• 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.

Help for beginner on memorial project

buldog5151bass

buldog5151bass

Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Oct 22, 2003
26,719
70,204
Connecticut
bulldogbatsonline.com
#1
A guitarist with whom I had played for many years died earlier this year - a wonderful person. He built guitars as a hobby/side hustle. His widow graciously left me a project he had started, and I would like to complete it in his memory (I've never done this before). I have some questions. Long post ahead...

Body: he painted it a fantastic CAR - my favorite solid color.
20220924_093905.jpg


I assume it would be smart to line the pickup cavities (not the control cavity) with copper tape. I assume any copper tape on Amazon works.

Neck: he used a transfer on the neck (Lucille is his wife) and lacquered over the headstock (I'm assuming nitro based on what he had done in the past). The rest of the neck is bare maple.

20220924_093839.jpg
20220924_093853.jpg


What are my options to protect the fingerboard and back of the neck? I like a satin finish. I will tape off what is finished. Can I wipe on oil (what oil)? If I spray, do I need nitro, or can I just get a can of gloss poly, spray a few light coats, and scotchbrite the vck of the neck when dry? Do I need to tape off the nut and frets?

Frets. There is a lot of sprout (Mighty Mite neck). Is fret filing something a beginner can do, or should I leave it for professional? If so, what necessary tools, and best youtube video to watch?

I am waiting to see what electronics and hardware he has left.

Many thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Admiral Chew, Sub41, Bass Jones and 7 others
#3
Copper tape with conductive adhesive is the best bet (sorry, don’t know any brand names). Even with that, it’s not a bad idea to get a blob of solder across the tape joints. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t shield the control cavity. If I leave anything, I’ll typically leave the pickup cavities bare and shield the controls. While you have the copper tape out, put a strip under where the bridge will go to lay the bridge ground wire on and help make sure it remains in long term contact with the bridge.

Use the finish you like on the neck. If you like oil, TruOil is a good one but there are others. If the fretboard is unfinished it will quickly look dirty without a finish. Again, the finish of your choice. It’s probably easier to spray, at least for the way I’d do things. Be aware there may end up being a tape line at the headstock if you tape off and use a different finish then what’s already on there. That would need to be sanded smooth and buffed as needed. I’d finish/spray the board before any fret work as the leveling and crowning will take any finish off of the fret tops.


As far as the fret work, it’s not difficult. There’s myriad videos along with a variety of tools that can and are used and every acolyte will claim that their method and tools are the best. Really, it comes down to learning how to best use what you have. Having said all that, if this would be your first fret job and you want it perfect you could consider handing it off to a pro, especially if you have someone locally you’re comfortable with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: buldog5151bass and Gilmourisgod
#4
Sorry to hear about your friend, nice gesture finishing the guitar. I would line the control cavity with copper tape as well, make sure you get the kind with conductive adhesive. The fretwork is an acquired skill requiring a few tools, but not rocket science. There are hundreds of good instructional videos on YT, watch as many as you can stand before even touching the frets. If your buddy started with nitro, keep going with that, new coats will “burn in” to the old. It’s nasty, toxic stuff, so don’t even attempt without a good respirator and other PPE. You could oil the back of the neck or spray satin nitro, you need something or it will get grungy quick. All do-able, it’s mainly attitude and attention to detail. You might want to post this on the Rattlecan Refinish Club for spray finish advice. There’s a guy on YT called Brad Angove who has some good painting tutorials. Good luck with it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spidey2112 and buldog5151bass
#5
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. It's a great thing that you are completing his last build. I'm not really a finish expert, so I'll leave that to the pros.

About the fretwork: It is all doable, even for a beginner, but there's a learning curve. It's important to have the proper files for the job:
1. A long straight file for leveling and beveling the sides of the frets. You can also use it to file off the fret sprout. A straight sanding beam with sandpaper (320-400 grit, about half the length of your fretboard) works for leveling, too.
2. A crowning file. There are two versions, the concave file and the traditional triangular file. Both work, perhaps the concave crowning file is a bit easier to handle for a beginner.
3. A fret end dressing file. This is typically a finer, narrower file that you can use to round over the fret ends. It is important that it has a smooth edge so that you don't file into your fretboard.

Make sure to tape off the fretboard between the frets before you start leveling, crowning or dressing the frets. Use a black permanent marker to color the top of your frets, then it's easy to see where you have already removed material and where you have to file more.

Tons of tutorials are available online, check them out. The good thing about fretwork is that if it's not perfect the first time, you can get back to it later and re-level and re-crown the frets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gilmourisgod, mikewalker and buldog5151bass
#8
Flamingo21 said:
Subscribed. I think it's very cool that you're taking this challenge.

As it happens, I love red basses with maple fingerboards. There's even a club for that:
The Official "Red 'n' Maple FB" Club
When finished, we'd love you to show your bass there. :)
Click to expand...

Actually, it's a guitar, not a bass. He had finished a butterscotch blonde '51 Precision clone for me a few years ago, but this was one of his Tele guitars.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: instrumentalist
#9
Very excellent momento of your old friend! Based on your description it seems you are new to fretwork and such... so if you really want to buy some tools and DIY I'd suggest also buying one of those super cheap kits (or a similar inexpensive beater from a pawnshop) and using that as a practice run... once yer confident you have mastered the techniques sufficiently - then do the job on the Memorial.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Max Bogosity, buldog5151bass, instrumentalist and 1 other person
#12
My condolences to your friend, do him proud and take your time with it. Some good suggestions already. But i just did some fretwork on a bass using a fine steel file and a fret crowning tool. Sprouting on the sides you can use 400-800 grit paper then smooth out with finer stuff 1000-1200? I now this is a guitar but i guess its similar procedure. I've never stained a neck or painted one yet, but YT is a godsend, and i guess you are to, for your friend and his widow for taking on this project..good one you.:thumbsup:...I have family in Waterbury, but i myself am in NEPA overall a 2hr trek.
 
#13
Poly clear will not work well with the nitro on the headstock.

I would whipe it with some nitro to get some protection and still mantain a satin finish. Or you could use oil, but I don't really like oiled maple fretboards as they tend to build up dirt.

As for the fretwork, a nice fret dressing requires some practice; it is possible to achieve a good result on your first attempt if you have some skill for detail and patience, just take our time and work slowly.
 
#14
Honestly? If this were "any old" guitar project, I might attempt the neck finish and fret dress myself. Being that this is something you'll likely keep forever, I would have a pro do it. One slip of a tool doing a fret dress and you'll scratched that neck pretty bad.

Sorry for your loss. Either way, it will be something great to own when it's done.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back