignment. The tobacco black/brown is very dark (black to the casual observer) but know a bright light/sunlight will bring that rich dark chocolate brown out!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Wired it up, intoned the bridge, installed D'Addario strings (from Jason at BASSSTRINGSONLINE.com) and adjusted string-hieght and it sounds Sparktacular! As you would suspect with a maple top, it's got a bit of that zingy Ric-o-sound goin' on and I have to wear shades to play it! (nothing sez' show biz like a sparkle finish!) I was hoping it would be in the 8lb range but it ended up 8.9lbs. (so jealous of the 8-8.5lb basses out there) But... much lighter than the body started out as, so I can't complain. I will post natural light pics tomorrow. This one w/a flash doesn't do it justice. I'm looking at it across the room and it's way sexier than this pic. Excuse me, gotta' go play it some more now… 
THAT good sir, is P-I-M-to the P PIMP! It should almost be a law that you wear platform shoes with the acrylic soles and goldfishes in them! It should at least have a neck plate with Huggy Bear's photo lazer etched in it. What a beauty! *doing the Wayne and Garth "We Aren't Worthy" bit but you can't see me*
What type neck did you use BTW?
What type neck did you use BTW?
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
It's an Allparts neck. I've had a few over the years and have always been satisfied w/their quality and price. This one is no exception. The bass is (a bit) flashy but it plays/sounds great! Once I'm locked in with a bass while playing/jamming, I tend to not look at it - but this one is a little, demanding… (who loves ya baby?)
I did have one pair of black swede platform low-top boots in the early 70's… but no fish were involved.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
That would be a good bet. I have a parchment pearl pg that I laid on it and it would work. It's funny though because on a solid colour the pearl is 'glitzy' but on this bass is goes neutral! Black would be really punchy and even mint green would work. (dare I say tort?) I'd have to cut one custom to fit but it could be done. I'm just not sure I want a guard - I'm going through a no-pg phase. Here's some daylight pics. I'll shoot some later outside when the light is optimal.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
RE: Mary Kay finish.
Here's an example of Marty Bell's work, but obviously you know that Sparkle finishes are Marty's bread and butter.
sg
Just a thought, but strategically-placed, high-quality, two-sided tape would allow you to put the guard on, and take if off without having to drill holes. That way if you decided against it, you could simply take it off, clean any residue, and you're back to neutral.
Would have been over-the-top with that kind of guard plus a reflective binding like on my Yamaha. LOL.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Yes, I'm considering at least making one for it. I'm liking something like a dark brown tort right now but there are many colors/styles that could look good on it. (even faux leopard print if I want to glam-out all the way!)
I like how that tort works with that, but you're right, you've got a tough decision ahead of you. LOL
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
love it! - from the UK but only as a Strat-pg (or scratch-plate as they say) I wrote to see if they will sell me a blank of it.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Holy Toledo!
Gonna need shades!
yah, maybe a bit much - it depends on how yellow it is - better if more amber. They also have this one - more brown but I like the blobs on the other one better.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Yes, I'm considering at least making one for it. I'm liking something like a dark brown tort right now but there are many colors/styles that could look good on it. (even faux leopard print if I want to glam-out all the way!)
Hey JIO
Nice NICE job....
Looks great! I am partial to the cream pickup and the way it picks up the maple fingerboard. Way too cool!
And of course, my vote will almost always be naked, no pick guard, but I realize you are really into such things.
May you have many sweet hours howling at the moon with that baby.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Howling is right! It's definitely a different animal than I'm used to - it's a wild beast! It's very present with focused definition and growl - sorta' like a Ric, but more comfortable! And speaking of comfort, the thinner body feels lighter than just under 9lbs once strapped on. It's a R&R machine!
