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modding my T-40
- Thread starter tuBass
- Start date
I was going to take off even more wood, but I got concerned about the structural integrity of it when the strings are tensioned up.
The bass has a pretty severe arch to the top. It's a lot thicker in the middle. Would that effect my ability to plane it? Seems like I would be taking off a lot more off the middle. Wouldn't I have ti built that back up with the new top, or can they plane a curve?
The bass has a pretty severe arch to the top. It's a lot thicker in the middle. Would that effect my ability to plane it? Seems like I would be taking off a lot more off the middle. Wouldn't I have ti built that back up with the new top, or can they plane a curve?
Man, I am definitely interested in seeing how this turns out. I wouldn't do anything to my T-40 because it's a burst, but I would love to get another T-40 in the future in a natural finish. I would totally do something like this! I might even put some Darkstars in it or make it a fretless!
I'm looking forward to the body sculpting. The way I play, the edge of the bass jabs me in the wrist, so that ramp will be nice. I could probably do it myself, but I want to talk to a professional first
A T-40 player I have known for a while has been thru several mods with his beloved T-40. It started out a Natural bass. At one point he drilled a number of variously sized holes thru the body and added contours for arm and tummy and had it painted a really nice Metallic Pearl Blue. He later shaved the entire body down a total of about 3/4" topped and backed it with some flamed maple and shot a yellowed laquer, looked awesome and was the lightest T-40 I've ever seen very nicely balanced. Sorry I don't have digital pix and don't know where the hard copies are at this point.
man, I'd like to see that!
here's the latest on the project. I went ahead and tried my power tools to see if I could do the sculpting. so far so good, but I know it needs a little cleaning up
here's the latest on the project. I went ahead and tried my power tools to see if I could do the sculpting. so far so good, but I know it needs a little cleaning up
It's sitting at an even 4.0 right now. So i've taken off almost one pound. Honestly, I was hoping for more
The next thing I'm hoping for is that this body started out lighter than the body i'm using now. I might weigh it and it will pop a 6.0
The next thing I'm hoping for is that this body started out lighter than the body i'm using now. I might weigh it and it will pop a 6.0
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
Very nice work on the chambers, man. Projects like these are so much fun!!
Obviously, you're a better judge of what you like in body shaping, but if you were a luthier doing my T-40...I'd have ya shave a little bigger swath out for the tummy cut, and smooth the forearm contour into a single-radiused edge. I think, in general, I'd soften the edges on both the front and back. I guess that kinda Fenderizes it a bit, huh...
One other consideration you may or may not choose to look at are keywinds. As long as you have your woodworking gear running, it wouldn't be too hard to install some nice, light high-quality Hipshot Ultralites. They make a very nice HB6Y that would lighten the headstock noticeably. They're not the same as the stock Peavey ones, but they'd look excellent.
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Obviously, you're a better judge of what you like in body shaping, but if you were a luthier doing my T-40...I'd have ya shave a little bigger swath out for the tummy cut, and smooth the forearm contour into a single-radiused edge. I think, in general, I'd soften the edges on both the front and back. I guess that kinda Fenderizes it a bit, huh...
One other consideration you may or may not choose to look at are keywinds. As long as you have your woodworking gear running, it wouldn't be too hard to install some nice, light high-quality Hipshot Ultralites. They make a very nice HB6Y that would lighten the headstock noticeably. They're not the same as the stock Peavey ones, but they'd look excellent.
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yeah, I might cut into the back some more... if for no other reason, I've love to get it down to a 3.8, so I can say I took a pound off of it
I'll think about the hipshots if I have a little neck dive.
I hate to replace them, I spend a small fortune on my t40 drop d tuner already
I hate to replace them, I spend a small fortune on my t40 drop d tuner already
made up my mind after wrestling with it overnight. since I'm playing this bass and giving it a burst so it looks more authentic in a classic rock band, I'm not going to lose the pickguard. I think the t-40 without a guard just doesn't give you that old school vibe.
besides, the inlay has GOT to weigh more than the pickguard, and the whole point of this is to lighten the dang thing.
So I'm waiting on my burst tint and paint to come in, and in the meantime I'm going towork on both of the pickguards I have, and see which one will clean up the best. If the answer is neither, I'll buy a new one
besides, the inlay has GOT to weigh more than the pickguard, and the whole point of this is to lighten the dang thing.
So I'm waiting on my burst tint and paint to come in, and in the meantime I'm going towork on both of the pickguards I have, and see which one will clean up the best. If the answer is neither, I'll buy a new one
ok, I took an extra pickguard and used a little meguiars show car glaze on it. I cleaned it really good and made it shiny, but did not take out micro fine scratches. I might have to use something a little heavier on it, then go back with the fine glaze.
new progress!
I sanded it down smooth, put in grain filler. Sanded lightly
then I used a little amber tinted clear as a sealer. why amber? because I then sanded it down again, and the color contrast between the amber and the wood grain showed me where it wasn't totally smooth
then I re sealed it, and got it ready to spray the black edge
mask in place
the black is sprayed already, but I didn't take pics yet. I will tonight
I sanded it down smooth, put in grain filler. Sanded lightly
then I used a little amber tinted clear as a sealer. why amber? because I then sanded it down again, and the color contrast between the amber and the wood grain showed me where it wasn't totally smooth
then I re sealed it, and got it ready to spray the black edge
mask in place
the black is sprayed already, but I didn't take pics yet. I will tonight
here's the latest
I'm not happy with the transition from the black to the red/brown. I'm going to keep adding the brown until I get a better graduation between the two
I'm not happy with the transition from the black to the red/brown. I'm going to keep adding the brown until I get a better graduation between the two
- Jan 28, 2009
- 2,929
- 4,152
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- Owner: Moonshine Custom Guitars
Looking good, dude! I don't think I would have had the patience to try and painting it like that! You're doing a damn fine job.
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