NBD - Free Bass!

[Standalone]

Well! The parts cleaned up OK. I set them aside for the nonce.

The plastic nut hath arriven. I have a brass nut underway from China, but this one will do until then.
View attachment 3791595

You can also see why I thought this was a shorty when I put it in the gig bag.

I recommend installing tuners with a body-ward downward angle like an SR. Interesting bass.

I work on old rusty bicycles and second the vinegar recommendation. Let that dry and then try the WD40 and PB blaster etc.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

On Sunday, I saw an ad that someone was giving away a bass.
View attachment 3776236

Naturally, I jumped hard and fast. Ta da!

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The bridge looks solid, but feels like cheap metal. 4 screw mount, one at each corner.

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Love the string retainer!

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Looks like standard VVT wiring. When I plugged it in, the bridge pickup is weak Sausage, but the P side is fine.

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Tuners gotta go. They're wobbly, and the spacer for the A knob is gone.

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One of the screws for the truss rod cover has a stripped head. That's going to be fun.

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Leftover trash.

I had originally thought to simply part it out, but the more I dink around with it, the more I want to make it go boom.

Cant beat free.

 

[Spidey2112]

Own it, VK!

 

[TrevorG]

Keep the pictures coming. This thread’s like Netflix!

 

[Ostie]

Dude, I’m jealous. That’s a perfect pandemic project! I got a free bass from a buddy once, but the neck was crooked as a Tennessee turnpike, so I sold it a garage sale. But I love getting old, tired stuff and fixing it and cleaning it up.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Next step: clean up the DNA. I used grease cutting kitchen cleaner and a scrubby.
View attachment 3777581

That fingerboard!
I swear!
Some guys are just itchin' for a staph infection or a virus!

 

[Volker Kirstein]

I disassembled the body and neck, and roughed up the body with 1200 grit.

The parallel waves are artifacts from the factory finish, I think. Anyway, I couldn't pop out the ferrules, so they're getting painted over.

First spray.

Rookie mistake! I tried to cover the black on the first round, and got runs. Then wiped it. Which means a lot more sanding and smoothing. Blä. My own fault for being impatient.

Anyway, I dabbed on the headstock with Sharpie again. The wood soaks up the ink, and I may have to do it several times.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

PS - Sanding out the runs was much faster and easier than expected, so a 2nd coat was applied. It already looks much better.

 

[hypercarrots]

I disassembled the body and neck, and roughed up the body with 1200 grit.
View attachment 3797492
View attachment 3797493

The parallel waves are artifacts from the factory finish, I think. Anyway, I couldn't pop out the ferrules, so they're getting painted over.

First spray.
View attachment 3797498

Rookie mistake! I tried to cover the black on the first round, and got runs. Then wiped it. Which means a lot more sanding and smoothing. Blä. My own fault for being impatient.

Anyway, I dabbed on the headstock with Sharpie again. The wood soaks up the ink, and I may have to do it several times.
View attachment 3797503

maybe black nail polish?

 

[Volker Kirstein]

maybe black nail polish?

*smacks own forehead*
Doh!

Excellent suggestion.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

I started on the back today. I learned from yesterday's mistake, and am not trying to cover all the black on the first coat. This is going a lot quicker than I thought it would.

Pfeffernuss is also going to stop at the drug store today, to see about black nail polish, in leau of Sharpie, for covering the tiny headstock dings.

 

[Spidey2112]

PS - Sanding out the runs was much faster and easier than expected, so a 2nd coat was applied. It already looks much better.
View attachment 3797828

Looks great!

 

[yodedude2]

you might be able to use an old hex key to knock out the ferrules from the top side. if you can put a slice into that stripped screw head on the t.r.c., it might help to get that off. oh by the way...matching headstock?

 

[Volker Kirstein]

you might be able to use an old hex key to knock out the ferrules from the top side. if you can put a slice into that stripped screw head on the t.r.c., it might help to get that off. oh by the way...matching headstock?

I tried that hex key trick last night, tapping with a hammer. They didn't budge. So I'll have green ferrules. No huhu.

I'm going to leave the neck and headstock black. Black tuners are on order. Black soapbars for the pickups. I suspect the two tone green/black w/chrome highlights (bridge/knobs) is going to look pretty cool.

 

[yodedude2]

you could paint the neck screw heads green. or black. for fun.

 

[Wisebass]

hi Volker

Funny project!

I suspect the two tone green/black w/chrome highlights (bridge/knobs) is going to look pretty cool.

Yep! Laubfrosch on steroids! Maybe get a "Kermit" logo for the headstock!


greetings

Wise

 

[tubatodd]

I tried that hex key trick last night, tapping with a hammer. They didn't budge. So I'll have green ferrules. No huhu.

I'm going to leave the neck and headstock black. Black tuners are on order. Black soapbars for the pickups. I suspect the two tone green/black w/chrome highlights (bridge/knobs) is going to look pretty cool.

Ooooh so you are going to change the pickup routes to soap bar. Nice! Good luck

 

[scuzzy]

I love a great bass redemption story. Press on!

 

[tubatodd]

Ooooh so you are going to change the pickup routes to soap bar. Nice! Good luck

Why didn't you do the routing before the painting?

 

[Volker Kirstein]

The initial coat is dry enough to mock up and see how the color scheme is actually going to look.

I must say, it looks even better than I imagined it would!

I also used black nail polish to touch up the headstock and neck rise in a more permanent manner.