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How much should I expect to pay for a paint job?

#2
How thick is the spalted top? Does it look like it has some thickness, or is it a veneer?

I ask because if it is a veneer, sanding off the existing finish has a good chance of obliterating the spalted top. If it's a drop-top or carved top plate, it'll probably be OK.

As for pricing, Marty Bell is excellent and charges $280 for transparent colors. Pat Wilkins is also excellent, but you'd have to request a quote.
 
#3
HaMMerHeD said:
How thick is the spalted top? Does it look like it has some thickness, or is it a veneer?

I ask because if it is a veneer, sanding off the existing finish has a good chance of obliterating the spalted top. If it's a drop-top or carved top plate, it'll probably be OK.

As for pricing, Marty Bell is excellent and charges $280 for transparent colors. Pat Wilkins is also excellent, but you'd have to request a quote.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the infos. I'm afraid it's just a piece of veneer. I don't know if it will be thick enough.
 
#4
trabens have a veneer top. The early chaos models were pretty heavy basses. . The later ones were more cheaply made. If your serial number starts with a T you have something to work with. I would avoid sanding on any of the later ones
 
#6
The finish can also be removed chemically, but as for me, I've had mixed results trying to do that.

If the veneer is damaged with the removal of the existing finish, fitting a new veneer would be very challenging. It can be done, but it requires the use of vacuum compression and possibly steam bending. It's not something that can be easily done by a normal DIYer. You may contact Marty Bell or Pat Wilkins and get their advice on it. They may have a suggestion, or they may be able to strip the existing finish without damaging the spalted veneer.
 
#7
can you post a pic?
the transparent colors are shot the same way as "candies" on automobiles...It might be a case of a slightly darker color, but you can lay a candy over the existing finish...

I lay candies over different color basses all the time, on custom motorcycles. If you have any experience with an air brush, it may be possible, if the bass is not too dark
 
#9
Lee H said:
can you post a pic?
the transparent colors are shot the same way as "candies" on automobiles...It might be a case of a slightly darker color, but you can lay a candy over the existing finish...

I lay candies over different color basses all the time, on custom motorcycles. If you have any experience with an air brush, it may be possible, if the bass is not too dark
Click to expand...

Here it is.
 
#10
you are in luck...you can lay a candy finish over that. The color is light enough that a green will work, and the grain will show through

for that you will not sand the old finish all the way off. Just go deep enough to get under the polished finish
 
#11
Lee H said:
you are in luck...you can lay a candy finish over that. The color is light enough that a green will work, and the grain will show through

for that you will not sand the old finish all the way off. Just go deep enough to get under the polished finish
Click to expand...

Thank you. That will probably be done after the holidays if it's not too expensive, and I'll have enough time to get more suggestions.
 
#12
keep me updated on the color change. I have never seen a traben in green before. I know there was a prototype blue phoenix, and I have seen a lot of the two and three color ones. I even have an early three color Chaos... but green will be something unique
 
#15
I had an excellent refin experience with Marty Bell. His prices are fair, his work is top notch, he doesn't ask for any money til the job is completed and he shows you photos, and best of all, he turned it around in a week. I highly recommend him.
 
#16
Budbear said:
I had an excellent refin experience with Marty Bell. His prices are fair, his work is top notch, he doesn't ask for any money til the job is completed and he shows you photos, and best of all, he turned it around in a week. I highly recommend him.
Click to expand...
If he turns it in a week, he is really moving. it takes time for the finish to dry, before it can be wet sanded and buffed


if you guys were closer, I would teach you how to shoot your own paint
 

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