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Gene Simmons LoBue Tribute Build

#901
I'm on vacation at the beach, but i just couldn't stand it anymore. I had to get my LC fix. Everything looks really good BG.

IMHO I think doing the grain filling and initial sealing is much easier with the neck off. Mask the heel and the neck pocket, fill, seal, unmask (get it? hur, hur, hur) glue up, paint.
 
#902
Well, today was the day...

I was going to do the grain sealing portion of the build, but the structural integrity of the flat lap joint has me concerned. I would prefer to glue the neck and body and have it fail before going through the hassle of finishing the bass.

First, I grabbed the pieces. Here we go!
image_zps9c2525f1.jpg


Next, I attached the bridge, E & G tuners, and strings to check alignment before allowing the glue to set up.
image_zpsa46592f4.jpg


The glue is ready!
image_zps622c8d50.jpg


We are glued!
image_zpsb411318c.jpg

image_zpsf4bbcf1a.jpg


It will remain clamped until Saturday. I figure that would be sufficient glue cure time.

Fingers crossed! Stay tuned!
 
#904
bassgod76 said:
Well, today was the day...

I was going to do the grain sealing portion of the build, but the structural integrity of the flat lap joint has me concerned. I would prefer to glue the neck and body and have it fail before going through the hassle of finishing the bass.

First, I grabbed the pieces. Here we go!
image_zps9c2525f1.jpg


Next, I attached the bridge, E & G tuners, and strings to check alignment before allowing the glue to set up.
image_zpsa46592f4.jpg


The glue is ready!
image_zps622c8d50.jpg


We are glued!
image_zpsb411318c.jpg

image_zpsf4bbcf1a.jpg


It will remain clamped until Saturday. I figure that would be sufficient glue cure time.

Fingers crossed! Stay tuned!
Click to expand...

Over night is plenty of glue time. No reason to leave it till saturday.
 
#907
Well, the glue held!
Clamp comes off
image_zps32bf7a7f.jpg


The scary part was placing full tension on the neck. Once again, no problems!
image_zpsb59d6163.jpg[/URL

It was late, but I had to wire it up and put it together!
image_zps75f30522.jpg

It looks great!
[URL=http://s866.photobucket.com/user/Bassgod76/media/LoBue%20build/image_zps5f766cac.jpg.html]image_zps5f766cac.jpg[/URL

Time to strap it on! It is definitely odd having the front strap pin under the neck.
image_zps134e4258.jpg

The top of the body tends to lean out from you.
image_zps4a8649c2.jpg

Fortunately, strap locks won't be an issue. The front strap pin in so far forward, tht it won't touch me.
image_zps4720144f.jpg

I wired it up, and David Schwab at SGD delivered. This pickup really cops a mean Simmons slide. It is exactly what I wanted. Throaty loud, and obnoxious. The best part is this pickup's ability to adjust each string output. Just a turn of the four screws gives you more or less signal. The series/parallel knob works great. Not sure which or I like better.

I was so surprised after setting it up, how nice it pays. It took a few minutes to get used to the short scale, but I can see why Gene favored it in the early days. The small size makes playing feel light and effortless.

After a while, the design really lent itself to easy play. Short scale is a lot less work.

I am in love.

Once paint is done, we make Kisstory.
 
#910
That looks fan-damn-tastic, BG!!
The first time tuning it to pitch, I think my hands would have been shaking just waiting for it to snap in to, lol.
Again, it is very cool...so cool, that you could totally screw the paint job up, and it would still be cool, lol.
But I know you know what your doing when it comes to the paint job, so you are home free...
I'd be tempted to just wipe some walnut stain on it, and play a show with it...then paint it later, lol!
 
#911
THand said:
That looks fan-damn-tastic, BG!!
The first time tuning it to pitch, I think my hands would have been shaking just waiting for it to snap in to, lol.
Again, it is very cool...so cool, that you could totally screw the paint job up, and it would still be cool, lol.
But I know you know what your doing when it comes to the paint job, so you are home free...
I'd be tempted to just wipe some walnut stain on it, and play a show with it...then paint it later, lol!
Click to expand...

That is a cool idea. I may just make another, old school version. We'll see.

This bass has an odd feel at first (I'm a Fender guy), but the design almost becomes a part of you. Almost like a new pair of boots I guess?
 
#912
bassgod76 said:
Time to strap it on! It is definitely odd having the front strap pin under the neck.
image_zps134e4258.jpg


Fortunately, strap locks won't be an issue. The front strap pin in so far forward, tht it won't touch me.
image_zps4720144f.jpg


I wired it up, and David Schwab at SGD delivered. This pickup really cops a mean Simmons slide. It is exactly what I wanted. Throaty loud, and obnoxious. The best part is this pickup's ability to adjust each string output. Just a turn of the four screws gives you more or less signal. The series/parallel knob works great. Not sure which or I like better.

I was so surprised after setting it up, how nice it pays. It took a few minutes to get used to the short scale, but I can see why Gene favored it in the early days. The small size makes playing feel light and effortless.

After a while, the design really lent itself to easy play. Short scale is a lot less work.

I am in love.

Once paint is done, we make Kisstory.
Click to expand...

This bass is just So. Damn. AWESOME!!! Congrats man, it was a fun build to watch and the result turned out really gret. You nailed it. Now, go paint, and rock and roll all night!
 
#915
Alright, I couldn't take it anymore. Because of THand and his "devil's advocacy", I purchased a Fender threaded saddle bridge. For $25 new, it was a good buy.

Besides, the Vintage threaded is my favorite bridge. Why I opted for a stupid MIM bridge is beyond me.
 
#918
bassgod76 said:
It sounds awesome. The E string is very authoritative and throaty. It's back in pieces for grain filling and hopefully paint over the long weekend.
Click to expand...

A bit of advice, realize right now, that you wont finish the paint job this weekend. With the amount of work it takes to get a good finish, combined with drying times its going to take you at least 2 or 3 weekends using poly. Much longer with Nitro.
 
#919
Hopkins said:
A bit of advice, realize right now, that you wont finish the paint job this weekend. With the amount of work it takes to get a good finish, combined with drying times its going to take you at least 2 or 3 weekends using poly. Much longer with Nitro.
Click to expand...

Not using nitro. The cure time is too long. I need the bass by October 27th, since we play the Bon Voyage party for the kiss Kruise. I'm just hoping to get it started, so I can work my costume build while the bass dries.
 
#920
bassgod76 said:
Not using nitro. The cure time is too long. I need the bass by October 27th, since we play the Bon Voyage party for the kiss Kruise. I'm just hoping to get it started, so I can work my costume build while the bass dries.
Click to expand...

You will still need a good two weekends. With the urethane I use you can only get one coat a day, and I need at minimum 4 coats. The first sealer coat seals the grain, the second one gets leveled out. Then two color coats. If I am doing a flake finish that requires a clear it takes 6 coats.
 

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