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Experimental 5-string build

#81
Sanding sanding sanding sanding sanding...

Off-topic: I discovered today that a B string makes a great fish line for pulling wires through one's house.
 
#82
That pickup reminds me of an Enfield bass that I played at NAMM a few years ago

enfield.jpg
 
#92
Thanks for the chuckles, folks (although I have no idea what the Iraq reference is, but then again, I purposefully live under a rock...).

Purple dye! TransTint, mixed in a ratio of 3 parts purple to 2 parts "vivid red". Two coats of the dye, on both the ash and the purpleheart, then partially sanded back, to reveal the grain lines in the ash. I also tried to leave enough purple in the pores of the purpleheart to, well, make it look a little more purple!

DSC00526.jpg


I suppose the finish is another experimental facet of this build. I hope it looks as good as I think my test piece looked, but it might just end up looking like a great big piece of grape bubble gum... :meh:

This is also my first non-oil finish - this is Deft rattle-can lacquer. I did three light coats last night, then lightly sanded and am doing another three coats today, before I have to leave for rehearsal. I like the gloss of my test piece, so I'm hopeful!

(Once again I am reminded of my tendency to under-sand these projects. Nothing like a bit of finish to illuminate inadequate sanding. :scowl:)
 
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#93
ctmullins said:
Thanks for the chuckles, folks (although I have no idea what the Iraq reference is, but then again, I purposefully live under a rock...).

Purple dye! TransTint, mixed in a ratio of 3 parts purple to 2 parts "vivid red". Two coats of the dye, on both the ash and the purpleheart, then partially sanded back, to reveal the grain lines in the ash. I also tried to leave enough purple in the pores of the purpleheart to, well, make it look a little more purple!

I suppose the finish is another experimental facet of this build. I hope it looks as good as I think my test piece looked, but it might just end up looking like a great big piece of grape bubble gum... :hmm:

This is also my first non-oil finish - this is Deft rattle-can lacquer. I did three light coats last night, then lightly sanded and am doing another three coats today, before I have to leave for rehearsal. I like the gloss of my test piece, so I'm hopeful!

(Once again I am reminded of my tendency to under-sand these projects. Nothing like a bit of finish to illuminate inadequate sanding. :scowl:)
Click to expand...

When Iraq won the right to vote they put purple ink on their fingers and so did many people in other countries.
 
#95
Suffragette City; rock on....

The lacquer is building up. I've done three light coats, 30 minutes apart, cure for 24 hours, then lightly sand, for the last three days. I think I'll do this for a couple more days, then let it cure for a few weeks. Sound about right?
 
#97
Thanks, grendle! The body isn't bowed; it may just be lens distortion from my vintage digital camera. :eyebrow:

The top sculpting is a result of an effort towards weight reduction. The body is full-width at the south end, gradually tapering to almost a point at the north (that's also why I cut the "eyebrows" for the bridge). But I wanted to leave the full thickness at the upper horn, for structural purposes. I think it looks pretty neat. Better photos soon!
 
#99
Man oh man, I love love LOVE oiling maple!

DSC00537.jpg


DSC00543.jpg


This is just the first two coats of Tru-Oil on the back of the neck, not even steel-wooled or buffed yet. I decided to give Tru-Oil a try, based on the many positive reviews that it has received here and elsewhere, and I'm liking the sheen!
 
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