Gene Simmons Spector Copy Build

[Matt Liebenau]

Yeah, I kind of dig it in a perverted sort of way...

Still have to get rid of that white pickup.


Moonshine

It’s just a Sharpie away from being black... or any other Sharpie color.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Please do. I’m very interested

It showed up today...

It's pretty crazy... It's tiny, definitely short scale. Weighs nothing (maybe 5 pounds), neck dive from hell.

Pretty cool though, 24 fret neck with an angled headstock. I haven't plugged it in yet but it plays pretty good.

Not sure what I'm going to do with it, as mentioned previously I bought it on a whim. I originally thought about converting it into an 8 string (4 strings doubled) with the octave tuners below the bridge but the forearm bevel on the body cuts below the bridge into where octave tuners would mount.


Moonshine

 

[bassgod76]

It showed up today...
View attachment 2943486
It's pretty crazy... It's tiny, definitely short scale. Weighs nothing (maybe 5 pounds), neck dive from hell.

Pretty cool though, 24 fret neck with an angled headstock. I haven't plugged it in yet but it plays pretty good.

Not sure what I'm going to do with it, as mentioned previously I bought it on a whim. I originally thought about converting it into an 8 string (4 strings doubled) with the octave tuners below the bridge but the forearm bevel on the body cuts below the bridge into where octave tuners would mount.


Moonshine

Darn it! The trus rod adjust is at the nut.
Guess I’m back to the drawing board, looking for Danelectro necks...

 

[bassgod76]

I’ve been down for the week with the flu, but I started back up last night.
Final filling of my bolt-on headstock

Final shaping and smoothing out the bolt-on neck heel.

 

[Blazer]

Nice Job so far but there are a couple of things I have to point out.

Your donor bass isn't an Aria, it's a Vantage the V logo on the neckplate identifies it as such. But they came from the same factory, there isn't that much difference.

The model number is VS600B.

Also, having owned one such bass, the Bridge wasn't bent, they are meant to curved like that.

Killer job on the conversion though, keep up the good work.

 

[bassgod76]

Nice Job so far but there are a couple of things I have to point out.

Your donor bass isn't an Aria, it's a Vantage the V logo on the neckplate identifies it as such. But they came from the same factory, there isn't that much difference.
View attachment 2945643
View attachment 2945644
The model number is VS600B.

Also, having owned one such bass, the Bridge wasn't bent, they are meant to curved like that.

Killer job on the conversion though, keep up the good work.

Yes, later in this build thread, I found out it was a vantage.

I did look at the bridge. It may have been evenly curved at one point, but the bridge on mine was bent more, around the E & A saddle.

 

[bassgod76]

Last night I finished up more items.
I installed the trus rod cover to my neck through. The headstock is now completely fabricated, and my body wings should be ready this week, for shaping.

 

[bassgod76]

Last night and tonight, I used an item to grain fill; wall board compound.

I’ve used it in the past, and it helps with porous woods like mahogany.
After sanding the first coat

And the second and last coat goes on.

 

[Blazer]

Way cool. I can just imagine myself strapping that bass on and going "GET UP, and get your grandma outta here!"

 

[bassgod76]

Way cool. I can just imagine myself strapping that bass on and going "GET UP, and get your grandma outta here!"

I was the same way when I built my first LoBue. While a curious-fitting bass, it was a super cool addition to my stable, back in my tribute days.

 

[bassgod76]

Tonight I finished sanding my bolt-on. Primer starts tomorrow. So excited to see it in one color; not 5 different wood tones.

I also started plotting my templates for my neck through.
I will be using my bolt-on template, as I think the bolt-on was a one-off.

The lined areas will be cut out, as they were support neck pocket for my bolt-on.

Laying my neck core on top of my template, I had to figure out a way to cut a straight line on my template edge.

Then it came to me! Just use double stick tape, and stick your body wing on it. This way the other side rests against the saw fence, giving me a straight cut.

This way, the template will be already fastened to the wing, and ready for cut out and shape routing.

 

[bassgod76]

Tonight we began paint on the bolt-on!
I’m being really disciplined with thin coats. So far, no orange peel or runs.

My neck tint is nitro, so it needs to go on first, since my primer, color and clear are enamel. I like enamel, as it hardens quickly.

Neck prepped,

Tint goes on

First coat of of primer goes on the body

Third and last coat for tonight.

Tomorrow I will give both light sanding wit 320 grit, and resume a few more coats of the primer and tint.

 

[bassgod76]

Tonight I cut my wing templates to their respective wood.
It’s in reverse, because the templates are mounted underneath, but after cutting and routing, I will flip them around.

I also finished tinting the neck.
6 coats and done.

I also completed the primer stage of the body.
6 coats and done.

 

[bassgod76]

We have progressed into color. In the spirit of minimizing orange peel, I’m not only employing thinner coats, but have reduced my sprays per session from 3 to 2.

Also, the body is vigorously sanded with 220 between each session.

It may take longer, but I’m hoping for less orange peel.

It’s going to take me at least 8 more coats to fill all this grain.

 

[Blazer]

Be sure to launch into "Detroit Rock City" when you finally get 'er done!

 

[bound'n'blocked]

"She" or "100,000 Years" would be better...

BnB

 

[Blazer]

"She" or "100,000 Years" would be better...

BnB

Nah that's LoBue territory, the Spector came in much later.

Heck I could have said "War machine" from "Creatures of the night" since Gene used his Spectors on that tour too.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I was just thinking about songs with a cool bass intro!

BnB

 

[bassgod76]

I had to take a step back for a week, as my paint job is not going out the way I planned. I thought I had grain filler enough, but when I hit it with the black, it was obvious that I needed to go back to the drawing board.

Talking to some the folks on here, I stripped the paint off and started over. I also employed the use of proper filler and sealer.

The additional work was worth it.
I will post additional photos when I try the color coat again.

My neck through Spector is now ready to be glued together.

 

[Blazer]

I had to take a step back for a week, as my paint job is not going out the way I planned. I thought I had grain filler enough, but when I hit it with the black, it was obvious that I needed to go back to the drawing board.
View attachment 2977660
Talking to some the folks on here, I stripped the paint off and started over. I also employed the use of proper filler and sealer.
View attachment 2977677
The additional work was worth it.
I will post additional photos when I try the color coat again.

My neck through Spector is now ready to be glued together.
View attachment 2977688

Looks like you're making great progress.

So, is THIS Gene Simmons Spector the next one on your list?

In my opinion, that's the prettiest of all his Spectors