Arghhg. Had a couple small drips somehow. Need to do another wetsand and hope that that'll be the final coat after.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
First Build - And May My Mistakes Be Minimal
- Thread starter PDX Rich
- Start date
Ok. Wet sanded the drips with 2000 micro mesh and mineral spirits and added another coat. I'll go through a couple more grades of mesh paper and see how things look before putting her away to cure.
I am just completing refinishing an RSB Deluxe. I have been looking at this Cat Bass I picked up inexpensively five years back. It has lots of character but aftermarket bridge, pups and electronics. The kicker for me is it is PLYWOOD. I have a poplar body blank sitting here that is screaming at me for a project. I'll make a set of templates for the build, copying the original body. I will have to put on a Babicz bridge then shop around for a P pickup. It should sound amazing. I will respectfully retire the body unabused.
The neck is solid and carries lots of character. Think aged white with cuts dings and a cigarette burn. I can reproduce the script. Should I go with an aged white body with some mild roadwear or go with Black and do a crisp faux B&G look?
The neck is solid and carries lots of character. Think aged white with cuts dings and a cigarette burn. I can reproduce the script. Should I go with an aged white body with some mild roadwear or go with Black and do a crisp faux B&G look?
I'm a sucker for the B&G look, but I don't think you can lose either way. Sounds like a fun project!
Yup! I wanted to achieve a bit of symmetry with the body while not mimicking the shape too much. I think it'll "fix" the flow of the instrument a bit. Then I'll sand and apply oil. I will wait until the rest is cured so I don't mar the finish while handling!
I am still on the fence for it. It was played regularly on the Austin Texas bar circuit and has well earned battle scars to prove it. The yellowing of its white colour is more from cigarette smoke than age. It would be fun to try and reproduce a better sounding bass that recreates the originals Mojo.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Congrats on the cool build. As a hobbyist designer-assembler I am always impressed by folks who can cut their own bodies and necks.
Yah. I have three real B&G's and a few faux B&G's. What can I say I was a kid in the seventies and my favourite F1 racing team was John Player Special racing. Black and gold livery.
Try out a build. It is easier than you think. You just need patience.
Doner Designs
Steve Doner
- Jun 2, 2012
- 5,784
- 6,819
- Disclosures
- Doner Designs is an alias for Steve Doner
Patience, lots of time and some nice tools....none of which I have.
I definitely want to try doing a body some day but not sure I'll ever want to tackle a neck.
No special tools are needed. A router is the most exotic thing I use.Patience, lots of time and some nice tools....none of which I have.
I definitely want to try doing a body some day but not sure I'll ever want to tackle a neck.
Check out some build threads. You'd be surprised at the success rate for first-time builders. As for me, I started here, poked around, went to YouTube and other forums (tdpri.com) and old woodworking articles.
Grab some inexpensive/BF wood such as pine, poplar, or even ash and alder and give it a whirl. You'll be glad you did. Without a jointer, table saw, bandsaw or planer, you'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with a jigsaw and a router.
Grab some inexpensive/BF wood such as pine, poplar, or even ash and alder and give it a whirl. You'll be glad you did. Without a jointer, table saw, bandsaw or planer, you'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with a jigsaw and a router.
Sounds like my first build. lolCheck out some build threads. You'd be surprised at the success rate for first-time builders. As for me, I started here, poked around, went to YouTube and other forums (tdpri.com) and old woodworking articles.
Grab some inexpensive/BF wood such as pine, poplar, or even ash and alder and give it a whirl. You'll be glad you did. Without a jointer, table saw, bandsaw or planer, you'd be amazed at what you can accomplish with a jigsaw and a router.
I am mostly amused and amazed that I can actually give somewhat educated advice on woodworking after starting my first woodworking project a mere 6 months ago.
Really one of the best things I have ever challenged myself with.
Its been said before, but luthiery is mainly acquired skills fixing or capitalizing on screwups, at least in my experience. I find it really helps to visualize each step before you do it, then the actual doing seems familiar. I'm a total Youtube tutorial freak, amazing resource. In my case, I have the tools, but not the time, at least until winter slows everything down.
Go for it. Start where you feel comfortable or give yourself a small challenge. You will love it.Patience, lots of time and some nice tools....none of which I have.
I definitely want to try doing a body some day but not sure I'll ever want to tackle a neck.
I always tell people it's patience more than anything else. That patience shows up as slow progress, but more importantly in patiently thinking out steps and work flows. There are no shortcuts that are worth taking. I completely agree that fixing mistakes ends up being a large part of it too. On my first two instruments I freaked out when I made a mistake, now I take a more pragmatic view of things.
