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Fendowsky build

#21
Also Gbass, if you want a more in depth look at the process I'm following, go to reranch.com and check out the Reranch 101 and Spraying Color, Metallics and Blonde sections under basic refinishing. Between that, the threads in the Luthier section here on TB and input from a couple local luthiers, thats what I'm getting all my info.

Oh, and on the reranch 101, there is a part 2 to that article that you get to by clicking on the link that doesn't look like a link at the bottom of first section. It's kind of confusing but thats where all the really good information is on finishing.
 
#23
for sandpaper, auto parts store usually stock the higher 3M grits like 600-1200-2000, alongside the bondo and other products that are waiting to make another car look like a victim of smallpox....

For fine finishing I like the Mirka Abralon pads used for bowling balls: they are flexible, don't load easy and hold water for wet sanding, I usually get them on the bay

MIRKA/ABRALON OR SIA PADS FOR BOWLING 6 PK 6 " COMBO YOU PICK FREE SHIPPING | eBay
 
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#24
DEbassist said:
A compatible and much cheaper alternative is Deft's Clear Gloss wood finish. You can find it at Lowes and Home Depot for about $5 bucks a pop. I switched over to that after I ran through the reranch stuff. It's also nice to be able to take a 5 minute drive to get more than waiting a week for new paint from reranch.
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I love Deft nitro, it sprays nicely provided you don't get one with a bum tip. I think the reranch nitro sprays a little bit thicker, but the cost of Deft is great. I usually go to the store and get about 10 of them at a time, and proceed to be asked an ID because of the volume....:rollno:
 
#25
joeyl said:
I love Deft nitro, it sprays nicely provided you don't get one with a bum tip. I think the reranch nitro sprays a little bit thicker, but the cost of Deft is great. I usually go to the store and get about 10 of them at a time, and proceed to be asked an ID because of the volume....:rollno:
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Initially I was going to be relicing this bass and I happen to live in the meth capital of world. Jefferson County, MO. Imagine the ID checks, questions and looks I got when I went and bought Hydrocloric acid. :rollno: And of course they only sell the stuff in 2 gallon increments. I looked like a drug dealer with 2 gallons of the stuff in my passenger seat on the way home. haha
 
#27
DEbassist said:
Initially I was going to be relicing this bass and I happen to live in the meth capital of world. Jefferson County, MO. Imagine the ID checks, questions and looks I got when I went and bought Hydrocloric acid. :rollno: And of course they only sell the stuff in 2 gallon increments. I looked like a drug dealer with 2 gallons of the stuff in my passenger seat on the way home. haha
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haha that's funny.

I learned about the abralon from guys in the luthier's forum, they are great about sharing that kind of knowledge!
As for 4000, I do use it for the final sanding stages, it really cuts down on the final polishing stages.
 
#28
alright! Got the bass back from the tech last night. She's routed for the Big Splits, Side jack for the preamp and a hidey hole for the 9v under the pickguard. :-) And as an added bonus, there is just enough room to have the neck pickup ashtray cover installed. :) :)

Also, I was in talks with my son this morning and when I asked him what we should name it, it told me he wants to call it "big star" (I don't know, he's 2) so he's going to help me tonight with a little customization idea I have. I'm going to cut a star out of some thin woodstock I have, prime and paint it LPB and afix it to the pickguard where a tug bar would normally go.
 
#30
:-)

ForumRunner_20120331_070650.png
 
#31
Alrighty guys, now it's time for another stupid mistake by yours truly. While I was taking the body off hooks in the garage for the finally sanding, butterfingers here dropped the bass. On the hard. cold. concrete floor. Needless to say, she got dinged up a bit. I ended up with a nice pair of dings by the input jack, a scuff through to the wood on the upper horn and what I can only describe as a shattered glass effect on the area by the bridge strap button.

After the mental lashing I gave myself, I decided to leave the imperfections there and proceed. It gives the bass some character and serves as a nice reminder for next time. We'll just call it a little artifical mojo. :) I wet sanded the bass down and shot another 3 coats of clear to get all of the rough edges out.

If I had decided to fix the trouble spots, I would have had to completely start over. Strip the finish down to the wood, grain filler to get rid of the dings and scuffs, primer, color and clear. No thanks.

I'll get some shots up of the gnarly accidental relicing I did tonight.
 

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#32
On a positive note, the bowling ball sandpaper got here yesterday and I have to say, this things blew me away. They dont clog up like normal paper, retain water perfectly, don't leave gouges like regular paper and work much more evenly than normal wet paper. It feels like your wiping your bass down with a damp towel.

I went over the bass with a pad of 2000, 3000 and finally 4000. After this was done, the bass had a very fine matte finish to it. Perfectly smooth, looked nice and even. Once that was done, I hit it with some 3m Finesse-it polishing compound. I'm going to let it hang and dry for the day while I research some final finishing processes.

If anyone has any tips, it would be greatly appreciated. :)
 

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#33
How are you doing with your Fendowsky?
I finsihed mine two weeks ago and tested it live two nights in a row with great success. The preamp is great.
This is how it ended up.
 

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#34
Hey guys, I'm going to be selling this one if anyone is interested. $500 shipped to the conus. With all the dings and stuff on the body. I'm just moving it for a little less than the price of the tuners, pickups and preamp.
 
#35
DEbassist said:
On a positive note, the bowling ball sandpaper got here yesterday and I have to say, this things blew me away. They dont clog up like normal paper, retain water perfectly, don't leave gouges like regular paper and work much more evenly than normal wet paper. It feels like your wiping your bass down with a damp towel.

I went over the bass with a pad of 2000, 3000 and finally 4000. After this was done, the bass had a very fine matte finish to it. Perfectly smooth, looked nice and even. Once that was done, I hit it with some 3m Finesse-it polishing compound. I'm going to let it hang and dry for the day while I research some final finishing processes.

If anyone has any tips, it would be greatly appreciated. :)
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Oh so you did buy some abralon, awesome.
 

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