Dean Club!!!

[Buz71]

I got the 3rd and final coat on just before it started pouring rain!

View attachment 3975203
View attachment 3975204

This Zone XM body is nice and glossy. 3 coats, with an hour and a half between coats.
Now, if I can just leave it alone for about 3 days. View attachment 3975210

I believe this stuff really is fast drying. It smelled after spraying (I did wear a respirator but went in afterward to peek at it.). However, an hour later, not much at all.

Maybe if it’s not smelling at all next weekend, I might wet sand the body and buff with polishing compound. I did see one spot that looked like it might need it.

What is it about painting stuff that’s so much fun? The prep work was unpleasant but spray painting is awesome - especially when it goes the way it’s supposed to!

Looking good. Did you have to strip the body or was it a natural finish already. The reason I ask is that I have an 87 Yamaha RBX5 that is just hanging on the wall and I've been thinking about doing a rebuild on it including a new body finish. If the grain looks as nice as yours going the natural finish would be a must. Keep us posted as to the progress of the project...

 

[B-Mac]

Looking good. Did you have to strip the body or was it a natural finish already. The reason I ask is that I have an 87 Yamaha RBX5 that is just hanging on the wall and I've been thinking about doing a rebuild on it including a new body finish. If the grain looks as nice as yours going the natural finish would be a must. Keep us posted as to the progress of the project...

If you scroll a few pages back you'll see what @Bassist59 started with. Trans black and I think he's done a fantastic job so far. Getting this from a black bass to me is a bit amazing. What color is your Yamaha?

Check out post 2462
2462

 

[Buz71]

If you scroll a few pages back you'll see what @Bassist59 started with. Trans black and I think he's done a fantastic job so far. Getting this from a black bass to me is a bit amazing. What color is your Yamaha?

Check out post 2462
2462

Thanks for the update B-Mac, Mine too is black, that is why I was kinda wondering if he used a stripper and if so what? Kind of had a brain fart, should have check the earlier posts

 

[Bassist59]

If you scroll a few pages back you'll see what @Bassist59 started with. Trans black and I think he's done a fantastic job so far.

Check out post 2462
2462

Thanks for the shout out, B-Mac!

Buz71, no stripper was used. I’ve used paint stripper before and it’s evil stuff. I can’t stand the fumes, even with a paint respirator mask.

Sanding is no picnic, either as everybody probably knows. Building a bass or guitar from a kit made of raw wood is one thing, sanding off existing finish is different. I think it’s a mess any way you slice it!

I’m not sure, but I think I might’ve sanded into some mold that might have been locked under the paint because it did smell like dead fish, even through my paper dust mask, believe it or not. That was really weird. Not a paint smell, it was organic...and it was kinda sickening. It’s another mystery because I didn’t quite sand down to bare wood....

This has been an adventure. I’m gonna need to wait a while before wet sanding and polishing.

Good luck with the Yamaha rebuild if you decide to do it. I hope I didn’t discourage you. I just strongly recommend wearing a respirator even if you are just sanding. The sanding mask just wasn’t good enough.

 

[Buz71]

Thanks for the shout out, B-Mac!

Buz71, no stripper was used. I’ve used paint stripper before and it’s evil stuff. I can’t stand the fumes, even with a paint respirator mask.

Sanding is no picnic, either as everybody probably knows. Building a bass or guitar from a kit made of raw wood is one thing, sanding off existing finish is different. I think it’s a mess any way you slice it!

I’m not sure, but I think I might’ve sanded into some mold that might have been locked under the paint because it did smell like dead fish, even through my paper dust mask, believe it or not. That was really weird. Not a paint smell, it was organic...and it was kinda sickening. It’s another mystery because I didn’t quite sand down to bare wood....

This has been an adventure. I’m gonna need to wait a while before wet sanding and polishing.

Good luck with the Yamaha rebuild if you decide to do it. I hope I didn’t discourage you. I just strongly recommend wearing a respirator even if you are just sanding. The sanding mask just wasn’t good enough.

Thanks for the reply B59. Yah, not sure what I'm going to do yet. Its been hanging there for a couple of years and I really should do something with it. Its a great player, for a 5 the neck is surprisingly narrow, but it still has all the original electronics so the sound is ok but not great. If I go ahead with it will post pics.
Again, thanks for the come-back. Stay healthy, be safe, and play hard

 

[B-Mac]

Thanks for the shout out, B-Mac!

Buz71, no stripper was used. I’ve used paint stripper before and it’s evil stuff. I can’t stand the fumes, even with a paint respirator mask.

Sanding is no picnic, either as everybody probably knows. Building a bass or guitar from a kit made of raw wood is one thing, sanding off existing finish is different. I think it’s a mess any way you slice it!

I’m not sure, but I think I might’ve sanded into some mold that might have been locked under the paint because it did smell like dead fish, even through my paper dust mask, believe it or not. That was really weird. Not a paint smell, it was organic...and it was kinda sickening. It’s another mystery because I didn’t quite sand down to bare wood....

This has been an adventure. I’m gonna need to wait a while before wet sanding and polishing.

Good luck with the Yamaha rebuild if you decide to do it. I hope I didn’t discourage you. I just strongly recommend wearing a respirator even if you are just sanding. The sanding mask just wasn’t good enough.

This is from page 3 of Dean Club!!!
Dean Club!!! Post No 52

 

[Bassist59]

This is from page 3 of Dean Club!!!
Dean Club!!! Post No 52

It’s interesting to see other bassists refinishing their instruments, painting bridges, changing pickups, etc. that’s a 12 year old post, but the player did a good job on his bass.

The body of the Zone is still hanging in the paint booth because it smells like polyurethane.
I’m going to wait a few days before final wet sanding and polishing.

The whole point of this project was to learn how to change a nut, get the perfect finish by wet sanding, line the cavities with copper tape....there’s a little voice inside my head telling me to stop fooling with it because it’s turned out so nice. “Quit while you’re ahead!”

I very well may just install the copper shielding tape and just reassemble it and start playing, lol. The nut can wait - I’m not sure the body even needs anything else done to it!

oh...I intended to upgrade the tuners. It could be done but would look silly because they don’t really fit. I’m afraid the old ones have to go back on.

 

[B-Mac]

It’s interesting to see other bassists refinishing their instruments, painting bridges, changing pickups, etc. that’s a 12 year old post, but the player did a good job on his bass.

The body of the Zone is still hanging in the paint booth because it smells like polyurethane.
I’m going to wait a few days before final wet sanding and polishing.

The whole point of this project was to learn how to change a nut, get the perfect finish by wet sanding, line the cavities with copper tape....there’s a little voice inside my head telling me to stop fooling with it because it’s turned out so nice. “Quit while you’re ahead!”

I very well may just install the copper shielding tape and just reassemble it and start playing, lol. The nut can wait - I’m not sure the body even needs anything else done to it!

oh...I intended to upgrade the tuners. It could be done but would look silly because they don’t really fit. I’m afraid the old ones have to go back on. View attachment 3981109

You can find old Grovers for this that look like the originals but are better or even old gotoh tuners.

Are you looking specifically for chrome?

 

[Bassist59]

You can find old Grovers for this that look like the originals but are better or even old gotoh tuners.

Are you looking specifically for chrome?

Thanks for the info, B-Mac. Once I realized my headstock was too small for those big elephant ear tuners, I did some research and found a bunch of tuners that would work, including the ones you mentioned. Yes, chrome would be preferable but I’m ok with putting the original black tuners back on for now.

I don’t think I’m going to change the nut until I invest in a set of nut files, either. A nut file set is about $100.00 bucks!...that is definitely on the back burner...maybe at Christmas.

However...it’s 2am and I just sanded the shiny, dented neck and applied some grain filler. The neck is matte when new but I played the bass quite a bit (and hope to play it a lot more in the future) and it got glossy in spots. It’s also dented from where I must have leaned the bass against a dresser or something years ago. I think when I sand the grain filler, those dents will be filled in then I can coat the neck with some kind of flat clear coat.

Shiny and dented!!!

Taped up and ready for some light sanding.

Sanded and coated with grain filler that dries pretty hard:

In the morning, I’ll sand this smooth and apply some kind of clear coat.

 

[B-Mac]

Thanks for the info, B-Mac. Once I realized my headstock was too small for those big elephant ear tuners, I did some research and found a bunch of tuners that would work, including the ones you mentioned. Yes, chrome would be preferable but I’m ok with putting the original black tuners back on for now.

I don’t think I’m going to change the nut until I invest in a set of nut files, either. A nut file set is about $100.00 bucks!...that is definitely on the back burner...maybe at Christmas.

However...it’s 2am and I just sanded the shiny, dented neck and applied some grain filler. The neck is matte when new but I played the bass quite a bit (and hope to play it a lot more in the future) and it got glossy in spots. It’s also dented from where I must have leaned the bass against a dresser or something years ago. I think when I sand the grain filler, those dents will be filled in then I can coat the neck with some kind of flat clear coat.

Shiny and dented!!!
View attachment 3981825

View attachment 3981826

Taped up and ready for some light sanding.
View attachment 3981827

Sanded and coated with grain filler that dries pretty hard:
View attachment 3981828

In the morning, I’ll sand this smooth and apply some kind of clear coat.

Might want to show off your hard work here when you’re finished.
Rattle Can Refinish Club

 

[Bassist59]

Might want to show off your hard work here when you’re finished.
Rattle Can Refinish Club

That sounds like a plan, thanks! I had to stop yesterday because it was raining off and on all day. The humidity was ridiculous - painting was not an option.

 

[Bassist59]

There’s not much to report on the Dean Zone rebuild / refinish project except this coat of shellac. Shellac is really good stuff, I’ve learned. It’s non toxic and seals in whatever mystery finish was on your guitar in the event you want to refinish it. It sealed in my grain filler which did fill up those dents.

This is my first time using it. I read that it works great under polyurethane.

FYI - the neck is way too glossy but it’s not gonna stay that way much longer. I’m going to sand the gloss off and coat the neck with several coats of flat clear poly.

I could’ve left the neck alone but the original finish was thin, worn and just not good enough.

 

[Rev12_11]

Shellac is a great finish. Not so sure you're going to need a coat of poly over it. Certainly won't hurt though.

 

[Bass Man Stan]

I'm going to give you a damn good shellacking you whippersnapper bass.

 

[Bassist59]

Shellac is a great finish. Not so sure you're going to need a coat of poly over it. Certainly won't hurt though.

I agree, I love shellac. Dries fast, doesn’t stink, looks good, sandable, goes over and under everything!!!

The poly is to get an ultra flat dry feel for playing. I’m going to try to make it look like it did when I first bought it, or hopefully better.

 

[Bassist59]

I'm going to give you a damn good shellacking you whippersnapper bass.

Lol!!!!

 

[Bassist59]

DEAN MLM2A ML Metalman 2 Active 4-string BASS guitar NEW w/HARD CASE - Metal Man | Dean Johnson's Music | Reverb

There’s a 16 year old kid inside my 56 year old body that really wants this bass! I don’t know what it is about the Metalman series, but I really want one of each of the current ones and this one at reverb...

 

[B-Mac]

DEAN MLM2A ML Metalman 2 Active 4-string BASS guitar NEW w/HARD CASE - Metal Man | Dean Johnson's Music | Reverb

There’s a 16 year old kid inside my 56 year old body that really wants this bass! I don’t know what it is about the Metalman series, but I really want one of each of the current ones and this one at reverb...

View attachment 3989488

I could go for a Cadillac!

As pointy as I’ll go

 

[Bassist59]

I could go for a Cadillac!
View attachment 3989654
As pointy as I’ll go

I like the Cadillacs as well. Dean took the classic solid body guitar and bass designs to the next level.

ZONE v2.0 PROGRESS:

I had to build a bit popsicle stick out of a 2 x 4 to screw the body on in order to spray all areas. I had to re-spray the body today because I noticed I missed some spots. That was disappointing because drips, runs, wrinkles can be sanded out and polished; missing spots entirely leaves no choice but to re-spray. This time, I didn’t miss any spots thanks to the 2 x 4 contraption I built! Another whole week until reassembly....

The 2 x 4 allowed me to rotate the body upside down, left, right, etc. in order to get everything coated this time. It’s amazing what can be done with a two dollar 2 x 4 and a coping saw!

I hope to have this body finally polished up and ready to go next weekend. I’m looking forward to installing the new pickup, bridge, and shielding tape.

The neck was refinished yesterday in flat poly but it basically looks the same. In a few days, I’ll clean it up and it’ll be ready.

Nothing to see here...move along....

 

[Bassist59]

Dean Zone neck - reassembly. He’s coming back to life!

I spent an obscene amount of time on the neck. It doesn’t look much different but I know it’s got a good hard, smooth finish on it now.

More to come this weekend.