black & blond P makeover (etc)

[JIO]

I bought a CIJ '51 RI P-bass new in '06 (8 yrs ago already!) It was the overly mustard colour that didn't really look like a 50's P IMO. I liked it at first but decided to mod it for more tone variety (and no single-coil hum). The mustard was removed (not fun) and routing was done. G&L L-2000 MFD pu's & 9v pre-amp, Hipshot string-thru bridge and custom-cut parchment pearl pg. I also did a belly-bevel on the back. Awesome player, tones that cover every need - love it. I did the trans leather-brown nitro finish myself. Looked good, but being my 1st nitro finish, it had issues over time.

At one point, I made another custom pg, this time black/wht/blk. Added a tug-bar also and a bridge cover which was a neck pu cover.

The finish continued to degrade, and not in a fashionably 'road-worn' way. It just bugged me over time so I decided to have it refinished correctly. I took it apart and while I was at it, I did a few new mods. I enlarged the ferrule holes to accept the more authentic early 50's big-barrel ferrules. I also deepened the body-bevel I originally added. (or removed actually) The new finish will be smooth (no ash wood grain) gloss-black, w/the black pg - black & blond. I am having Marty Bell in SoCal do it, so I can check out his handiwork for future finishing needs. Pat Wilkins is still my main man, but Marty can turn projects around quicker, so I want to check him out. He's finishing a Gildaxe project for me right now, but it's going directly to the luthier in LA who built the bass to assemble after its done so I won't get a chance to study it in person.

Meanwhile, if you want to post your black & blond basses (black body/maple neck) here that would be cool. There probably is a black & blond thread already, so this isn't an official b&b 'club' or anything.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Nice. I don't have any black & blond basses like you describe, but I'd subscribed to this thread anyway

 

[JIO]

This shows the problem of my finish. Removing it was relatively easy using a straight razor to skim the nitro layer off. It never bonded correctly, and any little ding separated it from the body.

Here's the big-barrel ferrules. The facing rim was pretty crudely machined (R), so I buffed them out to a smooth shiny surface (L).

not perfect, but close enough for jazz (some filling required) Also, black is very forgiving visually on minor flaws.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, I plan on also routing for ivory binding on the body front, like an Aerodyne. Always liked the way those basses looked - very classy.

 

[JIO]

I searched a bit and apparently there isn't a black & blond(maple) thread. I did find this older thread partially addressing the subject: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/black-n-maple-v-s-black-n-rosewood.658736/page-2 which included this post by kcamsdog1387 which relates to my bass refinish. A nice pic of a classic black Aerodyne (w/ivory binding) and a equally classic pickguardless (Squier) P in black & blond.

So, I've changed the thread title to reflect the broader focus here - no numbers, but a place to start posting your black (bodied) Blond (maple necks) basses, P's, J's, and any other brand in that configuration.

I'll post progress on the black & blond makeover of my hot-rodded P (I call it my T2K - Tele 2000) along the way. Meanwhile, let the pic/posts begin!

 

[dedpool1052]

not to rain on your parade, but
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-official-black-n-maple-club-part-four.928117/page-32
btw, that T2K of yours is pretty awesome.

 

[JIO]

not to rain on your parade, but
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-official-black-n-maple-club-part-four.928117/page-32
btw, that T2K of yours is pretty awesome.

Ok then! Thanks for setting me straight - I'm not surprised! (and back to my old title!) I'll be joining that club soon! And yes, thank you - I credit its awesomeness to a legacy of Leo from beginning to end.

After scanning the official black-n-maple club thread, I saw this kool custom Lowe and it instantly told me this was what I want for my L2K; piano black face, ivory binding and
like I had before on the back and sides...black & (dirty) blond! Can you say "right under my nose the whole time?"

 

[JIO]

I bought this ebony 'tug-bar' for the T2K to compliment it's 'face-lift'. I have a couple made by Guy Lewis (England) but saw this and after reading his copy, I couldn't resist supporting him. (same price as GL's) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=231180684608&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

 

[Splods]

Looking good JIO, I need to get my hands on some G&L pickups one day.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

[/QUOTE]

I bought a CIJ '51 RI P-bass new in '06 (12 yrs ago already!)

I kind of panicked a little and was like 2006 has been that long? then I realized no you just did math wrong .

Now I know how all those old guys feel when they say " a 1980's bass is vintage? 1987 was like 9 years ago right?" , or the even older farts that think the 70s wasnt long ago , dude please that was a decade before me.

 

[bluesdogblues]

While waiting

1976 Fender Precision Bass

rumbleseatmusicsouthwest. com

 

[Venomouscontrol]

I'd just leave it as it is iMho.

 

[JIO]

I kind of panicked a little and was like 2006 has been that long? then I realized no you just did math wrong .

Now I know how all those old guys feel when they say " a 1980's bass is vintage? 1987 was like 9 years ago right?" , or the even older farts that think the 70s wasnt long ago , dude please that was a decade before me.[/QUOTE]

errr.., yah.., one meallion dollars! As I was saying… 8 yrs ago already… (corrected orig error in 1st post- thanks!)

I'd just leave it as it is iMho.

that ship has sailed...

 

[JIO]

Looking good JIO, I need to get my hands on some G&L pickups one day.

They do come up from time to time. I scored my last set on ebay for way less than new from G&L.

 

[JIO]

Routed the face edges and glued in the binding. I had some cream so I just used that instead of ivory. It'll keep a visually warm vibe to soften the badass black look a bit - more classy. 24 hrs set/cure and some bondo to fill gaps (between binding and rounded edge) tomorrow.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Thats going to look good with binding

 

[JIO]

Thats going to look good with binding

It'll be a kind of a "country gentleman meets Roger Waters…"

 

[wraub]

Watching this for sure...

 

[bluesdogblues]

not maple necked but..

 

[trunkshope6]

definately an ASAT killer

 

[JIO]

definately an ASAT killer

Full circle from the man who invented both!