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Custom Performer/Supersonic bass

#61
Totally cool project. This may seem nutty, but....

If it were mine, I'd go completely retro on the finish... maybe Mary Kay translucent white with a gold anodized aluminum pickguard.

Ultra-modern shape with a retro finish and details, maybe even a light relic job on it just to throw further visual dissonance into the mix!
 
#62
M.R. Ogle said:
Totally cool project. This may seem nutty, but....

If it were mine, I'd go completely retro on the finish... maybe Mary Kay translucent white with a gold anodized aluminum pickguard.

Ultra-modern shape with a retro finish and details, maybe even a light relic job on it just to throw further visual dissonance into the mix!
Click to expand...

You are definitely on my wavelength with that train of thought - like the Jazzmaster in the pic I posted. It's was a toss-up. I thought about aged white/tort as well. But I've always loved the Firemist Gold Metallic and will probably stick w/that choice. It was a colour Fender used when I was starting to play bass in the mid-60's - so a sort of nostalgic thing. I have considered having Pat shoot a slight amber/aged clear-coat over it to (further) warm it up, and tint the neck as well. I also like the words "Firemist" and "Supersonic" in the same sentence... there was a cool animated/puppet (think "Team America", but more innocent) TV program from England called "Fireball XL5" that I loved as a kid! ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eugenevoorneman/4881999409/in/set-72157624578334425/ - gotta' love it! :)
 
#65
Did the final high-focus work today - joining the neck w/the body, and the body w/the bridge. I went 5 (odd#) instead of 6 bolts due to both physical and aesthetic considerations. It works equally on both levels.

IMG_4207.jpg


I drilled for brass inserts, epoxy-set them, grinded/level-filed off the top screw-on spacer.., and at the end of the day got a good tight fit. This is no small feat and it reminded me that wood is organic and regardless of human tendency to want everything "perfect", wood is organic! (perfect yet forgiving)

IMG_4208.jpg
 
#66
Here's shots of the fully routed and drilled, sealed and final sanded body.

IMG_4210.jpg


I lined the insides of the string-thru ports w/blue tape so they don't get flooded w/over-spray. The ferules fit tight now and I don't want to risk stressing the new paint when installing them. The neck reveals are a bit oversized so I'll let the paint fill in a bit there for a snug fitting washer.

I'll be getting the EMG pu's/electronics and Stew Mac J-pu rout templates today or tomorrow, will do the final pg rout work/fitting, and then it's off to be painted.

IMG_4211.jpg


Speaking of which, here's a pic of a vintage Strat w/Firemist Gold Metallic/white pg & pu's. :) ummmm, yummy!

IMG_4200.jpg
 
#68
I taped the cavities (I keep the tape 1/16th" from the edge so it doesn't peal the fresh paint at the lip), boxed up both the neck and body and will mail them on Monday to Pat. I got the EMG's and routing templates and attempted to rout the pu holes and 86'd the pg w/a router slip. Luckily it was only 1/2 of a full sheet/blank of plastic and being non-lam white, a inexpensive error. I've decided I'm going to wait until it's done/painted before making a final choice on pg colour. (maybe a blessing in disguise) The white of the pu's didn't match the white of the pg, so maybe a pearl or tort...

IMG_4218.jpg


This thread will go into hibernation-mode for a month or so, but coincidentally Pat is sending me the Steinbacker body [Coming soon...Steinbacker Fretless bass - Luthiers Corner] and it will be here on Monday or Tuesday, so I'll be picking up where I left off until that Gildaxe project is done. (can't wait o see it!) :bassist:

IMG_4219.jpg
 
#69
I know this project is 'in waiting' for now but I'm stoked every time I think of it and just had to revisit the thread to remind myself why. Also to remind me to have the Supersonic decals made... :ninja:

Firemist Gold Metallic is what I'm talkin' about here... seriously muscle car territory. (smell the ArmorAll! :p)

0501pon_02z1970_Pontiac_GTODrivers_Side_View.jpg
 
#72
JIO-------how did the neck go down for you---Performer specs? I'm hoping you got the famed Performer neck thinness! Could be a speed demon to play and glide around on!!!!!!!!!:hyper:
Can't wait to see the finished product.
subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#73
MEKer said:
JIO-------how did the neck go down for you---Performer specs? I'm hoping you got the famed Performer neck thinness! Could be a speed demon to play and glide around on!!!!!!!!!:hyper:
Can't wait to see the finished product.
subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Actually I had it made to a mix of the Parker Hornet 24 fret neck (from the butt up) w/a early 60's Jazz profile (from the nut down) So something of the best of both worlds (for me anyway). With flats it will definitely be a glide-monster! The super thin Performer neck is cool, but I wanted something less particular, especially when going from bass to bass. A 4 to 5'r transition is usually challenging enough! I should have it back next week from Pat to assemble.
 
#77
wraub said:
Sooo.... Didja get it back yet?
;)

wraub
Click to expand...

not yet wraub... I'm hoping it will arrive this coming week. I know Pat starts getting extra busy this time of year as the winter NAMM show approaches. As always what's worth something is worth waiting for, so no worries - if it gets completed in the next few weeks it will be a nice way to launch the new year! Stay tuned!

meanwhile, if you haven't seen kris pung's cool 5'r build yet - check it out!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/new-build--spacebass-5-string-923592/index2.html
 

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