Double Bass Degloss, with pics

[eh_train]

Hi all,

Nothing earth-shattering here, but I spent 2 hours this morning de-glossing my beater bass. It's a ply Samuel VB100 (is that another label for Eastman?), made in China. Not the greatest quality, but definitely a workable instrument.

The shiny department store gloss was never my favourite, so it's gone. I used Turtle Wax pink rubbing compound ($4.99), and some elbow grease. It seems to be a little less red-ish now, which I also prefer.

A before and after pic:

Cheers,
Paul (Eh_train)

 

[bassphase]

I can see wanting to get rid of the high gloss but now it looks like you hit it with auto rubbing compound a la primer grey 70's stoner mobile.....oh, you did!

I'd be tempted to rub it out with microfiber cloth and maybe a little tiny bit of almond oil on the cloth. It will still be flat but less hazy looking. Make sure there is NO residue from the rubbing compound before you try anything. You could try micro mesh pads too. They go up to 10,000 grit. Or try the microfiber cloth with nothing ---just make small circles.

Unless, of course, you got what you wanted.


bob

 

[eh_train]

... you hit it with auto rubbing compound a la primer grey 70's stoner mobile.....oh, you did!

bob

Hey Bob,

Hazy looking, yea, you've hit the nail on the head. I still like it better than the gloss. I thought of using a little rectified linseed oil but then thought I'd be putting a sheen back on.

So, if I use the the fine grit cloth or pads and put on a little oil I should find a mid-way point, reflectivity-wise, that is agreeable?

Thanks for your input!

Paul


I'd be tempted to rub it out with microfiber cloth and maybe a little tiny bit of almond oil on the cloth. It will still be flat but less hazy looking. Make sure there is NO residue from the rubbing compound before you try anything. You could try micro mesh pads too. They go up to 10,000 grit. Or try the microfiber cloth with nothing ---just make small circles.

Unless, of course, you got what you wanted.

 

[kg4muc]

Have you strung it back up yet?? Wondering if it made any improvement in the sound.
I have de glossed a mandolin or two and it actually seemed to open them up a bit.

Been wondering about doing that on a bass.. I have a candidate

 

[eh_train]

Yes, I strung it up again right away. Although I wasn't doing it to change the sound, it did seem to me that the bass was seeming particularly loud afterwards. BTW, the sound post never moved during the process.

I rubbed some linseed oil into a lower bout, and it ended up with a nicer satin look to it. That's the good news. The less good news is that - to finish the job - my 2 hour project has evolved into a 3 or 4 hour project.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Eric Hochberg]

BTW, the sound post never moved during the process.

Sounds like it could be too tight. Do you change it in winter?

 

[Marc Piane]

The post in my plywood is too tight in the winter. Mark Sonksen (my bass dr) said I thought it'd make very little difference in tone getting a winter soundpost cut for a workhorse ply bass.

 

[eh_train]

Sounds like it could be too tight. Do you change it in winter?

Hi Eric,

I don't change it, and the bass never seems too unhappy (no bulges front or back). It's pretty boomy and doesn't sound choked.

I don't think the soundpost is too wedged in. The reason it never fell is that I first did the ribs and back with the bass under tension. I then finished the job (the top) with it laid it on it's back. I was able to detune, pop the bridge out, and degloss the top without moving the bass much at all.

I did go over the bass again with linseed oil. It does look less foggy and flat now. Overall, a good compromise...

CHeers,

Paul

 

[bssist]

I'd like to see pics. I recently started to degloss mine but decided I liked the gloss better than the hazy spot I created with the rubbing compound. I was hoping for something more "worn" looking.

 

[eh_train]

Hi Bssist,

Sorry for the delay, but there's no daylight in Toronto after 5:00 (when I get home). I took this photo this morning, in slightly less sunlight than when the other two pics were taken.

I'd say it has gone from a gloss to a satin finish. I prefer it now, although it's not a worn finish. If you search Jay Haide basses, they have a worn finish that makes a brand new bass look like a well-used 60 year old bass. It looks cool, and I have no idea how they do it.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[bssist]

Thanks Paul. It's a little tough to tell but I think it looks "softer" than the flat finish pictured above. I definitely like it better. I may have to proceed with mine.

 

[timobee4]

I can see why you hated the original gloss finish but now it looks like one of those matt Chinese db's that are matt but no vintage look about it! IMO! But still nice. I had a bass once with a super shiny gloss finish and once I rubbed it down I bought some french polish and some darker pigment, divided the french polish into 3 different jars, mixed 3 different colors and the end result was insane! It looked so cool after I put some dints and random scratches the bass looked 200 year old!!! I purchased it for 3000$ and four years later my friend begged me to sell it to him offering 4500$ plus a slab of beer! Very regretful sale! I just did the head of my other bass and the result is great! If you already invested hours of work why not some more! The main secret is that once you done with it put wax on it over night and polish it up next day! It'll look beautiful like a vintage 100+ year old instrument! Lot of people get sucked in when they buy 50-150 year old instruments from Hungary or Romania or pretty much anywhere in Europe because they are masters of this method even print labels and the whole deal!! My luthier friend in Szeged, Hungary purchased a 120 year old bass that was such perfect replica that only when it was pulled apart the truth was realized, but the seller was nowhere to be seen by that time! I thought I share that funny story!