My P bass refinishing thread

[Definitely]

Definitely: Don't remember the exact grit number, but it was fairy fine grit. I got my LPB at a car paint shop that made it for me after the original recipe. You could try something like that.

Tommy

somewhere around 2000 maybe? or finer? and how did you find the formula for the LPB

 

[todegard]

Might be 1200. You'll find a link to the formulas in post 14.

Tommy

 

[Gecko 5]

Definitely: Don't remember the exact grit number, but it was fairy fine grit. I got my LPB at a car paint shop that made it for me after the original recipe. You could try something like that.

Gecko 5: I'm doing this project with cheap spray cans from auto parts stores. So the paint is poly. I'm going with a mirror pick guard.
And do make a thread on your project too

Tommy

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/new-bass-build-779534/

I've changed my project. I bought a body with a bad finish.
Bought a Warmoth body to replace the bad one. I decided I don't like the Olympic White Warmoth, now I'm trying to finish the bad finish on the original body.

 

[todegard]

Cool. Subbed.

Tommy

 

[Definitely]

question: when doing a matching headstock should I clear gloss it or just sand it a bit

 

[zodiac1968]

question: when doing a matching headstock should I clear gloss it or just sand it a bit

defin. go with the gloss

 

[eggfart1]

Why did you choose such an ugly colour?

 

[Evil Undead]

Why did you choose such an ugly colour?

In your opinion.

And, it's not cool to diss someone else's work, or choice of colour/bass

 

[Electricblue]

In your opinion.

And, it's not cool to diss someone else's work, or choice of colour/bass

I think it's a fantastic colour choice!

You could be like me and choose a Fluorescent Yellow body and Neon Pink strings

 

[todegard]

I'm done! I've had to put the project aside for a while because I've bought a new house and sold my old, but now I've had the time to finish it.

The clear coats have been drying several weeks and I sanded it very carefully with 2000 grit sandpaper to get it smooth.
After that I polished the body with car wax to get it nice and shiny.

Assembling the bass was much easier than expected. I have never soldered anything before, but have watched others do it and amazingly got it right the first time.
I was carefult to write down where all the wires were supposed to go when I took the bass apart, so putting it all together again was easy.

It took me about an hour to install the tuners, neck, bridge and solder everything.

I'll take some petter pics, but here's one I took right after it was done:



The Warmoth neck is massive, but I like it. The bass sounds brighter and punchier than with the original rosewood fb neck. It's got D'addario nickel rounds on it now but I'm going to try Chromes on it too.
Can't help playing some Iron Maiden on it and it nails that tone.

I must say I'm very happy with the way the project turned out.
I've never done something like this before, so I've learned along the way. And I've proved it's absolutely possible to get a good result with just cheap spray cans.
You just have to take your time and not rush anything.

This has been a fun project and I've learned a few things on the way.

I'll try to make some videos/sound samples too.

Tommy

 

[stonedmotus]

looks great, you just need the badass bridge & you got a steve harris model. nice.

 

[todegard]

I like the Gotoh 201, it might get that.

Tommy

 

[f.c.geil]

Really nice work, Tommy! That thing is gorgeous.

 

[todegard]

Thanks

Tommy

 

[MacBass57]

Great refinish Tommy. Thanks for the posts. I'm going to try refinishing my "93 Jazz Bass.